Free Death by Desire (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 4) by Jaden Skye

Cindy felt badly, as though she were leaving Tiffany stranded
on the shore. She almost felt as if Tiffany’s spirit were begging Cindy to stay
with her.
    When they got back up the hill, Tomas stepped
forward.
    “Hope that was useful,” he said perfunctorily.
    “Everything helps,” said Cindy.
    “Next we’re going to talk to Tad’s parents,”
Mattheus said.
    Tomas bristled. “No reason for it. We’ve talked
to them enough,” he sounded resentful. “There’s nothing more they have to say.
We’re on top of the case. And the guys from Guadeloupe are on their way up, as
well.”
    “I hear you,” said Mattheus, “but we’re got our
own work cut out, too.”
    “You don’t get what I’m saying do you?” Tomas’s
voice deepened. “Back off. Take it easy. We don’t want you guys spreading panic
on the island. Tell the Senator’s family what you want, but it’s not going to
help anything for you to get in our way.” His face was red and his eyes half
shut.
    “He means what he says,” Marc echoed. “If you
step on the wrong shoes here, you can get kicked back pretty hard.”
    “Got it,” Mattheus said.
    “It’s been nice knowing you,” said Tomas then,
as the three of them turned to go.
    “Looks like we’ve just been relegated to no man’s
land,” said Cindy.
    “They can say what they want,” Mattheus
grinned, “it takes more than that to get rid of me.”
    “I wonder what they’re so afraid of our finding
out?”
    “Whatever it is, it stinks to high heaven,”
said Mattheus, “underneath this luscious island, something’s badly rotting, and
it’s time for us to find out what.”
     
     

CHAPTER 7
     
     
    The drive to Tad’s parent’s
home was surprisingly silent. Mattheus was in deep thought. He had a lot more
research to do on Sasha Petrovich and the political situation on the island,
but wanted to personally speak with Tad’s family as well.
    When Cindy had called Tad’s
parents, asking for an interview, it took a while for them to agree.  Cindy had
to promise to keep it short, before they finally gave her their address and
directions to their home.
    “I find it odd how little
attention has been paid to Tad’s family,” Mattheus remarked, when Cindy
mentioned that she got the appointment. “They’ve managed to escape into the
shadows beautifully.”
    “Why shouldn’t they? This has
to be terrible for them as well,” Cindy replied.
    “Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t.
Let’s find out. I’m going with you,” Mattheus was adamant.
    Cindy wondered what he
expected to find.
    Now as they approached the
home, the narrow road they drove on suddenly grew jagged as it twisted and
turned. At the end of the road a large, well-appointed home stood grandly,
under huge palm trees.
    Cindy was taken aback. “This
looks like a little palace,” she said.
    “Many of the homes on the
island are like this,” said Mattheus, unimpressed. “Getaways for the wealthy,
while the rest of us mortals have to work.”
    Cindy was surprised by Mattheus’
bitterness.
    “What’s wrong with working?”
she said. “Working is good. I like what I do.”
    “So do I,” said Mattheus, “but
we’re rare. There are millions who do not, who work under the thumbs of folks
like this.”
    Cindy turned and looked at
him. She hadn’t realized he had such strong feelings about the wealthy. There
was a lot she didn’t know about Mattheus, she realized. It was fascinating
watching different aspects of his personality unfold.
    “I hope you don’t let your feelings
get in the way of the investigation,” Cindy remarked.
    Mattheus didn’t like that. “I
never let anything get in the way of cases I’m on. Nothing, ever. I’m a
complete professional.”
    “Wow,” said Cindy. “Looks like
I hit a nerve.”
    They drove up the driveway,
parked along the side and got out of the car together. Unexpectedly, it felt as
if about to rain, and the house was surrounded by a mist. Unusual for the
weather on St.