Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
E ven Ida had to admit that things were back to normal or very near. The Nantucket Sunset Cruisers schedule was flying. Yachts departed every hour on the hour, and beers, wines, and cocktails were poured on board for the deliriously wealthy tourists. The August sunshine was like no other.
It was as though last week's nightmare was far in the rearview. What more could anyone want for a Nantucket summer? Wasn’t it perfect?
Ida had even neglected to check the bank account that morning, knowing in her heart that whatever the problem had been, it was over. They know they can’t take us for all we’re worth. Not anymore.
Throughout their brief time working together, Susan Sheridan had suggested numerous ways to get to the bottom of who had stolen from them. She’d even spoken to the police on their behalf. But without solid proof and the only lead being Tyson Rogers Advertising—whatever that was—the police were at a loss.
“They’re going to keep looking. Keep fighting. But now that you’re insured and money is coming in again, there’s no reason to do anything but keep putting yachts out there and keep booking tours,” Susan assured Ida over the phone that late Tuesday afternoon.
“And have you heard anything else from Mr. Grayson’s lawyer?” Ida asked, rubbing her right temple.
“He said he’ll contact me tomorrow,” Susan said.
“Like I said, we just don’t have the money he wants from us,” Ida groaned. “I feel like it’s all a ticking time bomb.”
“Keep your head up,” Susan assured her.
“Easier said than done.” Ida sighed.
Ida got off the phone, sent a few emails, and walked out onto the docks to welcome the Boozy Brunchers back from another solid tour. They were sun-tinged and happy, walking crooked on the dock back to the taxi area. Several of the wealthiest patrons took Ida’s hand and said, “What a splendid trip that was!”
Ida’s smile was so big it hurt her face. This is why I wanted to get into this business. I wanted to make the world a better and happier place. Leave all problems abandoned on shore, if only for a little while.
Shelby’s car appeared in the lot. Ida watched as she staggered out and slammed the door behind her. Her face was cavernous, strange. But when Ida waved, Shelby lit up like a light bulb and hurried over to her.
“Hey, honey,” Shelby said. “How are you?”
“Not bad! But I should ask you the same question. Are you okay? You look upset.”
Shelby waved her hand. “It’s just stress.” She swallowed. “But lucky me, I ran into your daughter. We had a little coffee together.”
“Which daughter?”
“Frankie,” Shelby said. “I wanted her to tell me all about her new boyfriend, but she kept her mouth shut.”
Ida laughed. “She wouldn’t tell me much, either. But that’s her business, I suppose. I didn’t run and call my mother the minute I met Rick. Did you call yours after you met Malcolm?”
“No! But my mother was really uncool,” Shelby said with a funny smile. “Are you suggesting we’re just as uncool as she was?”
“Never!”
Ida and Shelby headed back to the chill of the air-conditioned office and set themselves up in front of their computers. The air was light between them. Ida felt content. They talked about easy things like the car Shelby and Malcolm had eventually picked out for Anthony, their son; the braces Shelby’s daughter had to wear for the next year; and Nellie’s upcoming return to college for her junior year.
It was a typical afternoon during a typical August.
But what made Ida check the bank that afternoon? Was it a nervous tic? She wasn’t sure. But suddenly, she found herself face-to-face with another two thousand dollars missing and unaccounted for. She shot to her feet, gasping.
Who else knows about this account? How did they get the money? Who did Shelby tell? Who overheard us?
Ida’s thoughts whirred.
“Are you okay?” Shelby frowned and got up to look at Ida’s computer. A split second later, her face broke into an easy smile. “Oh! That. I took that money out this afternoon to pay some tips to catering.”
Ida’s heartbeat calmed immediately. She sat down and tried to laugh at herself.
“You should see your face,” Shelby said. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
“I feel like I’m about to have a heart attack,” Ida said. She rubbed her chest. “I wonder if I’ll ever get over that. It feels like I’ll expect the floor to drop out beneath me for the next few years.”
“It’s not fair,” Shelby agreed. “I have nightmares about it, too.”
“Maybe I need therapy,” Ida said.
“We all need therapy.”
“I get this horrible jolt in my chest and stomach when I open our online bank account. It’s like I’m going to throw up,” Ida said.
Shelby raised her eyebrows. “That does not sound healthy.”
“Ha.”
“Why don’t you just let me do it instead?” Shelby suggested.
Ida cocked her head.
“I’ve been checking it every day, anyway,” Shelby said. “There’s no use for us both to do it. Especially if it’s affecting your mental health so much.”
Ida continued to rub her chest. “Are you sure?”
“It’s no trouble.”
“Thank you, Shelby,” Ida said. “Seriously. You’re a lifesaver.”
Ida met Shelby’s gaze and thought, There is no greater friendship. I’m so lucky.
Shelby had to run out to chat with one of their sailors about his sailing license. This left Ida alone to check her phone for messages from her family. She was pleased to find one from Rick.
RICK: The girls will be out tonight.
RICK: I’m curious if you’d like to go out for a date with your husband?
RICK: It’s been a while since it was just the two of us.
Ida’s heart pumped with happiness. It was true that she and Rick felt further apart than ever. With Frankie’s medical problems, the Nantucket Sunset Cruisers’ potential closure, and the mountain of stress that Ida dragged around with her everywhere, she hadn’t fully committed herself to her marriage in quite some time.
IDA: I’d love to.
RICK: Italian food?
IDA: Sounds romantic.
IDA: I’m in.
Ida still couldn’t believe she’d suspected Rick to be the thief. Not her Rick. Not the man who’d sensed her stress and her fears and decided to dote on her with a dinner date at an Italian restaurant. He’d do anything for me, and I’d do anything for him, she thought.
“You look happy,” Shelby said as she returned to the office.
“I’m finally going out with Rick. It’s long overdue,” Ida said. “Have you and Malcolm been out together lately?”
Shelby grimaced. “You know how summers always are.”
“I do,” Ida said. “We need to get better at managing them.”
“Maybe next year,” Shelby said.