17. Stormy Alliances #2
“Are you kidding? You should stay out of the sun. We’ll be fine in the crowd.
” Poppy chuckled. “I don’t want to stay indoors all day, and you’re already a nice shade of red.
How about we compromise? Mina and I will lounge for a bit, and then I’ll meet you later in the shade.
I promised Mina a holiday, and so far it’s been murder and mayhem.
I think she needs some girl time, and so do I.
I can’t gossip about the hunky man in my bed if he’s right beside me. ”
“Fine, but only because they’ve increased security on the outer decks, and you aren’t to go anywhere alone,” he instructed.
A loud bang on the adjoining door made Poppy jump.
“Are you finished screwing each other’s brains out? We’re burning daylight, and you promised me cocktails and sun,” Mina shouted through the door.
Isaiah enjoyed how Poppy flushed at being overheard. They hadn’t exactly been quiet, and he’d forgotten about Mina being so close.
He gave in reluctantly to her plan. After all they had discussed last night, he trusted her and knew she could handle herself.
“Got your bracelet?” he asked as Poppy lingered at the bathroom door.
She waved itat him. “Don’t worry; I’ve no desire to wander off.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.”
She saluted him. “Yes, sir, and don’t forget to reapply the lotion when you get out.”
“That’s your job.” He winked, and she rolled her eyes.
When he’d heard them leave, he turned off the shower and got dressed. With Mina and Poppy out enjoying themselves, he didn’t want to waste any time.
Isaiah followed the STAFF ONLY signs to the galley, nearly running into two waiters smoking outside the canteen’s open door. He paused at the next door to listen in on their conversation. There was no better place to catch up on gossip than the smoking area.
“Sorry I couldn’t help you at the bar last night. I had to help security get a guy out of a jacuzzi,” one of them said, his husky voice sounding like he smoked multiple packs daily.
“Was he drunk?” his female companion asked.
“No, someone had stabbed him. We got him to the infirmary, but it took three of us to clean up the mess before anyone else found out,” said the first waiter. “With what happened in the theatre, we were ordered to clean it up and ensure no guests learnt about another killing.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t be talking about this. I need this job, and all these deaths are giving me the creeps. The less I know, the better.”
“How can you not be curious?” asked Husky.
“I heard the guy was Poppy Roe’s ex. He didn’t even board the ship, and then suddenly, he’s found clinging to life, and she’s the only witness?
It doesn’t add up. Also, I heard Patrice was found in Poppy’s suite.
It’s why they closed off the Empress suite. ”
Isaiah hated how they gossiped as if Poppy wasn’t a real person, as if these people hadn’t tragically lost their lives.
“Patrice’s death was an accident. You can’t connect those events. As for Joshua, I bet Poppy wanted to keep his presence on board a secret,” the woman said.
“Well, the admin staff got an earful this morning. Poppy should have followed the rules. All privately listed guests still have to sign a log in case an emergency arises. Our guests might want to keep their guests’ secret, but if they die, we’re the ones in trouble,” the woman said.
A private guest! Was that how the killer was moving around unchecked? Whose guest could they be?
“C’mon. Her suite, her boyfriend, and she was at the theatre when Calliope dropped. Don’t you think that’s odd?” Husky asked quietly. Isaiah clenched his fist, resisting the urge to throw him overboard.
“I think you need to stop watching so many conspiracy theory shows. What if Poppy sneaked Joshua on board to kill him for breaking up with her in public? Or Joshua sneaked on board to have an affair with Calliope, and Poppy killed them both? That would make for one hell of a movie.” The woman laughed.
“Make fun of me all you want, but I’m keeping my distance from her and her friends. That bodyguard looks like he knows how to make a body disappear, and her friend apparently works for Mr Eckells,” Husky said.
“If this is Mr Eckells’ business, then we should keep our heads down and our mouths shut,” the woman said.
“Fine, I’ll keep my nose out of it, but at least Poppy’s ex will live to sell the story. We took him to the infirmary, so I’m sure we’ll hear through the grapevine what happened,” Husky mused.
Isaiah heard the door close. Guessing their break was over, he slipped away before they discovered he had been eavesdropping. At least he’d confirmed two things: Joshua was alive and in the infirmary.
He followed the signs to the infirmary one floor down, only to find Davide, the first mate, waiting for him. He didn’t look surprised. In fact, he looked a little relieved.
“You couldn’t leave it alone,” he said, blocking Isaiah’s path.
“Would you believe me if I told you I got lost?”
“I would believe you’re lying,” Davide said, hands in his pockets. Two security guards were lurking behind him.
Damn. Isaiah had been hoping to speak to Joshua.
“He isn’t in there,” Davide said, reading his mind. “So I suggest you go find Poppy and keep her out of trouble.”
“Don’t bullshit me. Where else would you keep an injured man? Let me talk to Joshua. Just to confirm that he’s alive, so Poppy can stop worrying. If I can talk to him, we can figure out who the killer is and put all this chaos to rest.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Davide said, staring down at his perfectly polished black shoes.
“Do I need to remind you that I’m here under orders from Mr Eckells? He wants me to solve this case before a larger scandal is created. You already have three bodies on your hands. Do you want more, or will you let me help?” Isaiah demanded.
“It’s not about what I want,” Davide said, finally opening the door to the infirmary to reveal six empty beds.
“I’m afraid Joshua succumbed to his injuries.
We wanted to keep his survival hidden in case the killer tried to finish the job.
Unfortunately, we weren’t equipped to handle the extent of the internal bleeding he suffered, and sadly he passed away in the early morning. ”
Isaiah narrowed his eyes. “If you’re telling me the truth, then there’s no harm in showing me to the morgue. If I’m going to believe you, then I need to see the body and talk with the doctor. Then, and only then, will I get back to Poppy.”
To his surprise, Davide said, “Follow me,” and led the way to the stairs.
“You’ve certainly changed your tune. I thought you’d be under orders to throw me overboard for trying to investigate,” Isaiah remarked.
“The captain called Mr Eckells last night after the two incidents, and he assured us you could be an asset. Trying to keep you from getting involved would be pointless. So, Captain Hamill has instructed me to assist you– within reason,” Davide explained, not sounding too pleased about it.
“I suppose I can see why Mr Eckells likes you. You don’t back down from a fight. The morgue is this way.”
Isaiah noticed that the security guards stayed close behind him as he followed the first mate to the infirmary one floor down. At the end of the sterile white corridor, Davide knocked on the steel door, and a man in a white coat opened up. The smell of bleach and other chemicals was overwhelming.
“I’m under orders not to let anyone inside,” the doctor said, eyeing Isaiah suspiciously.
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t under orders. You can call the captain if you want to confirm, but you’ll only be wasting our time,” Davide informed him.
The doctor hesitated before allowing them to enter the morgue, leaving the two security guards guarding the door.
“This is Dr Rancliff. He’s our medical examiner,” Davide said.
“Isaiah Rivers.” Isaiah offered his hand, but the doctor seemed unhappy about his presence and ignored the gesture. He walked over to the steel bed, where a body lay covered by a sheet. Isaiah couldn’t tell if it was Calliope or Joshua.
“Mr. Rivers is here to see Joshua’s body. Please tell him everything he wants to know, and then we’ll leave,” Davide said, leaning against the counter.
“Are you sure? This is against procedure,” Dr Rancliff said, moving closer to the covered body. Isaiah didn’t like being talked about as if he weren’t there, but he needed the information, so he bit his tongue.
“Isaiah can be trusted, and Captain Hamill has given me strict instructions to provide him with any information he requires.”
Still looking unconvinced, Dr Rancliff lifted the sheet covering Joshua’s body, confirming that the first mate had been telling the truth. Isaiah rubbed his forehead, dreading telling Poppy that Joshua was dead.
The medical examiner took a deep breath.
“The victim was stabbed numerous times. One puncture hit the lung, causing it to fill with fluid, and another struck his lower abdomen and heart. There was no saving him, despite our best efforts. We believe the assailant isn’t skilled with a blade or literate in anatomy. ”
“Why do you think they weren’t skilled with the weapon?” The killer wasn’t doing too badly, given Joshua was their third victim.
“The killer kept stabbing, unsure of where to strike. There was also some hesitation in the blow to the shoulder. From the angle of the stab wound, the killer is shorter than Joshua, which could be another reason for the excessive wounds.”
“That’s something we know, then. What about his clothes? Was there anything in his pockets?” Isaiah asked, hoping for a phone or something that could indicate who Joshua had been dealing with or, as Poppy had said, who he’d been working against.
“No, there was nothing in his pockets,” the doctor said, pointing to a tray on the counter behind him where Joshua’s belongings were placed. “He was wearing trousers, a shirt, and a belt. There was no phone or jewellery.”