Love Overboard

Chapter 45

THE PROMENADE DECK SAT IN quiet repose as most passengers spent the morning in town. Emily stood by the railing while the last few disembarked. Sunshine warmed the top of her head, but she buttoned her jacket to her neck and pushed her cold hands into her pockets.

“I don’t remember Cozumel being this chilly.”

The other Shippers sat on lounge chairs behind her.

“Feels great to me.” Althea tilted her face to the light. “Should we get another icky pedicure? Or see if they have a full-body fish massage?”

Gerry frowned. “How can you say that after what happened with Lacey and Jon last night?”

“I was only kidding.” Althea drooped. “Trying to lighten the mood.”

“I know you were.” Daisy patted her. “Gerry, quit being ugly. Stop picking on Althea.”

“I wasn’t picking on her.” Gerry crossed her arms.

“Girls”—Emily waved a hand behind her—“no time for squabbling.” She leaned out as a familiar form appeared on the gangplank below. “There’s Jon.”

The other three scampered to her side and peered at the dock. Jon wore a navy-blue suit and expensive leather loafers. His dark hair was slicked back in a boardroom-appropriate style.

“He doesn’t look like he’s going souvenir shopping,” Althea said.

He was joined by a shorter man in a black pin-striped suit carrying a briefcase. Mr. Collins slumped behind them wearing baggy jeans and an oversized sweatshirt with the Monarch Cruises crown on the front, a duffel bag slung on his shoulder. They walked together down the pier and away from the ship. Not once did Jon turn around.

“The detective finally found a shirt that fits,” Gerry said.

“I’d hardly say ‘fits.’” Daisy pursed her lips. “He must’ve bought the extra-extra-extra-large to have room left over.”

Althea tugged at her fanny pack. “Maybe he ate so much at the buffet none of his clothes fit him anymore. I can relate to that.” She squinted. “But who’s the other guy?”

“Mr. McMillan’s secretary,” Emily said. “The one who spilled the beans at the ball.”

“Oh,” Daisy moaned. “This isn’t good.”

“He’s probably leaving for Florida,” Gerry said. “We have to go after him.”

“Or find Lacey,” Althea said. “She needs to talk to him.”

Daisy twisted the ruby ring on one of her slender fingers. “Talking didn’t help last night.”

“But we can’t let him leave.” Althea cupped her hands around her mouth and hollered. “Jooooooon!”

People on the pier gawked at them.

“Stop it, Althea.” Gerry poked her arm. “Everybody’s staring at us.”

“We can’t just stand here.” Althea crowded Emily. “What should we do?”

Emily didn’t answer.

Sharp footsteps sounded, and the ladies saw Lacey striding across the deck.

“Thank heaven.” Daisy waved at her.

Lacey stopped. She looked as if she’d like to balk, but she smoothed her chignon and joined them at the railing. “Mrs. Windsor, your tip paid off.”

“What happened?” Emily eased her hands from her pockets.

“It was the hottest topic on the staff grapevine this morning. Security checked Ricardo’s cabin and found flour bags filled with cocaine in his closet.”

“Mercy!” Althea clutched at her shirt. “I hope they locked him up.”

Lacey nodded. “The Mexican authorities came aboard and arrested him as soon as we docked in Cozumel.”

Daisy picked at her manicured fingernails. “Why would he do such a horrible thing?”

“Forget the subplot.” Gerry motioned to the pier. “The hero is riding off into the sunset without his true love!”

“Listen, baby.” Althea placed a hand on Lacey’s face and pointed it to where Jon was in the distance. “He’s leaving. You have to go after him.”

Lacey gently moved Althea’s hand away. “We already hashed out our problems last night. Some things aren’t fixable.”

“You’re going to let him walk off?” Gerry asked. “Forever? That isn’t a good ending.”

Lacey gave a sad smile. “Life isn’t like a romance novel, Ms. Paroo.”

“Emily, say something,” Gerry urged her friend. “Convince her she can’t let it end this way.”

Emily said nothing. Her vision tunneled to her fingers, knuckles white as they clutched the metal railing. She plopped on a chair.

“Emily?” Gerry knelt. “Are you okay, honey?”

Emily’s breath squeezed out in tiny, shallow bursts. She saw two Gerrys in front of her and closed her eyes. Her chest heaved as she tried to get a decent lungful of air. “I don’t … I …”

Lacey rushed to squat by her side. “Mrs. Windsor—Emily? What’s the matter? Should I call a doctor?”

It took every bit of Emily’s strength to breathe. She barely managed a nod.

Lacey pulled a phone from her pocket and made the call. “Hello? I have a medical emergency on the promenade deck. Send the doctor right away.” She wrapped her free arm around Emily’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Oh, Lawd, please no.” Althea whimpered.

The other two Shippers huddled by her.

Lacey stayed at Emily’s side, rubbing her back.

The worried faces of her friends wavered in Emily’s vision. She wanted to tell them everything would be okay. But she didn’t have the air.