Free Death by Devotion (Book #9 in the Caribbean Murder Series) by Jaden Skye

were booked in was low and flat, perched on the edge of a
residential street that seemed perfectly ordinary, in every way. Walking up to the
front door was like visiting someone’s oversized home.
    Cindy
walked into the lobby and looked around. As Mattheus had said, the place was
simple, but clean. The lobby, which was empty, had old rattan furniture and a bare
threaded rug in the center. A few, old lamps were on end tables and old
magazines were strewn on a side chair.
    Mattheus
went to the desk, where a heavy man was slumped over, half asleep.
    “Hey,
Ed, wake up,” Mattheus jostled him. “We need another key – for room 22.”
    The
guy woke up quickly, rustled to the back where the keys were hanging took one
and handed it to Mattheus. Then he looked at Cindy and grinned.
    “Nice
to see you, nice to see you,” he mumbled quickly to her.
    “Thanks,
Ed,” Cindy replied as she followed Mattheus to the tiny elevator in the rear.
    *
    Cindy’s
room was small, but clean. The windows had been left open and thankfully and
refreshing breeze blew in.
    Mattheus
put her one piece of luggage on the floor and nodding, quickly left. Cindy was
grateful for that. Her mind was spinning in a thousand directions and she
wanted to wash up and go to sleep, not deal with anything else at the moment.
    After
she was finished in the bathroom and ready to get into bed, Cindy decided to
take a quick look at her phone.  Since she’d landed she’d forgotten it even
existed, or that there might be messages waiting for her.  As she opened it up,
reality returned.  There were a few texts, one from her sister, Ann.
    Cindy,
please let us know that you’ve arrived safely. We’re waiting to hear. That’s
the least you can do.
    Cindy
gulped. She’d wished she’d checked this sooner .
    Cindy,
where are you ?
Of course Cindy hadn’t yet replied to that. A few hours later Ann had sent
another text.   Everyone in town is so upset that you’re gone. They can’t
wait for you to return.
    On
the one hand Cindy was glad that Ann cared so much, on the other it was
exhausting to have to always check in.
    I’m
fine ,
Cindy texted back right now. Just got the texts. Have been going right from
the second the plane landed. Please, please, don’t worry about me.
    Cindy
then got into bed, pulled a light cover over her and almost immediately fell
into a deep sleep.
    *
    When
Cindy awoke in the morning, the bright Caribbean sun was shining into her room,
warming and soothing her as it always did. She tossed for a moment and then sat
up and looked at the clock. My God, it was ten already.  It wasn’t like her to
sleep that late. She’d probably been more exhausted that she even realized.
    After
washing and dressing, she decided to look at her phone for messages before she
went down for breakfast. As she’d expected two were waiting for her. The first
was from Mattheus.
    So
glad you’re here. Thanks again. I’m going to the jail now to speak to Andrea.
Fill you in later.
    Cindy
was glad to have heard where he was. She knew that her being down here was
giving Mattheus the strength he needed to go forward and investigate.
    The
other text message waiting was from Sean. That also pleased and surprised
Cindy.
    Hi,
Cindy, love to have a few minutes with you to fill you in. Contact me when you
have a chance. Sean.
    Perfect
timing, thought Cindy. Mattheus would be at the jail talking to Andrea.  Sean
could join her for breakfast and fill her in on the details of the case, thus
far. She needed to know more in order to go forward. The meeting with Sean
would help her plan who to speak to next.
    Cindy
texted back, asking him to join her, telling him where she was going to be. 
Sean responded quickly, saying he’d be right there.
    *
    Breakfast
was served in a little hut, outside the hotel. Cindy took one of the small
seats in it and rested her arms on the table. Thankfully, it was empty.
Probably too late for breakfast now and too early for lunch. It was stuffy