Death by Seduction Read online

  “You look wonderful,” Cindy breathed.

  Loretta smoothed her hair quickly and smiled, “Thanks, you were always the best. You always had something nice to say about everyone.”

  “It’s actually amazing that you’re holding up so well, after such a tragedy,” Cindy couldn’t help but add.

  Loretta lifted her hand to swat away a fly and then put her arm around Cindy, completely ignoring what she’d just said.

  “You’re the best now and you always were the best, Cindy,” Loretta continued.

  “I’m glad to be with you,” Cindy answered simply. It seemed at the moment that Loretta might be in denial. For a moment she feared that Loretta would not be able to help with the investigation. But Loretta had enough clarity to contact Cindy and make arrangements for the trip. There was no reason to assume she couldn’t be counted upon.

  “We have a lot to do here together,” Cindy commented gently, as she and Loretta walked down a long plank towards baggage claim.

  “We sure do,” said Loretta, “we sure do.”

  *

  “Fill me in on you life, fill me in,” Loretta said after they got the baggage and were getting into a cab. Loretta and Pete had been staying in a beautiful hotel in Santa Domingo and Loretta had gotten Cindy a room on the very same floor.

  Cindy wanted to talk instead about Pete’s murder, and decided to find a way to help Loretta bring it up.

  “What have you been doing all these years since college?” Loretta smiled at Cindy, as if this were a simple reunion between very old friends.

  “No, you fill me in first,” Cindy replied lightly as the cab drifted onto a highway surrounded by gigantic palm trees.

  “Life has been good, it’s been beautiful,” Loretta started, staring out the cab window. “Pete and I have been so happy together. It’s been a fairy tale life all these years.”

  Cindy nodded slowly. She knew that after a tragedy it was natural to keep returning to the past, where all had seemed beautiful and safe. It was of demanding that reality stay as it had been, the way one wanted it.

  “Do you remember Pete at all?” Loretta asked then, facing Cindy.

  “Yes, I do. I remember that he was a finance major, very handsome and that he certainly swept you off your feet,” Cindy smiled.

  Loretta was pleased. “You got that right.”

  “I’m glad you two were so happy,” Cindy slowly went on.

  Loretta placed her hands in her lap and slowly squeezed them into fists.

  “Pete and I came down here to buy a vacation condo,” Loretta’s voice began to rise. “We found one we wanted and Pete even left a huge deposit on it. He knows the island well, comes down here often for business.”

  “What did Pete do?” Cindy wanted to hear more, glad that Loretta was speaking.

  “He works for financial firm that speculates in all kinds of investments and has a branch down here as well.”

  “This must have been a big trip for you. You must have been very excited,” Cindy spoke as soothingly as she could,

  “More than excited, more than thrilled,” Loretta echoed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Of course you would,” Cindy reassured her.

  “I told that to the police when they questioned me,” Loretta went on. “The Chief of Police Brad made a sour face. Why? Why would he even question me about this when he told the papers it was an open and shut case?”

  “It’s routine to question the nearest of kin,” Cindy answered calmly. “But why do they think it’s open and shut? Who do they think did it?”

  Loretta balked at that and pressed her face against the taxi window, though the cab was winding around a turn in the road. She remained that way, silently, for a long while.

  “Who do they think did it?” Cindy finally insisted. This was basic information that she had to have.

  Loretta turned then and stared at Cindy. “You must never tell any of the people back home about this,” she demanded.

  Cindy was startled. She didn’t know the people Loretta knew back at home anymore. “Don’t worry, I haven’t been back to Wisconsin for years,” she said.

  “Why not?” asked Loretta.

  “Mattheus and I work in the Caribbean,” Cindy blurted out, only realizing what she’d said afterwards.

  “Who’s Mattheus? Your partner?” asked Loretta. “Is that what C and M Investigations stands for?”

  “Mattheus was my partner,” Cindy replied professionally.

  “Was? You’ve broken up?” Loretta grabbed at the information. “Why?”

  “We’ve taking different turns in the road,” Cindy said quietly.

  “You sound so calm about it, but you’re not calm! How can you be?” Loretta’s eyes suddenly flashed. “You and your partner have broken up! That’s awful. That’s not the kind of thing that should ever happen to you or me.”

  “Loretta, this trip is about you, not me,” replied Cindy.

  “But it helps in a strange way to know that you’ve lost someone, too,” said Loretta as Cindy finally heard the pain in her voice. “It helps to know I’m not alone.” Then suddenly, Loretta began wailing.

  Cindy put her hand on Loretta’s. “You’re not alone, Loretta, I’m here with you now.”

  “Oh my God, my God,” moaned Loretta, “how did this happen? Tell me.”

  “You have to trust me, you have to tell me more,” Cindy spoke fervently. “Why do the police think it’s an open and shut case? Who do they think did it?”

  Loretta pulled herself together then. “Pete was found dead in a brothel in the city. He was naked in a prostitute’s room, stabbed to death. The police have taken the prostitute, Charma, into custody. Her fingerprints were all over him.”

  Cindy shivered. Awful, she agreed.

  “But it’s a set up,” Loretta insisted. “It ridiculous and I don’t believe a word of it.

  Pete would never go to see a prostitute. There was no reason for it. He loved me. We were happy. We were down here to buy a vacation home,” her voice got louder.

  “I believe you, I believe you,” Cindy tried to calm her down.

  “Someone killed him somewhere else and dumped his body in the whore’s room. They’re framing Charma. She’s an easy target,” Loretta insisted.

  “You sound like you know her,” Cindy remarked.

  “Of course I don’t,” Loretta practically spit. “Why would I?”

  “I just wondered if you ever spoke to her?” Cindy continued.

  At that Loretta shuddered. “I would never talk to a woman like that, let alone go near her place. Come on, Cindy, don’t you remember who I am? Don’t you remember all the things we used to talk about, the kind of lives we planned?”

  Cindy remembered well.

  “Why in the world would I ever speak to a whore?” Loretta couldn’t bear the idea of it. “Or why would I even talk to anyone who associates with whores?”

  Cindy felt a rush of dismay hearing the tone in Loretta’s voice. Cindy’s own life had taken her into so many back alleys she had no feelings of repugnance for anyone at all.

  “I own and run the most fantastic, upscale wedding gown boutique in Wisconsin. Have you heard about it?” Loretta went on.

  “No, I hadn’t,” said Cindy, put out. “I’ve been busy down here solving crimes.”

  “You’re doing strange work,” said Loretta, suddenly realizing the different paths they’d chosen. “I suppose the work you do has changed you?”

  “Yes, all of life has changed me,” Cindy replied calmly, wondering if Loretta knew about Clint? Did she know that Cindy’s own husband had been murdered down here in the Caribbean on their honeymoon? This wasn’t the time though for Cindy to ask her that, though. Cindy had to keep reminding herself she was down here to solve a case, not revisit an old friendship.

  “I’m sorry to hear that you’ve changed, Cindy,” Loretta started to babble. “You’ve been in too many sordid places, seen too many awful things. You probably don’t reme
mber who you used to be anymore. But I remember.”

  “I love what I do,” said Cindy, defensive, “and I’ve grown to respect people of all kinds.”“I see that,” said Loretta, “but I think it’s creepy.”

  “I think it’s wonderful,” countered Cindy.

  Loretta grew silent, raised her hands and brushed them through her hair.

  “I don’t know about who you have or haven’t met, Cindy,” Loretta continued, “but as for me, I’m horrified that Pete’s body was found in the whorehouse. It’s disgusting and vile. There’s no reason any prostitute would kill him. Someone down here wanted to take him down, and take me down with him.”

  “Why would they want to take you down?” Cindy stayed focused.

  “Maybe we were living too high on the hog, had too many good things and it made someone jealous? People love to pull you through the mud if they can’t get to where you’ve gotten. I see it all the time.”

  “Who was that jealous of you, Loretta?” asked Cindy.

  “Wherever I look, there’s someone. I don’t want to die, please help me,” Loretta suddenly shrieked.

  “You won’t die. Not if I’m around,” Cindy assured her. Believe me, I’ll do all I can.”

  Chapter 3

  The next morning, as Cindy settled in her room down the hall from Loretta, she felt how strange it was to be here alone. The place in the closet usually reserved for Mattheus’s jackets and slacks was empty. The drawers in the bureau where he put his shirts, ties and underwear had nothing in them. Cindy looked at the empty drawers and had a sudden sinking feeling. Could she really take this case on alone? But she dare not indulge it doubt for a second. Her friends life could be at stake.

  Cindy walked out onto the patio and scanned the beautiful vista and sky. The magnificent mountainous island stretched out before her, hills which rose up as part of the terrain which surrounded the island on all sides. There were lush greens wherever her eyes rested and a sweet smell in the air. It was the wet season down here though, and the mist in the air was heavy. Cindy felt droplets of perspiration forming on her forehead. Even though she would have enjoyed staying out here, she knew she had to get going. There was a great deal to do, lots of information to gather, and she had to do it fast.

  As Cindy walked back into the room to wash and change, the house phone rang and she quickly picked up.

  “Do you have everything you need, is everything all right?” Loretta was on the other end.

  “Yes, thank you, it’s a beautiful room,” replied Cindy.

  Loretta sighed, relieved. “Good. And, you’re not going into this completely alone, my father will be arriving soon. He’ll help.”

  Cindy was glad that Loretta’s father was coming to support his daughter through her ordeal. Cindy personally didn’t know him, though, and had no plans to count on him for anything. For a second Cindy wondered where Loretta’s mother was, but then suddenly remembered that she had died in a car accident during Loretta’s senior year in college.

  “My dad’s wonderful,” Loretta went on. He’s been both a father and mother to me all these years.”

  “You’re lucky to have him,” Cindy replied.

  “I definitely am,” murmured Loretta. “There’s no way I could go through this without him at my side.”

  Cindy swallowed hard, remembering how she’d felt the same way about Mattheus when her sister Ann had died. Mattheus had come racing to her side then, was an incredible support in every possible way. Cindy would be eternally grateful to him for that.

  “Well, I have to get going now,” Cindy quickly changed the topic of conversation, not wanting to spend too much time on the phone.

  “Where are you going, what are you going to do?” Loretta sounded concerned.

  “My first step is to check out the crime scene,” Cindy reported.

  “Not the whorehouse?” Loretta’s voice rose in horror. ”You’re not going there?”

  “It’s routine to visit the scene of the crime,” replied Cindy. “I have to go. That’s where Pete’s body was found.”

  “Was dumped!” Loretta reminded Cindy curtly. “And nothing about this investigation is routine,” she quickly added. “I can give you all the information you ask for. And, even if I do, nothing will be what it seems.”

  Nothing was what it seemed in any investigation, thought Cindy. “Thanks so much for the offer,” Cindy answered, “but I’ve got to go and dig up things on my own. There’s information out there you have no idea of.”

  “What?” asked Loretta, her voice dimming.

  “I don’t know yet,” replied Cindy, “but believe me, I’ll find out.”

  “Go look, if you have to,” Loretta said, tentatively. “But remember, whatever you find, you’ve got to let me know.”

  “Of course,” said Cindy softly, “you’ll be the first to find out.”

  *

  The brothel where Pete’s body was found was located in a residential section of the city, on a regular block in an ordinary house. Anyone could have been inside, living an absolutely

  ordinary life. Prostitution was legal in the Dominican Republic and houses like this were scattered all over the place, out in plain view, for all to frequent.

  Cindy walked up the front path of the stucco house tentatively, and ran the bell.

  “Just come in,” a raspy voice yelled from inside.

  Cindy pushed the door open and waked into a large, messy foyer. Then she took a few steps further into the parlor. The room was strewn with clothes, shoes and pictures of beautiful girls in seductive poses hanging half crookedly on the walls. As Cindy looked around she was startled to see some girls actually there, lounging on the sofas, half dressed, half asleep. A couple of the girls looked up at Cindy slowly as she walked in. The windows were closed and it was sweltering. The place smelt of smoke, coffee and sour wine.

  One of the girls pulled herself off the coach and roamed over to Cindy. She was in her early twenties, slim, with long tangled hair and lots of make-up covering a naturally, lovely face.

  “What’s up, honey?” she giggled, “what are you looking for here so early in the day?”

  “Cindy Blaine, detective,” Cindy announced. “I’m here to investigate the murder of Peter Twain.”

  “You’re a cop?” the girl’s eyes widened. “I’d never guess it in a hundred years.”

  Just then a sweet, lanky, Caribbean policeman walked into the room.

  “Hey, this dame here is a cop,” the girl rolled her eyes at him.

  The cop paused and looked at Cindy carefully. “Loretta Twain called and told us you were on your way over,” he replied. “She told us to take good care of you.”

  Cindy was grateful to be expected, and also glad to connect with the police. Their support would make all the difference to her in this investigation.

  “Thanks so much,” Cindy walked over to him and extended her hand. “Cindy Blaine, private detective.”

  He smiled. “Ron, here,” he replied. “Such a pretty little lady with a job like this?”

  Cindy realized how much easier it had been interacting with the police with Mattheus at her side. The guys took her more seriously when she was with him. But she couldn’t buy into that now.

  “I’d like to see the crime scene,” she replied, professionally.

  “All business, eh?” Ron kept the smile on his face.

  “Come on, Ron, show it to her,” the girl beside Cindy shoved into him playfully. “It’s good to see you here, honey,” she said to Cindy then. “Even Shanya heard that you were coming and was very pleased about the news.

  “Who’s Shanya?” asked Cindy, looking around.

  “She’s an older woman who lives here and helps us out,” another girl on the sofa piped up. “She loves Charma, we all do. Shanya told us she’ll definitely be getting out.”

  “Really?” said Cindy, fascinated.

  “Hey Ellie, you pipe down,” said Ron.

  “Pipe up, pipe down,” Ellie sound
ed like an alley cat, mocking Ron. “I’ll say anything I want, big boy.”

  Ron’s smile turned into a grin. “Boy, this is the best job I’ve been sent to for months,” he said, enjoying every minute of it.

  “What does Shanya mean that Charma will definitely get out?” Cindy turned to Ron.

  “It doesn’t a thing,” Ron mumbled. “They can all think anything they want.”

  A tall, sensuous girl then came out of a side room, a printed robe wrapped around her thin frame. An older man, slightly stooped over, followed behind her, scuttling away, the moment he saw Cindy.

  What a scene, thought Cindy, agitated, wondering how Pete’s body really ended up here?

  “Go with Ron and see the scene of the crime,” the girl next to Cindy urged.

  “Shut up Dawn,” Ellie called from the couch. “Cindy knows what she’s doing. Welcome to our house, Cindy.”

  “Thanks,” Cindy responded and was then silent. These women meant well, they wanted to help, but it also struck Cindy strongly that none of them seemed the least bit disturbed about Pete’s death. Were they all just relieved thinking Charma would get out? Was it a common occurrence for guys to end up dead down here?

  “Go take her to the crime scene Ron,” Ellie got up from the sofa then, coming at him.

  “You give me an hour alone with you in the back and I’ll take Cindy anywhere you like,” Ron answered.

  “You do what I say or you’ll get the beating of your life,” Ellie played with him languorously.

  “Okay, okay,” Ron feigned fear, “I’ll be good. Come on, Cindy, let’s go.”

  Cindy followed Ron down a narrow hallway. There were a bunch of closed doors on both sides of the hallway with strange sounds coming from inside the rooms. Finally, they reached the door on the end. He opened it quickly and they went in.

  The room was small, airless and messy. Cindy could practically breathe, it was so musty and smoky inside. The bed was stripped. On a small table near the bed was a bunch of plastic flowers in a vase and an ashtray full of cigarette stubs.