* * *
Alexi had just emerged from the shower after their time at the pool when she heard her cabin phone ringing.
She came out in her towel to answer it; Jude had gone to his own cabin to shower and change, and then he planned to meet with Jackson.
Clara was on the line. “Are you doing anything right now?” she asked.
“I’m getting dressed. What are you doing?”
“Thinking about food. I was also thinking I could use some help. I can polish the nails on my left hand myself, but I’m horrible at the right. Want to do it for me?”
Alexi doubted her friend really cared about nail polish.
She suspected Clara didn’t want to be alone.
“Sure. You coming here?”
She knew that one of David Beach’s men was on guard in the employee corridor here; she’d seen him when she and Jude had gotten off the elevator.
“Yep. Two minutes.”
Clara’s timing was precise. Alexi had just finished dressing when the knock sounded at her door. Alexi checked through her little peephole before opening it.
“Girls’ day in,” Clara said. “I spent the morning working with Larry and I think we’re doing well with the scene, and now... I’m nervous.”
“So we’ll have a nail polish party. It’s a cure for nervousness. With any luck, I won’t get it all over your fingers and toes.”
“Polishing nails is better than getting drunk, which would probably get me fired,” Clara said. She perched on the chair at Alexi’s little dressing table, which doubled as her desk. “I wasn’t scared when we started this trip, but now I am. There was a murder in New Orleans. Two men introduced as Celtic American executives show up on the ship. They look amazingly like cops or agents to me. What does a cop or agent look like, you ask? It’s the way they always seem to be watching, the way they’re aware of everything around them. I’m not complaining, mind you—it’s reassuring to have them here. But then there’s an explosion in a restaurant, and now a terrible storm. We’ve all weathered bad storms, and this one doesn’t scare me. I just have this funny feeling that our new friends are onto something—on this ship.”
Alexi couldn’t lie to Clara, but she couldn’t decide what to say.
“Don’t tell me anything. I know it’s the truth. And I’m assuming they think they’ve chased a killer onto the ship. They’re obviously law enforcement. My guess is FBI. Let’s face it—no average guy just jumps into the fray, saving people the way your Jude McCoy did yesterday. He’s had real training in rescue and dangerous situations. And then, in all that chaos, Jackson Crow finds me and I feel as if I’ve been surrounded by a...protective force. Too bad Crow’s married. He’s a super guy. I’m grateful he’s aboard, and grateful to have him as a friend. At least Jude McCoy isn’t married—is he?”
“No, he’s not married. He’s been divorced for several years.”
“She must have been an idiot to lose a guy like that.”
“They had a little girl who died. After that, the marriage fell apart.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that!”
“I know. I can’t imagine the pain.”
Clara nodded. “I’m so glad you’re sleeping with him. Even if it’s just for now. You’ve needed...to connect. And,” she added, “don’t ask how I know! It wasn’t hard to figure out.”
“He’s a good man,” Alexi said.
Clara smiled. “And a hot one, too. He is government, right? And they do believe there’s a murderer on board. And...oh, my God!”
Clara had turned, looking down at the desk.
Alexi remembered that she’d left her list of medallions and the saints they represented there.
Clara stared at her, eyes wide with shock.
“Singers and musicians—and actors!” she said.
“And cooks,” Alexi pointed out.
“We’re in danger. Serious danger,” Clara said.
“We don’t really know that. But it doesn’t hurt to be as careful as possible.”
Clara wagged a finger at Alexi. “Don’t stop sleeping with Jude, you hear me?”
“Clara, I didn’t say I was sleeping with him.”
“For one thing, it’s obvious, and for another you didn’t deny it.”
“Fine. I’ve slept with him once. Once. What that means, whether it means anything, I don’t know myself.”
“Stay with him or have him stay with you.”
Alexi smiled at that. “I can do my best to keep him around, but that’s up to him, too.”
“You won’t have any trouble there,” Clara predicted. “And the two of you—stick close to me, okay?” She frowned. “You don’t think Ralph and Larry and Simon are dangerous, do you? I mean, I just spent the morning rehearsing with Larry. He’s super nice. We had a long talk today. I feel bad for him. I guess there are still people out there who can be really nasty and cruel if you’re...different. If you’re not like them. Apparently, despite his success, his father won’t have anything to do with him.”
“That’s terrible! And we’re supposed to be so enlightened today.” Alexi picked up the bottle of nail polish Clara had brought with her and shook it. “Give me your hand.”
“You didn’t answer the question,” Clara said, stretching out her hand.
Alexi carefully began to polish her friend’s fingernails, which was no easy task; she was accustomed to the rough movements of the ship, but that did make it difficult for her to be precise with the brush and keep the color on Clara’s nails.
“About?”
“My cast mates. Ralph, Simon and Larry.”
Alexi shrugged. “Last night Larry honestly seemed bewildered that we were concerned about him. I like Larry. I like Ralph—and we’ve known him for a while. Simon seems to be great, too,” Alexi said.
“But you never know, do you?” Clara asked.
Before Alexi could answer, there was another tap at her door.
“Alexi, it’s me, Jude,” she heard.
“Don’t mess up those nails! I did a good job and it isn’t my forte,” Alexi said, setting down the bottle of polish and rising to let Jude in.
“Hi, there,” he said, greeting Clara.
“Hi to you, too.”
“Everything okay?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps you could tell me,” Clara said.
Jude gave Alexi an accusing look.
“She didn’t say a word to me! I’m just not completely blind,” Clara said.
“I see,” Jude murmured.
“I still don’t know exactly who or what you are. I mean, what...what you are officially. But you’re not with Celtic American.”
“No,” Jude said.
“You’re law enforcement.”
“Yes.”
“What kind of law enforcement?”
“FBI,” Jude said.
“That’s what I guessed!” she said triumphantly.
“Ms. Avery, Clara, it’s important that we maintain a pretense of—”
“You don’t think this killer’s got any idea that you and Jackson are onto him?” she broke in.
“If only we were onto him,” Jude muttered.
“But you suspect Ralph and Larry—”
“I don’t suspect Ralph or Larry. I believe, because of traffic cams and other evidence, that Ralph and Larry are innocent. I don’t know about Simon,” Jude said. “That doesn’t mean I suspect him. It just means we haven’t been able to find out where he was at the times the murders were committed.”
“Well, I’m glad about Ralph and Larry. Ralph’s an old friend. Larry’s new, but working with him is a pleasure. He rehearsed with me this morning, in my cabin—with one of Beach’s security guards right outside, so I wasn’t worried. But I wasn?
??t really worried to begin with. Gut feeling, you know?”
“Gut feeling, yes, I know,” Jude said. “Clara, I’ve told you more than I probably should have. I need to ask you to keep all of this to yourself.”
“I haven’t said anything to anyone, except for Alexi,” Clara said.
He nodded. “Thank you for that.”
“And I don’t mind that you and Jackson are our guardians. In fact, I’m very appreciative.” She glanced over at Alexi. “What about the cook?” she asked.
Jude turned to Alexi, eyebrows raised.
“There’s a cook on Alexi’s medallion list,” Clara said.
Jude lowered his head, hiding a smile, before he looked up at Alexi again. “You’ve been doing some investigating?”
“Storm outside, hanging around in my cabin...”
“Interesting way to spend your time.” Jude turned back to Clara. “I’m still uncomfortable about what happened in Mexico. Right after the blast, Maria, of Señora Maria’s, was fine. She let Capitan Suarez know as soon as she could. But was there someone else?” He raised his shoulders in a shrug. “I don’t know. I do believe, however, that the explosion was caused by the murderer. No one else seems to think so, but I do. Everyone scattered after that. We’re not certain where anyone was. We’re out of contact with Cozumel right now. We will be for a while longer.” He hesitated. “I want you and Alexi to be more than vigilant. You two are similar in many ways to the victims the Archangel’s chosen. You’re talented, beautiful—and female. In fact, there are quite a few attractive performers on this ship. I’m afraid for all of you. But the ship’s security’s on guard, taking nothing for granted.”
Clara smiled. “Good. So, anyway... I’ll forget about polishing the toes. I’m starving. I’d love to have company to go and eat somewhere.”
“Are you two required to eat in the employee cafeteria?” Jude asked.
“No.” Alexi shook her head. “We can eat at any of the restaurants or cafés—we get a discount.”
“Sushi?” Jude suggested.
“Fine with me.”
“I love sushi,” Clara told him. “So you’re a sushi fan, too?”
“I’m an any-kind-of-food fan,” Jude said. “Shall we go?”
* * *
The sushi restaurant, Paradise Koi, was located on the Promenade Deck.
Jude did like sushi, but he hadn’t come here for the food.
David Beach and his men had been keeping tabs on the two passengers still on the suspect list, Hank Osprey and Roger Antrim.
They’d received a report from Beach that Osprey was in his cabin and that Roger Antrim and his wife, Lorna, were dining in the sushi restaurant.
Alexi and Clara were greeted by the waitress, who obviously knew them from previous sailings; she was pleasant when she met Jude—especially when Alexi introduced him as an executive with the cruise line.
They chatted with her for a few minutes.
Clara had either genuinely let go of her fears, or she really was an excellent actress; she spoke about the show, and the hostess mentioned a number of songs she’d love to hear Clara and Alexi do together at the piano bar.
The restaurant was only half-full, so they had their choice of table.
Jude was almost sure that Alexi knew they were in the sushi place for a reason, and that seemed to be reinforced for her when they walked by the table where Roger was sitting with Lorna.
Roger came to his feet as he saw them pass by, greeting them all. Lorna had remained seated; she looked pale and he wondered if she was distraught.
“Is the movement of the ship getting to you?” he asked her.
“Poor Lorna!” Roger said. “She’s usually a good sailor! But this is pretty rocky, even for us.”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Lorna smiled weakly at Jude.
“Have you taken anything for it? I know some of the meds are supposed to be taken before you sail, but they could certainly give you something in the infirmary,” Alexi said.
“Perhaps I’ll go after we eat. Well, after Roger eats,” Lorna said. “I’m not so sure raw fish is what I need right now.”
“Some crackers, perhaps?” Clara suggested.
“Yes, they’re getting me some.” Lorna picked up her cup. “And this green tea seems to help.”
“Well, take care. And do go to the infirmary,” Jude said again.
“I will,” she promised.
“I’ll walk her there myself!” Roger said. Lorna didn’t look at her husband.
With Alexi in the lead, they headed to a table near the back. Jude made a point of taking a chair by the wall so he could watch Roger.
They ordered sushi, sashimi, two shrimp rolls and small salads with an Asian peanut dressing. The food was delicious.
Jude kept an eye on Roger and his wife while making small talk with Clara and Alexi. They discussed the current state of the city of New Orleans, hoping that the storm wouldn’t escalate and make landfall. Roger and Lorna were arguing, Jude saw.
They kept their voices low, but the intensity of their words was reflected in their tight, angry expressions.
What was the fight about?
Did Lorna suspect her husband of something?
He wished he could hear.
Lorna suddenly stood and spoke briefly to Roger, then spun around and exited the restaurant.
Roger rose quickly and went after her.
Jude got up, too, and said, “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere until I return.”
He followed them, aware that one of the ship’s security staff—assigned to watch them—had a large piece of sushi roll in his mouth and was struggling to swallow, dig out his wallet and go after them.
Jude was way ahead of him.
9
“Well,” Clara murmured. “What do you suppose that’s all about? I’ve never seen those two have a squabble before—and they’ve been on cruises I’ve worked at least a dozen times.” She looked at Alexi pointedly. “Jude didn’t run off to be a marriage counselor, did he? I know he considers Roger a suspect. But it doesn’t make sense. He’s married. He has a lovely wife, grown children.”
“The BTK killer,” Alexi said. “His wife had no clue.”
“And you think Roger Antrim...”
“No, I don’t think Roger Antrim. I’m just saying it’s possible.”
Their waitress, walking to the table next to them with a large sashimi “boat,” suddenly veered sharply to the right, thrown by the pitching of the ship.
“It’s getting really rough,” Clara said.
“Yes,” Alexi agreed, but she wasn’t actually paying attention. Hank Osprey was coming in—accompanied once again by the tiny brunette who seemed very fond of short skirts and high heels.
The ship swayed violently.
The brunette fell against Hank and giggled as he caught her, stopping her fall.
Hank smiled, straightening her.
“Really?” Clara whispered. “Hank?”
Alexi turned to her friend. “Clara! I have no idea. I’m curious about who his friend is. I’ve never seen her with him before this trip, and apparently she’s in her own cabin.”
“How do you know that?” Clara asked. Then she waved a hand in the air. “Never mind. I’m going to assume that they’re checking up on Hank and any woman he’s with.”
Alexi nodded. “But she got back to her room just fine the other night.”
“Was she sailing alone and met Hank? Or did she come aboard with him?”
“I don’t know. Jude and Jackson might know, but I certainly don’t.” She turned from watching the happy couple. “At least they seem to be happy.”
“I guess,” Clara said with a shrug. “But she definitely seems to be working Hank.”
/>
“Maybe she really cares about him.”
“Maybe she really cares about his money. Watch it. They’re coming over!”
And they were. Hank had seen Alexi and Clara and was beaming as he came toward them, hand in hand with his young, leggy brunette.
“Hey, you two. I never see you in here.”
“I love sushi,” Clara told him.
“Well, sure, what’s not to love?” Hank drew the brunette forward. “I don’t think you’ve met Ginny yet. Ginny, I’d like to introduce you to Alexi Cromwell and Clara Avery, friends from the many times I’ve sailed Celtic American. Ladies, Ginny Monk.”
“How do you do?” Ginny said to the two of them, smiling. “I saw you both sing at the piano bar. You’re so good together.”
“Thanks,” Alexi said. “Want to join us?” she asked, gesturing at their table. “Be happy to,” Hank said. He pulled out a chair for Ginny and started to sit but then frowned when he saw that there was already a third setting.
“We’re not interrupting you, are we?” Hank asked. “Someone else here?”
“Jude McCoy,” Clara replied. She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “The Celtic American observer!”
She spoke in a natural, relaxed tone, as if she believed her own words. But of course, Clara was an actress.
Alexi hoped she could be as convincing.
“I’m not sure when he’s coming back and we can just pull up an extra chair. Please, do join us.”
“Well, I’m already here,” Ginny said, grinning at Alexi.
Alexi realized that Hank didn’t want to stay. But since Ginny had made herself comfortable, Hank sat down, too. He tried to shrug off his frown. “Are you worried about the storm?” he asked.
“I’m not,” Clara said. “I’ve sailed with Captain Thorne lots of times. He’ll get us through.”
Ginny turned to Alexi. “What about you? Are you scared?”
“I’ve been through some rough weather, too,” she answered. “It’s harder on the passengers than it is the crew. We tend to get lots of experience,” she added.
Ginny’s eyes widened. “I admit I’m feeling kind of nervous now. I mean, I have seen the movie Titanic!”