6. Whispers of the Sea #2
“Ireland is my home. I only lived in the States when my schedule called for it. As I’m sure you know, I don’t have any family left.
Being around strangers is normal for me.
If I were completely alone with my thoughts, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” she said simply.
“My turn. Why take this job? If you’re a detective, I’d assume you have bad guys to catch. ”
“I’ve had some hard cases recently, and my captain thought it would be good if I took some time off,” he admitted. Some honesty might take some of her walls down, but he didn’t have to tell her everything.
“So you were ordered to take a holiday and instead you decided to work? We might have more in common than I thought. Neither of us knows how to relax.”
He grinned. “Eckells mentioned this would be an easy gig, and boarding the Midas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Like you, I can’t remember the last time I had a holiday myself; I’m not sure I even remember how.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever thought working for me is easy,” she admitted.
“Mina seems to like you.”
“She’s new.” Poppy chuckled, and it was the first time he’d seen her smile reach her eyes. He had a feeling she was being too hard on herself.
An awkward silence drifted over them, only breaking when the ship’s horn sounded.
“Too late to back out now,” she said as the Midas started to move. “Since we’ve got the pleasantries out of the way and you’ve refused to leave my service, could you give me some privacy? I want to change.” She started unzipping the side of her dress.
Isaiah barely had time to turn around before it hit the floor.She was testing him, trying to make him uncomfortable– or checking to see if he would make an advance on her. He’d never cross the line. She was a suspect or, at the very least, a potential witness to multiple homicides.
“I’ll leave you to it.” He opened the door to the adjoining room.
It was far larger than he needed, and the crisp white sheets looked all too inviting, even if the never-ending darkness of the ocean made his stomach tighten.
Seasickness? He’d never been on a boat, so it hadn’t occurred to him that he would get seasick.
To distract himself from the dark waters, Isaiah grabbed a small jewellery box from his bag on his bed. Holding his insurance policy, he knocked on Poppy’s door.
“Come in, I’m decent,” she called.
He found her wearing a white robe as she went through the exceptionally organised open suitcases on her bed. Either she has a type-A personality, or she hires someone who does.
“I have something for you,” he said.
“What’s that?” Poppy asked, eying the box like it might contain some lethal weapon.
“Since you would prefer I keep my distance, I’m here to offer you a deal.” He opened the box, which contained a silver anchor charm.
“Pretty. Do you buy all your clients gifts?” He could have sworn he saw a smile flirt with the corner of her lips.
He couldn’t resist. “Only the pretty ones.”
Poppy rolled her eyes.
“It’s for your charm bracelet. Mina told Eckells that you never take it off, so I had this made,” he explained.
“Why do I get the feeling it’s not just a charm?” Poppy looked at the dangling charms already on her wrist.
“This anchor will keep me apprised of your location at all times while we’re on board,” he explained, taking out the phone that Levi had given him. “Since they don’t allow phones, this is the best I could do.”
“You want to tag me like a dog?” she asked, staring at him through her long lashes.
“I’ll only check it if there’s an emergency.
With this, I can give you all the freedom in the world while still ensuring your safety,” he reasoned, glad he’d asked Levi for the tracker.
Sailing into international waters with a potential killer was new for him, and he wanted to make sure he didn’t lose track of her.
“If I say no?” Poppy crossed her arms over her chest.
“Then we’ll be best friends by the time we arrive at the island off the coast of Greece in the next fortnight, because I’ll never be further than fifteen feet from you.”
With a grumble, Poppy offered him her wrist, and he tried to shake off a smile. She could take it off anytime – but why would she, if she had nothing to hide?
“Beautiful,” he said, adding the charm. “You wouldn’t even know it’s there.”
“I’ll know,” she said under her breath.
Isaiah’s hand lingered on hers a little longer than necessary. He was surprised she didn’t snatch it away. He was trying to earn her trust, but maybe for her it was another mind game.
“I’m unpacked and ready to relax. Am I interrupting?” Mina asked, lingering in the doorway.
“Not at all. I was just about to ask you if you could give me a hand. I think I’ve overpacked,” Poppy said, fidgeting with her bracelet.
“I’ll leave you to get unpacked and settled. Call if you need me. I’m only a door away.” Isaiah didn’t want to crowd them. He knew they probably wouldn’t talk freely with him there, but as soon as he left the room, he pricked up his ears.
“What happened with Joshua? Why did he leave at the dock? Doesn’t this change everything?” Mina asked.
“Hush! He could be listening,” Poppy whispered, not quietly enough. “Let’s go into the hall.”
Isaiah rushed to get his door on the latch to make out what they were saying without them hearing him open it.
“I guess Joshua backed out at the last minute, because he panicked when he saw a detective was going to protect me. Or his conscience kicked in, and he figured killing off his girlfriend was a terrible idea,” Poppy was telling Mina.
So, Joshua was the one who’d intended to carry out the murder. It made sense that Isaiah’s presence would panic him.
“What if this was part of the plan? What if he suspected you knew something and left so that you would let your guard down? What if he hired someone else to do his dirty work? At least a dozen people saw him drive away, giving him a great alibi,” Mina countered, pacing back and forth.
Isaiah was sure she would wear a hole in the hallway carpet.
“Relax. You’re seriously overestimating their skills.
Duggery couldn’t pull off something that intricate.
I bet Dug was planning to use Josh as his fall guy, which is why he involved him in his plans in the first place.
But the lawyers called me last night and stripped Dug of anything related to me.
Even if I die, he’ll get nothing, making me worthless to him – dead or alive,” Poppy said.
“Given that, he could have decided to back out, and Josh didn’t have the courage to go ahead alone.
When he didn’t come to my apartment last night, I wasn’t sure if he’d even show up this morning.
Isaiah’s arrival was just the final nail in the coffin. ”
There was a pause, and for a moment he thought they had left. I should call Michael and find out more about her manager , he thought. If the man wanted to kill her, then he might be behind the other deaths connected to her.
“I have to admit, I’m relieved we don’t have to be on guard anymore. Joshua gave me the creeps, and I could see how much he was sweating on the way over here. With him out of the picture, can we really relax?” Mina asked, sounding uncertain.
“I think you deserve a break. You helped me settle into my new apartment and find Isaiah, even if hiring a detective was questionable. If you hadn’t shown me that video of them, I might already be dead.
I appreciate all you’ve done for me when you could have walked away.
Now we can relax without having to look over our shoulders. ”
“I hate to think that people who were meant to protect you, to care for you, wanted to kill you to further their career, and because they were jealous of your success,” Mina said sadly. “I don’t know Joshua, but maybe he would have backed out even if Isaiah hadn’t come.”
“I admire how you want to see the best in people, but I prayed every night until today that Joshua would confess or warn me about what Dug was planning, but he never did,” Poppy said. Isaiah noted that she still didn’t sound heartbroken.
“You’re free of that coward now, but we should still err on the side of caution to be safe—”
Isaiah silently thanked Mina for her good sense.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything crazy,” Poppy replied, shaking her bracelet. “Plus, how much danger can I be in now that I’m tagged?”
“We can’t be too careful. It’s not like you thought they were capable of murder, and look how that turned out,” Mina said. “At least it’s a cute accessory. Could you imagine if it had been some clunky ankle bracelet?”
“Don’t mock ankle bracelets. They were once all the rage in Hollywood. But thanks for caring so much.” Poppy laughed. “Let’s put all thoughts of murder behind us, get a drink, and enjoy the sunset.”
Isaiah digested all he had heard. Poppy wasn’t planning on murdering her boyfriend, but on defending herself against those who plotted to kill her.
Why wouldn’t she go to the police and tell them what her manager and ex were planning?
Isaiah moved to the other door so he didn’t miss anything else they said, only to knock his shin on the desk. He coughed loudly to cover up a curse.
“Are you okay in there?” Poppy called, her voice filled with concern.
“All good. Just dropped something,” Isaiah called, rubbing his shin to remove the sting.
“I didn’t think detectives were allowed to be clumsy,” Mina joked.
Isaiah smiled.
“I didn’t think they were allowed to be so attractive either. How old is Isaiah anyway?” Poppy muttered, probably thinking he couldn’t hear her. It was hard not to be flattered, considering she was used to being around celebrities and the surgically enhanced – he was just a regular guy.
“I don’t know. He’s younger than Eckells. So probably like mid-thirties,” Mina whispered back.
“Take your time unpacking,” Poppy called to him through the door. “We’re heading to the pearl bar to watch the sunset – we’ll be just fine!”
“What was that?” he asked, opening the door.
He wouldn’t let her run off without ensuring she had her bracelet on.
Poppy was already out the door, but he caught Mina on the way out.
“I didn’t catch what Poppy said.” Better to make sure they thought the suite was soundproof so he could keep listening in on their conversations.
“We’re just off to the bar! For the sunset,” Mina explained. “Do you want to join us?” She smiled supportively at Isaiah. “It could be a great opportunity for Poppy to warm up to you.”
“I appreciate the thought, but my priority is keeping her safe, not warming her up.” Their absence would give him a chance to look through her bags – perhaps uncover a journal, schedule or other clue that could connect Poppy’s ex-manager to the troubling murders.
“Still, a bit of charm might help. It’s obvious she has difficulty trusting people. ” Mina nudged him pointedly.
Isaiah chuckled, a bit defensive. “Usually I don’t have to convince those who hire me to let me protect them. You should go after her. If she doesn’t want me to shadow her, then I want you to stay close.”
“Got it! I won’t let her out of my sight,” Mina said with a playful salute before the door clicked shut behind her.
Isaiah took a deep breath and eyed Poppy’s numerous suitcases, unsure where to begin and what he might discover.