Love Overboard

Chapter 14

EMILY TWISTED THE FLUORESCENT GLASS bulb in her hand before tucking it into her purse. She checked her watch. “I hope they’re making progress. Let’s give it another twenty minutes. It takes time to settle things.”

Daisy tsk-tsked. “Aren’t you ashamed of lying to the poor girl?”

“How did I lie?” Emily raised one finger. “I told her I was looking for something in the lost and found. Which is true. I was looking for an excuse to get her and Jon together.” She added another finger. “I told her it was dark. Also the truth.”

“It’s dark because you took the bulb and switched off the hallway light. Wasn’t that a little harsh? It must be black as chicory coffee in there.”

“They’ll be fine.” Emily peeked around the corner, but no one entered the shadowy hall on deck zero. “Lacey has her phone with her. That will help. All I know is there’s nothing less romantic than fluorescent lighting.” She lifted her walkie-talkie and pressed the call button. “Gerry, are you and Althea in position?”

The receiver crackled.

“Roger that. We followed Lacey’s roommate to the steward’s office. If she goes to the storage, we’ll head her off.”

“Maintain your post. We’ll join you soon.”

Emily and Daisy rode the elevator to the deck where the crew’s cabins were located. The doors opened, and a commotion sounded to their right. Emily rushed out to find Althea moaning on the floor, with Gerry crouched beside her, cradling her head. Lacey’s roommate, Abby O’Brien, stood next to them, her hands frozen on either side of her ears like she was being held up.

Emily knelt beside the pair. “What’s wrong, Althea?”

“Oh … oh, my gallbladder.” She pressed her fingers into her stomach. “Oh, it hurts so bad!”

Abby leaned over her. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Jones. I’ll go for help.”

Althea grabbed her arm, her eyes rolling under her lids. “Don’t leave me, baby,” she gasped. “I … don’t wanna … die … alone.”

Daisy slipped a handkerchief from her purse and wiped at nonexistent tears. “Please don’t leave her.”

“Thank you, Daisy.” Althea reached with trembling fingers. “I can always count on you in my hour of need.”

Gerry shook her head behind Abby’s back, and Emily clenched her lips. Althea was going for the Academy Award.

The tension of the death scene heightened as the woman’s voice faded to a whisper. “Don’t. Leave. Me.”

“Oh no, Mrs. Jones.” Abby’s red cheeks almost matched her hair. She grasped Althea’s hand. “I won’t leave you.”

“If only”—Althea coughed—“I could have found the love of my life before I kicked off.”

“For the fourth time?” Gerry droned.

Althea glared at her before she squeezed her eyelids shut with a groan.

Abby cast a panicked glance at Emily and Daisy. “Can one of you get the doctor? I’ll stay here with her.”

Emily tapped her foot. It had been long enough. They shouldn’t make Lacey too mad. Emily knew there’d be a reckoning when the pair escaped the closet.

“Althea, I doubt it’s your gallbladder. It’s probably the salmon you ate for dinner. You know fish doesn’t agree with you.”

Althea’s eyes popped open. “You think so?” She sat up and held out a hand. “Help me, Gerry. I’ll muster the strength to stand.”

Gerry grabbed one elbow and Abby the other. Together, they hauled the patient to her feet. She dusted off her rear end and fixed her hair.

Emily motioned with both hands. “Come on, Althea. We’ll take you to your cabin.”

“I’m gonna get me a hug right quick.” The tiny Abby disappeared as Althea’s arms engulfed her. “Thanks for looking out for me, baby.”

Daisy hovered behind them. “I apologize for the bother we caused, Abigail. Come and find me tomorrow, and I’ll treat you to a cup of tea.”

Althea let go and entered the waiting elevator. The other Shippers followed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Abby stood outside the car, her brow puckered.

Emily pressed the button for their floor. “Right as rain. Go ahead and do what you need to do. Don’t mind us.”

The doors closed, and the Shippers let out a collective sigh of relief. Daisy and Althea started to giggle, and Gerry pulled her notebook from her pocket.

“Nice work, team,” said Emily.

She hoped the frazzled Abby remembered to let Lacey and Jon out of the lost and found. A still small voice deep down in her soul warned her they’d gone too far, but she batted it away. When she was younger, Emily had almost made the mistake of living a life without love, and she refused to let Lacey choose that lonely path. All the plotting and prevarication would be worth it in the end, when Lacey and Jon realized they were meant for each other.