Death by Jealousy by Jaden Skye

leading to their hotel.
    Mattheus
reached out and took Cindy’s hand then. It felt good having her hand in his
suddenly.
    “Let’s
take a walk before we check back in with the guests,” Mattheus said. “The hotel’s
gonna be packed and there’s a hiking trail about half mile away. We can use a
few moments to ourselves.”
    “Good,”
Cindy agreed, as they turned at a juncture and took another road which led, off
the hotel grounds, to a hiking trail in the interior of the Island that was a known
haven for wild birds.
    *
      
Cindy was excited to be with Mattheus, away from the hotel. The Cayman Islands
interiors were a fascinating world with incredible beauty of their own. As they
entered the hiking trail, the trees that greeted them were beautiful,
shimmering in the breeze. Cindy stopped and gazed at the opulent plant life,
mesmerized. Down further wild banana orchids were growing unabashedly.  She had
never seen anything like it.
    “Let’s
sit here on this rock,” Mattheus said as they walked a bit further, into the
mangrove forest.
    It
was wonderful to be here with Mattheus, back in nature. As always being in
nature restored Cindy’s sense of balance and order, helped her feel closer to Mattheus
again. It struck Cindy then that Allie must have felt the same way with Peter going
diving with him deep under water that night.
    “We’ll
probably see the Cayman Parrot,” Mattheus said as he helped Cindy get onto a
flat part of the rock. “They’re all over the place. I know how much you love
Parrots,” and he smiled at her winningly.
    The
two of them sat close to each other for a few moments then, not saying much
else.
    “This
is a lousy case,” Mattheus said after a few minutes.
    Cindy
was surprised, “Why?”
    “Dana
and Edward are holed up in their suite now, and Allie’s parents won’t come out
of their room to talk to anyone. I find that odd.”
    “They’re
in shock, they’ve got to be grieving. It’s their daughter, it was her wedding.”
    “And
the crowd is not very appealing,” Mattheus continued. “Lots of spoiled, rich
people.”
    “There
are plenty of fine rich people,” said Cindy. “I liked what I saw of Peter and I
liked the women in the wedding party. Dana and Edward are good people, too.”
    “You
see what you want to about everyone,” Mattheus commented. “It’s amazing you’re
so good at your job.”
    Cindy
bristled. “What does that mean?” Things were feeling so good between them, and
then Mattheus had to throw a barb, push her away, disturb the moment.
    “You
like to see the best in everybody and then when something else about them comes
out, you don’t take it well,” said Mattheus.
    Cindy
knew he was referring to their relationship. “You’re speaking about us?” she
asked.
    “That
too,” he commented.
    Cindy
took her hand away from his, as a parrot, in a nearby tree called out in a high,
shrill tone.
    “That’s
what I mean,” said Mattheus. “I said something you didn’t like and you’re
pulling away.”
    “Is
it possible you want me to pull away, Mattheus? Are you saying and doing things
that you know will make me recoil?”
    A
small grin played around the edge of his mouth. “Not that I’m aware of,” he
said.
    Cindy
sat up on the rock, straighter, “Come on,” she said, “you’re a smart guy, you’ve
been around. How come you can’t face what’s going on in you?”
    That
comment didn’t sit well with Mattheus. He shook his head slowly. “Why does a
lovely time in the woods have to turn into this?”
    “It’s
a shame,” Cindy agreed, as the parrot called out loudly again.
    “Okay,
let’s stay focused on the case,” Mattheus sat up straighter then as well. 
    “Obviously,
we have to talk to Tad and Vivien next,” said Cindy. “Tad arranged for the
diving expedition and Vivien had plenty of axes to grind.”
    “I
think you should speak to each one of them yourself,” said Mattheus, “I’ve
talked to them already, and you’ll