Chapter Nine #2
As they joined the table, Sally was busy telling the others about the group she belonged to, the “Sherlockians,” people who were in love with the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and eager to enjoy his work while studying the changes and advances in police science and investigation since the man had lived.
Hers wasn’t the only group—many such groups across the country met using the same guidelines and they even had huge Zoom meetings every now and then.
“But, of course, there are many kinds of ‘Sherlockians!’” Sally said.
“There are game-playing Sherlockians, reading Sherlockians, you name it! Sherlock Holmes is in the public domain, although I’m wondering if we should have been the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-ians! ”
“The man was a writer, a storyteller,” Edward reminded her. “To the best of my knowledge, the writer was never a detective
himself.”
“Right. But what an incredible character he created! So, the name. Sherlockians. I mean, people make fun of us, of course!”
Sally was saying. “But we’ve helped the police on occasion. We have a great social media site going—which is, of course, one
of the reasons I’m so thrilled to learn more and more from these wonderful, giving people!”
“Doesn’t it ever make you nervous?” Daniel asked her.
“Pardon? What?” Sally asked.
“Well, you said that you and your friends investigate and help the police,” Daniel explained. “But if criminals knew what
you were up to, you and friends could be in danger,” he added, shaking his head.
“Oh, no, because no one would ever know who sussed out the information!” Sally assured him. “Everything we provide goes through
one detective—I guess we’re kind of considered confidential informants!” Sally said happily.
“Sally!” Celia said. “You’ve just told all of us that you investigate cases! So, what if one of us was a horrid criminal?”
she asked.
“But you’re not! You’re lovely people who teach us great classes!” Sally said happily.
Edward groaned, patting her hand where it lay on the table.
“Sally, yes, at this table, we’re all gainfully employed people who would never commit a crime or hurt anyone.
But what if in conversation with someone else, one of these guys slipped and it just happened that they were in a group with a real criminal? ”
“I’m okay on the ship! All you wonderful people and security around. And when I’m home, well. I live in a gated community
with a guard on at all times and honestly, I don’t share with people usually. It’s just that this group is so giving!” Sally
said.
Edward laughed. “Pay it forward, eh? Well, let’s be honest. We all get something out of this. In truth, it’s one big advertisement
for our companies. And, of course, Milestones is incredibly lucky that we have such amazing teachers and givers who have signed
on to help with this project!”
Chloe glanced over at Wes casually, hoped that neither of them visibly reacted to Sally’s words, and whatever responses might
have been going on in the minds of those at the table.
She sipped her coffee, thinking that it was a very good thing Sally was so attached to Edward. That meant she was usually
with George. But when she wasn’t . . .
Well, she was a new worry for her and Wes now, too!
“So!” Jeff Henderson whispered, leaning low and grinning conspiratorially, “Sally! What great puzzles have you and your Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle–reading friends solved?”
“Well, most of the time, we look into cold cases and come up with answers that we have no way of proving. Last year, a man was killed in the city and it was through our sleuthing into video files and the like that we were able to prove the wife was a liar, that she had killed her husband because she was planning to escape with her lover to a country without an extradition treaty with us. Oh, and guess what? She did escape, but she made the mistake of thinking that she was perfectly safe coming back—and the police were able to arrest her!”
“Wow. That is impressive!” Celia said.
“Wow is right!” Amelia said. “So, you guys have your own detective on call, too—a real life one!”
“And you didn’t catch a petty thief, you caught a murderer!” Broderick pointed out.
That was enough for Chloe, enough to instill fear in her for Sally. She was blithely talking to people who might already have
killed several times over.
Sally was beginning to look like she could be in danger, as bizarre as that might appear, seeing the way she was on the ship,
her tiny frame, her trusting nature.
“Okay, okay, too much for me!” Chloe said, faking a fierce shiver. “What are we going to be cooking? Do you know, Celia?”
“I think we get a few choices. There’s the head chef and two of his assistants giving the classes. One is on main courses,
one is on desserts and bakery items and, oh, there’s even a specialized class for vegetarians,” Celia said.
“I’m afraid I’m going to be opting for desserts!” Amelia said, grinning.
“And I’m going to be giving a question-and-answer session while you all cook up a storm,” Edward said.
“Oh, nice,” Wes offered, glancing at Chloe. “I was just thinking that I still have a few questions—”
She interrupted him, laughing. “We’re sitting with some of the finest teachers and knowledgeable web people on the ship!”
“Right! But, hey, they’re on a cruise, too. I don’t want them to work because of me when they’re not supposed to be working! And . . .”
“You don’t want to go to a cooking class!” Chloe said, laughing. She leaned toward him as the others laughed, being charming,
the perfect loving wife, as she added, “My love! My turn. ‘As you wish.’ You are perfectly welcome to attend one class while
I head off to another!”
“Aw, you guys are too cute!” Celia said.
“If I weren’t so jealous, it would be sickening!” Daniel moaned. “No, no! Don’t take offense. I am jealous.”
“What? We’re not as sickeningly sweet?” Celia demanded.
“Oh, no, you guys are just . . . um, adorable, too?” Daniel suggested dryly.
“You’re all lovely people, and that’s that!” Sally said. “And, oh, I do think I need another cup of coffee! Excuse me.”
“Sally, please, sit, I’ll get you another cup!” Edward told her.
“I want another cup myself. I’ll get it!” Wes said, rising quickly. “Anyone else?”
“How many can you carry?” Broderick asked him.
“For however many we need—I was a waiter once upon a time, too,” Wes told them.
“A true jack of all trades!” Amelia noted.
“Coffee all around—seriously, I’ll just grab one of those trays they have up there, no problem!” Wes said.
As he headed off, he almost walked into Billy, their enthusiastic young cruise director.
“Hey! Wes, you need something?” Billy asked him.
“It’s all good. I’m on a mission!” Wes told him. “Did you need anything, Billy?”
Billy laughed. “I’m just cruising around to make sure that everyone is doing all right. My main computer people are here and, of course, passengers who I hope
are enjoying all that they’re learning!”
“I think they are!” Edward offered. “Except a few of them are going to learn to cook today!”
“Maybe one of us should learn to cook,” Broderick said dryly.
Daniel laughed. “We don’t live together and I’m perfectly happy ordering my meals by delivery when I am home!”
“Okay, computer classes, cooking classes, whichever!” Billy said. “I’m really just checking out the room, checking in on everyone,
hoping all are having a good time!”
“We’re having a wonderful time,” Chloe assured him.
“Brilliant!” Sally said.
Nods went around.
“Well, then, I’ll let you go on your mission, Wesley. And thanks, all!” Billy said.
He was indeed cruising the room. He headed to the next table, cheerfully greeting the passengers, and Wes moved on over to
the coffee buffet.
“Hey, there are some more folks who are giving classes,” Sally noted, nodding to indicate the table where Billy was talking
to the group seated there.
“Yes! The older gentleman is from a company that develops software specifically for an older crowd—”
“Go figure on that!” Sally said, laughing. “But there is a difference now that we’re not spring chickens—kids go to school
with their computers and tablets now.” She looked at Edward and grinned. “Remember when the remote control meant one of your
parents telling you to walk to the television and change the channel?”
“How many more people on board are giving the classes?” Chloe asked. “I should have been paying more attention, except I was
focusing on a few of the classes that I knew I wanted—”
“You’re with my main people,” Edward said. “We have eight others, but they’re only doing a few classes each, though they are
welcomed, of course, by Milestones. You, my dear Chloe, are with . . .”
He lowered his voice and looked around conspiratorially.
“You’re with the cream of the crop! Quote me on that and I’ll call you a horrible liar—even if you did save my life!”
He was teasing her, of course, and it seemed that everyone was amused and their table was having the best time ever.
Wes returned with coffee and after a minute or two, their group rose, ready to head to their various projects for the morning.
Edward, George, Sally and Wes started to head out together for the session Edward was giving but Wes stopped suddenly, looking
back at Daniel and Broderick.
“You guys cooking or coming this way?” he asked.
“We’re giving a speech—a repeat, really—for those who couldn’t come to our original class on cybersecurity,” Broderick said.
“We could cook for a minute, but . . . no, not me! I like my food delivered!” Daniel reminded them.
Grinning, Wes went on and followed Edward out.
Chloe turned to Celia and said, “Where is this cooking class? Jeff, are you going to it?”
“I’m taking a nap!” he said. “And this afternoon, all I have planned is lying on a lounge chair!”
“I have to run to the room for a minute,” Celia said.
“Room? It’s a ship, remember? You’re headed to our cabin!” Jeff told her.
Celia just groaned.