Death by Seduction by Jaden Skye Page A

offense.”
    Seeing
Cindy’s unease, Eric laughed out loud. “It’s okay, you’re obviously new to this
scene.”
    “I
am,” Cindy confessed.
    “Why
don’t you take the little lady outside for a walk and to a proper restaurant
for dinner,” said Shanya.
    “That’s
a good idea,” Eric smiled at Cindy wanly for a moment. “There’s a great
restaurant three blocks away, we can sit down and talk in an atmosphere you’ll
feel better in.”
    Cindy
was going to protest, but she suddenly realized how hungry she was for dinner,
and also how badly she wanted to get out of this place. It would certainly be
easier to talk to Eric in a neutral setting.
    “I’d
love to go there,” Cindy perked up noticeably.  “It’ll be a better place to
talk.”
    Eric
turned then and winked appreciatively at Shanya. “Thanks for the suggestion,
darling,” he murmured.
    “It’s
my pleasure, lovey,” Shanya replied. “You two go sit and talk all night if you
have to. I just want you find a way to bring my Charma home fast.”
    *
    Cindy
and Eric walked out of the brothel into the humid summer night. Cindy felt
oddly at ease walking with him. She was actually relieved to have someone of
substance to talk to. Having the full weight of the case on her shoulders alone
had been more difficult than Cindy had realized.
    She
and Eric arrived at the restaurant quickly.  The place was festive and lively, stretched
out over the entire block
    “One
of the best spots in town,” Eric mentioned as they approached the main door.
    “It
smells delicious,” Cindy said the moment they walked in. The was filled with
people, music and the smell of hot, spicy food cooking.
     
    “It’s
beyond delicious,” Eric replied, as he lifted his hand to motion for a table
for two.
    Eric
obviously knew everyone at the place and they knew him. Cindy wondered if he
came here with Charma, as well, but then realized it was unlikely. Charma had
said that no one could know about their relationship. Obviously, he had to keep
her under wraps.
    Cindy
and Eric were quickly seated at the far end of the restaurant, where it was a
little quieter than at the entranceway.
    “This
is a good spot,” said Cindy as she took her seat.
    “You’re
incredibly beautiful,” Eric replied, staring at her. “And you’re incredibly
innocent, it’s an intoxicating combination. You’re definitely not someone I’d
ever take for a detective.”
    Cindy
was startled, barely knew how to reply. Eric was not someone she would have
ever taken to frequent brothels either, or be a prostitute’s main John. The
picture didn’t fit.
    “You’re
here from the States?” Cindy quickly turned the conversation down a different road.
    “Yes,
I am,” Eric replied quickly, “from the Midwest, if you want to know.”
    Cindy’s
eyes lit up and she smiled.
    “Let
me guess,” he jumped at her reaction. “You’re from the Midwest as well?”

 
    “Wisconsin,”
said Cindy, “and so is Loretta, Pete’s wife.”
    Eric
frowned a moment. “Didn’t realize that,” he said.
    “Loretta
and I were friends in college,” Cindy filled him in. “That’s why she called me
to help.”
    “You’ve
also got a huge reputation for solving murders in the Caribbean,” Eric looked
puzzled a moment. “CM Investigations, right?”
    “Right,”
Cindy responded. Eric had done his homework, as she would have thought he
might.
    “What’s
the initials stand for?” he went on.
    “Cindy
and Mattheus,” she answered plainly.
    “Your
partner?” he asked.
    “My
former partner,” said Cindy. “We’re actually in the process of dissolving the
partnership as we speak.”
    Eric
looked strangely sad for a moment. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said quietly.
    “Thanks,”
said Cindy, unnerved that they were having such a personal conversation, that
it was so easy and natural to speak to him. It was as if they’d known each
other forever.
    “I’ve
heard that you’re a big time lawyer down