Copyright © Leena Clover, Author 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Mango Chili Cruiser – Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 6

By Leena Clover

Chapter 1

Anna Butler was happy. The deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean stretched around her, as far as the eye could see. Bright sunshine warmed her back and bathed everything around her in a golden light. It was the middle of October and Anna was on the sun soaked deck of a luxury cruise ship, having breakfast with her friends and family.

Her twenty year old granddaughter Meg flanked her on the right. The elfin girl had filled out nicely in the past year, courtesy Anna’s home cooked food and cupcakes. She had stopped coloring her hair blue or pink and gone back to her natural color, a deep mahogany just like her mother’s. It hung around her shoulders in thick waves, shining like gold in the sun. Meg’s laughter filled the air and Anna listened indulgently as she regaled the group with tidbits from her latest date.

Anna’s daughter Cassie sat on her left, sipping a mimosa, the large straw hat she wore shading her face. Cassie was a famous Hollywood star of yore, keen on making a comeback. She had recently secured a small but prominent role in an upcoming movie from a big production house. Anna was rooting for her, knowing she had willingly bowed out of the limelight a few years ago due to extenuating circumstances.

Anna shook her head and chastised herself again. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining down on her. She had to stop thinking about how turbulent the past few years had been. Losing her beloved husband John had just been the beginning. Anna had been diagnosed with breast cancer. To her surprise, her estranged daughter Cassie dropped her glitzy Hollywood life and came back to small town Dolphin Bay to take care of her. They had muddled through surgery and endless rounds of radiation for several months before Anna started feeling better again. The local mayor had waged a vendetta against her during this time, accusing her of murdering John. Many locals she had known all her life had given her a wide berth, except her two friends Julie and Mary. They had stuck to her like leeches and defended her. And then there was Meg.

“Mom!” Cassie waved a hand before Anna’s eyes, trying to get her attention. “Have you decided what you want?”

“We’re all going for huevos rancheros,” Julie said with relish. “Why don’t you do the same, Anna? Give your avocado toast a rest for a change?”

Anna nodded absently, picking up her own mimosa.

“What are you thinking about, Anna?” Meg asked solicitously. “Did you sleep well?”

Anna had spent almost all her life living by the coast. But she had never been on a boat before. Technically, they were on a mid-sized ship. Though how you could call a floating palace with 14 decks and a thousand people on board mid-sized was something she didn’t understand. But Cassie had told her the really big ships carried over five thousand passengers. Compared to that, the Empress Cleopatra was small fry. But it was ten times more luxurious than the behemoths.

“I never thought I would be seasick,” Anna admitted reluctantly. “I’m not sure those bands you got help.”

Julie told her she had to stop dwelling on it.

“A hearty breakfast will set you right.”

Anna watched her friend cut open a croissant and slather it with marmalade. Her stomach rumbled with hunger and she hoped she could keep her breakfast down.

“How can you eat so much?” Anna was curious.

Julie was a famous romance author who sported capri pants and plaid shirts most of the time. She was partial to good food, especially anything she didn’t have to cook herself.

“The Empress Cleo is rated number 1 in the world for its food.” Julie informed her smugly and took a hearty bite of her pastry. “And I intend to sample everything on the menu. You’re not going to guilt me out of it, my girl.”

“Of course not,” Anna laughed. “I don’t expect you to starve just because I’m puking my guts out. Just pace yourself.”

The server arrived with their food. The huevos rancheros were bursting with the flavors of chili and cumin and Anna felt her mouth water.

“This is a breakfast worthy of the Mexican Riviera,” Cassie beamed, taking in the bowls of fresh tropical fruit and the spicy eggs everyone was sampling. “Aren’t you glad we came on this cruise?”

“We’ve been playing hooky too long,” Anna muttered, sticking her fork into a slice of melon.

“Stop worrying about it, Mom,” Cassie groaned. “You promised. We can’t have fun if you keep thinking about the café.”

Julie agreed with her.

“We all needed a change of scene, Anna.”

“Isn’t that why we went to Los Angeles?” Anna couldn’t help herself. “But …”

“I didn’t know I was going to run into Jojo, Mom!” Cassie looked around and lowered her voice. “I couldn’t say no to her. I’ve known her since I first came to L. A. She’s had my back more than a few times.”

“She was like a younger sister to you, right Mom?” Meg piped up.

Anna saw Cassie’s lips stretch into a wide smile. She did that every time Meg called her Mom. Anna knew Cassie would never get tired of hearing it.

When Cassie found herself pregnant at sixteen, she did what she thought was best for her child. Meg had been given up for adoption. Cassie left home soon after, determined to pursue her dream of being a Hollywood star. None of them had imagined the trajectory Meg’s life would take. She had been shuffled around from one foster home to another until she got adopted later in life. She had started looking for her birth parents after she turned eighteen and arrived in Dolphin Bay one fine day, ready to meet her mother.

Anna and Cassie had been horrified when they learned Meg’s story. The Butler women started living under one roof and had spent the past year getting to know each other. They had quickly become inseparable, keen as they were to make up for lost time.

“I’m not sure I was a good role model, Meg.” Cassie was brutally honest. “We partied hard and painted the town red. The gossip rags were full of our exploits.”

“Did you know we would run into her on Rodeo Drive?” Meg asked.

Anna saw Cassie shake her head and believed her. Cassie had spent the past couple of years in obscurity. Her fitness trainer friend had been the only person from Hollywood she had stayed in touch with. But Bobby was family. Anna had been skeptical at first but she had capitulated when he ate three helpings of her mushroom risotto and licked the tiramisu pan clean.

“I’m glad we finally took this trip, Cass,” she smiled.

The bagel and fruit she ate was making her feel better. She had even taken two bites of the huevos rancheros from Meg’s plate.

“We had fun!”

Bobby had cleared his schedule immediately when they finally decided to take a trip to Los Angeles. The Butler women descended on the city along with the Firecrackers, Julie and Mary. They had done all the touristy things in town, including gawking at the Hollywood sign, shopping on Rodeo Drive, going to the amusement park and watching the sunset at Malibu. Cassie had taken them to a couple of studios and shown them around. Then she had taken them to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Anna’s heart filled with pride when they reached the star with Cassie’s name. Her daughter had worked hard for it. Truth be told, they had all paid a big price but it was all water under the bridge.

A shrill scream had pierced the air as they posed for photos around Cassie’s star. A curvy young woman tottering on heels had rushed out of a café and run straight into Cassie’s arms. The women from Dolphin Bay had watched nonplussed as Cassie and the blonde did some kind of dance. Meg’s hands had flown to her mouth a split second later.

“OMG, you’re Jojo Gold!” she cried. “How do you know my Mom?”

“Mom?” The petite blonde had whirled around and stared at Meg, her doe like eyes wide with astonishment. “Cassie Butler has a grown up daughter?”

A few cameras started flashing and Cassie hurriedly ushered the whole group into a restaurant. Cassie made Anna proud. She hadn’t flinched a bit when she admitted Meg’s age.

The sun rose higher in the sky, bathing the deck in bright light. Cassie nudged a plate of croissants toward Anna and apologized.

“I had no idea we would run into Jojo, Mom. You know I haven’t been in touch with any of my Hollywood friends for a while. But once we met her, I couldn’t turn her down. We go way back.”

Jojo had heard Cassie’s story with her mouth hanging open. Then she had told them her news.

“I’m getting married next week. You’re all coming and I won’t take no for an answer.”

Jojo was marrying the love of her life on the most luxurious cruise ship in the world, the Empress Cleopatra. Two entire decks had been reserved for the wedding party and Cassie was told she could have as many suites as she wanted.

Anna had been surprised when she saw Gino Mancini waiting for them at the cruise terminal. Cassie had invited him to join them on the week long cruise.

“Come on, Mom.” Cassie nudged her. “We’re late for our dress fitting.”

Chapter 2

Anna barely had time to feel nauseous through the day. Jojo had told her they were all part of the wedding party and didn’t need to worry about a thing. That included finding a suitable dress for the different wedding functions.

Jojo herself was going with Vera Wang for the wedding. But she had hired a promising young designer from Beverly Hills to dress the rest of them. Julie and the Butlers had been rushed to the designer’s suite as soon as they boarded the Empress Cleo the previous evening. The formidable young man had clucked and muttered to himself as he measured them. Then he had presented a variety of sketches and chosen one for each of them.

Anna had been so dumbstruck she couldn’t think of a comment. Cassie told her later she didn’t have a choice. When a top couture designer chose a dress for you, you didn’t have room to argue.

They were all going to be dressed in different shades of peach, with Cassie’s outfit slightly darker than the others. She was the maid of honor.

The Sail Away party set the mood for the week ahead.

Jojo and her immediate family had suites on Deck 14, the topmost deck on the ship. Most of the area was usually a big observation deck, open to the stars, providing a 360 degree view of the water. It was the venue of the wedding and was closed off to the ship’s passengers for the entire week.

Jojo had kicked off the party as the ship left shore, urging everyone to taste a Jojorita, an exclusive drink the award winning mixologist had created in her honor.

“Welcome to my wedding, Anna.” Jojo had given her a warm hug and thanked them all for coming. “Cassie’s lucky to have a mom like you.”

Anna had taken one look at her moist eyes and decided she was the genuine article. The mood was upbeat and they all had a grand time as the ship sailed into the sunset.

The fitting went well. Meg’s excitement was palpable and Anna felt as awestruck as the young girl. Jojo Gold was sparing no expense and she was making sure her guests felt special.

They had a light lunch with Jojo after the dress fitting. She had booked a table for them at the ship’s top seafood restaurant. Sushi and sashimi were on the menu.

“Get ready for some serious pampering,” she beamed. “We’re heading to the spa for the next three hours.”

Anna hadn’t gone to a salon since her surgery, other than for a haircut. She had been reluctant to bare her scarred body before a stranger.

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Cassie said softly. “We’re all with you.”

Jojo sobered.

“Cassie told me what you’ve been through, Anna. You deserve this more than any of us.”

“You’re right, sweetie,” Julie nodded approvingly. “Now tell us about that hunk you’re gonna marry.”

Jojo blushed under her tan.

“It was all kind of sudden.”

“I always thought you would end up with Logan,” Cassie spoke up. “Aren’t you childhood sweethearts?”

Jojo gave a tiny shrug.

“Logan’s my best friend. But Ricky and I, we’re meant to be.”

Anna had met both young men the previous evening at dinner. Logan Powell was a powerful young man in his thirties, scion of a corporate dynasty. He was a billionaire in his own right and the sort of man young girls dreamed of marrying. But Jojo had fallen for the down to earth small town car mechanic, to everyone’s surprise. What the media had termed a summer fling had rapidly deepened into love. The whirlwind romance was culminating into a lavish wedding barely two months later.

“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Meg giggled.

Jojo and her newly minted husband would have a mini honeymoon in upscale Mexican resorts while on the cruise. The more elaborate trip would come later.

“We’re going hiking in Patagonia,” Jojo gushed. “It’s supposed to be beautiful.”

“I thought you were going to Kenya?” Cassie blurted. “You and Logan always talked about honeymooning on safari in the wilds of Africa.”

Anna saw Jojo pale for an instant. She recovered quickly.

“That was a long time ago, Cass. South America’s chill now.”

The banter continued after they finished lunch and headed to the spa. Anna let herself be pummeled by two young Asian women and sighed in content when they placed hot stones on her spine. Then she was scrubbed from head to foot with a lemon scented sugary concoction, and wrapped tight in seaweed. Julie endured everything with her and finally stopped talking when their facial started.

“That was heavenly!” Anna admitted when they met up with the young ones later.

They snacked on fresh fruit and sipped green tea, waiting for Jojo to emerge from her special bridal treatment.

“You look amazing!” Meg sighed when the bride to be came out looking radiant, her waist length hair piled on top of her head in an intricate chignon.

“They did my hair for the rehearsal,” Jojo told them. “Does it look okay?”

Anna took some pictures while Cassie assured her friend she looked fabulous.

“Do you like your dresses for the rehearsal?” Jojo asked them. “I was very clear you could choose anything you wanted.”

“Thank you for being so generous.” Anna hugged the girl. “Don’t forget you’re coming to visit us in Dolphin Bay as soon as you’re back from your honeymoon.”

“We’ll be there sooner if you give us a reason to.” Jojo smiled cheekily. “I saw how Gino was looking at you last night. I think wedding bells will be ringing soon.”

It was Anna’s turn to blush.

They headed back to their staterooms to get ready for the rehearsal. Anna had decided to squeeze in a quick nap while the others got ready.

Three large suites had been placed at their disposal. The ladies had unanimously chosen to bunk in one. Gino had taken the other. Anna and the girls had been amazed by how spacious the suite was. They had a big gathering area with a set of couches, a bar and a large wall mounted television. There were two bedrooms with ensuite baths and a big veranda that wrapped around the entire space, equipped with their very own hot tub.

An hour later, they all stood before the big mirror in Anna’s room, primping and applying last minute touches to their makeup.

“You look beautiful, Mom.” Cassie smoothed the shoulders of Anna’s sequined dress and gave a nod.

Anna felt like she was floating on air. Her dazzling new dress fit like a second skin but didn’t feel too tight.

“Look at Julie,” she teased. “We finally got her out of plaid.”

Julie was preening in the mirror, dressed in a black ankle length creation that made her look regal. Meg wore a turquoise frock and Cassie was dressed in her favorite red, long and flowing with an empire waist and miles of chiffon.

“We look pretty, don’t we?” Meg laughed. “Let’s take a picture.”

“Jojo must’ve hired a photographer.” Anna spritzed some perfume and hurried them along. “We need to get going, girls.”

They finally stepped out after posing for a dozen photos, some out on the veranda balcony with the ocean and the setting sun as the backdrop.

Gino was about to knock on their door. His eyes widened when he saw Anna.

“You look spectacular.” He bent down to whisper in her ear.

They took the elevator up to Deck 14. Cassie joined all the bridesmaids and Anna and the others took a seat. Rick and Jojo arrived and went through the motions.

“He’s marrying up for sure,” Julie noted. “Do you think he knows it, Anna?”

“How can he not?” Anna retorted. “Gold Labs is valued in billions. How much do you think a car mechanic earns?”

“Doesn’t look like it,” Julie muttered.

“Shhh …” Meg interrupted. “It’s a fairy tale wedding, guys. Can’t you just be happy for them?”

Julie guffawed in her usual style.

“It’s a fairy tale alright, kiddo. Except that boy is Cinderella.”

Anna heard a burst of applause as Jojo and Ricky went through the motions of placing a ring on each other’s finger and said ‘I do’. She joined in, smiling when she heard Ricky explain he was saying his real vows for the actual day.

The rehearsal dinner had been arranged at the ship’s flagship steakhouse on Deck 11. Ricky’s best man had canceled at the last minute and was in hospital with a broken leg. Anna wondered how the wedding coordinator had convinced Logan to stand in for him.

“You Hollywood types are weird.” Julie cut a hefty piece of steak and pointed her fork at Cassie. “Jojo’s ex shouldn’t even have come to the wedding. And now he’s best man? That’s an open invitation to trouble.”

“Logan’s not one to hold a grudge, Aunt Julie,” Cassie argued. “He’s looking out for Jojo.”

Julie ignored her and added more sour cream on her baked potato.

“Big trouble! Mark my words.”

A round of toasts followed and more champagne was poured. Anna giggled for no reason a couple of times.

“I’m tipshy,” she told Gino and took his arm.

“No, my love. You’re beautiful.”

Anna giggled again and plunged her spoon in the crème brulee.

Ten minutes later, Jojo stood up and tapped a fork on her champagne flute to get their attention.

“Are we done here? Time for the bachelorette party, girls!”

Chapter 3

Anna groaned as Julie shook her awake the next morning, burying her head in a pillow. Her head was pounding fiercely and she could barely open her eyes.

“You’re mean!” she accused her long time friend.

Anna, Julie and Mary had bonded long before Cassie was born. They had shared life’s ups and downs and were soul sisters. That didn’t mean they didn’t fight once in a while.

“And you can’t hold your liquor,” Julie scoffed. “How many of those lethal drinks did you have, Anna? You should know better.”

“Those lethal drinks are called Jojoritas, for your information.” Anna sat up in bed and spoke with her eyes scrunched together. “And they’re delicious.”

She felt the bile rise in her throat and jumped down suddenly, heading toward the bathroom.

“Are they still delicious?” Julie grinned when Anna came out ten minutes later, looking drained.

Julie had opened all the curtains and thrown the veranda doors wide open. She looked very comfortable, reclining in an easy chair with her arms around her head.

The water shimmered in the bright sunlight and a pod of dolphins frolicked in the distance. Anna was hoping they would see some migrating whales on their cruise. Meg had explained that mid October was a bit early to spot them but Anna was keeping her fingers crossed.

“What time is it?” she asked, settling into a wave shaped chair that engulfed her whole body. “And why don’t we have any coffee?”

Julie told her she had already called room service.

“It’s 11:30 AM.” She folded her arms smugly. “The girls haven’t stirred yet. Not surprising, considering we didn’t get back here until 4 AM.”

“Why are you so chipper?” Anna grumbled.

“I’m used to odd hours,” Julie shrugged. “Three solid hours and I’m good to go.”

Julie had been up since 8 AM and had already put in some work. Anna knew Julie was working against a deadline. She had agreed to join the cruise on the condition that she could squeeze in some work whenever possible.

There was a knock on the door and a server came in with coffee and pastries. There was a good assortment of baked goods like donuts, croissants and cookies, along with a big bowl of tropical fruit, a rack of toast and a silver urn of coffee.

He arranged everything on the dining table in their family room and handed them a folder.

“What’s that?” Julie asked, pouring coffee for the both of them.

“It’s our schedule for today. The wedding planner must have sent it.”

There was a buffet brunch for the wedding party on Deck 11. Then they had a final dress fitting before going to the salon to get their hair done. The schedule allowed them half an hour to get dressed before everyone assembled on the top deck for the nuptials.

“That’s just part of it.” Julie brandished another sheaf of papers. “This is what’s actually happening on the ship.”

The ship’s daily provided details about the weather and their location. A lot of interesting activities were happening across the ship.

“Are we allowed to go there?” Anna ran her finger down a list of classes. “Cupcake decorating, salsa dancing, aquatics … these sound like fun, Julie.”

“We’re VIP guests, remember? That’s what Jojo told us. She’s paying an arm and a leg for all the special treatment. We can go anywhere on the ship, even the bridge.”

They decided to skip the brunch. The light breakfast that had arrived with their coffee would keep them going for a while.

“I’m taking Gino to that salsa class,” Anna decided firmly. “And then we’re going to check out that pizzeria.”

Julie had spotted a lecture on Mayan architecture. She thought it would be great research for one of her upcoming books.

Anna gorged on the fresh papaya and mangoes and took a quick shower. She dressed in shorts and a floral printed sleeveless top they had bought in Los Angeles. Then it was time to wake up the girls.

Cassie and Meg had other plans. They all went their separate ways and agreed to meet back at their suite around 3 PM.

Anna had an energetic dance lesson with Gino. He was a quick learner and several women clamored for his attention. They devoured hot pizza loaded with stringy mozzarella cheese and blamed it on their Italian blood.

“I love seafood but there’s only so long I can stay away from cheese,” Anna confessed.

Soon it was time to go dress for the ceremony. Gino assured her he was looking forward to wearing his tux.

The dresses had been delivered to their suite. There was a lot of teasing and laughter as they got dressed. Cassie was putting finishing touches to their makeup when there was a loud banging on the door.

A red haired woman in a maid’s uniform stood outside, lips pursed together, frowning deeply. She looked furtively up and down the aisle and barged in when Anna opened the door.

“The wedding coordinator sent me,” she said in a rush. “Who’s Cassie? You are wanted on Deck 14 at once.”

Anna was surprised to see Cassie roll her eyes.

“This sounds like one of Jojo’s tantrums. I’ll have a quick look, Mom.”

Anna glanced at the big clock that hung over a wall.

“We can all go. I have something for Jojo.”

Anna had been touched when Jojo asked if she could borrow the famous Butler pearls for the wedding ceremony.

“Cassie’s told me all about them.” Jojo had been emotional. “She always bragged about how much her parents loved each other.”

The pearls were a family heirloom and had belonged to John’s grandmother. He had presented them to Anna on their wedding day.

“I’m wearing Cassie’s sapphire ring as my ‘something blue’,” Jojo continued. “But I would really like to wear those pearls as my ‘something borrowed’, Anna.”

Anna had hugged her tight and told her it would be a privilege. She knew Jojo had grown up motherless. Her father had died recently and her old uncle was the only family member who would be attending the wedding.

The maid waited outside to escort the four of them to the top deck. The wedding coordinator was pacing outside the Empress suite. It was the most lavish suite on the ship and had been assigned to Jojo.

“She’s not answering her door,” the woman said urgently. “The makeup artist was here an hour ago. She went away when Jojo didn’t open the door.”

“And you’re calling us now?” Cassie exclaimed.

Anna took charge.

“She’s probably hung over. How did she look this morning, Cassie?”

“We didn’t go to the brunch,” Meg confessed. “Mom and I went for a swim and then we had lunch at that café in the atrium.”

An older man with a shock of white hair came out of one of the staterooms. He walked down the corridor toward them.

“What’s going on here, ladies?” Fred Gold thundered.

Anna had met Jojo’s uncle at the rehearsal dinner the previous evening. He was a bachelor and a harmless flirt. He had helped his brother raise little Jojo after her mother walked out.

The wedding coordinator poured out her concern once again.

“She must have taken one of her sleeping pills,” Fred murmured. “It’s time we woke her up.”

Several stateroom doors opened one after another and a stream of people joined them, dressed in their best clothes.

An auburn haired woman teetering on 4 inch heels smirked at the gathering.

“Is Jojo going to be late for her own wedding?”

“Didn’t you meet her at brunch, Millicent?” Logan Powell snapped at her, his blue eyes flashing with barely controlled anger. “I thought you were supposed to keep tabs on her, being best woman.”

“You mean maid of honor, darling,” the woman drawled lazily. “And I’m not maid of honor anymore. She is!” She flung a finger at Cassie and raised her eyebrows in question. “What’s Jojo up to now?”

Gino had joined them a few minutes before.

“I think we should call security.”

He nodded at the wedding coordinator and she stepped away, speaking into her walkie talkie. A couple of men dressed in the ship’s uniform arrived almost instantly and swiped a card to open the Empress suite.

Everyone crowded at the entrance, eager to get in.

One of the guards kept them back while the other went inside. He was out in a few seconds.

“It’s empty. There’s no one inside.”

“That’s impossible.” Cassie turned to the wedding coordinator. “Check the salon right now. They must have taken her there for some reason.”

“Wasn’t makeup and hair supposed to come to her suite?” Millicent demanded.

Anna felt a sense of foreboding as everyone fanned out on the deck, looking for Jojo.

“You spent a lot of time with her last night,” Julie nudged Cassie. “Was she having second thoughts?”

Cassie shook her head vehemently.

“Jojo is madly in love with Ricky. She was looking forward to the ceremony.”

“So you don’t think we have a runaway bride?” Julie voiced the question that was uppermost in their minds.

Gino tried to calm them down.

“Where do you think she went, Julie? There’s miles and miles of ocean all around us. She’ll turn up soon enough.”

Chapter 4

The wedding guests started arriving in a steady stream. To Anna’s surprise, the wedding coordinator handled it well.

Waiters carrying trays of canapés swooped in, enticing the crowd to sample the delectable creations. Champagne was poured and soon everyone had a flute in their hands. A low hum of conversation filled the air.

Gino paired up with Logan while Fred accompanied Millicent. Cassie took Meg with her. They were going to scour the ship for Jojo.

Anna let Julie steer her to the aft end of the deck. She stared at the frothy wake trailing the ship, her stomach churning in tandem with the water.

“It’s wedding jitters, that’s what it is.” Julie tried to console her. “Cassie will find her.”

Fred and Millicent were the first to return, followed by Gino and Logan. Cassie and Meg came back ten minutes later. They shook their heads grimly.

Gino told Anna he had spoken to the security officer again. They were combing every inch of the ship, looking for Jojo.

The guests had figured out that something was wrong. Some of them left the deck while others huddled around to gossip. A few were shamelessly attacking the giant seafood tower studded with chilled cocktail shrimp and crab legs that had been artfully arranged for the reception. The wedding coordinator was finally beginning to look harried.

Anna stood up suddenly, her mind made up.

“I’m not sitting around anymore.”

She took Meg’s hand and strode toward the Empress suite. Cassie and Julie hurried after them. Gino wasn’t far behind.

Anna halted in her steps when she entered, struck by the opulence of the suite. It reminded her of some of the palaces she had seen in Europe. Thousands of crystals twinkled from a big chandelier in the foyer. There was a living area bigger than Anna’s entire house. A grand piano sat next to a well stocked bar. Large floor to ceiling windows provided expansive views of the ocean. A veranda larger than the one in Anna’s suite wrapped around the entire space. Cassie had told her there were two bedrooms with big ensuite bathrooms, each with a Jacuzzi tub of their own. The veranda boasted a private swimming pool big enough to swim laps in.

Everything was gilded and fit for a princess.

“We can each take a room, girls.” Anna got to work. “Look around carefully. No detail is too insignificant.”

“What are we looking for, Anna?” Meg asked.

“Something like a note?” Cassie prompted.

Anna nodded uncertainly. She wasn’t sure herself.

“Anything out of the ordinary, I guess.”

They combed every inch of the space and Gino double checked after them. Anna knew he was actually trained to do a thorough search.

She went out to the veranda and inched closer to the high railing. She could see some activity on the lower decks. People sat in their balconies and rows of lifeboats were tied to the side of the ship, ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

Anna ran her hand along the railing, feeling helpless. She was almost ready to give up. Was Jojo hiding somewhere in the crew quarters? Any of them could have spirited her away for a bit of money. Wherever she was, Anna hoped she was safe.

“Mom!” Cassie’s sharp cry stopped her in her tracks. “What’s that?”

Anna spotted something red stuck in a space between the deck and the railing. She bent down, trying to tug it free. It was a shoe.

“That’s a Loboutin!” Cassie grew alarmed. “Jojo wore it for the rehearsal dinner last night. What’s that doing here?”

“Don’t touch anything,” Gino warned.

He gently pulled Anna away from the railing and took a few pictures of the item stuck in the crevice.

“I’m calling security.”

The ladies gathered together, speechless. A riot of thoughts ran through Anna’s head but she didn’t want to voice any of them.

Gino came back with the security officer from before. The man started speaking some gibberish in his walkie talkie.

“What is he saying?” Meg tapped him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on.”

“We’re following procedure, Miss,” he told her. “I have to ask you to step outside.”

Gino nodded at the man and ushered the women out of the Empress suite.

“Do you know what he was saying?” Anna whispered.

Gino had been in the Air Force and he had worked in law enforcement for several years. If the security man had used any standard code, Anna was sure Gino must have understood.

“They think she went overboard.” Gino gathered Anna in his arms. “The ship is slowing down.”

Cassie heard him and stole a glance at her daughter. Meg hadn’t caught on yet.

“Let’s go back to our own cabin,” she told the others. “We can talk there.”

The wedding coordinator came forward when she saw them.

“So the bride’s a no show?” she asked. “Shall I ask the guests to leave? Someone needs to tell me what to do.”

Cassie told her she couldn’t help.

“But you’re the maid of honor! Jojo told me to go to you in case I needed something.”

Anna told the wedding coordinator to get in touch with Fred Gold.

Everyone was quiet as they took the elevator one deck down and walked down the corridor to their own suite. Gino went straight to the mini bar and poured a finger of cognac for each of them.

“They really think of everything,” he muttered as he pressed a glass into Meg’s hands. “It’s medicinal.”

“What about Ricky?” Cassie sounded dismayed. “Has anyone told him what happened?”

Gino explained how he had accompanied Logan to Ricky’s suite and brought him up to speed. He had been pacing the room, dressed in his wedding tuxedo, a peach rose tucked into the lapel.

“Is it time yet?” he had asked eagerly. “I can’t see the bride before the ceremony. It’s bad luck. Jojo believes in that kind of stuff.”

His face paled as he listened to them.

“Something’s wrong with her. Jojo will never abandon me.”

Julie slurped the last drops from her glass and held it out for a refill.

“So he was sure she hasn’t pulled a runner?”

“Pretty sure,” Gino told them.

Ricky had pulled off his bow tie and tuxedo and joined them as they hunted for his missing bride.

“What was that man saying, Gino?” Anna interrupted. “What does Oscar mean? Or Alpha?”

Gino didn’t hide his frown.

“The man was declaring a kind of emergency. It’s good. They will dedicate more resources to finding Jojo.”

“Was it some kind of code?” Meg was curious.

“They use it to signal someone fell overboard,” Gino sighed. “In this case, the officer wasn’t really sure because he also announced a medical emergency.”

“Man overboard?” Cassie exclaimed. “That won’t help now. Who knows how long Jojo has been missing?” Her eyes welled up. “What if she went over last night? They will never find her.”

Julie had stepped out on the veranda.

“The ship’s not moving,” she called out. “And look, they are launching some boats into the water.”

“So they are sending out a search party,” Gino said softly.

Anna read his expression.

“You think it’s futile, don’t you?”

“It’s like Cassie said …” Gino’s eyes hardened. “We don’t know when she hit the water. If she fell in, that is.”

Meg started sobbing quietly. Cassie put her arms around her and held her close.

Gino got up and left, promising to get the latest update.

Anna called room service and ordered some sandwiches and coffee for them. She changed into a pair of shorts and removed all her jewelry and makeup.

The maid from earlier came in with their food.

“I need a favor,” Anna told her. “Can you take me to the crew quarters?”

The girl shook her head sullenly.

“I can’t leave now, Ma’am. They’ll have my job if I play hooky. You can take the elevator down to Deck 1 yourself. It’s not locked or anything.”

Anna forced everyone to gulp down some food.

“What’s on your mind, Mom?” Cassie asked.

“Yeah,” Julie nodded. “What’s in the crew quarters?”

Anna told them her theory about where Jojo might be hiding out. Cassie’s face brightened.

“Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll go with you.”

Gino came in just as they reached the cabin door. Anna sat down with a thud, dreading what he was going to say.

“They found her.” Gino cleared his throat. “She was in a lifeboat tied to the side of the ship, right under her railing.”

“How is she?” Cassie grabbed Gino’s arm, looking hopeful.

He shook his head.

Jojo Gold had plunged ten floors down and fallen to her death. She wasn’t a runaway bride. Anna wondered if it had been an unfortunate accident or someone had helped her along.

Chapter 5

Anna stared blankly at the star studded sky through the glass. They had been moping around in their suite for hours. Julie had coaxed everyone to step out for dinner.

“We could all use a change of scene.”

The wedding coordinator had looked in on them earlier. The staff had decided to go ahead with the reception as planned. A buffet had been set up featuring the lavish menu Jojo had lovingly picked for the big night. The woman told them they had until midnight to grab any food they wanted.

Cassie admitted it was a nice gesture but none of them wanted to go up to Deck 14.

Julie skimmed through the ship’s daily bulletin that had been delivered with their breakfast and chose a diner on a lower deck. The place specialized in comfort food and they could all use some of it.

“Did you meet Ricky?” Anna asked.

Cassie had gone up to express her condolences to the groom. She felt it was the least she could do under the circumstances.

“Ricky’s locked himself in his room and isn’t saying a word. I’m worried about him.”

“We need to babysit him a bit if needed,” Julie said fiercely. “He’s on his own and he’s the outsider. These rich people will close ranks in the blink of an eye.”

“Uncle Freddie’s not like that,” Cassie argued. “He loved Jojo. She told me he was completely on board with Ricky.”

“That was when she was alive,” Julie shot back.

Anna cleared her throat and tried to catch Julie’s eye. Cassie talked tough but she was vulnerable. Anna wasn’t sure how her daughter was going to handle the loss of her friend.

“Did you talk to the uncle, Mom?” Meg asked, slurping her chocolate milkshake through a paper straw.

It had become soggy in minutes and Meg was struggling with it.

“Uncle Freddie was in tears,” Cassie told them. “When Jojo’s father died two years ago, Fred promised he would look after his little girl. He feels he has failed his brother.”

“What does this man do for a living?” Julie was curious.

“He was the CEO of Gold Labs since Jojo’s father passed. But he sort of retired last month.”

Meg wanted to know what that meant.

“Jojo told me he will stay on as chairman of the board but he won’t be going in to work every day. His role will be more of a mentor.”

The food arrived but the savory aromas wafting off the burgers failed to stir Anna’s appetite. Meg picked up a French fry, dunked it in ketchup and put it down. Cassie had ordered onion rings with her burger. She played around with them, crumbling them with her fingers.

“We need to keep our strength up, girls.” Julie rubbed Cassie’s arm. “Now this is a perfectly good burger and I for one am going to sink my teeth into it.”

Anna appreciated Julie’s efforts in trying to cheer them up. She followed her example and took a bite. The burger was juicy and perfect and her hunger returned in full force.

Cassie and Meg followed her example as she had hoped.

“Life goes on, doesn’t it?” Anna mused. “I know it feels crass to enjoy something as basic as a cheeseburger when someone we love is …”

Her eyes welled up and a lump rose in her throat.

“I ran into Millicent.” Cassie tried to divert her.

“You mean that girl you replaced as maid of honor?” Julie quipped. “She wasn’t very happy with you, Cassie.”

“I didn’t plan that,” Cassie shrugged. “Anyway, Millicent’s always been a bit condescending. Thinks she’s the smartest woman this side of the Rockies.”

“So you’ve met her before?” Anna was surprised.

“Millicent Cummings started working at Gold Labs when she was in college. She was Mr. Gold’s protégé. She’s devoted her life to the company.”

“A workaholic, then,” Julie observed. “Beauty and brains in a single package. That’s a rare combination.”

“Milli was like a protective older sister.” Cassie drained her soda. “She encouraged Jojo to have fun.”

Anna wanted to know what the woman had said.

“Milli couldn’t stop thinking about how happy Jojo was at the bachelorette party. She can’t figure out why Jojo jumped from the balcony.”

Julie licked some sauce off her fingers.

“Wait a minute … are you saying Jojo did this on purpose?”

There was a stunned silence around the table as everyone connected the dots. Meg’s eyes filled with fear and she sidled a bit closer to Cassie.

“She wouldn’t do that.” Cassie shook her head vigorously. “That’s what Milli was saying. Everyone agrees Jojo was happy about the wedding. She was walking on air all day, thinking about Ricky.”

“Didn’t you see how cute they looked together?” Meg asked fiercely. “It was true love.”

“Speaking of …” Julie needled. “Who was that dark haired devil you were dancing with last night?”

Meg buried her face in her burger.

Anna understood Julie was trying to lighten the mood around the table and she appreciated it.

“Did you meet a young man?” she asked Meg.

“I danced with a dozen different guys last night.” Meg rolled her eyes. “You can’t expect me to remember all of them.”

“Sure you do,” Julie needled. “He was flashing his baby blue eyes at you all night long. And drinking like a fish.”

“He wasn’t plying you with drinks, was he?” Cassie asked her daughter.

Anna knew Cassie was being protective and she couldn’t be prouder of her daughter. Cassie had been notoriously wild at fifteen, sneaking out of her bedroom window and drinking at parties. But apparently, she was trying to be a good parent. Meg needed that. Anna and her husband John had fostered a lot of kids and she had learned one thing. Kids needed boundaries. Some of them actually flourished under them.

“You have to trust me, Mom.” Meg’s brow settled in a frown. “The bartender made a non-alcoholic Jojorita for me.”

“So you know who I’m talking about?” Julie wasn’t ready to give up. “He was wearing a charcoal coat.”

“The guy in the Armani suit?” Cassie burst out. “Well done, Meg.”

Meg wadded a paper napkin and threw it on her plate.

“Why are you making such a fuss about it?”

Anna tried to calm her down.

“Tell us about this young man. Was he one of the Hollywood set?”

Most of the hundred people Jojo had invited were celebrities of some kind. Anna worried her granddaughter didn’t have the kind of sophistication needed to interact with those people. Rich people tended to be blasé about everything, unlike Meg who was innocent enough to look at the world around her with fresh eyes.

“His name is Drake Benson and he has an art gallery in Monterey.”

“That doesn’t sound like Jojo’s usual set,” Cassie frowned.

Gino came into the restaurant and joined them. He had volunteered to spend some time with the groom.

“How is the poor boy?” Anna asked.

“Ricky is inconsolable,” Gino sighed. “He won’t get out of his cabin or talk to anyone. I ordered some dinner for him from room service. He refused to touch it.”

“Maybe it’s best to let him grieve in peace,” Julie murmured.

“What about Jojo?” Anna asked. “Won’t there be an investigation into what happened?”

Gino had been perusing the menu. Cassie recommended the quarter pound cheeseburger with grilled mushrooms and Swiss cheese. It came with a sharp blue cheese sauce.

“About that …” Gino looked sheepish. “I don’t think there will be one, Anna.”

Anna sat up in her chair, her eyes filled with indignation.

“What do you mean? A young, healthy woman just fell to her death. Don’t they want to know how, or why? It’s the least they can do for Jojo’s family.”

Gino looked crushed. Anna noted the exhaustion around his face and felt guilty. She had promised him a relaxing vacation but that wasn’t looking very likely.

“I ran into a guy I knew back in the day, in the Force,” he answered. “He’s the chief of security on this boat.”

Cassie brightened.

“That’s good, right? He can give us the inside scoop.”

Gino’s food arrived and the ladies waited impatiently while he took a few bites.

“Bernard took me to his office and explained everything.” He hesitated. “It seems this kind of thing is very common on a cruise ship.”

“Brides falling to their death?” Julie was incredulous.

“Not just brides,” Gino elaborated. “This is one of the most luxurious ships in the world. People pay big bucks to get access to the best food and drink. It’s unlimited, you know. Apparently that’s the draw, Bernard said. You can have the most premium champagne or cocktails made from top shelf liquor and drink to your heart’s content. Most of the guests do, because they want to get their money’s worth.”

Cassie was frowning as Gino went on.

“Jojo wasn’t like that. She’s always lived in the lap of luxury. This wasn’t like a once in a lifetime trip for her.”

Gino popped the last piece of burger in his mouth and dabbed his mouth.

“Nevertheless! Men and women overindulge and are intoxicated. Some have to be taken to the infirmary. They quarrel, they fight, they act crazy. And yes, some of them fall overboard and are lost forever.”

“So what’s the long and short of this, Gino?” Anna was mutinous.

“This is just business as usual as far as the ship authorities are concerned.” Gino looked reluctant. “Nobody can pinpoint when the accident happened. The ship was in international waters at the time. Laws are sketchy and no one really cares.”

“The Gold family will care!” Cassie shot back.

“There are hundreds of guests on this ship, apart from the wedding party,” Gino continued. “Bernard said the cruise line won’t risk putting all those people out. We will complete our itinerary as planned.”

Julie was fidgeting in her seat.

“And you are okay with that? You don’t think they are shrugging off responsibility?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

Anna had never seen Gino look so helpless.

“I don’t have any jurisdiction here, Julie. But I trust my old buddy. He assured me he’s dealt with this kind of situation in the past.”

“Mom.”

Cassie stared at Anna, silently urging her to say something.

“I hope you are not thinking of going sleuthing, Anna.” Gino’s face was set in a frown. “There is no foul play here. Jojo drank too much and fell off the balcony. That’s all there is to it.”

Chapter 6

Anna slept surprisingly well that night. Maybe it was the food. She had eaten something substantial for the first time since she boarded the Empress. Gino told her she was getting her sea legs. The nausea was almost gone and if the circumstances had been different, she would have been more eager to try out the different restaurants on the ship.

Light flooded the cabin suddenly and Anna sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. Julie had thrown the curtains open and stood next to the tall windows, watching the sun rise over the ocean.

“Are those mountains?” Anna couldn’t hide her curiosity. “Where are we?”

Julie turned around, a wide smile lighting up her face.

“Land ahoy, sister! Welcome to Cabo San Lucas!”

“Has the ship docked already?”

“Doesn’t look like it.” Julie stretched her arms above her head. “Coffee’s on its way.”

There was a knock on the door and a server entered, carrying two steaming pots of coffee. Cassie and Meg were right behind him.

“What are you two doing up so early?” Anna was surprised to see the girls.

“The tenders will start taking people out at 9 AM. We aim to be first in line.”

Anna fixed coffee for all of them and took a sip of hers.

“Who or what is a tender?”

“It’s a motorboat, Anna,” Meg explained. “It’s going to take us to the shore.”

“Wait a minute,” Anna frowned. “Don’t these ships dock at the shore? I thought we can just walk off a ramp, like the one we did in Los Angeles.”

“Not everywhere, apparently,” Cassie informed her. “And not here.”

Julie had been reading the ship’s daily newspaper.

“She’s right, Anna. This says those boats will run from 9 AM to 9 PM. And then they will do that again tomorrow.”

The original itinerary had them in port for two days. Jojo and her husband had booked into a local resort and would stay there on a brief honeymoon of sorts. The other guests would stay on the ship.

“So what’s the plan, girls?” Anna asked.

She wanted to go and talk to the security chief herself. But she wasn’t sure if she should go alone or take Gino with her.

“Mom and I are going to check out the big breakfast buffet on the ship today.” Meg sounded eager. “Let’s all go!”

Julie bit her lip.

“Don’t we have our own buffet, kiddo? The main buffet is going to be very crowded. Everyone will be scrambling to get on those boats.”

There was a lively discussion on what to do, fueled by caffeine. In the end, Meg capitulated. Half an hour later, they all went up to the top deck.

The wedding coordinator stood by the elevator to greet everyone. She was handing out a printed itinerary to all the guests.

“This is a list of excursions that have been arranged for the wedding party,” she explained. “Jojo chose these herself. You have plenty of choice.”

“Are you still going ahead with her plans?” Cassie looked stricken.

“These are all paid for,” the woman shrugged. “We’re in port for two days and the guests will need to keep busy. The family agreed we should carry on as planned.”

Cassie walked off in a huff. Anna took one of the schedules from the woman and thanked her. They found a table and began perusing the menu for the special items they could order.

A buffet loaded with fresh fruit and baked goodies was already set up. Cassie fixed herself a plate of fruit and sat down. She stuck a fork in a chunk of papaya and started chewing furiously.

Anna felt Cassie’s grief but they would all have to muddle on.

“They have something called migas. And there’s an omelet bar.”

“I’d go with the migas,” Cassie replied grudgingly. “It’s a spicy, cheesy egg dish with fried tortillas on top.”

They all decided to give them a go.

Anna spotted Fred Gold at a table at the far end, having breakfast. Millicent Cummings sat with him.

“Excuse me,” she told the girls and stood up.

She hadn’t had a chance to speak with Jojo’s uncle the previous day. The pair appeared deep in conversation and a few snatches fell on Anna’s ears.

Millicent looked up just then and spotted Anna walking toward them. She said something under her breath. They stopped talking at once.

Milli had placed her napkin on the table and scrambled up by the time Anna reached their table. The chair scraped back noisily and the girl made some apologies and excused herself.

Fred Gold was standing up too. Anna urged him to sit down and get back to his breakfast, an egg white omelet with a side of fresh sliced avocado.

“I wanted to offer my condolences,” she said grimly. “Jojo was a lovely child. She and Ricky were going to visit us in Dolphin Bay.”

Fred’s hands shook as he cut his omelet. He gave up the effort and looked away. His eyes were bright and Anna realized he was trying hard to keep his composure.

Fred rubbed the bridge of his nose and smiled wanly.

“Jojo was a bundle of joy since the day she was born. She was christened Julia but we never called her that. She never cried, you know, not even when she was teething.”

He picked up his water glass and took a sip.

“Jojo had a few wild years but she was taking an interest in the family business. I was going to hand over the reins to her and spend more time at our ranch in the Sierra Nevada mountains.”

Fred’s eyes filled up.

“I was looking forward to giving her away. But my baby girl will never walk down the aisle now.”

Anna offered a few empty words of consolation. Nothing she said was going to fill the void Jojo’s death had created. Fred Gold thanked her and picked up his fork. Anna walked back to her table and joined the others.

The migas had arrived and steam rose off a fragrant dish of eggs, sausage and cheese. Meg told her the chef had recommended adding chorizos to the dish.

Anna ate her food listlessly, trying to remember the exact conversation between Fred and Millicent. She remembered Cassie calling the woman a barracuda. Was she talking about business barely 24 hours after they had lost Jojo?

“Where is that boyfriend of yours, Anna?” Julie asked, sipping her mimosa.

Anna informed them Gino was having breakfast in his room.

“But he’s coming with us to the shore, right?” Meg cried. “We need to get going if we are to do the camel thing.”

Meg had chosen a camel safari excursion for that day. There would be tequila tasting for the adults and authentic Mexican food for lunch. Cassie was picking at her food, her eyes red. Maybe they could all use a diversion.

“This doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of Jojo,” Julie reasoned as they stood in line to get into the motorboat. “Honestly, I’m never going to forget her.”

The camel tour was a unique experience, demanding Anna’s full attention. They took some pictures, trying hard to smile for the camera. Everyone was famished by the time they reached their lunch spot.

Anna couldn’t help but love the mole sauce that was made with stone ground peanuts right before their eyes. She took a second helping. Cassie stuck to the ceviche and Meg tasted every single item, including the quesadillas.

They decided to go back to the ship for a much needed siesta. Anna wanted to lock herself in the bathroom and have a good cry.

The motorboat ferried them across to the ship in minutes. Anna found a note from Gino when they entered their suite. He had chosen to stay on the ship that morning, catching up on sleep.

“We’re back.” Anna called his cabin. “At least for now. Meg wants us to leave in a couple of hours.”

Gino asked if they could meet at one of the cafes for lunch. Anna told him to go ahead and order his food. She splashed some cold water on her face and reapplied her lipstick. Then she walked down the corridor to the bank of elevators at the other end. Two minutes later, she walked out on Deck 6 into the lavish atrium.

The place was a hub of activity. Surprisingly, the first person Anna spotted was Millicent. She was having a heated discussion with a man in a hat, waving her hands around. Anna took a circuitous route to the café, slowing down as she came within hearing distance of the duo.

“How can you be so irresponsible?” Millicent was furious. “Do you realize how big Gold Labs is? We could buy a dozen ships like yours and not break a sweat.”

“My hands are tied.” The man shrugged. “I already explained how these things work, Ms. Cummings.”

“That doesn’t mean you should just wash your hands off the whole thing.”

Anna spotted Gino waving at her and hurried toward him. He stood up and gave her a hug, planting a kiss on her forehead.

“You’re eating salad?” Anna was surprised.

“It’s a hearty salad,” Gino laughed. “And I’m having some lobster to go with it.”

Anna watched him dip a hefty piece in melted butter and told him about their lunch. He would have enjoyed the camel ride.

“I needed some shut eye,” he told her. “These bones aren’t so young anymore.”

Anna told him about Millicent and the man in the hat.

“That sounds like Bernard, my buddy from the Air Force.”

Anna could still see them going at it in the distance. Gino whirled around casually and confirmed the man’s identity.

“Wonder what Milli wants from him,” Anna muttered.

Gino drained his iced tea and smiled in his mustache.

“I’ll talk to him later. We should go now, Anna.”

They went up to Deck 12 and split up, promising to meet again in twenty minutes. Anna walked down toward her own cabin, wondering which swimsuit to wear to go snorkeling.

A faint cry snapped her out of her thoughts and she jerked her neck up. Her jaw dropped in shock at the sight that met her eyes.

Cassie stood flattened against the wall, terrified. A tall, blonde man loomed over her in an aggressive manner. Anna couldn’t hear what he was saying but she sensed her daughter was in trouble.

“What’s going on here?” she called out. “Who is this man, Cassie?”

The man’s lip curled in a sneer for a split second. Then his face assumed an angelic expression and his lips stretched into a smile. He gave a small bow and greeted Anna.

“Stefan Lancaster, at your service.”

Anna noticed the lines etched into the man’s face and realized he was closer to her in age. The platinum blonde hair obviously came from a bottle and was a sign of vanity. She disliked him instantly.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again,” the man said softly and slinked away.

Anna took her daughter’s arm, shocked at how cold it was.

“What’s the matter? Who was that man, Cassie?”

Cassie shrugged her off.

“Just someone I used to know, Mom. No big deal.”

Chapter 7

Cassie hugged her arms around herself and stood on deck, staring out at sea. She’d pleaded a headache and opted out of the snorkeling trip. Meg had been disappointed but Cassie didn’t have a choice. She was barely keeping it together.

Anna’s voice had almost undone her. How was she supposed to explain who Stefan was? She’d made something up on the spot but Anna wasn’t convinced. Cassie knew her mother wouldn’t let it go but she was glad of the temporary reprieve.

Her worst nightmare had come true when she came face to face with Stefan Lancaster at the bachelorette party. But she shouldn’t have been surprised. Jojo had always hung out with Hollywood’s best and brightest. And Stefan Lancaster was currently top of his game. He always had been. A producer with a truckload of awards to his name, he was a highly respected veteran of the film industry. No wonder Cassie had looked up to him all those years ago.

Cassie walked over to the tiki bar and ordered a drink. The friendly bartender asked where she was sitting and promised to send it out soon. Most of the passengers had chosen to go ashore so there were plenty of empty chairs by the pool. Cassie settled into one of them and tried to enjoy the view.

A big jogging track ran around the periphery of the deck. It was deserted, just like the pool. Cassie’s drink arrived and she grasped it like a lifeline, immediately ordering another one.

Her thoughts drifted back in time. Jojo’s exuberant face flashed before her eyes. Cassie had run into her at a Hollywood party. They had both been underage and bent on having a good time. Jojo’s doe like eyes had sparkled with mischief and her sun streaked hair drew attention wherever she went.

Cassie smiled when she remembered some of their exploits. They had been wild, no doubt about it and they made a striking pair. Petite Jojo with her bleached blonde hair hanging down to her hips, Cassie tall and willowy with her wavy golden hair falling below her waist. Everyone knew they were inseparable.

When Cassie landed her first big role, she dragged Jojo along with her to the launch party. She had been slack jawed when the director introduced her to Stefan. He was the studio head at that time and he had been very charming. Cassie basked in the glow of his attention. Truth be told, she’d had a crush on him, ready to follow him to the ends of the earth.

They shot the film for almost a year and Cassie felt she was in a dream. It wasn’t until years later that she realized the true nature of their relationship. Her therapist had helped her see that. Jojo had been with her every step of the way, holding her hand, keeping a tight vigil in the hospital room, making sure she was strong enough to face life again.

Stefan Lancaster had moved on to other conquests, barely sparing a backward glance at the shambles that was Cassie’s life.

Cassie tossed the paper umbrella, needing to do something physical. She just wanted to lash out at someone. The server arrived with the second drink and Cassie slurped half the pinacolada in a gulp.

She dozed off for a while, tired of wrestling with her thoughts. A shadow fell over her. Cassie pulled off her shades and squinted her eyes.

“Got a minute?” Logan Powell loomed over her, looking miserable.

Cassie sat up and stifled a yawn. Her cheeks felt salty and she realized she must have shed a few tears.

“I was dreaming of Jojo,” she confessed. “There was this shack on Malibu where they made really great smoothies.”

Logan wanted a drink and Cassie was ready to get out of the sun. They walked to the tiki bar silently, lost in their own thoughts.

Cassie clambered up on a bar stool and asked for water. Logan chose beer. They sipped their drinks desultorily, waiting for the other to speak up.

“I remember the day the Golds moved to our street,” Logan said with a sigh. “Jojo stood on the lawn, clutching a teddy bear. She must have been eight.”

“You pulled out a jawbreaker from your pant pocket and offered it to her,” Cassie reminisced. “She let you hold her teddy bear.”

“It was love at first sight.” Logan’s eyes glistened. “I always thought we would end up together.”

Cassie knew Jojo had loved Logan for years. They had been childhood sweethearts who dated in their teens. She had seen them get together and break up several times over the years. Cassie thought they were just having fun because everyone knew the couple was destined to be with each other.

“What happened this time?” Cassie asked. “We hadn’t been in touch since I went back home to Dolphin Bay.”

Logan stared at the water moodily, absently sipping his beer.

“Who knows? I think it had become a game with us. One of us would walk off in a huff for some silly reason. But we would always be back.”

Cassie felt the ache in his voice.

“Except she didn’t come back this time.”

“No, she didn’t. She went on a bender and then ran off into the mountains, unprepared. I almost lost her, Cass.” He wrung his hands through his hair. “She wouldn’t have come back to us if it wasn’t for Ricky.”

Logan told her what had happened. Jojo and her father were fond of hiking on the John Muir Trail. There was one part of the trail they had never conquered – Mount Whitney. When Jojo lost her father, she vowed she would never go back.

“Why did she change her mind?” Cassie was curious.

“I was responsible for that.” Logan was sheepish. “I told her she needed to do it for herself.” He raised his hand and asked the girl at the bar for another beer.

“Is that why you fought?”

“She stomped off after throwing a hissy fit. I didn’t think she would do anything stupid.”

Jojo had made a drunken resolve to scale the mountain herself. She entered the park without packing any food or water and veered off the trail. Search and rescue efforts had been unsuccessful and they had almost given up hope.

“Ricky was the one who found her?” Cassie asked.

“I owe him big time.” Logan chuckled. “No wonder she fell in love with him.”

“You must’ve hated him.”

“I wanted to. But how could I? If it was anyone else, I would have driven them out of town, wiped them out.” He winced. “You know I can easily do that.”

Logan Powell came from money. He had made his first billion before he was twenty five, quadrupling his family fortune in the past ten years. He wielded the kind of power that could annihilate a dozen Rickys and not break a sweat.

“But you owed him,” Cassie nodded vigorously. “You wanted Jojo to be happy.”

Logan couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. He fell into Cassie’s arms, his grief so palpable that she found it hard to control her own feelings.

“She was the love of my life. And now I’ve lost her forever.”

They drew apart after a while and Cassie pulled out a few napkins from a dispenser. She offered some to Logan and tried to console him.

“You will have to be strong, Logan. Let’s hope it was just an accident.”

Logan straightened and looked up sharply.

“What do you mean, Cass? What else could it be?”

Cassie bit her tongue and debated voicing her thoughts.

“You better come clean.” Logan drained a bottle of cold water. “What are you thinking?”

“When was the last time you had a heart to heart with Jojo?” she asked.

Logan looked surprised.

“She wouldn’t hide anything from me, if that’s what you’re saying. Jojo was on cloud nine, Cass. She was in love with Ricky and really looking forward to the wedding.”

“You don’t think she jumped, do you?”

Logan’s eyes grew wide.

“Are you saying Jojo leaped off that balcony on purpose? No. I don’t believe it. She would never do that.”

Cassie heaved a sigh of relief.

“I just had to know. So it must have been an accident. She was drunk and she lost her balance.”

Logan was still processing what Cassie had said earlier.

“There’s no way Jojo would take her own life. If something had been bothering her, she would have come to me. I could have fixed it.”

He clenched his fist and began pacing the length of the bar.

“She knew I can fix anything.”

Cassie didn’t offer him any words of comfort. Jojo Gold was gone forever and Logan Powell couldn’t fix that.

Chapter 8

Cassie sat in the motorboat with Meg, heading to the coast. She had retired to her cabin after saying goodbye to Logan and jumped into bed. Sleep was elusive and she finally surrendered to a bout of crying.

Her family decided to stay on shore and have dinner at one of the local restaurants. Meg volunteered to come back to the ship to fetch Cassie.

“You already missed snorkeling, Mom,” Meg wheedled. “I’m not going to let you stay here on your own.”

The marina was a beehive of activity. A mariachi band played somewhere and a noisy flea market seemed to be attracting a lot of tourists. Cassie felt she was crashing a big party she hadn’t been invited to.

Meg dragged her through the crowd and they reached the restaurant after a five minute walk.

“We’re here,” Meg cooed. “Anna says they have really good margaritas.”

Cassie remembered the restaurant. She had come there before with Jojo, several years ago. Her eyes watered again and she blinked her tears away.

Anna and Julie were in a heated discussion. Gino watched them indulgently, sipping a local beer from the bottle. A big platter of nachos rested on the table with several bowls of colorful sauces.

“There she is!” Anna cried. “Thank you for coming, Cassie.”

More drinks were ordered. Cassie sipped hers mutely, admitting it was really good.

“Looks like you all had a fun day.”

“We sure did, honey.” Julie narrowed her eyes. “Do I detect a touch of sarcasm? Or anger perhaps?”

“Let her be, Julie,” Anna cautioned. “You must be hungry, Cass. Why don’t you check out the menu?”

Cassie tasted the nachos and accepted the white flag her mother offered.

“No need, Mom. I’ve been here before with some friends.”

Anna grew solemn.

“We are all sad, Cassie, believe it or not. But life has to go on.”

Julie went on the offensive.

“How long has it been since your father passed, Cassie? You might not remember since you didn’t even attend his funeral. But Anna knows. She can tell you down to the hour and the minute. It’s because she still mourns him.”

Anna placed a warning hand on Julie’s arm.

“It’s okay, Julie. Cassie knew her for years. She probably spent more time with Jojo than with us.”

With a pang, Cassie realized that her mother was right. Leaving home at sixteen had not been easy. She had achieved her dream of being a big Hollywood star but they had all paid a price for it, especially Meg. And not going home when her father died was one of her deepest regrets.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me, Mom.” She turned toward Julie. “And I can’t thank you and Aunt Mary enough for taking care of her at that time.”

“Since you brought up Grandpa John …” Meg looked at Anna. “Did you find out more about the Blue Hill project? You were going to talk to Professor McDowell.”

Cassie’s father John Butler had been a history professor all his life. He had been fascinated by some local ruins. According to legend, a lot of gold was buried there. Treasure hunters had descended on the big property known as Blue Hill several times over the years, trying to strike it rich. But none had been successful.

John had managed to get university funding to work on exploring the ruins. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been successful either. Anna’s recent investigations had led them to believe that John had continued to explore Blue Hill on his own time even after his department pulled the project.

Although deemed accidental by the police at the time, John’s death had been highly suspicious. Anna had vowed to find out what really happened to her husband. Gino was helping her in the effort, using his background as the old police chief.

“I managed to meet the professor,” Anna told them. “Just in the nick of time too. He’s out of the country again.”

“You didn’t tell me that?” Gino leaned forward curiously.

He had been sipping his beer quietly.

“It was just before our trip to Los Angeles,” Anna told him. “We never got a chance to talk about it.”

The server arrived with more drinks and a fresh platter of nachos. They decided to place their order before they filled up on the chips.

“Do you have those pastor tacos?” Cassie asked. “I’ll have them please.”

Meg and Gino wanted to try them too. Anna and Julie chose an assortment of shrimp and fish tacos.

“Pastor tacos?” Anna asked. “Never heard of them.”

“They’re out of this world, Mom.” Cassie licked her lips. “Actually, they are pork tacos, made with spit roasted pig. Kind of like shawarma, the Lebanese dish. Why don’t you taste some of mine?”

They ended up sharing everything. The food was fresh, spicy and bursting with flavor. The sky was a blaze of red and orange after a spectacular sunset. Even though they lived on the Pacific coast, the Baja felt different.

“Did you really take a nap after breakfast?” Cassie asked Gino. “You should have come with us on the camel safari.”

Gino admitted he had gone to talk to his friend when sleep eluded him.

“You mean the security guy?” Anna asked.

“Chief Bernard,” Gino nodded. “Don’t get your hopes up, Anna. It was barely worth the trouble. I didn’t learn anything we don’t already know.”

“What made you talk to him today?” Cassie wondered.

Gino had noticed Millicent arguing with his buddy in the atrium. He wanted to know why.

Every woman at the table looked at him expectantly.

“Millicent Cummings suspects foul play.”

“What?” Cassie burst out. “Did she say why?”

Gino paused to take a bite of his taco. He told them Millicent was convinced that Jojo had been happy. She didn’t have a single care in the world and was looking forward to the wedding. There was no way she would have jumped of her own accord.

“Wait a minute,” Julie said. “Aren’t we thinking this was an accident? Who said anything about suicide?”

Cassie told them about meeting Logan earlier that day.

“Logan said the same thing. He said Jojo was very happy. And he believes Jojo would have come to him if something was bothering her.”

“Do you believe that?” Anna asked.

“I do, Mom.” Cassie frowned. “Jojo and Logan were always going to end up together. Everyone thought that. Nevertheless, they were also best friends since they were kids. If Jojo had a problem, she would share it with Logan. I’m sure of that.”

Meg had devoured her portion of the pastor tacos. She picked a piece of shrimp from Anna’s plate.

“There are only three options here, you know. If suicide is ruled out, we’re left with accident or …”

“Jojo was everyone’s darling!” Cassie exclaimed. “I can’t believe someone would hurt her deliberately.”

Her face fell again as she thought of the rehearsal dinner and the bachelorette party. How had she had no inkling of what lay ahead?

“I should have stuck with her all night long. It was the least I could do as maid of honor. But I was exhausted, Mom! And I saw Jojo was having a blast with all those other girls and I slipped away.”

“You have to stop blaming yourself,” Anna said gently.

“What do we do now?” Meg looked around the table. “Are you going to look into this, Anna?”

Cassie looked at Gino. She respected his opinion, both as Anna’s current beau and a former law enforcement official.

“This is not Dolphin Bay,” he said thoughtfully. “And we’re literally in a foreign country. I think we need to be cautious.”

“But the security chief is your buddy,” Julie pointed out. “That has to count for something.”

Gino sighed deeply.

“You promised you were going to take it easy on this cruise, Anna.”

Cassie read between the lines. Gino didn’t want Anna to risk her life again solving a murder.

“Look around you, Gino!” Anna spoke up. “We’re in Cabo, one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. I spent the day riding a camel in the desert, snorkeling along coral reefs, and getting plenty of sun. Now I’m enjoying the best seafood I’ve ever tasted, surrounded by my friends and family. Believe it or not, I’m taking it easy!”

Cassie was surprised to see her mother being so vocal.

“Jojo won me over in the short time I knew her,” Anna continued. “She was looking forward to spending the rest of her life with the man she loved, raising kids. If there’s even the slightest chance someone harmed her on purpose, I want to know.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Anna,” Gino sighed. “Will you let me tag along?”

Chapter 9

There was a big line at the marina for the tenders. Exhausted cruisers with flagging energy waited to get back to the ship. Most of them had spent a hectic day on shore, indulging in different types of activities.

Anna saw a man in the ship’s uniform waving them over.

“Looks like there’s a separate line for us.”

They didn’t waste any time climbing into the boat and were disembarking on a lower deck within minutes.

“We’re still Jojo’s guests,” Cassie reminded them. “She made sure that people attending her wedding would be treated like royalty for the duration of the cruise.”

They went up to Deck 6 to the atrium. Julie and Meg were going to consult one of the guest relations staff and ask about any ongoing activities on the ship.

Anna and Cassie sat down in an alcove while Gino asked one of the security guys to locate Chief Bernard.

“It’s kind of late,” he had warned Anna. “He might be off duty already or he might not be free.”

“You mean he could refuse to talk to me?” Anna asked. “We won’t know unless we try.”

Gino came back almost immediately.

“He’s in his office and he can spare a few minutes for us.”

Anna sprang up eagerly.

“Let’s go then.”

Julie and Meg came back with a few brochures.

“There was a performance of Mamma Mia! in the theater but we missed half of it. Casablanca is playing on Deck 13 on a big screen. It will start over and keep on playing all night.”

“Shall we go, Mom?” Meg asked eagerly.

Casablanca had been Cassie’s favorite movie since she was nine and now it was Meg’s. Gino was also partial to it.

“We’re going on an errand,” Cassie explained. “Why don’t you and Aunt Julie go on up and save our seats? We’ll join you soon.”

They walked to the bank of elevators together.

“We’re going down,” Anna said as she walked into one with Cassie and Gino.

They descended to Deck 3 and walked down a long corridor to a door marked ‘Private’. Bernard stood outside, chewing a cigar. He ushered them into a cramped cabin. There was barely any room for a small desk and two tiny chairs. Gino decided to stand.

“I was supposed to go off duty two hours ago,” he grumbled. “And my shift begins again in five hours. I would like to keep this brief, if possible.”

Anna pasted a smile on her face and thanked the man.

“Gino misses his time in the Force. How do you like working on a ship?”

Chief Bernard gave a small shrug.

“It’s okay, I guess. The hours are longer but so is the pay. I’m not complaining.”

They had mutually agreed to let Gino do all the talking.

“We talked to a few people and we think there is no way Jojo jumped from that balcony.”

“I never said that!” Bernard spread his hands wide. “She was intoxicated and she didn’t know what she was doing. It was an accident, plain and simple.”

“But was it really?” Cassie burst out.

Gino gave her a warning glance and spoke to his friend.

“Can you let us see her? Just for old times’ sake?”

Anna saw the security chief stiffen. She could easily anticipate what he was going to say.

“I can’t take that kind of risk,” he said firmly. “There’s no way I’m taking two women passengers into the morgue.”

“Have you seen her yourself?” Gino asked.

Bernard nodded reluctantly. Cassie was quiet this time and Anna waited for Gino to ask the next question.

“What can you tell us about the cause of death?”

“It was a hundred foot drop, folks. She must have died on impact.”

“Can you be sure of that?” Gino pressed. “Is it possible someone strangled her or stabbed her and then threw her down?”

Bernard was losing his patience.

“That’s a fantastic theory, Mancini. I didn’t expect a former cop to come up with a harebrained scheme like this.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of bizarre things over the course of my career.” Gino maintained his cool. “Look, all I want to know is if there are any unexplained bruises on her body.”

He placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder, lending some quiet support.

Bernard pulled open a drawer and took out a manila envelope. He dropped it on the table between them.

“We took some pictures, just in case … do I need to ask for smelling salts?”

Gino skimmed through the pictures one by one, Cassie looking over his shoulder. Anna could feel the bile rise up in her throat. She didn’t volunteer to see the photos.

“So?” Bernard raised his eyebrows. “Find any bullet holes or knife wounds?”

Gino handed back the photos.

“I think not. There’s hardly any mark on her body. Doesn’t look like anyone attacked her.”

“So you agree it was an unfortunate accident?” The security chief was triumphant.

He stood up, signaling the meeting was over. Anna saw Cassie was barely holding it together.

“You have been a big help, Chief! But can I ask just one more favor?”

Bernard frowned and Anna sensed he was going to say no.

“We’re VIP guests, remember?” Cassie sounded languorous. “Aren’t you supposed to fulfill our every whim and fancy?”

“Of course,” Bernard gave her a mock bow. “Anything for our special guests.”

“Can you take us to the Empress Suite?” Anna asked quickly. “We won’t touch anything, promise.”

“That’s a reasonable request,” Gino chimed in. “Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

Bernard agreed mutely, ushering them out of his small office and escorting them back to the elevators. Nobody said a word as they ascended to Deck 14 and followed the security chief to the Empress Suite.

The cavernous living space looked the same as it had the previous day. Anna spied a speck of dust on the table and realized housekeeping hadn’t come in to clean.

“Don’t touch anything!” Bernard warned them. “We are treating this as a crime scene, in case the authorities back home decide to come in and inspect the place.”

“But you believe it was an accident,” Gino objected.

“I’m playing it safe,” the chief sighed. “These are powerful people. What if they pull some strings and have us investigated?”

Anna wondered what his attitude would be if Jojo had been an ordinary person.

“We are going to comb every inch of this place,” Gino told her. “Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.”

They covered the grand living room and moved to the bedrooms. Cassie told them which one was Jojo’s. Anna didn’t think it mattered because neither of the beds had been slept in. A bottle of lotion was open in the master bathroom and there were some suds in the big Jacuzzi tub.

“Jojo took a bath before the bachelorette party,” Cassie murmured. “She told me she used the special bath salts I got for her.”

A couple of wet towels had been left on the floor and a musty odor filled the bathroom.

“Let’s get out of here.” Anna took Cassie’s arm and led her out.

Jojo’s wedding dress hung in the closet, along with a few cocktail dresses. An overnight bag stood ready by the door.

“I helped her pack that, Mom.” Cassie’s eyes watered. “We added a few bikinis for the beach and a bunch of expensive lingerie. Jojo said that’s all she needed for the two nights she was going to spend in Cabo.”

They went out to the big veranda balcony. Anna remembered how she had noticed the shoe lodged in the railing.

“I’m going to walk along the periphery, Gino.”

Anna stayed a foot away from the railing but kept a sharp eye on the polished wooden surface. Chief Bernard had obliged them by flipping some hidden switch that bathed the veranda in bright lights.

The sea was inky black and the harbor lights twinkled in the distance. Faint strains of a thumping beat reached Anna’s ears, hinting at a party somewhere on shore.

Cassie followed absently, staring down at her feet.

“What’s this?” Anna asked sharply.

Based on her calculations, she was near the spot where Jojo had gone down.

Gino and the chief heard her and hurried over to her side. A small nail protruded from a joint in the railing.

“That looks like some kind of stain,” Anna whispered.

Gino placed an arm around her shoulders and looked at his friend. The chief stepped forward, pulling out a tiny flashlight from his pocket.

There was a stunned silence as he examined the spot and the area surrounding it.

“It might be blood,” he admitted reluctantly. “Good catch, Mrs. Butler.”

Cassie was hopping on her feet, trying to get the chief’s attention.

“There was something in those photos, near Jojo’s ankle. I remember it now.”

Anna realized the chief had been empty handed when they came up to Deck 14. Would he agree to go back to his office to look at the photos again?

“Fortunately, I have those pictures on my phone.” Bernard began flipping through his screen. He handed it over to Gino.

Anna watched Gino expand the picture on the phone and glance toward the railing a couple of times.

“Looks like there’s a scratch on her ankle, Cassie,” Gino finally spoke up. “It could have come from that nail.”

Anna’s heart sped up. She tried to analyze this latest development.

“Ankle?” Cassie cried. “Jojo would have to stand up there in order for that nail to be near her foot.”

“What reason could she possibly have for doing that?” Anna asked.

Bernard cleared his throat.

“She was very drunk, wasn’t she? We have seen guests do some crazy things when they are under the influence.”

Anna tried to imagine what had happened. If Jojo was really drunk, how had she managed to get up on the five foot high railing?

“Like what?” Cassie demanded. “That railing is barely six inches wide. Are you saying she was trying to walk along it?”

“I don’t know.” Bernard didn’t hide his frustration. “What I can say for sure is she fell to her death.”

“She could have been pushed,” Anna ventured.

“You can think of a dozen different scenarios but chances are, the most likely one is true. The poor girl was not in control of her senses, she tried some silly stunt, lost her balance and fell down to her death.”

Anna thought the chief was about to give them the boot. They had tried his patience.

“Do you at least think it’s worth looking into?” Gino asked.

Bernard sighed, making no attempt to hide his exhaustion.

“We’ll try, but I can’t promise anything. I am short staffed and my priority is the five hundred guests on this ship who are still alive.”

Chapter 10

Cassie went up to Deck 13, looking for Meg. Anna and Gino had slipped away to get some coffee. Cassie told them to come up to the movie deck when they were done. The older couple hadn’t got a chance to spend any time alone since they boarded the ship. She wondered if there was some couples only excursion the two could go on the next day.

Meg was happy to see her. Julie was snoozing in her chair. The atmosphere was magical and the familiar scent of buttered popcorn hung in the air. A concession stand had been set up at one end, and a man dispensed sodas and filled paper tubs with hot popcorn. A pile of candy was artfully arranged nearby.

“Let me get some refills,” Meg offered.

Cassie settled into a chair next to her daughter and looked up at the sky. The movie was being projected on a giant screen that seemed to hang mid air above a swimming pool. A faint glow shot up in the sky but plenty of stars were still visible. Soft chenille blankets had been thoughtfully provided with each chair. Cassie pulled it over her legs and took the big cup of soda Meg handed her. They placed the tub of popcorn on the small table between them.

“The movie’s starting again.” Meg was bursting with energy.

“I think you’ve had too much soda, sweetie,” Cassie teased.

Julie suddenly woke up and stared at Cassie blankly.

“Good. You’re here. Where’s your mother?”

Cassie and Meg watched the movie, speaking their favorite dialogs with what was happening on the screen. Luckily, nobody complained. Almost everyone was familiar with the movie. They were just there to create memories.

Cassie was yawning her head off by the time the credits rolled. Meg had succumbed long ago, joining Julie.

Cassie shook both of them awake.

“Time to go, ladies!”

She looked up and spotted a familiar figure in one of the chairs. Millicent Cummings was the last person she expected to see on the movie deck.

Their eyes met and the woman waved her over. Cassie had always found her pompous. Almost a decade older than Jojo, she had assumed the role of big sister. Cassie remembered how she had always been on hand to get Jojo out of scrapes and do the necessary damage control.

“Why don’t you and Julie go ahead, Meg? I’m right behind you.”

Meg was too sleepy to argue.

Cassie walked over to the other woman and sat down.

“I didn’t take you for a Casablanca fan, Milli.”

“I’m not!” Milli gathered her silky brown hair and tied it on top of her head in a loose knot. “But Jojo always went on and on about it so I thought, why not see what the fuss is about.”

Neither of them spoke for a minute. Cassie swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat at the mention of Jojo.

“I promised her dad I would take care of her.” The anguish in Millicent’s voice was genuine. “I failed.”

“Jojo always looked up to you,” Cassie consoled. “You were the closest thing she had to a sister.”

“No, no. That was you. I was more of a governess, really. The strict martinet who ruined the mood and was a buzzkill.”

Cassie was surprised. Millicent was known to be aggressive. It wasn’t like her to be self deprecating.

“It’s been a long day, Milli.”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

Cassie waited for her to continue.

“Jojo mentioned something about your mother being an amateur sleuth somewhere up north.”

“My mom runs a café in Dolphin Bay,” Cassie sighed. “It’s actually a café attached to a bookstore. She bakes cupcakes. You should come and taste some, Milli.”

The woman blushed.

“I guess Jojo was just pulling my leg. You know she loved doing that.”

Cassie relented.

“She wasn’t entirely wrong, Milli. My mom got pulled into solving a few murders. But she’s not a detective or anything.”

Millicent’s face lit up.

“Do you think your mother will help me, Cassie? To be honest, I don’t believe Jojo took her life. And I also don’t agree that she just fell off that balcony. But that security guy won’t pay any attention to me.”

Cassie wasn’t going to tell her she had just spent an hour with said security guy.

“What makes you think he’ll be any different with me?”

“Your mom’s older and she must be used to dealing with the police. I spoke to Freddie earlier today. He wants to find out what happened to Jojo. We have the family’s support, Cassie.”

Cassie wasn’t sure what Anna would say.

“I can’t promise anything, Milli. I will have to talk to her first.”

Millicent told her she couldn’t ask for more.

Cassie decided to skip the elevator and climb down one set of stairs to their suite. Meg was sleeping soundly in her bed. So was Julie. Anna wasn’t in the room.

Cassie slipped out quietly and decided to track down her mother. She wondered where Gino had taken her.

She went to the atrium on Deck 6 and looked around. A few people lingered in the café, sipping hot drinks and chatting quietly. The girl at the guest relations desk wasn’t any help.

Cassie went down one more deck and looked into the theater. The show had ended long ago and some girls were rehearsing on stage. Cassie wondered if the crew ever got any shut eye.

Then she remembered Anna telling them about the pizza place that was open 24 hours. It was past midnight and several hours had passed since they had dinner. Cassie went back to the atrium to ask the guest relations girl where the pizza restaurant was.

Her efforts were rewarded when she saw Anna and Gino sitting at a table by the water, about to bite into a piping hot pizza pie.

“You are one elusive lady, Mom.” Cassie flopped down in a chair and caught her breath. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Anna tensed.

“What’s the matter, Cassie? Why aren’t you in bed?”

Cassie told her about running into Millicent.

“I just wanted to let you know we have the family’s blessing now. We can ramp up our efforts.”

She tried to sneak a glance at Gino. Anna wouldn’t want to irk him.

“Don’t you know your mother?” Gino smiled in his mustache. “We just finished talking about this.”

“So what do you say, Mom? Are you willing to look into what happened to Jojo?”

Anna pulled a slice of pizza, marveling at the stringy mozzarella and the robust sauce bursting with flavors of basil and oregano. She took a bite before answering her daughter.

“I’ve given this some thought. We need to find out who was in the Empress Suite that night and talk to them.”

“Ricky told me he went in there with Jojo. But he fell asleep almost immediately. No one was around when he woke up. He scrambled out and went to his own cabin.”

“But was he the only one who went there that night?” Gino mused.

A group of young girls walked in and headed to the counter to place an order. Judging by their attire, they had spent the evening at the dance club. One of the giggling girls peeled away from the crowd and came over to talk to Cassie.

“Hey Cass! You were going to meet us at the club.”

Cassie remembered she had a date with all the bridesmaids. She hadn’t forgotten but she had assumed their plans stood cancelled. They didn’t have a wedding to celebrate.

“I got pulled into a family thing.” Cassie produced a pout. “Tell me you guys went!”

“Of course we did,” the girl shrieked. “And we dragged Logan along with us. That man can drink like a fish. I mean, he just got out of rehab …”

“Logan was in rehab?” Cassie was genuinely surprised.

He had seemed pretty stable to her, a far cry from the young man she had known all those years ago.

“You didn’t know?” the girl’s voice grew hushed. “He went over the edge when Jojo got engaged to Ricky. She sprung him out so he could attend the wedding.”

The gaggle of girls screamed over something and the girl went back to them.

“Sorry about that, Mom.” Cassie turned to Anna. “What were you saying?”

Anna and Gino had polished off the pizza. Cassie suddenly had a craving for some herself.

“We need to find out how many people went there that night.” Anna looked at Gino.

“I know that look,” he laughed. “You want me to talk to Bernard again.”

“Would you?” Anna asked coyly.

Gino told her he wasn’t going to disturb the poor man that night. But he would talk to him first thing in the morning.

“And now,” he said. “Let me escort you ladies back to your stateroom.”

Cassie took the arm Gino proffered and let him guide them to the elevators. She was dead on her feet and looking forward to snuggling into her memory foam bed.

The next few days were going to be arduous but Cassie would do whatever was needed to help find Jojo’s killer.

Chapter 11

Anna ate her huevos rancheros, relishing every bite. She had been a bit greedy with the avocados earlier and she felt chagrinned.

“Don’t you eat avocado toast almost every day?” Julie guffawed. “How are you not tired of eating them?”

“They taste different here,” Anna defended herself. “Just try them, Julie.”

“We all did,” Julie scoffed. “Because almost everything we order comes with a hefty side of guacamole or some form of that green fruit.”

“Is it a fruit or a vegetable?” Meg interrupted cheekily.

They were having breakfast on the top deck. The wedding coordinator had presented them with a list of activities that were available for them that day. Meg was really excited because they were spending another whole day in Cabo San Lucas.

“We are all going to visit El Arco.” She referred to the famous limestone arches Cabo was known for. “And then we are going to this beautiful beach.”

Anna’s attention wandered as Meg rattled on. Cassie was eating churros.

“How can you eat so much sugar first thing in the morning?” Anna watched her dip the fried pastry in rich melted chocolate.

Cassie ignored her and looked at Gino. He had just set his fork down and had ordered a fresh coffee.

“When are we going to meet the security chief?”

Meg and Julie heard her.

“Looks like we missed out on something, Meg.” Julie glared at Anna. “Have you been playing Nancy Drew in our absence?” She frowned at Gino. “And you’re in on this?”

Gino gave one of his shrugs.

“Anna has a keen eye, Julie. She picked up on something everyone overlooked. I’m going to try and help in her latest mission.”

“What have we missed?” Meg cried. “Tell us everything, Anna.”

Julie and Meg were astonished to hear what the others had been up to the previous evening.

“You did all this without me?” Julie cribbed.

“I’m going to need a lot of help,” Anna assured her. “And I’m counting on you. But we can’t all go everywhere. We don’t want to scare people off.”

“Not to mention that sour security guy would shut us down,” Cassie pointed out.

Millicent waved at Anna from a table. She was having breakfast with Fred Gold again.

“Are you almost done?” Anna asked Cassie. “We need to go catch Bernard before he gets too busy.”

“They’re giving us the boot again, Meg.” Julie’s face fell.

Anna explained what their plan was and they all agreed to meet back at their cabin before going ashore.

Cassie and Gino accompanied Anna to Deck 3 and Chief Bernard’s office.

“You again!”

The man looked like he hadn’t slept a wink.

Gino explained their request. “We’ll stay out of your hair, unless we find something relevant.”

Bernard picked up a phone and talked to someone.

“Knock yourself out,” he told them with a sigh. “But you’re not to bother a guest under any circumstances. Captain Romero will have my hide.”

Gino promised him they would be discreet.

“What if we come across one of the guests acting suspicious?” Cassie quizzed.

“You come to me,” Bernard warned them.

A man wearing a security uniform arrived to take them to the surveillance room. Anna stared at the massive screens that lined the walls. An army of men sat monitoring the feed from hundreds of cameras.

They were taken to a small cubicle at the far end of the room. Another man in the security uniform was clicking something on a computer screen. He stood up when he saw them.

“I have lined up the footage you wanted to see.”

He showed them how to manipulate the video and clicked his feet.

“I’ll be in that cubicle across the aisle. Please just holler if you need any help.”

Anna sat in the only chair while Cassie leaned against the table. Gino stood behind Anna with his hands on the chair. The video started playing and three pairs of eyes stared at the screen, eagerly awaiting who or what they would see.

“Is this thing on?” Cassie asked after a while. “There is no activity here.”

Gino pointed at the timestamp.

“This is after midnight. And this is the VIP deck. It’s not like hordes of people are going to be walking along these corridors.”

“Midnight?” Cassie shook her head. “The bachelorette party barely began at midnight. We need to skip ahead, Gino. Start at 3 AM.”

Anna forwarded the video to a few hours ahead. They watched the screen again without success.

Gino let out an exclamation.

“I think we’re staring at a wall.”

Anna craned her neck to look at him.

“You think someone messed with the cameras?”

“It doesn’t seem likely that the entrance to the Empress Suite won’t be covered by the camera. Someone must have moved it.”

“But how could they be sure?” Cassie wondered. “You think one of the security staff did it?”

“Are you saying the killer bribed someone on the security team?” Anna was skeptical. “That suggests premeditation.”

Gino took over the controls from Anna and fiddled with the screen.

“I found some other cameras along that corridor. Why don’t we make a note of what we see on them?”

Since Deck 14 had been reserved for Jojo and her family, it was not really a busy place, unlike some of the lower decks with dozens of cabins.

“The only people who have suites over there are Uncle Fred, Logan and Milli,” Cassie told them. “Ricky’s suite is on our deck.”

Anna guessed Fred Gold must have been in bed by midnight. She wasn’t sure about Logan or Millicent.

“We can ask them when they turned in.”

“Don’t forget what Bernard said about harassing guests.”

“Logan and Milli won’t mind.” Cassie was confident. “They would have noticed any strangers lurking outside.”

Gino had another idea. They had seen a maid with a cleaning cart in some of the security footage.

“The cleaning crew on this ship is very efficient. Or maybe they are paying extra attention to the wedding party.”

Anna had noted how their toiletries were replenished multiple times a day. There was a new towel animal on their bed every time they went back to their suite. She had laughed out loud when she saw a towel monkey swinging from the ceiling fan and a crane sitting on her toilet.

“I know why that maid looked familiar. She’s the same one who cleans our suite, Mom.”

They agreed Anna and Cassie would talk to the maid when they ran into her next.

“And now, it’s time to change into a swimsuit and head to the shore,” Anna declared. “Meg must be getting impatient.”

Julie and Meg had met with the wedding coordinator who was now more like a cruise director for the wedding party. She had lined up a special glass bottom boat that would directly take them to El Arco, the big limestone arches at the southernmost tip of Cabo.

Being part of the VIP experience, they didn’t have to share the boat with anyone else. Meg’s excitement was contagious and they humored her, posing for tons of photos with the backdrop of the arch.

They visited two beaches called Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach, one on the Sea of Cortez and the other on the Pacific Ocean.

There were plenty of tourists around them, some in large groups on motorboats, some paddling in a kayak from shore.

“Are you having fun, kiddo?” Cassie pulled out a cold beer from a cooler.

The boat was stocked with drinks and snacks in case they got hungry.

“I know I shouldn’t be happy, Mom.” Meg looked guilty. “But I can’t help it. This is like a dream vacation for me.”

Cassie knew this was Meg’s first foray outside the country. She had never been on a real vacation until she got adopted at sixteen.

“You have no reason to feel guilty, Meg. Life is for the living.”

Anna placed an arm around Meg and hugged her close.

“Your mother’s right. We all miss Jojo and we’re going to do everything we can to get justice for her.”

Julie pointed at a few colorful parachutes that appeared in their line of sight.

“We need to shake things up. Who’s up for a jaunt in the clouds?”

Anna and Cassie opted to stay on the beach while Julie, Meg and Gino went parasailing. The boat took them back to the Empress Cleo where a gourmet lunch had been arranged for them.

Anna wondered if Jojo’s killer was rejoicing at that very moment, thinking he had got away scot free.

Chapter 12

Lunch was an eye opener. Anna tried a hibiscus margarita and was pleasantly surprised. Gino opted for a local wine and called it research. He owned a small vineyard back in Dolphin Bay and was always interested in what the competition was offering. Meg chose freshly made clamato juice.

Along with the omnipresent tortilla chips and guacamole, there was ceviche with jumbo shrimp from the Gulf.

The chef came over to greet them and urged them to try the chocolate clams. They were a specialty of the region and not found anywhere else in the world.

“I’m having tamales de pollo for my main course.” Julie read off the special menu that had been placed on their table. “Why don’t you try the fried marlin, Anna? We can share.”

Gino chose the smoked marlin tacos. They were all going to share a platter of grilled lobster. There were many more dishes they hoped they could taste later, like the abalone chorizo.

Meg stood at a live counter, speaking with a dark haired man while the chef prepared her pasta.

“Who’s Meg talking to, Mom?” Cassie whispered. “Looks old for her.”

“That’s the guy she was dancing with that night,” Julie reported.

“The one from Monterey?” Cassie wanted to know. “Well, well.”

Anna told them both to stop staring.

“You’re getting a bit too possessive, Cassie. Meg won’t like it.”

Anna did some justice to the excellent food, asking a server for more mango salsa. She had already eaten two cupfuls of it.

“Where are you going?” she asked when Cassie pushed back her chair and stood up. “You’re not going to interrupt them, are you? That would be so not cool.”

Cassie frowned and told her she was going to talk to Ricky. Anna looked around and noticed the groom sitting at a table by himself.

Anna decided to go over on the pretext of getting a fresh drink.

“How are you holding up, Ricky?” Cassie was asking the groom.

“Please accept our condolences.” Anna joined them and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Ricky surprised her by getting up and opening his arms for a hug. Anna wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight as he gave a slight shudder. His grief was so palpable, she was rendered speechless for a minute.

Cassie sat down at the table and asked a server to refresh their drinks. Anna let go of Ricky and pulled out a chair.

“I’m sorry.” The man’s eyes were red and he looked slightly embarrassed.

“No need to apologize,” Anna assured him. “We all miss her.”

Dressed in faded khaki shorts and an old polo shirt, Ricky couldn’t have looked more working class. Any dreams he might have had of becoming a billionaire had been shattered by Jojo’s death.

“Can you tell us about that night?” Cassie asked him. “What happened after we left the bachelorette party?”

Anna insisted he eat something first and ordered some tacos and a lobster roll for him.

“You know Jojo,” Ricky said after he had taken a few bites to appease Anna. “She just wouldn’t stop drinking. Those bridesmaids kept calling for round after round of shots. Must have been pretty late when we got out of there.”

“How late?” Anna asked.

“I don’t know.” Ricky was uncertain. “Definitely after 3 in the morning.”

Cassie looked puzzled.

“But that was the day of your wedding. I thought you weren’t supposed to see the bride. Isn’t that why they got you a suite on a different floor?”

“Jojo was too drunk to notice that,” Ricky told them. “I don’t know how, but we finally landed up in the Empress Suite.”

Anna coaxed him to try the lobster roll.

“Just you and Jojo?” Cassie asked gently.

“No, no.” Ricky drank his juice. “Millicent came with us.”

Cassie looked up sharply. Anna decided Milli had neglected to mention this.

“So you escorted them to Jojo’s suite and said goodbye?” she asked.

Ricky told them he had collapsed on the couch and dozed off. The girls had shaken him awake. They wanted him to have another drink with them.

“Did you?” Anna prompted.

Ricky remembered taking a few sips of a drink Jojo fixed. He had fallen asleep again.

“Actually, I think I must have passed out,” he confessed. “I don’t remember a thing. When I woke up, I could hear the birds singing. The sky had lightened a bit so I guessed it was dawn.”

“What about the girls?” Cassie asked with bated breath.

Ricky’s face paled as he thought back to that morning.

“I was all alone. I figured Jojo must be sleeping in her bedroom. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered it was the day of our wedding and we were not supposed to see each other.”

“So you sneaked out and went back to your cabin,” Anna finished.

“That’s right.” Ricky’s eyes swam with tears.

“If only I had looked around … we might have saved her.”

Anna and Gino had discussed this. Gino believed Jojo had died on impact. Ricky might have saved her if he had stayed awake but she didn’t say anything. What was the point in telling him that now?

“I’m going to find out what really happened that night.”

Ricky’s eyes filled with hope.

“Milli told me. She says you are better than the police.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Anna blushed. “But I will do my best.”

“I’m grateful.” Ricky coughed. “It won’t bring her back, of course. But if someone did this deliberately, I want them to pay for it.”

Anna and Cassie stayed with him for some time and went back to their table. Meg and Gino were tasting the flan.

Julie was going through another list of activities.

“That woman has arranged a cooking class for the wedding party, Anna. You can learn how to make different types of salsas, cook tinga chicken, tamales and something called nopales.”

“What deck is it on?” Anna asked eagerly.

“It’s on shore.” Julie yawned. “At the hacienda of a woman called Lupita. Sounds very authentic to me, but I’m beat.”

Anna looked at Meg.

“I’ll go with you, Anna,” she brightened. “We’ll have fun.”

“What about you?” Anna asked Gino. “Do you need a nap or are you up for a culinary adventure?”

Gino was ready to go ashore. They had half an hour before they needed to take the boat across.

“I never thought I would be jetting back and forth like this from the ship to the shore,” Anna admitted. “Feels decadent.”

“It’s easy because there’s a special boat on standby for us,” Julie pointed out. “We don’t have to stand in line like the rest of the passengers.”

Anna suddenly remembered something.

“Where did you disappear to earlier?” she asked Gino. “Did you go meet your friend again?”

Gino shook his head.

“I ran into the maid we saw in the security footage.”

Cassie had been staring somewhere in the distance.

“Is she the one with that scar on her cheek?”

“That’s right.” Gino twirled his mustache. “Her name is Alicia and she’s American.”

“Why does it matter?” Meg was curious.

“Most of the crew hails from third world countries, it seems. The work conditions are less than stellar and the pay is poor. Not very attractive to people from our country.”

“But they get a chance to see the world,” Meg pouted. “I would jump at the opportunity.”

“Life as a crew person must be very different than that of a VIP guest,” Cassie observed.

“We can talk about that later, girls.” Anna looked at Gino. “Tell us what she said.”

“She’s one of the maids assigned to our decks, like you said,” Gino began. “She was on Deck 14 that night, of course. She saw an older man enter Jojo’s room.”

“When was that?”

“What time?”

Anna and Cassie burst out at the same time.

“She’s not sure about the time,” Gino shrugged.

“Do you think it could be Fred Gold?” Anna asked. “He’s the only older man around here that I can think of.”

Cassie turned red.

“What’s the matter, Mom?” Meg asked. “Can you think of any other old guy?”

Anna slapped her hand on the table.

“Of course! What about that man with the platinum blonde hair, Cassie? The one you were talking to outside our suite?”

“Why don’t we ask Uncle Fred?” Cassie asked weakly. “He can tell us if he saw Ricky passed out on the couch.”

Gino thought it was a good idea. It would give them a chance to verify Ricky’s account of the evening.

“You think he’ll own up to going into the Empress Suite?” Anna frowned. “Doesn’t it kind of put him on the spot?”

“An innocent man would not hide anything,” Julie answered.

“Exactly!” Anna smirked. “How do we know Fred Gold wasn’t the one who pushed Jojo off that balcony?”

Chapter 13

Anna enjoyed the cooking class. She felt a bit rushed, boarding the tender right after lunch. She would have liked to take a nap. But as Meg pointed out, there would be plenty of time for naps later. It was their last day in Cabo and they had barely scratched the surface of what the resort town had to offer.

The chef at the hacienda took them to a local market. There were about eight people in their group, all from the wedding party. Meg immediately paired up with the dark haired young man she had been talking to at lunch. Anna surmised Meg had inveigled him into coming on the tour.

“Do you like to cook?” she asked, hiding a smile.

“Does ramen count?” he grinned back at her. “I’m always open to learning new things.”

Anna stayed close to Gino, glad to get a chance to spend time with him. An older man tagged along with them, much to her annoyance. He was the one she had seen with Cassie before and wondered what he wanted.

Everyone was allowed to choose a dish they wanted to learn. Anna picked the mango salsa and Gino chose tamales. The blonde old man opted for chicken tinga. Anna had no idea what that was.

“You must be Cassie’s mother,” he whispered as he sliced onions for the tinga. “It’s obvious where she gets her beauty from.”

Anna detested sycophants. She moved to Gino’s other side and hoped the man would take the hint.

“I didn’t get your name.” Gino offered his hand to the old guy. “I’m Gino Mancini from Dolphin Bay, California. I run a small winery.”

The man faltered a bit as he placed his hand in Gino’s firm grip.

“Stefan Lancaster. I work in Hollywood.”

“How do you know my daughter?” Anna couldn’t help herself.

Stefan smiled smugly.

“Oh, Cassie and I go way back. Why don’t you ask her about us?”

Anna felt her hackles rise. Something about the man didn’t sit well with her.

“Cass knows a lot of people.” Gino kept his tone casual. “It’s hard to remember everyone.”

Stefan Lancaster squeezed lime juice over a bowl of shrimp.

“There are some people you never forget.”

Anna stopped mincing jalapenos and glared at the man.

“Just what do you mean by that, mister?”

Meg had heard the raised voices and walked over.

“What’s going on here, Anna?”

Gino placed his arms over both of them and gave her a reassuring smile.

“We’re just getting to know this man, sweetie. No need to interrupt your date with that young man.”

Meg’s cheeks flamed like the Cabo sky at sunset.

“We’re not on a date, Gino.”

The instructor asked for volunteers and they all helped her cook some of the dishes and rolled out fresh tortillas. They tasted the food, along with different types of tequila. Then it was time to go back to the ship.

Meg ran off in search of Cassie. Anna convinced Gino to go to the atrium for a cup of coffee.

“This place is beautiful.” Anna admired the blue crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, encompassing the circular concierge desk. Guest relations executives stood ready to answer the most inane customer query.

Gino spoke to one of them and came back with a smile on his face.

“There’s a lounge at the other end of this deck. It’s reserved for the cruise line’s frequent travelers. But …”

“Let me guess,” Anna took his hand. “We have access to it, thanks to Jojo.”

“She really went the extra mile to make sure her guests had a good time.”

They strolled to the lounge, enjoying the views of the marina and the sailboats bobbing on the water. Potted palms were placed around plush armchairs, providing plenty of privacy. Anna asked for a cappuccino and put her tired feet up on the ottoman.

“I hope they won’t mind,” she muttered, looking around.

She almost expected someone to come and chastise her.

“They just want you to have a good time,” Gino laughed.

He placed her foot in his lap and began massaging it. Anna blushed to the roots of her hair.

“What’re you doing?”

Their coffee arrived before he could answer. Anna lifted her mug to take a sip and spotted a familiar figure.

Logan Powell sat in the sun, stirring an icy drink.

Anna observed him while taking a few sips of her cappuccino. Then she excused herself and went to talk to him.

“Hello Logan. Do you mind if I join you?”

Logan gave a shrug, barely looking up. His clothes were rumpled, as if he had slept in them. Anna thought he looked dazed.

“I am sorry about your loss, Logan. We all know how much Jojo meant to you.”

Logan stirred.

“We were in love,” Logan winced. “Always had been, since I first set eyes on her.”

Anna let him speak. Bringing up old memories was bound to be painful but that was all they had now. Logan would have to live with the knowledge that Jojo had abandoned him for someone else.

He talked about walking to school with Jojo, their first kiss and their first fight.

“I don’t remember why we fought,” he said bitterly. “But we knew we would make up.”

“First love is the most precious, isn’t it?”

“For me, it was the only love.” Logan swallowed a lump. “Jojo was the only woman in my life.”

“Cassie told me you spent a lot of time together, back in the day,” Anna tried to cheer him up.

Logan rubbed his eyes and stared out at the water. The limestone arches of El Arco were visible far in the distance.

“Jojo worshipped your daughter, Mrs. Butler. Cassie was a good influence.”

Anna felt her chest puff up with pride. Cassie’s work had always received a lot of acclaim. But Anna had never had a chance to meet her daughter’s friends.

“You don’t have to sugarcoat it for me, dear. I know Cassie was a party girl. It was an occupational hazard, I guess.”

Logan looked surprised.

“Your daughter worked harder than anyone her age. Do you think winning all those awards was a coincidence? So she let her hair down once in a while. I think she deserved that.”

Anna felt embarrassed. She had to stop thinking of Cassie as the girl who sneaked out to a party and got pregnant at sixteen. She had redeemed herself several times over.

“I’m sure it must have been hard, seeing her fall in love with another man.”

“It’s harder to see her dead.”

Anna cut to the chase.

“Tell me, Logan. What do you think of Ricky?”

He chuckled drily.

“I’m surprised you have to ask. In my opinion, Ricky McMahon is a big fraud. He was after Jojo’s money. I never understood what she saw in him.”

Anna let him continue.

“I can understand the rugged appeal. Everyone thought it was a summer fling. It was perfectly natural to be infatuated with the man who saved her life. But then she told me she had fallen in love.”

“You didn’t believe her?”

“What does it matter? She decided to marry him.”

Anna realized Logan was fuming. His eyes had narrowed and his mouth set in a hard line.

“Do you think Ricky had something to do with Jojo’s death?” she asked.

Logan stared into her eyes.

“He was present in the Empress Suite that night. He was right there with Jojo.”

Anna already knew that but acted surprised.

“What were you doing after the party?”

“I was in my suite, fast asleep.” Logan sighed. “Jojo made us all do shots. I almost passed out.”

“How did you get back to your suite?”

Logan laughed.

“I don’t know how we made it back but we were all hanging on to each other. Jojo, Ricky, Milli and I. Jojo insisted on having a nightcap so they fell into the Empress Suite and I slipped into mine.”

Anna remembered Logan’s cabin was on Deck 14 too, since he was considered part of the family.

“Where is your cabin?”

“Right next to Jojo’s. She insisted. Wanted me to hold her hand every step of the way until she walked down the aisle.”

Anna’s mind started buzzing. Logan had plenty of opportunity through the night to step out of his cabin and go next door. Had he decided to reason with Jojo one last time?

Anna glanced at the distraught young man before her and believed he was in pain. Logan might have tried to get Ricky out of the way but surely he wouldn’t hurt Jojo, the woman he claimed was the love of his life?

Chapter 14

Anna summoned a reserve of energy she didn’t know she had. The entire Butler clan loved their food. Gino was a connoisseur, being a vintner and a good cook himself. And Julie wasn’t any different.

When Meg suggested they go on a taco crawl in Cabo for their dinner, none of them had to be convinced. Anna took a power nap and dressed in one of the colorful tops she had bought at the flea market outside the marina.

The motorboat whisked them ashore. The marina was crowded, and they spotted a lot of familiar faces from the ship. The passengers were making the most of their last night in the port.

A local woman met them and introduced herself as Maria. She was going to escort them to the best taco places in town.

Anna forgot everything for the next couple of hours. They tasted the famous Baja fish tacos, including those with fried and grilled fish. Smoked marlin tacos followed, along with chorizo tacos. Then there were the pastor tacos they had all loved.

“I don’t think I can eat anything more.” Cassie sipped a local beer and burped.

Everyone laughed heartily. Maria suggested they take a small stroll around the market to revive their appetite.

“The Gobernador tacos are a must,” she insisted. “You cannot find shrimp like ours anywhere else in the world.”

Meg and Gino were the only ones who had an appetite to try fried scallop tacos and the chicken tinga tacos.

“I don’t think I’m eating for a week,” Julie groaned, holding her stomach.

Maria recommended a local stand of churros for dessert.

Anna couldn’t decide what she liked more, the perfectly fried or grilled taco fillings or the array of sauces and condiments that had been laid out at the smallest taco stand. She had loved experimenting with the different toppings.

Another blazing sunset painted the sky in every shade of red and mauve. They said a silent goodbye to the lively port as their motorboat whisked them off to the Empress Cleo.

“We’ll come back here, under better circumstances,” Cassie promised Meg.

Cassie had seats for Mamma Mia! that night. Meg had never seen a live play, let alone a musical, and she was excited. Anna just wished the theater on the ship had been putting on a different show. The story of a girl having three possible fathers was a little too close for comfort.

Julie was ready to crash.

“I haven’t written anything in the past two days, Anna. I’m going to take a nap now and then start with a fresh mind.”

“Good luck with that.”

Gino had a surprise for Anna. He had booked a reflexology foot massage for them at the spa.

“Aren’t they closed by now?”

“I pulled some strings.”

They walked arm in arm to Deck 7 where the spa was located.

Anna sat in a comfortable chair which was almost like a bed and forced herself to relax. A subtle fragrance of lavender hung in the air, mixed with something herby. Water gurgled down an entire wall, soothing her senses and candles flickered in the dim light. She felt her pulse slow down and closed her eyes.

An Asian girl offered them a detox tea after their treatment. She sipped the warm, honey laced brew and sat with Gino, engulfed in a large fluffy robe.

“I ran into that maid again, Anna.”

Anna looked up eagerly.

“I’m sure the old man she saw earlier is Fred Gold.”

“We should talk to him, Gino. Did she say anything else?”

Gino nodded.

“He was in there for fifteen-twenty minutes, according to Alicia.”

Anna wondered what he had been doing there.

“How about a stroll on the deck?”

Anna nodded. She could use some fresh air.

Gino took her to Deck 8. Most of it was occupied by the casino but there was a smoothie café tucked into one end. The entire length of the deck was open to the sky, perfect for people who wanted to stretch their legs.

“Most walkers use the jogging track on Deck 13,” Gino told her. “According to the girl at guest relations, this deck is the best kept secret, reserved for romantic walks in the moonlight.”

Some deck chairs were placed in cozy nooks, in case people got tired of walking and wanted to rest for a bit.

Anna breathed deeply and let Gino embrace her. A gibbous moon shone high above them in a star studded sky.

“This place is so beautiful,” Anna breathed.

“Not more than you,” Gino whispered in her ear.

“How did a big flirt like you stay single for so long?” Anna teased. “The women in Dolphin Bay must be blind.”

Gino thought being a police chief had killed his chances of meeting anyone.

“I didn’t find you intimidating,” Anna argued. “You played fair, from what I could tell.”

“I’m so glad we met, Anna, although it happened under less than ideal circumstances.”

Gino Mancini had been a public figure, being the police chief. He had come to Anna’s bookstore several times but they hadn’t moved in the same social circles. They had interacted when Anna’s husband John died under suspicious circumstances. Gino had headed the investigation. It was the last case of his career and remained unsolved, much to his annoyance.

They turned at the ship’s bow and started walking down the other side. Anna noticed a man sitting alone at a table, staring out over the water.

“Is that Fred?” she asked softly.

Her guess was right. Anna didn’t like to disturb him but ignoring him would have been rude.

“How are you coping, Mr. Gold?” Anna broached the inevitable.

“I still don’t believe she’s gone.” Fred’s eyes were dry but his voice wavered as he tried to control himself. “I never had kids, but it didn’t matter because I had Jojo. She was a joy since the day she was born.”

“I didn’t know her long,” Anna told him. “But she won my heart alright. What will you do when you get back? You’re welcome to come and spend some time with us.”

Gino seconded her.

“I run a small winery back home. It’s not grand by Bel Air standards, but it’s just me in a big old house.”

Fred rubbed his eyes and sighed.

“You’re both very kind. But I have to take care of the family business. I have been easing out for a while and was going to retire fully after the wedding. There’s a remote cabin at our ranch with a good sized stream by it. But looks like fishing is not in my immediate future.”

Anna felt sorry for the man. She couldn’t believe he would hurt his own kin.

“I’m asking everyone where they were after the rehearsal.” She tried to sound casual. “Did you go to the bachelorette party with the girls?”

Fred laughed easily.

“My days of raising hell are long gone. Ricky did invite me to the club but I opted out.”

“So you turned in after the rehearsal?” Anna prompted.

“That’s right. Sat in that fancy jetted tub in my suite and watched an old movie.”

Anna acted like she was disappointed.

“So you wouldn’t have run into anyone, I guess.”

Fred didn’t hesitate.

“Actually, I woke up in the middle of the night. I thought I’d look in on Jojo.”

“Did you talk to her?” Anna asked eagerly.

“No, and I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.” Fred cleared his throat. “Ricky was asleep on the couch. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.”

“What about your niece?” Gino asked.

“I thought she must be in her bedroom.” Fred’s voice was full of anguish. “I should have gone in to make sure.”

Anna thought he was holding back on them.

“Is that all?” she pressed. “Please don’t leave anything out. The smallest detail can be significant.”

“I assume we belong to the same generation so I think you’ll understand.” He looked embarrassed. “Kids these days … I thought the bride and groom weren’t supposed to see each other the day of their wedding.”

Anna gave him an encouraging smile.

“When I saw Ricky in the Empress suite, it threw me off. I prided myself on being the fun uncle, you know. So I didn’t want them to feel I was judging them.”

“You thought you interrupted some kind of rendezvous,” Anna summed up.

Not much of one if Ricky had been asleep.

“It sounds stupid now, doesn’t it?” Fred was in agony. “I wouldn’t care if she had ten different men in that room, as long as it brought her back.”

Chapter 15

The Empress Cleopatra had sailed some time during the night, headed to its next destination. The ship wasn’t supposed to dock until 10 AM so the Firecrackers slept in. They had decided to skip the breakfast buffet and eat on their own veranda.

Cassie stretched lazily as their cabin steward rolled in a cart loaded with all the goodies they had ordered. There was the usual selection of fruit and pastries with fresh squeezed juice. Meg had ordered a stack of chocolate chip pancakes, while Cassie and Anna opted for Eggs Benedict. Julie went for the stuffed French Toast.

“Isn’t it great we can get a hot breakfast right here?” Anna beamed. “I just feel bad for Gino. Maybe we should invite him.”

“No way,” Julie vetoed her. “This is girl time. I’m not even dressed yet, Anna.”

Meg couldn’t stop talking about her night at the theater.

“Did you know, it’s just like the movies. The music, the sets, the dresses, except it’s all real.”

“So how much trouble did you get into last night?” Cassie goaded Anna.

“Hush, girl!” Julie widened her eyes. “Don’t you see she’s blushing?”

Everyone other than Anna dissolved into laughter.

Anna told them about the spa and their run in with Fred Gold.

“Poor Uncle Fred!” Cassie stuck her fork in Meg’s syrup drenched pancakes. “He was always nice to us girls.”

“Is he a frequent liar?” Anna quirked an eyebrow.

She told them about his nocturnal visit to the Empress Suite.

“And you believe this maid but not Fred?” Cassie frowned. “Why, Mom?”

“If the maid said he was in there for twenty minutes, he must have been,” Anna said stoutly. “Why would she lie to us?”

“Just for fun?” Meg argued. “There’s no reason for you to trust her.”

“Do you seriously suspect Jojo’s uncle?” Julie wanted to know. “He seems like a gentleman, based on what I have seen.”

“Was he flirting with you?” Meg winked.

“Let’s be serious for a while.” Anna sipped her mimosa. “Fred Gold is Jojo’s only living relative.”

“That’s right, Mom.” Cassie tore a croissant and slathered it with pineapple jam. “They were family. Fred adored her. I don’t think he would ever do anything to hurt her.”

Anna told them how Fred was putting off retirement and going back to work.

“My guess is he’ll get everything now.”

Julie wasn’t about to give in.

“You know how much Gold Labs is worth, don’t you? These people are rolling in money. Fred’s approximately our age, right? How much more money can he want?”

Meg was reading the ship’s daily newspaper that had been dropped off earlier.

“I can’t wait to get ashore.” Her eyes were bright with excitement. “Did you know there’s a lighthouse and an old cathedral? We’re definitely visiting those.”

Julie wanted everyone to taste her French Toast.

“I love your cooking, Anna. But this is so delicious. So is the uncle your only suspect? What about Jojo’s young man?”

Anna cut into her poached egg, tasting the hollandaise sauce. The yolk burst open as expected.

“Ricky went in there with her,” she mused. “And according to his account, he passed out.”

“He doesn’t remember anything, right?” Meg looked up from a brochure.

“And you believe him?” Julie was incredulous. “Isn’t he the more plausible suspect here? He’s a poor boy from some small town who was marrying several levels up. I say he did it for the money.”

Cassie poured orange juice for herself and topped it with some champagne.

“Wouldn’t he have waited until after the wedding, Aunt Julie? He has nothing now, since they weren’t married.”

Anna put her knife down and uttered an exclamation. She told them about meeting Logan the previous day.

“His cabin is right next door to the Empress Suite.”

“What?” Cassie cried. “So he could have easily gone in and out with no one the wiser. The camera’s not working anyway.”

“You think Logan turned the camera?” Anna wondered. “He’s the most likely to figure out where it was, since that’s where his cabin is.”

Meg was shaking her head.

“You’re all forgetting one thing. Logan loves Jojo. She was the only true love of his life. He would never do anything to hurt her.”

“Every person has a breaking point, kiddo,” Julie sighed. “Love and hate are both extreme emotions. You don’t hate someone you don’t care about.”

“So you’re saying Logan snapped?” Cassie wasn’t convinced. “I don’t care what you think, Aunt Julie. There’s no way I can picture Logan pushing Jojo off that balcony.”

Meg stood up and paced the terrace. Land was visible in the distance.

“I think we should get ready,” Anna murmured. “Looks like someone’s very eager to get ashore.”

Meg didn’t take the bait.

“You’re all forgetting one person. What about that Millicent woman? Wasn’t she in the Empress Suite that night?”

“Milli?” Cassie laughed. “Milli always covered for Jojo. You’re on the wrong track, Meg.”

“She’s the least likely to be involved in any of this,” Anna chuckled. “Her life doesn’t change at all. It’s not like she was in love with the poor girl or stood to inherit anything from her.”

“One more thing,” Julie added. “None of these people even mentioned her. Are you sure she actually went in there?”

Cassie picked up her coffee mug and stared out over the water.

“We’re getting nowhere, Mom. And we don’t have any actual evidence.”

“All of these people claim to care for Jojo, don’t they?” Julie noted. “But one of them has to be lying.”

“And they all insist they want Mom to find out what happened to Jojo,” Cassie clucked.

Meg had been taking some pictures with her phone. She told Cassie to stand behind Anna and Julie to scoot closer. Then she tried to get them all in a single frame. The women humored her by baring their teeth and smiling until she got one that satisfied her.

“Any more grinning and my fangs will come out,” Julie joked.

“You should talk to the other wedding guests, Anna,” Meg burst out. “They might have observed something we didn’t.”

Cassie tracked down the wedding coordinator and asked her for the guest list. The woman promised to send someone to their suite. She was true to her word. There was a knock on the door ten minutes later and a boy in the ship’s uniform handed over a slim folder.

“Who are we going to talk to first?” Anna peeped over Cassie’s shoulder as she traced a finger down the names.

“Martha Solano.” Cassie tapped her finger. “I’ve heard Jojo mention her. She used to be her father’s secretary.”

Meg interrupted them with a worried frown.

“Have you noticed the ship has slowed down?”

They had been so engrossed in their discussion they hadn’t noticed when the ship slowed and began its slow crawl into the port. The city skyline suddenly seemed closer.

“I think we’re about to dock,” Julie told them. “I’m heading into the shower. We can be ready in half an hour, Meg. Don’t worry.”

“If I know that cruise coordinator woman, she will have something special planned for us, kid.” Cassie ruffled Meg’s hair. “Why don’t you get ready while Mom and I try to talk to Martha?”

“This shouldn’t take long,” Anna promised. “We only have a couple of questions for her.”

“That’s fine, I guess,” Meg relented. “Just get back by the time I come out of the bathroom, please.”

Anna and Cassie hurried to the bank of elevators. A bunch of people were already waiting there, eager to go ashore. They squeezed in and got out on Deck 10. Luckily, the cabin they were looking for was close to the elevators.

“Martha Solano?” Anna asked the white haired woman who opened the door.

She appeared to be in her mid sixties and was dressed in a bright floral wraparound dress, ready to head out.

“May I help you?” she was curious rather than annoyed.

Cassie introduced herself and asked if they could talk about Jojo.

The woman’s expression changed when she heard the girl’s name.

“Come in, come in.” She offered them some bottled water from the small refrigerator.

Cassie took a bottle, realizing she was thirsty. Martha was eager to talk.

“You were Mr. Gold’s secretary, weren’t you?”

“I started in the typing pool when I was seventeen. I subbed for Mr. Gold’s secretary once and we got along. I worked as his personal secretary for thirty some years. Jojo used to come into the office and sit in his chair. He told her it would all belong to her one day.”

Martha paused to dab her eyes with a tissue.

“Do you still work there?” Anna asked.

Martha had risen up the ranks over the years. She was the human resources director now. She had spent forty five years with the company and was ready to retire.

“When I heard Jojo was taking over the reins from Freddie, I pushed it off. I planned to be around for at least a couple of years until Jojo settled in.”

“That’s nice of you,” Anna complimented her. “Were you looking forward to the wedding?”

Martha’s eyes filled up again. Jojo’s father had longed to walk his daughter down the aisle. His last wish had been to see Jojo marry someone she loved.

“He didn’t care if the man was poor as long as he was a good person and he was in love with Jojo.”

“You must’ve been happy with the wedding,” Cassie smiled. “From what I’ve heard, Ricky is perfect in every way.”

“Fred didn’t think that,” Martha sighed. “Ricky wasn’t from our circle, you see. He was hoping Jojo would marry Logan.”

Chapter 16

The wedding coordinator had planned the entire day for the wedding party.

“Everyone is on a different schedule so I’ve arranged for a tour guide for every group of six.”

Anna told her the five of them would rather explore the town on their own.

“I suggest you take a guided tour and see all the main spots. It won’t take more than a couple of hours. Then you’re free to roam around on your own.”

Meg had talked them into dressing in white. She herself wore a lacy white sundress over her bikini. Anna and Julie had obliged her by wearing white shorts and flowery shirts over a white tank. Cassie wore a dress much like Meg’s. They all wore hats to ward off sunburn.

Their guide was a Canadian expat named Mia. She greeted them cheerfully and assured them they were going to have fun.

“Shall we go?” Meg was hopping with excitement.

“Actually, there’s one more person in your party.”

A familiar blonde haired man waved at them from the ramp. Anna recognized him as the man Cassie knew, the one who had been hovering around her at the cooking class.

“At least it’s someone we know,” Anna sighed.  “Make sure he doesn’t feel left out, Cassie.”

She looked up to see the blood had drained from Cassie’s face.

“I don’t feel so good, Mom. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll take a nap and join you later.”

“What are you saying?” Meg cried. “You were fine a minute ago, Mom. We can’t waste any more time.”

“Don’t be so insensitive, Meg.” Julie eyed Cassie. “She may be coming down with something.”

“Is it all that street food?” Anna frowned. “Maybe you should stay on board and eat on the ship today. We don’t want you to get one of those stomach viruses.”

“But Mom!” Meg wasn’t giving up. “It’s Mazatlan! It’s the shrimp capital of the world. We read about all the different types of shrimp we’re going to eat.”

Stefan Lancaster had reached them. He offered his hand to Gino and shook it heartily. Then he took Anna’s hand and planted a fleeting kiss on her fingers.

Anna frowned. She firmly disliked Stefan Lancaster.

He flashed a wide smile at Cassie.

“You don’t mind if I join your family, do you? It seems all the other groups left long ago.”

Anna didn’t like what she saw in her daughter’s eyes. Cassie hated this man.

“Of course not.” Cassie painted a smile on her face but a sheen of perspiration had appeared on her forehead. “Lead the way, Meg.”

The guide Mia pointed at a hill in the distance.

“We’re going to visit El Faro first. It’s a natural lighthouse built in the 19th century and it’s still operational.”

“Can we climb up to the top?” Meg asked eagerly.

Mia told her they could. She ushered them into a fleet of unique taxis called pulmonias, assuring them it was the best way to travel across the town.

They arrived at the hill soon enough. Meg scampered up with Gino. Stefan Lancaster was right behind them. Anna and Julie sat down half way up, out of breath.

“I blame it on the food,” Julie muttered.

“Don’t stop on our account, Cassie,” Anna said. “You’ll miss the view from the top.”

Cassie brushed her off.

“I agree with Aunt Julie. I shouldn’t have eaten those pastries at breakfast.”

Anna couldn’t hold herself back.

“I think you’re avoiding that man. Is he one of your exes?”

“What?” Cassie exclaimed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Mom.”

She started climbing the stairs to the top.

“What was that all about?” Julie’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you being judgmental again?”

When Cassie first came home to Dolphin Bay to take care of Anna, there had been a period of adjustment. Cassie had been away for twenty years, barely coming home for a short visit. She hadn’t been able to make it home for her father’s funeral and it rankled. Anna thought her daughter’s life had been one big party but the truth was that Cassie had suffered her own set of trials and tribulations. It had taken them a while to break the ice and come around.

“There’s something about that man.” Anna pressed her lips together. “I hope we can get rid of him soon.”

Meg came back shiny eyed and chattered nonstop about the view. Gino had taken pictures.

“We saw our ship from the top.”

Mia took them to the cathedral next. They passed cobblestoned streets with brightly painted buildings and quaint roadside cafes. Stefan insisted they stop for a drink.

Anna felt a sense of peace inside the church. The pulmonias whisked them off to an old theater and a few more local spots. Anna lost count of them after a while. Her favorite was a long, winding road called the malecon, with a large concrete boardwalk and the ocean in the distance.

Meg wanted to walk for a while so they all got out. Pictures followed and Mia proposed having lunch at a well known local restaurant.

“This is our last stop,” she told them. “You can get a day pass at one of the big resorts if you like.”

“Why don’t we do that now?” Cassie asked brightly. “They have food, right?”

Stefan was talking softly with Meg, pointing in the distance. His arm came around her shoulders. Cassie suddenly flew past Anna and pushed the old man away.

“Cassie!” Anna sputtered in shock. “Have you lost your mind?”

“No worries,” Stefan grinned cheerfully. “I think she stumbled on something.” He rubbed Cassie’s arm. “Are you alright, baby?”

“Leave us!” Cassie spit out. “This is a family lunch and you are not invited.”

“My apologies.” Stefan gave a small bow. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

Mia read the situation and rallied around.

“Luckily, there are plenty of good eateries in town. Your pulmonia driver will take you to a nice restaurant, Stefan. Don’t forget to enjoy our local lager and shrimp.”

Anna took Cassie’s arm and pulled her away.

“You and I need to talk, young lady. You won’t get away with this.”

Cassie looked shaken. She nodded mutely and climbed back into the taxi.

Lunch was a revelation and Anna was relieved when Cassie finally relaxed and cracked a smile.

Mia had taken them to one of the restaurants along the Malecon. It directly overlooked the ocean and they had a spectacular view. Meg was excited when she spotted a few fins in the distance. Mia told her it was a rare sight for the time of the year.

“You can take a boat out and go whale watching,” she told them. “It’s early in the year but it can be fun.”

With Mia’s help, they ordered an assortment of drinks featuring the local lager. Anna and Julie went for micheladas, the spicy tomato based drink. Meg tried the horchata with local fruit.

“You have to try the aguachiles,” Mia insisted, referring to the local specialty of shrimp soaked in a mixture of lime juice and green chilies.

After several rounds of chilaquile, coconut shrimp, ceviche and grilled oysters, they could eat no more. But they all tried the arroz con leche, a Mexican rice pudding for dessert.

The sun was high in the sky and the day had grown hotter. There was a unanimous call for a brief siesta back on the ship. Mia dropped them off at the pier and said goodbye.

The guest relations staff welcomed them back and offered them cold, scented towels and lemonade.

“I’m going to have a massage,” Cassie declared.

Anna wove her arm through her daughter’s.

“You can do that later, Cass.”

Meg and Julie were yawning their heads off. Neither protested when Anna went off with Cassie.

Anna consulted one of the staff in the atrium and took the elevator to Deck 5. They found a deserted alcove with tall windows and a good view.

“I specifically asked for an enclosed space,” she told Cassie. “We could use some air conditioning.”

Cassie was quiet. Anna didn’t rush her. She sensed the next few minutes were going to be uncomfortable for her daughter.

“The first few years were hard. I missed you and Dad a lot.” Cassie broke the silence a few minutes later. “I met Stefan at a launch party. He was the studio head and was producing the movie I had just landed a lead in.”

“It would be natural to have a crush on him.”

Cassie shook her head.

“You misunderstand, Mom. Stefan was so debonair. He reminded me of Dad.”

“He must’ve been the same age,” Anna nodded.

A dozen scenarios raged through Anna’s head and she was trying hard to hold back.

“He’s very talented. I suppose I looked up to him at first.” Cassie looked stricken. “It was all an act, Mom.”

Anna opened her arms, knowing Cassie needed her to empathize more than anything else.

“I didn’t think anything was amiss when he invited me to his trailer. And then …”

Tears streamed down Cassie’s eyes. Anna seethed with anger as Cassie poured out the whole story. Stefan Lancaster was a cad who had taken advantage of her young daughter.

“Who would’ve believed me?” Cassie answered Anna’s silent question. “I was a nobody. He could have ended my career before it started.”

The movie did well and Cassie had gone on to win the coveted Oscar award. Offers poured in and her star ascended for a decade. It had been easy to stay away from the scumbag producer.

“What’s he doing here, on this ship?”

“He’s part of the wedding party, Mom. He must have tagged along with someone. I don’t think Jojo would invite him.”

“Did Jojo know about him?” Anna asked.

“He offered her a small role in one of his films a few years ago. I had to warn her. She’s the only one who knew, apart from Bobby.”

Anna swallowed a lump. She realized she hadn’t been there when her daughter needed her. She wondered how she could thank the effervescent fitness trainer who was joined at the hip with Cassie.

“I owe Bobby more than I thought.”

“Bobby held my hand through the darkest period in my life, Mom.”

“I hope you never feel compelled to associate with such riffraff.” Anna stroked her daughter’s back, fighting her own tears. “We may not be rolling in money but we have enough to live comfortably, Cassie. I just regret you have to hide your light in a small town like Dolphin Bay. You have so much talent, sweetie. The world is missing out.”

Cassie smiled through her tears and tried to roll her eyes.

“That’s just mother’s love.”

She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes with a tissue.

“I’m older now and hopefully, a little wiser. And I have Meg. You know that audition I gave in Los Angeles a few months ago?”

Anna remembered how excited Cassie had been about the role. But the offer hadn’t materialized.

“I almost signed the contracts, Mom. Then I learned Stefan was one of the producers.”

“So you turned it down,” Anna beamed.

She knew how much Cassie hankered for a comeback in Hollywood.

“I’m so proud of you.”

They sat there, arm in arm, staring out of the windows until Meg and Julie arrived and broke the silence.

“There you are!” Meg collapsed on the arm of Cassie’s armchair. “Why are you two hiding out here?”

“Meg has news,” Julie declared. “Tell them!”

Anna saw Meg’s eyes were wide and a pink blush covered her cheeks.

“Is this about a boy?”

“Guess who I met in the atrium?” Meg squealed. “You remember Drake Benson? He asked me out on a date.”

Chapter 17

Cassie whisked Meg off to the spa for a last minute facial. Gino wanted to take Anna out on a dinner date. They had barely spent any time alone on the trip so she agreed readily. Then she wished she had joined the girls at the spa. After a moment’s thought, she opted to soak in the hot tub on their veranda, watching life unfold on shore.

“I’m staying in this evening,” Julie told her when they went back to their suite. “My deadline’s looming and I need to put in some work.”

“You can order anything from room service.” Anna tried to cheer her up.

Julie assured her she didn’t mind.

“You go have fun with Gino. He must be getting restless.”

There was a flurry of excitement as Anna and Meg primped before the mirror, excited about their dates.

“Is it a bit odd that I’m as excited as Meg?” Anna ran a brush through her pixie cut salt and pepper hair and eyed herself critically.

“Of course not!” Meg planted a kiss on her cheek. “Maybe we can double date, Anna.”

“Whoa!” Cassie’s mouth dropped open. “Slow down, will you? Why don’t you see what happens tonight?”

“I have a feeling we’re gonna get along,” Meg confessed.

Anna watched with amusement as Cassie warned Meg to be careful and made sure she had cash in case she had to get back to the ship on her own.

“Relax,” Anna told her. “She’s old enough, and she’s used to watching her back.”

“She better not like this guy too much,” Cassie muttered. “He doesn’t even live in Dolphin Bay.”

“Monterey’s not that far,” Anna reasoned. “Don’t count your chickens prematurely.”

Cassie wasn’t sure what she was going to do.

“I might walk around near the pier or I’ll visit one of the famous buffets on the ship. Don’t worry about me, Mom.”

Anna took her advice.

Gino knocked on the door of their suite.

They said goodbye to Julie who was already hunched over her laptop with a glass of wine by her side.

Anna was buzzing with excitement by the time they got off the ramp. The atmosphere around them was lively.

“You know I love your family.” Gino took his hand in hers. “But can I say I’m glad to have you to myself?”

“I feel the same.”

They took a pulmonia to the Malecon and strolled along, watching people and just reveling in the ocean breezes. Delicious smells wafted from the many bars and cafes they passed.

Gino ushered her into one of them a few minutes later. They got a table facing the water.

“I thought we might enjoy the sunset.”

Anna tasted a local drink called Jamaica, made with hibiscus flowers and fruit. Gino stuck to the local beer and ordered ceviche.

“We talked to one of the wedding guests this morning,” Anna began. “She works at Gold Labs.”

Gino listened closely as Anna brought him up to speed.

“So let me sum this up. The groom, the bride and this Millicent all walked into the Empress Suite late that night. Ricky fell asleep and Millicent left soon after.”

“She confirmed it.”

“Logan Powell, a man who claims to have loved Jojo, is very conveniently staying in the cabin next door. Doesn’t that seem odd to you? Why wasn’t Ricky given that cabin?”

Anna explained the reason. Jojo had been very particular about not running into Ricky on the day of the wedding.

“Technically, if they were together after midnight, it was already the day of the wedding.”

Anna agreed with that. But they had all been so intoxicated, they might not have realized that.

“Let’s think from Logan’s perspective,” Gino frowned. “If I were him, I would be looking for an opportunity to make a last ditch effort to win my girl back.”

“You think he talked to Jojo that night?” Anna raised her brows.

“What if Logan entered the Empress Suite via the connecting door? He tried to talk Jojo into dumping the fiancé. They got into a fight. Logan lost his cool and pushed her over.”

“I don’t buy that!” Anna’s eyes grew wide.

“Maybe it was an accident,” Gino shrugged. “Logan’s a big man and Jojo was barely five feet and half his weight.”

Anna was shaking her head, trying to process Gino’s theory.

“It sounds very farfetched to me.”

They had worked through the ceviche while they talked. The sun was hanging low on the horizon, a big ball of fiery orange. There was a sudden hush as people watched nature’s spectacle, holding hands and kissing each other. Some of them scrambled to take pictures, trying to capture the right angle.

Gino stood up and took her hand. They walked out and stood gazing at the ocean, content in enjoying the perfect moment.

“I wish we had one more day here. There are some villages nearby which are worth visiting.”

“Maybe we can come back.” Anna looked up into his chocolate brown eyes and smiled. “Just us.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

They took a taxi to another restaurant that Mia had recommended. Anna went for a michelada this time and they ordered chilorios, a dish of pork simmered in a chili sauce which was another local delicacy. Gino accepted the server’s recommendation and got a big seafood platter, boasting of lobster, octopus, shrimp and oysters.

“Ricky and Jojo were both roaring drunk, right?” Gino picked up their earlier conversation. “Cassie confirms that.”

Anna nodded, sipping her drink and smacking her lips as the chili hit her palate.

“You agree Jojo wasn’t in any position to haul herself up and jump down. And I’ve seen Millicent. I don’t think she’s strong enough to lift Jojo and throw her over.”

Anna decided Gino was biased against Logan Powell. She told him that.

“Logan was upset about the wedding.” Gino stuck to his theory. “He had the means, the motive and above all, he had the opportunity, being right next door.”

“Ricky was in that room too,” Anna reminded him. “How do we know he didn’t wake up later? He and Jojo had a lovers’ tiff, things got out of hand and he pushed her.”

“He doesn’t have a motive.”

Their food arrived. Both exclaimed at the colorful array and the generous spread before them.

Anna picked up a lime wedge and squeezed it over the grilled lobster.

“Who would believe we lived on the coast? It’s like we never tasted seafood before.”

Gino gave the octopus a wide berth and picked up an oyster shell.

“Ricky would have access to millions the moment he said ‘I do’. But without the wedding, he’s the same impoverished blue collar worker he always was.”

“We don’t have any proof that Logan went into the Empress Suite,” Anna sighed. “I will ask Cassie if she talked to him at the bachelorette party.”

Gino thanked her for coming around.

“I’ll be happy if we can eliminate him, Anna. Let’s try to find out what his state of mind was that night.”

They paid attention to the food after that. Very soon, it was time to go back to the ship. A pulmonia took them to the pier. The ship’s horn was tooting as they rushed up the ramp, giggling like youngsters.

“You’re just in time.” The guest relations staff was rounding up the stragglers.

It was almost 9 PM and time for the ship to leave port.

Anna’s thoughts flew to Meg and her date.

“Hello Anna.” Meg ran up the ramp, holding hands with Drake Benson. “Are you waiting here for me?”

Anna shook her head.

“See you later,” Meg called out and followed her young man around a corner.

“Looks like their date isn’t done yet,” Anna murmured.

“Neither is ours,” Gino whispered softly in her ear.

They walked to the big dinner buffet, hoping to catch Cassie. Anna spotted an ice cream counter and wanted some. Gino got two giant waffle cones and they headed to their secret deck for a walk in the moonlight. The ship had already started moving and the lights and noise from the shore gradually receded.

Gino found a spot at the stern and they watched the frothy wake deepen as the ship picked up speed.

Anna sidled closer to Gino and he placed his arm around her. Her heart started beating faster.

A shrill cry reached her the same moment a hand landed on her back.

“There you are!”

Cassie and Meg beamed and clung to the couple on either side. Gino spread his arms wider and pulled them all in.

“How was your date?” Cassie poked Gino with her elbow. “Was it romantic?”

She saw Anna’s expression and laughed out loud.

“Not as romantic as mine,” Meg tittered. “First dates are the best, Mom.”

“How many first dates do you plan to have, young lady?” Gino wiggled his eyebrows.

They teased Meg for a while.

“I almost forgot, Mom,” Cassie burst out. “You remember Whitney? She was one of Jojo’s bridesmaids.”

“The blonde,” Anna nodded. “She likes to bake.”

“That’s the one.” Cassie told them she had run into the girl at the buffet. “Whitney was talking about Logan.”

“She was slow dancing with him at the bachelorette party,” Meg interrupted. “Like, a lot!”

Cassie grew animated.

“Whitney said Logan was in a very bad mood. He was determined to stop the wedding at any cost.”

Chapter 18

Anna went to sleep with a smile on her face that night. The sun woke her up the next morning, streaming through the veranda doors. There was a hazy outline of some hills in the distance and Anna surmised they must be close to port.

Julie was already up and sitting outside with her laptop. But she had made coffee.

Anna poured herself a cup, pulled on a robe and went out.

“I hope you got some work done last night, Julie. You’re not working today.”

Julie held up a finger, her eyes glued to the screen. She shut her laptop five minutes later and put her arms behind her head.

“That’s done. Now tell me all, Anna. How did the date go?”

Cassie and Meg trooped in, rubbing their eyes, still in their pajamas.

“Yeah Mom!” Cassie pouted. “Were you and Gino having a moment when Meg and I walked in on you last night?”

Anna told them they had been talking about Jojo.

“What about your date, Meg? Did you have a good time?”

Meg’s cheeks were rosy and her face glowed in the morning sun. Anna was glad to see some meat on her bones. She was no longer the waif she had been when they first met.

“It was the best!” Meg clutched her hands together and sighed dramatically. “Drake took me to a place called Stone Island. We took a small boat to go there. There was a nice beach and it wasn’t too crowded.”

“Don’t tell me you were the only ones there?” Cassie was alarmed.

“Oh no! There were people. Just not as many as we saw on the boardwalk.”

Meg told them how they had strolled along the beach and watched the beautiful sunset. They had dinner at a small restaurant.

“It was more like a shack, really. Their chips were so good! I ate lots of guacamole.”

There had been chicken quesadillas and fresh coconut meat, dusted with chili. A mariachi band had serenaded them.

“Looks like he put some thought in this date,” Cassie admitted grudgingly.

“Did you learn anything more about him, Meg?” Anna asked.

“You’ll never guess this.” Meg grew animated. “Drake knew Grandpa John!”

There was a series of exclamations from everyone present.

“And he never mentioned that before this?” Anna looked miffed.

“Drake went to DBU.” Meg referred to the university in Dolphin Bay. “He was Grandpa John’s student.” She took Anna’s hand. “He knew my name is Butler but he didn’t make the connection until we talked.”

Cassie folded her hands and leaned against the door.

“Tell me you didn’t talk about Blue Hill.”

Meg turned red.

“He already knows about it, Mom.”

“Blue Hill is not exactly a secret, Cassie,” Anna reasoned. “It’s a local legend, the kind of thing kids like to talk about.”

Julie interrupted them, reminding them they needed to order breakfast.

“Do you want to go to the main breakfast buffet? Or would you rather order something here?”

“That depends on what we’re doing today.” Anna waved her hand at the shore. The hills she had spotted earlier seemed closer. A busy highway was visible in the distance. “We should be docking soon. Don’t know why it’s taking so long.”

Cassie stretched her arms above her head and yawned.

“I’m a bit worn out.”

They all wanted to check out the town of Puerto Vallarta but they also wanted to take it easy. Cassie decided to talk to their cruise director and get some suggestions.

Anna brought Julie up to speed about their latest theory surrounding Logan Powell.

“There’s a tiny flaw, Anna.” Julie narrowed her eyes. “Have you forgotten how connecting doors work? They are locked from both sides. Even if Logan wanted to enter Jojo’s room, there was nobody there to open it for him at the other end.”

“Ricky was asleep, Milli was gone and Jojo was …” Anna stared back at Julie. “Could Jojo have let him in herself?”

Cassie came back, looking uncertain.

“There’s a slight delay. Three other cruise ships are in port today and we are the last ones in line to dock. Something to do about a pilot.”

They would not dock for a couple of hours. The cruise director had suggested a private cab that would take them on a quick tour around the city. They could spend the rest of the day at a local five star resort with access to a private beach and a big swimming pool.

“That sounds like just the thing!” Julie exclaimed. “But what about food?”

It was an all inclusive offer and the woman had promised Cassie they would be plied with copious amounts of food and drink.

They decided to check out the famous breakfast buffet the ship offered. Half an hour later, they were all taking the elevator to the atrium floor.

Gino was waiting for them.

The buffet was over the top, as expected. Anna marveled at the different fruit carvings and the array of freshly baked pastries. They loaded their plate and found a table with a good view.

“Can you talk to your friend in security?” Anna told him about the locks in the connecting room.

“I think Alicia might help more than Bernard. Why don’t I talk to her?”

“The maid?” Anna sprinkled hot sauce over her eggs. “As long as she can get us in.”

Meg joined them later as they took the elevator to Deck 14. They spotted Alicia coming out of Fred’s cabin with her cleaning cart. Gino took her aside and talked to her.

“We have ten minutes,” he told Anna.

Alicia had unlocked the Empress Suite and the one next to it. She stood outside, fiddling with her cleaning cart. If anyone came along, she would tell them she was replacing the towels.

They confirmed that both doors were locked. Anna tried to enter Logan’s suite from the Empress Suite. The lock held and she couldn’t get in until Meg unlocked the door. Then they tried the opposite.

Anna stood in the Empress Suite, right outside the locked door. Meg turned the knob and burst in. She and Anna stared at each other, their mouths hanging open.

“This lock is faulty!” Meg cried. “What does this mean, Anna?”

“Logan didn’t need anyone to open the lock on this side. He could have entered the Empress Suite any time with no one the wiser.”

They called out to Gino and waited impatiently while he tested both the locks himself. The maid peeped in and told them they needed to leave.

“This doesn’t prove anything, Anna.” Gino ushered them out and started walking to the elevator. “Nobody actually saw him enter that cabin.”

Anna was indignant.

“I think that catapults Logan to the top of the list.”

The elevator doors opened and Millicent walked out, Ricky in tow. Everyone exchanged greetings. Milli rushed off to get some work done.

“That’s normal for her,” Ricky assured them. “Gold Labs has a global presence and there’s a crisis in some office at any given time. Milli prides herself on taking care of it.”

Anna asked Ricky if they could talk. He sensed she was serious and led them to a few tables set under a canopy. The boat was finally moving and Anna realized they would be docking soon.

“What do you know about Logan?” She hesitated. “Did you two get along?”

“Are you asking me about Logan and Jojo?” Ricky sighed. “I know they were childhood sweethearts. Jojo didn’t hide anything from me.”

“They dated off and on even when they were adults,” Meg remarked.

Ricky’s face had paled as they talked about Jojo.

“Logan was still in love with her. Look, I know all that. But he’s a good guy. He just wanted Jojo to be happy and he gave us his blessing. Why do you think he agreed to be my best man?”

“What about Jojo?” Anna prompted.

“Jojo was in love with me, of course.” Ricky looked anguished. “Logan would always be a part of our lives but she assured me he was just a friend.”

Anna apologized for being inquisitive. Ricky told her he would answer any question if it would help her find Jojo’s killer.

“I haven’t given up yet, Ricky.” Anna gave him a hug.

They went back to their own deck and got ready to leave the ship.

“Do you still suspect Logan?” Gino asked as they walked down the ramp into the bustling port of Puerto Vallarta.

Chapter 19

Anna had put Logan out of her mind by the time they settled in the taxi. She was sharing one with Gino. They visited an old church, walked through cobblestoned streets and took more pictures. The driver insisted on a scenic drive over the Malecon before depositing them at the resort.

Everyone was ready for an icy drink. The food was a bit more gourmet than what they had eaten so far and delicious. Cassie sucked on mango popsicles laced with tequila. Anna munched on chips piled with her favorite mango salsa.

“There’s a big mango festival here in summer.” Julie read from a menu she had found lying around. “You’re in luck, Anna. They are doing a mango special this week.”

They snacked on grilled mangoes sprinkled with chili powder and ate ceviche studded with mangoes.

“This is bliss!” Cassie sighed.

She had just swum a few laps in the infinity pool. They were offered a drink called mangonada and Anna was in love.

Julie wanted to know what they had discovered on Deck 14. Meg gave her an account of their morning.

“There you go,” Julie shrugged. “Logan couldn’t have a better character witness than the groom.”

“Ricky trusts him,” Meg nodded. “Isn’t that right, Gino?”

“That’s the impression he gave.” Gino bit into a pork tamale. “Anna isn’t convinced though.”

Anna had just taken a giant bite out of her shrimp tostada.

“I have the right to reserve my opinion.”

A live band struck up a tune and Gino pulled Anna to her feet. They danced around the sunny courtyard, smiling into each other’s eyes. Anna had never imagined she would have such strong feelings for another man after John.

The day was over too soon and they headed back to the ship, sorry to say goodbye to Mexico. The Empress Cleopatra would be at sea for the next two days, before they reached Los Angeles.

“We never shopped for souvenirs!” Cassie realized as the taxi took them to the port terminal.

The driver told them there was a market right outside the port where they could do some last minute shopping. Fortunately, they had an hour before they had to be on the ship.

They bought colorful jewelry, stoneware plates and bowls, hats and sundresses. Gino was in charge of buying a wide assortment of tequila to take back home.

“I don’t care how cheesy it is, Mom.” Meg glared at Cassie. “I’m going to get some tee shirts with Puerto Vallarta printed on them.”

Anna wanted a stone mortar and pestle but thought it was too heavy. She bought an assortment of dried chilies and tajin, the special seasoned salt the Mexicans used in a variety of drinks.

They ran out of time.

The guest relations staff welcomed them back with bright smiles. The wedding coordinator spotted them and nodded at some stewards to help them with their packages.

Cassie picked up a glass of champagne from the drinks table that had been set up for the wedding party and thanked the woman for recommending the resort.

Gino joined them on Anna’s big balcony and they settled down to watch the sunset.

“Are we enjoying ourselves too much?” Meg wondered. “I haven’t forgotten Jojo, Mom. I think of her every time I like something and then I feel guilty. We wouldn’t have come on this trip if we hadn’t run into her.”

The mood was subdued as the sky darkened and the sun skirted the horizon. They barely realized when the ship left the harbor.

Anna shivered suddenly as a brisk wind picked up. She pulled on a light cotton cardigan, unable to stop thinking about Logan Powell. Unlike the others, she wasn’t ready to exonerate him just yet.

Gino suggested going for a walk. Anna thought of the bustling café in the atrium. She suddenly had a hankering for a good cappuccino. Julie and the girls shooed them out.

Anna admired the flower the barista had created for her with the foam. Coffee art always made her smile. The hot, creamy drink cleared her mind and she finally relaxed.

“What’s on your mind?” Gino sounded anxious. “I didn’t say anything in front of the girls, Anna. But I know you’re worried about something.”

Anna placed her hand on his and pecked him on his cheek.

“You’re so caring, Gino. What did I do to deserve you?”

Gino laughed easily.

“Is that your way of evading my question?”

Anna assured him she was fine. She asked what he wanted to do that evening.

Gino confessed he was looking forward to turning in early.

“I know it’s not the fashionable thing to do.”

Anna suggested watching the open air movie. She just wished they were playing something other than Casablanca.

A familiar figure brushed past their table on her way to the coffee counter. Anna heard her order a triple shot of espresso with vanilla and whipped cream.

“Isn’t that Millicent?”

She waved at the young woman, trying to catch her eye.

Millicent looked around and almost frowned when she saw them. Then she pasted a smile on her face and walked over.

“Two more days to go.” She took a sip of her potent brew, tapping her foot impatiently. “I’m tired of being on this rust bucket.”

Anna knew the Empress Cleo was famous for being one of the most luxurious ships in the world.

“What made you decide to slum it?”

“I had to attend the wedding, of course. Why provide fodder to the tabloids?”

Anna agreed with her.

“Do you have kids waiting for you at home?”

Milli laughed shrilly.

“Please … I’m not married! Do you know the kind of commitment needed to run a business like Gold Labs?”

Anna wished her a good evening.

“Have you seen Logan today?” she asked. “I have something for him.”

Milli glanced at her watch.

“Must be back home in Bel Air by now. Did you get him a souvenir? How cute!”

Anna sat up with a jerk. Gino placed a hand on her knee, silently urging her to stay calm.

“What do you mean, dear?”

“Logan took a flight home this afternoon,” Milli answered in a bored voice. “Something to do with a business deal.”

Anna bid her goodbye and waited until she was out of sight.

“We’ll go see Bernard,” Gino offered before she could say a word.

One of the security men walking around confirmed that the chief was in his office. Anna tapped her leg with impatience as they waited for the elevator. Soon they were down on Deck 3, knocking on Bernard’s office door.

“What now?” he greeted Gino with a raised brow. “I didn’t see you this often even when we were stationed abroad.”

Anna hastened to explain.

“He wasn’t a prisoner.” Bernard spun in his chair. “None of you are. We can’t stop anyone from walking off the ship. And I don’t have any control over what you do when you’re in port.”

“You don’t think it’s suspicious?” Gino frowned. 

“I will notify the authorities when we get back.”

Anna wasn’t ready to give up.

“What about the broken lock?”

“The maintenance crew is very meticulous, Mrs. Butler. I’m willing to bet nobody reported it.”

“I’m not asking why it wasn’t fixed.” Anna grew impatient. “Aren’t you at least going to check it out?”

Gino played his trump card.

“What if she’s right? You can add another notch in your belt.”

Bernard took the bait.

“I’ll humor you this time. But no more wild theories, okay?”

They took the elevator to Deck 14. It rode up slowly, stopping at almost every floor. Anna didn’t get a chance to speak until they reached the top deck.

The chief flashed his security card over the scanner outside Logan’s suite, muttering about older women with fancy ideas. He took two steps in and came to a dead stop.

“Don’t come in.”

Anna responded to the urgency in his voice and didn’t move. Gino took her arm and led her out.

“Will you promise to stay here?” he asked softly.

Anna gave a slight nod, trying to damp down the fear that rose in her throat. There were goosebumps on her arms and they weren’t caused by the cool air.

Five minutes later, Gino came out of the cabin with Bernard. The security chief pulled out his walkie talkie and spoke in it, repeating the same thing over and over again.

Anna heard something about a bright star.

Gino rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her. Anna put her hands on his chest and stared into his glistening eyes. Gino answered her silent question.

“Logan’s not in Bel Air, Anna.”

Chapter 20

Anna didn’t want to get out of bed the next morning. The bank of clouds hugging the horizon matched her mood. It was as if the sun had given up hope.

The previous evening had been a blur after they discovered Logan’s body. To say that Anna was shocked was an understatement. She had been seething with fury, convinced he had managed to escape. But the truth had been the exact opposite.

According to Chief Bernard and Gino, Logan had been dead for a while. But the ship’s doctor was summoned for a cursory examination. He confirmed Logan was gone and gave the go ahead to transfer him to the morgue.

Anna had refused to speak to anyone. The girls coaxed her to eat some soup and Julie made chamomile tea. All she had wanted to do was go to sleep and forget what was happening around her.

Julie walked in with a mug of steaming coffee.

“How are you feeling?”

Anna grabbed the cup like a lifeline and took a bracing sip.

“I know we didn’t really know him. I can’t explain why I’m so shaken, Julie.”

They decided it might be a delayed reaction to Jojo’s death.

“The girls ordered breakfast. Why don’t you come sit with us on the balcony?”

Anna told her to go ahead. She pulled on a robe and brushed her short hair, staring at herself in the mirror. Her mind was muddled with a lot of conflicting theories.”

“Good Morning Mom!” Cassie greeted her brightly.

Meg hugged her and handed over a glass of fresh mango juice.

“Our cabin steward wanted to do something special for you,” she explained. “I told him how much you love the local mangoes.”

They were having migas for breakfast again, along with the usual assortment of pastries. Anna wondered how she would feel about eating something simple like yogurt once she got home.

Cassie and Meg kept a careful eye on her while Julie told them about the plot of her latest novel.

Anna humored them until they finished eating.

“You can stop treating me with kid gloves.” She started on her second cup of coffee. “I know you can barely control those questions, Cassie.”

They wanted to know about the previous evening. Anna told them what had happened since they ran into Milli at the café.

“Poor Logan!” Cassie looked stricken. “He couldn’t face life without Jojo.”

“What are you implying?” Anna asked sharply.

“Logan must have taken his life. The grapevine says he was found with a syringe in his hand. I thought he had killed the habit in rehab but he must have relapsed after Jojo died.”

Anna was having trouble keeping up.

“Hold on, Cassie. First of all, this was supposed to be kept under wraps. Even I didn’t know about the syringe. And I was right there!”

Julie figured Gino had been shielding Anna from the more gory details of Logan’s death.

“He can be a bit too protective sometimes,” Anna muttered. “I’m not some China doll …”

“You don’t know how lucky you are.” Julie sounded wistful.

She had been single since Anna knew her. Julie’s larger than life personality often hid her grief. Anna felt chastised. She made a mental note to coax Julie to go out with someone when they got home.

“Are you saying Logan took his own life?” Anna asked Cassie.

“Either that or someone took it for him.” Meg dipped a churro in rich melted chocolate. “Or it could have been an accident.”

“Do you see a pattern here?” Julie shook her head. “We thought Jojo’s death was a mishap. Everyone almost believed it until you found that shoe, Anna.”

“You think the same person killed both Jojo and Logan?” Cassie’s brows shot up. “If you’re right, we are dealing with a very clever person.”

Meg licked some chocolate off her fingers.

“Why hurt Logan now, Mom?”

Anna sat up suddenly.

“He must have realized who pushed Jojo.”

“So the killer wanted to protect his own identity?” Cassie stifled a yawn. “Jojo told Logan everything. He must have remembered some tiny detail that led him to this person.”

“You think he confronted him?” Julie wondered. “If so, he obviously signed his own death warrant.”

Anna felt another headache coming on.

“We are just speculating and to what end? The ship security won’t do anything. That Bernard may be Gino’s friend but I don’t think he’s very good at his job. He’s just going to grab the low hanging fruit and be done with it.”

“In this case, that is suicide,” Julie murmured.

“Unfortunately, Logan’s history supports that.” Cassie told them Logan had struggled with a drug problem all his life. He had been in and out of rehab. It all started when he and Jojo broke up in college. Logan had swallowed some pills and tried to end his life.

“Why didn’t you tell us before?” Anna cried. “This means Logan could have pushed Jojo from the balcony in a fit of anger. He came to his senses later and couldn’t live without her. So he took his life.”

“It’s a plausible theory,” Julie mused. “And one people will embrace easily.”

“Wait a minute, you guys!” Meg interrupted them, wide eyed. “What if the actual killer is walking around on the ship, thinking they got away? Let’s assume Logan was innocent. Who else could’ve had it in for both Jojo and Logan?”

Cassie stood up and walked to the railing. The sun was finally peeping out of the clouds.

“Ricky, Uncle Fred and Millicent are the three people who were closest to them,” she announced.

Julie asked about the bridesmaids. Cassie assured her they were just superficial contacts. None of them were invested enough.

“It’s a tossup between Ricky and Uncle Fred then,” Meg sighed. “Although I do like Ricky.”

“Don’t be fooled by those baby blue eyes, kiddo,” Julie warned.

“Why Ricky?” Anna asked. “He wasn’t going to get any money until they got married.”

“Money may not be the motive,” Meg reasoned. “Logan didn’t hide the fact that he was still in love with Jojo. And we know Jojo loved him as a friend. But what if her feelings ran deeper?”

Cassie took up the thread.

“Ricky learns his fiancé is still in love with her ex. They get into a fight and he pushes her in a fit of anger. Or he planned it all. He got rid of Jojo first and just waited for an opportunity. Ricky might have just talked Logan into using again.”

“I’m with Meg on this one,” Julie offered her two cents. “I don’t believe that boy could be so cold blooded.”

Anna pulled the dome off her migas, glad to see they were not stone cold. She was slowly beginning to develop an appetite.

“Let’s not forget Uncle Fred. He went into the Empress Suite. We actually have a witness who saw him go in and stay there for twenty minutes.” She leveled her gaze at them. “A lot can happen in twenty minutes.”

“So who should we talk to first?” Cassie asked. “Or do you want to do this with Gino?”

Anna ate some of the spicy eggs and tortillas and considered her daughter’s suggestion. Gino’s presence would comfort her and deter any violence. But Cassie knew Fred. Whether he was guilty or not, he was more likely to open up before her.

“We’ll go, Cassie.”

“How do you feel about pilates?” Julie asked Meg. “I could use a good stretch.”

Meg agreed readily. They would join Anna and Cassie on the main pool deck after the class.

“He has to be on the ship,” Julie reasoned. “That’s one advantage of being at sea.”

Anna grabbed a quick shower and got ready in record time. Cassie was waiting for her, dressed in a new bikini, wearing a large hat and her favorite shades. Her neck boasted a chunky necklace she had bought on the pier the previous day.

“Do you know where he is?” Anna asked her, debating whether they should take Gino along after all.

Cassie told her Fred had last been seen on Deck 14, having breakfast. The coordinator had arranged a few special classes just for the wedding party. Most of them had jumped at the opportunity. The remaining people had chosen to stay in their cabins and take it easy.

“So the top deck is almost deserted,” Cassie assured her.

They walked down the long passage to the bank of elevators. A couple was plastered against the wall, locked in a tight embrace. Cassie giggled and pressed the button to call the elevator. Anna looked away, then swung her neck back.

The couple broke apart as the elevator dinged. The woman straightened her maid’s uniform, trying to hide her face. The man’s eyes flew up and met Anna’s.

“Ricky!” Anna exclaimed spontaneously.

Chapter 21

Anna felt like an automaton as she entered the elevator. She couldn’t forget what she had just seen. What was Ricky doing, embracing some maid in a dingy supply closet?

“Don’t jump to conclusions, Mom,” Cassie warned. “We can talk about this later.”

“Just tell me I wasn’t dreaming,” Anna sighed. “I mean, I didn’t imagine all that, did I?”

The doors opened and they stepped out on Deck 14. It was bright out there since the whole deck was open to the sky. Anna squinted and wished she had brought along a pair of sunglasses.

Breakfast was being served. The chef waved at them and offered fresh waffles. Anna declined politely. She had spotted their quarry at a table, all by himself.

Cassie greeted Fred cheerily. He looked up, hand paused mid air, holding a tiny espresso cup.

“Top of the morning to you, Cassie.” He smiled painfully. “I think they are still serving breakfast.”

Anna assured him they had already eaten.

“I wouldn’t mind a cup of what you’re having though.” She didn’t wait for an invitation and sat down at Fred’s table. Cassie followed suit.

Anna admitted she’d had a difficult night.

“I’m here by sheer willpower,” she confessed. “Why, I could barely get out of bed this morning. But a promise is a promise. And I intend to keep my word.”

Fred was staring in the distance, barely paying attention.

Cassie ordered their coffee.

“Did you know Logan well?” Anna asked. “His parents will be devastated.”

Fred told them Logan had been in and out of the Gold family mansion for years. He knew the Powells well.

“Bel Air is as provincial as a village,” he told Anna. “You tend to run into the same people wherever you go.”

“Please extend our condolences to his family. I’m going to do whatever I can to find out who hurt these poor kids.”

She finally had Fred’s attention.

“What are you saying, Mrs. Butler? The matter is closed now. The media would have gone crazy over this, but thankfully we are at sea. Our publicist will make sure everything is handled quietly.”

“Don’t you want to know what happed to Jojo?” Cassie asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Fred waved at a server and asked for another espresso. “Poor Logan! He’s been crazy about Jojo since they were in school. There was no way he was going to stand by while she married that Ricky.”

“But Logan was totally on board!” Cassie explained. “He was Ricky’s best man.”

“It was an excellent ruse, my dear.” Fred scratched his eyebrow. “Logan pushed Jojo over in a fit of anger or grief – I don’t know which – then he came to his senses.”

Anna and the girls had already considered this theory.

“You think he felt guilty later and took his life?”

Fred nodded eagerly.

“Can you tell me about the night Jojo died?” Anna probed. “You went in and had a drink with Ricky?”

Fred’s brows shot up.

“Are you trying to bait me? I did no such thing. I was barely there for a minute.”

Anna sipped the bitter brew the server had placed before her. It was too strong for her but she took a tentative sip.

“I must be mistaken. The Empress Suite is bigger than my house. Surely it would take anyone a few minutes to walk across it?”

“Sure it would,” Fred sighed. “But I didn’t do that. I saw Ricky sleeping on the couch in the living area. I assumed Jojo must be sleeping inside.”

“That’s all?” Anna prodded.

Fred lost his cool.

“You think I haven’t agonized over this a hundred times? But I have to live with this.”

Anna didn’t want to anger him any further so she gave a nod.

“I really appreciate your trying to help me,” Fred continued. “But you don’t need to trouble yourself any longer. I believe Logan and Jojo were like those star crossed lovers we read about. Let’s not fan the fire. People will forget about it by the time we reach home.”

“Will you?” Anna burst out.

She didn’t expect Fred to answer. He stood up and excused himself, claiming he needed to attend a meeting with his board. Time stopped for no one and Gold Labs needed to prepare for the future.

“I can’t wait to get home, Mom.”

Anna told Cassie she wouldn’t give up that easily. She stood up to leave, eager to go have a powwow with Julie. The catering staff started clearing up the breakfast buffet. The chef came over to ask if they fancied something before he shut everything down. Anna felt bad about disappointing him.

“We’ll split a waffle between us.” She told him to go crazy and surprise them with the toppings.

A man walked up to their table from a far corner. Anna hadn’t noticed him earlier.

“Hello, I’m Drake Benson.”

“Did we meet at the rehearsal?” Anna’s brow furrowed. The young man seemed familiar but she couldn’t place him.

Cassie cleared her throat and tried to catch Anna’s eye.

“This is Meg’s date from last night,” she reminded her.

“Ohhh!” Anna smiled readily. “Meg told us she had a good time. You seem like a kind young man.”

Drake sat down without invitation.

“I know I’m a bit older than her, but we hit it off.”

“Meg’s smart enough to make her own choices,” Anna quipped. “We have faith in her. Don’t we, Cassie?”

Cassie seconded her.

“I have a soft spot for Dolphin Bay,” Drake began. “Meg must have told you I studied at DBU.”

Anna wasn’t sure what the boy wanted. She felt cornered and she wasn’t happy about it.

“Your husband was a good teacher, Mrs. Butler. May he rest in peace.” Drake leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “The student body was shocked by his death. Not many professors manage to connect with the kids.”

Anna wasn’t hearing anything new. She hoped Drake would come to the point.

“Where are you going with this?” She couldn’t hold herself back.

The chef arrived with a giant waffle drenched in maple syrup, topped with whipped cream, berries, mangoes, almonds and pistachios and shaved chocolate.

“Thank you Chef!” Anna was stunned. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

Cassie picked up a blueberry and popped it in her mouth.

“Weren’t you in my Dad’s class too, Drake?” she narrowed her eyes. “Why don’t you tell us your take on what happened.”

Anna offered to cut a piece of the waffle for Drake. He declined politely, claiming he had just had a hearty breakfast.

“I needed a job urgently,” Drake told Cassie. “I love art and history but it’s not the best career choice. Good jobs are hard to come by.”

“John often said the same thing.” Anna speared a mango with her fork. “He said most of his students ended up being school teachers or lecturers at the community college.”

“You need a vocation to teach,” Drake winced. “I’m afraid it’s not one of my strong suits.”

“I don’t understand.” Cassie was frowning. “Did you drop out of college in your last semester?”

Drake told them he had applied for a coveted internship with a famous art dealer. There had been a set of grueling interviews and he was selected for the job, amidst a lot of competition.

“It would have been foolish to pass on such an opportunity. The Blue Hill project was a shambles. My career was hanging in the balance. So I had to leave.”

Anna pushed the waffle plate away. She had taken a few bites, hopefully enough to appease the chef. Luckily, he was nowhere to be seen.

“What do you mean, shambles?” she asked Drake.

He didn’t hesitate.

“It was a wild goose chase, Mrs. Butler. There is no treasure, of course. I don’t believe there ever was. I wonder how the department fell for it this time. But then, your husband could be quite convincing.”

Anna knew John well. His knowledge of the area was unparalleled and his research was strong. And he was a pro at getting grants or funding.

“You’re so right, Drake. John had a tendency to get carried away.”

Cassie reminded her they had an appointment at the spa. Drake took the hint and wished them a good morning.

“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” Cassie muttered after they saw him enter the elevator. “You think Meg fell for his looks?”

Anna frowned, suddenly feeling warm in the sun. She wanted to get back to her air conditioned cabin.

“That, and his silver tongue.”

Chapter 22

Anna met Gino at the café in the atrium. The ship was crowded since it was a sea day. Couples walked around hand in hand, exploring everything on offer. Families with kids weren’t far behind.

The ship had changed course a bit to avoid the storm that had been lurking around the horizon that morning. The girl at guest relations handed Anna an activity calendar for the day, listing all the special classes, games and movie screenings that were happening everywhere across the Empress Cleopatra. Anna found a few of them tempting, like the ceviche making demonstration and the trivia game in the theater. But she had bigger fish to fry.

“What do you think, Gino?”

She had just finished bringing him up to speed.

“Now you believe the maid Alicia but not Fred?”

“I think he’s lying and I want your opinion. Why don’t you and your friend put the squeeze on him? Maybe he will respond to a little good old fashioned coercion.”

Gino burst out laughing.

“Are you serious, Anna? Why are you so hyper all of a sudden? We have two days left on our vacation. After that, it’s back to the grind for both of us.” He picked up his coffee cup and stared at the foamy heart the barista had drawn. There was a wistful look in his eyes. “I thought we might relax and do something special tonight, just you and me. What do you think?”

Anna knew he was right. When they set off on the cruise, she had wondered if things might amp up a bit between them. But the opposite had happened.

“There’s plenty of time for all that when we get home.” She stirred her coffee without a second look at the kissing couple outlined in the foam. “I need to find out what happened to Jojo and Logan and time’s running out.”

She hoped Gino would channelize his inner policeman and help her.

“Bernard is not going to take this well,” Gino muttered. “But I’ll see what I can do.”

Anna headed toward the main pool area on Deck 13. Cassie and Julie were stretched out on two deck chairs near the pool, slathered in suntan lotion. Meg was climbing out of the pool.

“It’s too crowded.” She picked up a towel and dabbed her face with it. “If I’m not wrong, there was a mishap in there.”

Two crew members rushed past, speaking in their walkie talkies.

“There’s barely any room to stand,” Cassie wrinkled her nose. “I can’t wait to get home and swim in our own pool.”

Julie was feeling piqued with all the noise.

“Why don’t we go play trivia in the theater?” Anna suggested. “They have several rounds, each with a different theme.”

None of them jumped at the idea.

“I’m going to check out the gym,” Cassie declared. “I hear they have a big climbing wall and it’s great to burn off some calories. Bobby’s going to have a fit when I climb on the scale after we get back home.”

Meg wanted to go bowling. Julie wanted to check out the library.

Anna put her hands on her hips and glared at them.

“Do you want us to split up and go in four different directions?”

Julie rolled her eyes.

“Are you throwing a tantrum? You should be canoodling with Gino instead of trying to control us.”

Anna informed them that she had sent Gino on an important mission.

“Why don’t we do everything one by one?”

“You mean you’ll climb the wall?” Cassie asked with a twinkle in her eye.

Anna gave in. They trooped back to their suite to change into fitness gear. Julie and Meg were dispatched to go ahead and sign them up at the wall.

When Anna came out of her own room a few minutes later, Cassie was nowhere to be seen. Anna assumed she had gone ahead. For a moment, she was tempted to go back inside and take a nap. But she talked herself into leaving.

“What are you doing here?” she exclaimed when she saw Cassie waiting outside the cabin.

Cassie put a finger on her lips and jerked her neck towards the left, her eyes wide in shock.

Anna saw a couple standing behind the cleaning cart, deep in conversation. The woman’s arms were wound around the man’s neck and his hands were on her waist.

Anna pulled Cassie by the hand and walked in the opposite direction.

“What’s Ricky doing with that maid again?” Cassie whispered urgently. “I thought he was a good guy.”

Anna wanted to know how long Cassie had been standing out there.

“Actually, I was feeling kinda drowsy,” Cassie admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t trust myself to not fall asleep on the couch. So I decided to stand outside. And then I saw them!”

Anna laughed loudly.

“I had the same thought. You think Julie and Meg will forgive us if we don’t turn up to climb that wall?

Cassie had a naughty gleam in her eyes.

“That little sideshow Ricky put up made me gag, Mom. I’m wide awake now. Why don’t we look up that wedding coordinator?”

Anna nodded and they took the elevator up to Deck 14. Cassie asked the woman about Alicia.

“I rarely interact with the housekeeping staff.” The woman turned up her nose. “You might try the cabin supervisor or the human resources manager.”

“And where can we find these people?” Cassie wanted to know.

Five minutes later, they were headed back down, this time to the lower decks. Anna recognized the corridor from when she had visited Chief Bernard’s office. She wondered if Gino was still with him.

The human resources manager was buried in paper. Anna took one look at his harried expression and decided he wasn’t going to be any help. The only useful suggestion he gave them was to hunt down some of Alicia’s friends in the crew mess.

“Why don’t Meg and I take this one?” Cassie suggested on the way to the elevator.

Anna raised a brow and smirked.

“What are you afraid of? I read magazines and stuff, Cassie. I know there is a lot of depravity in such places.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Cassie muttered.

They took a flight of stairs into the bowels of the ship. Anna sensed they were below the water line and immediately started feeling queasy. A long, endless metal corridor stretched before them.

Cassie took her hand and they walked down, passing many closed doors. Several men and women hurried past them. Anna spotted a girl coming out of a cabin, lugging a basket of laundry and hailed her. She gave them directions to the crew mess.

“It won’t be pretty,” she cautioned. “Are you looking for someone?”

Anna gave a slight nod and Cassie told her about Alicia Todd.

“She’s the maid on Deck 14.”

“I know Alicia.” The girl put her basket down. “She swapped places with me to work the wedding party. Paid me five hundred bucks.”

“Do you know why?” Anna asked.

“It’s not a big secret,” the girl laughed. “Alicia’s been sulking this entire trip.”

Anna and Cassie listened with mouths hanging open as the girl talked about Alicia Todd.

“You mean she’s known Ricky for a long time?”

The girl nodded with relish.

“Sorry about what happened to the bride. I guess she was a friend of yours.”

Cassie told her Jojo had been like the sister she never had.

“What did Alicia hope to achieve by swapping places with you?” Anna wondered. “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to clean up after the woman who was marrying Ricky?”

“She didn’t say.” The girl picked up her basket again. “Look, I gotta go. My shift starts in an hour and I need to get this load done before that.”

Anna thanked the girl and told her to look them up if she ever traveled to northern California.

Anna followed Cassie up the metal steps and jabbed the button for Deck 14 as soon as they entered the elevator. She wanted to confront the maid right away.

They saw the cleaning cart the moment they stepped off the elevator. Alicia was running the vacuum cleaner and didn’t hear them at first.

“How long have you known Ricky?” Anna demanded. “And why did you hide it from us?”

“I don’t owe you any explanation.” Alicia turned red. “You don’t have any authority on this ship.”

“Why don’t I report you to Chief Bernard?” Anna folded her arms. “Or Captain Romero? Is that good enough for you?”

Alicia put the vacuum down and leaned against the wall, deflated.

“I don’t have a trust fund to fall back on, lady. This job is all I have. So I will appreciate it if you don’t report me to the captain.”

“You can start by telling the truth,” Anna ordered.

Alicia squared her shoulders.

“If loving someone is a crime, I’m guilty.” She began her story. “Ricky and I were high school sweethearts. But we both wanted different things. He was happy being a car mechanic in a small town. I wanted to see the world.”

Alicia had dumped Ricky after graduation. Several years later, she realized she had traversed the globe a dozen times and dated scores of men, but she had never found love. When her contract ended in the summer, she went home with a solid plan. She was going to apologize to Ricky and tell him she still loved him.

“You hadn’t counted on Jojo,” Anna murmured.

“Ricky fell in love with some high society girl. I signed a new contract and came back to work. Imagine my shock when I learned he was getting married right here, on the Empress Cleo.”

“So you juggled the assignments and got yourself posted to this floor,” Cassie finished. “It was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”

Alicia agreed readily.

“He barely knew her! I thought if I was around Ricky, he would remember the times we spent together and break up with his bride.”

“Is that all?” Anna watched Alicia closely. “Are you sure you didn’t get rid of her?”

Chapter 23

Anna paused to catch her breath for a minute. She and Cassie were finally on their way to the gym, to meet Julie and Meg at the climbing wall.

“They’re gone, Mom.” Cassie told her after she spoke to one of the instructors. “I’m guessing they went back to the suite.”

Anna told her she would wait for them in the atrium.

“Gino and I were going to meet there. Why don’t you go fetch the girls?”

Cassie agreed reluctantly, on the condition that they would have lunch next. Anna didn’t argue. She was feeling hungry too.

“All this running around has given me an appetite, Cassie.”

Gino was waiting for her at the café. Anna decided against more caffeine and got a sparkling water.

“You won’t believe the morning we’ve had,” she told him, feeling flushed. “But first, we need to figure out where to have lunch.”

Cassie arrived with Meg and Julie a few minutes later.

“What happened to you?” Julie looked cross. “You were the one who wanted to climb that wall.”

“She did very well,” Meg chortled. “We both climbed that twenty foot wall, Anna. It was a hoot.”

Anna asked them what they wanted to eat. Everyone voted for pizza. Anna took Gino’s arm and they trudged to the Italian café, salivating at the thought of hot mozzarella cheese on a savory pie.

“Seafood is fine, but I can’t live without pizza.” Meg attacked the garlic bread the server placed on their table.

“How about dressing up tonight though?” Anna suggested. “We can go to the big dining room and sample the food there.”

Cassie looked at Gino.

“Don’t you two have a dinner date?”

“We can do that tomorrow night,” Anna shrugged.

Family came first for Anna and Gino was totally on board with it. He had come to love Cassie and Meg like his own.

There was more small talk while they waited for the pizzas. Anna sprinkled red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese on her slice and devoted herself to enjoying it.

“Do you want to go first?” Gino asked after they had all demolished a few slices.

Meg and Julie were stunned when they heard about Ricky’s connection to the maid. Gino confessed he hadn’t seen it coming.

“I thought Ricky loved Jojo.” Meg was disillusioned. “He didn’t waste any time falling into another woman’s arms.”

“They have been friends for a long time,” Cassie reasoned. “It’s natural he would gravitate toward someone he knows.”

“How convenient!” Julie scoffed.

She could be relied upon to provide the sardonic voice.

“I know a couple when I see one, Cassie.” Anna grimaced. “Those two didn’t give off a friendly vibe.”

“Let’s talk about what this means,” Julie began. “We have two new suspects, Anna. This changes everything.”

“So you think Ricky planned all this?” Cassie narrowed her eyes. “Marry Jojo and get access to all her money. Dump her after a while, get a big settlement and then marry his real sweetheart, that maid Alicia.”

“Why leave Jojo when she could keep laying the golden egg?” Julie objected. “He and this Alicia could have a clandestine relationship.”

Anna was shaking her head.

“We know they didn’t do either of those things, girls.”

She looked at Gino, her eyes full of fear. He gave her a slight nod.

“We are dealing with murder, Anna,” he spoke up. “Nothing is off the table.”

Anna dared to voice her wildest theory.

“What if this was the plan all along? Ricky and Alicia get rid of Jojo and live happily ever after.”

Gino pointed out the flaw in the argument.

“It would have been a brilliant plan if Ricky pushed Jojo overboard after the wedding. As things stand, he gets nothing.”

“You mean there’s no motive,” Anna sighed.

Cassie was trying to get a word in.

“I heard the bridesmaids talking among themselves, Mom. This whole getting married on a cruise ship thing was Ricky’s idea. Apparently, he thought it was very romantic. Jojo went along with it. They were going to have a grand society reception later, of course.”

Anna steered her back.

“What’s your point?”

“Ricky must have known Alicia worked on the Empress Cleo. I think they planned this a long time ago. This way, he had an accomplice on the ship that nobody knew about. It was pure genius.”

Anna looked longingly at the last slice of pizza. Almost everyone had their eye on it so they decided to order more.

“What if this Alicia lied about seeing Fred Gold that night?” Julie asked. “It’s more likely that she went into the Empress Suite to help Ricky do the dark deed.”

“I bet she moved the cameras too,” Meg piped up. “She would know how to do that, being an employee.”

“We already know she swapped places with another girl to be on Deck 14 that night,” Cassie added.

Gino held up his hand.

“I’m not saying Alicia is innocent. But she’s not lying about Fred Gold.”

Anna asked him what had happened that morning.

“Bernard and I talked to Fred,” Gino began. “Fred admitted he had a nefarious purpose in going to Jojo’s suite that night.”

Everyone stopped talking.

“Fred wanted to sabotage the wedding.”

Anna let out a gasp. “He didn’t like Ricky. Is it because he’s just a car mechanic?”

“That’s not the only reason, according to Fred,” Gino continued. “Ricky doesn’t have an education but Fred was ready to groom him for a leadership role at Gold Labs. Ricky wasn’t interested. As if that wasn’t enough, he was talking Jojo into abandoning her lifestyle and moving to the small town where he lived. What if it was just a ploy to gain Jojo’s trust? He planned to get rid of her all along with Alicia’s help.”

“Love can be blind,” Julie murmured.

“At least Fred thought so,” Gino smiled grimly. “He believed Jojo just had a big crush on Ricky. She would eventually realize she didn’t love him.”

“So he just wanted to buy some time,” Anna summed up.

Cassie had been frowning while Gino spoke.

“I find this hard to believe. Uncle Fred loved Jojo. He always got her anything she asked for. Did he really try to disrupt the wedding?”

“He did it out of love.” Gino drained his iced tea.

The fresh pizza arrived and they served themselves. Anna waited eagerly while Gino sprinkled cheese and herbs on his slice.

“Fred was looking forward to retirement. He wanted to hand over the reins to Jojo. There has always been a Gold at the helm.”

“He thought getting Ricky out of the picture would fix that?” Anna was curious.

“Fred had a soft spot for Logan,” Gino continued. “He had the right pedigree, education and business background. Fred and Jojo’s father had always assumed he would marry Jojo.”

“He thought Jojo would gravitate toward Logan once Ricky was out of her life,” Cassie prompted.

Gino swallowed a bite and nodded.

“Like I said, he just wanted to buy time. His plan was to disrupt the wedding.”

Anna’s mind was racing ahead, wondering what Fred planned to do. Had he intended to bribe Ricky? She abandoned the thought. He would surely have tried that before embarking on the voyage. Maybe he had proof about Ricky’s relationship with Alicia. Blackmail would be an option.

“Was he planning to hurt Ricky?” Meg voiced the option Anna shuddered to think about.

“Nothing that drastic,” Gino smiled. “Fred was looking for the wedding band.”

Julie had polished off her latest slice. She picked up a menu and began looking at dessert options.

“The suspense is killing me, Gino. Get on with it, will you?”

“There are plenty of jewelry stores on the ship,” Meg pointed out. “Jojo could have bought a new ring at any one of them.”

Anna had been thinking the same.

Gino told them it was all about tradition. The wedding band Jojo was going to place on Ricky’s finger was a family heirloom. Fred was confident Jojo would not get married without it.

“She would’ve thought it was some kind of sign,” Cassie nodded. “Jojo believed in omens. She’s always had a psychic on speed dial.”

“So Fred wanted to play the emotion card.” Anna raised a brow. “It might have worked.”

She didn’t blame Fred Gold. He must have believed he was acting in his child’s best interests.

“Did he see her?” she asked Gino. “Did Fred peep into Jojo’s room?”

Gino shook his head.

“Fred confirmed that Ricky was asleep on the couch. Jojo was nowhere to be seen.”

Anna realized what that meant. Jojo was already gone when Fred Gold went looking for the ring. Hadn’t he wondered where his beloved niece was?

“He blames himself,” Gino gulped. “The man cried like a baby, Anna. He feels he might have saved her if he had raised an alarm that night.”

Anna felt she was running out of suspects. Someone on the ship was going to get away with two murders.

Chapter 24

Anna wanted to clear her head of anything related to the Golds. Meg was dispatched to the atrium to find out what was going on across the ship.

“Look for the most ridiculous thing you ever heard of,” Julie told her.

The Firecrackers rested in their suite, sipping gourmet sparkling water. Meg arrived, looking triumphant. She couldn’t stop grinning.

“What was that?” Anna sputtered.

“Belly Splash contest,” Meg beamed. “We need to hurry. The girl told me it’s very popular and it’s hard to get poolside seats.”

Meg told them there was a good chance they would get wet so they all changed into their bathing suits or bikinis.

Anna hurried along the corridor, surrounded by the girls. The elevators were busy so they took the stairs one deck up. A big crowd of people surrounded the pool.

Cassie clutched Anna’s arm and pointed in the distance. They spotted a fin and wondered if it was a whale. Meg had pushed her way through a group of people and found a spot for them.

“You’re just in time.” A scrawny woman wearing big sunglasses nodded while sipping a frozen drink.

“What’s going to happen?” Julie asked.

The woman laughed and told them they were in for a treat.

“Get ready to be drenched.”

The crowd started cheering as a row of men lined up at one end of the pool. Anna’s hands flew to her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. All the men were huge, veritable giants, with big bellies hanging out.

Meg nudged Anna and whispered in her ear, pointing out a big bear like man. The tiny briefs he wore were barely visible under his protruding stomach.

“This is not some version of the Full Monty, is it?” Cassie was alarmed.

Meg told her to relax.

A whistle blew and the contest began. One of the men ran a few steps and leaped into the air, falling flat on his stomach in the pool. A gigantic wall of water flew in the air and fell on the people standing around the pool.

“Belly Splash!” Anna finally made the connection.

They cheered themselves hoarse for the next hour as a litany of strangers hurled themselves in the pool, hoping to make the biggest splash. It was silly but just what Anna needed to unwind.

Meg wanted to try the high tea which was served in the dining room. They trooped back to their suite to change. Gino joined them for tea.

“We dine at seven sharp,” Anna told everyone. “You brought your tux, didn’t you?” she asked Gino.

Anna spoke to Julie when they went back to their cabin.

“I believe Fred Gold had good intentions. What do you think?”

Julie nodded wholeheartedly.

“Absolutely! We would do the same if Cassie or Meg chose to marry some repulsive upstart.”

“Ricky’s not bad.” Anna picked up her favorite diamond studs and examined herself in the mirror. “It’s not his fault he doesn’t have a trust fund.”

“That’s not the problem though,” Julie pointed out. “He doesn’t have ambition. And that is definitely his fault.”

Anna smoothed her hands down her gown. It was a vintage piece Cassie had picked out in a Hollywood consignment store. Some famous actress had probably worn it on screen.

“You look fabulous!” Julie patted her back. “Gino’s eyes are gonna pop out.”

Anna giggled nervously and told Julie she looked great too.

“So you think everyone should aspire to be rich?” Anna knew Julie wasn’t a snob.

“I didn’t say that, Anna.” Julie hesitated. “But a person should definitely aspire to achieve more than they started out with.”

Anna thought the discussion was getting serious. She told Julie as much. Cassie and Meg hurried into the room to check on them.

“We need to go now, Mom!” Cassie warned.

They exclaimed over each other’s dresses and makeup and set off.

Gino escorted Anna down a set of big curving stairs into a lounge. They enjoyed an aperitif and the waiter showed them to their table. The meal exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“What’s next, Meg?” Anna plunged her spoon into a flourless chocolate cake topped with berries.

“Karaoke!” Meg announced gleefully.

They had a grand time and Anna and Gino won a prize for the best duet. It was a voucher for a couples’ massage at the spa.

Everyone split up after that. Cassie and Meg wanted to check out the dance club. Julie went back to the suite to write.

“Does she ever take a complete break?” Gino wondered.

“She thought of a twist in her story and wanted to capture it before she forgets.”

They went to the deck that had their special café. Moonlight shimmered over the water and the sea was calm as glass. The breeze blowing in was cool but gentle. Anna didn’t need a wrap when she had Gino’s arms to snuggle into.

“Fred Gold loved his niece. He may be a bit cutthroat when it comes to his business. But he wouldn’t be a billionaire if he wasn’t like that.”

Gino had come across hundreds of hard core criminals in his long career as a police chief. Anna trusted his instincts.

“If Jojo’s uncle is innocent, that leaves Ricky.”

Gino was quiet as they strolled toward the front of the ship.

“Could Fred be right?” he mused out loud. “Did Logan do it in a fit of anger? He felt so guilty later that he took his own life.”

“The star struck lovers.” Jojo’s happy face swam before Anna’s eyes. She had been excited about the wedding. But had she really loved Ricky? Or did she love Logan more? Had it been some kind of lovers’ tiff between the childhood sweethearts?

“What if this whole wedding was a sham, Gino? Maybe Jojo was trying to shock Logan into stepping up.”

“Her plan backfired in the most horrible way.”

They came across a set of chairs and Anna sat down. Taking some time away from the problem had worked well for her. She was feeling charged and ready to tackle the puzzle once again.

“Can we talk about that night again? Jojo went into the Empress Suite with Ricky and Millicent. They had a drink or two. Then Ricky and Jojo fell asleep and Millicent left the room.”

“Fred Gold went in some time after that,” Gino continued.

“But Jojo wasn’t there at the time.” Anna’s eyes filled up. “So Ricky must have thrown her over the balcony some time after Millicent left and before Fred came in.”

“Don’t forget Fred confirms that Ricky was asleep on the couch when he entered the suite. You think that boy killed the woman he supposedly loved and fell asleep? Is he that cold blooded?”

Anna tried to remember her last conversation with Ricky. The grief in his eyes had been palpable. But that didn’t mean he was innocent.

“What about Logan?” Anna looked over the dark water. Jojo had died on a night like this. “He could have entered the suite through the connecting door looking for Jojo.”

Anna felt a sudden rage against Ricky. How could he have slept through it all? He had failed to protect the woman he loved, only because he had overindulged.

She had secretly felt Logan was a better choice for Jojo. A part of her wanted to believe that Logan had made a last ditch effort to stop Jojo from marrying Ricky. She wanted to believe their argument had got out of hand and Jojo’s fall had been an accident. She really wasn’t ready to believe Logan had done it deliberately.

Gino stood up and took her hand. They set a gentle pace and reached the bow of the ship. For the umpteenth time, Anna wished it had all been a nightmare.

“What about that girl Millicent?” Gino asked softly. “A good investigator should consider every person is guilty unless proven innocent, Anna.”

“She has some kind of management position at Gold Labs. Jojo’s father doted on her, it seems. She was his protégé.”

“I know who she is. How do we know she’s not lying?”

“Say what now?” Anna was bewildered. “What about the wedding coordinator then, Gino? Or the bridesmaids? We haven’t considered them either.”

Gino was kind enough to let her work it out for herself.

“They were not on the spot,” Anna murmured.

She let out an exclamation.

“How could I have overlooked it? Millicent was right there with Jojo and Ricky. She might have hurt Jojo and slipped out. We know Ricky was passed out on the couch, oblivious to everything.”

Gino took her arm and they started walking down the deck towards the aft portion of the ship.

“She had the opportunity, Anna. But did she have a motive?”

Anna wondered why Millicent might have wanted to hurt a sweet child like Jojo, someone she claimed was like a younger sister. According to Cassie, Milli had always been protective of Jojo.

Chapter 25

The morning sun streamed through the glass doors, waking Anna. She sat up in bed and yawned, marveling at the sparkling blue ocean outside. Although she couldn’t wait to get home, she was going to miss this view.

Julie was fast asleep. Anna ordered coffee for everyone and went into the other bedroom. She shook the girls awake.

“Today’s our last day on the ship!” Meg sat up in bed. “There’s so much to do, Mom. We still haven’t gone bowling.”

The cabin steward brought fresh baked cookies and chocolate covered strawberries with their coffee. Anna thanked him for taking care of them.

She handed over the order form for breakfast.

“I thought we might eat at the buffet today,” she told the girls. “I just ordered a few pastries and fruit to tide us over until then.”

Julie was rubbing her eyes, not looking too pleased.

“Why are you so chipper this early, Anna? Did Gino pop the question last night?”

Anna told them about the previous night. Gino had dropped her off after their midnight stroll, urging her to get a good night’s sleep.

“So is it back to sleuthing after breakfast?” Julie popped a strawberry in her mouth. “You don’t have a lot of time.”

Cassie had news for them.

“We ran into that coordinator woman at the dance club. She’s planning something big for today, just for the wedding party.”

“It was Jojo’s idea,” Meg chimed in. “She wanted everyone to have a blast on the last day of the cruise.”

They snacked on the pastries and sat out on the balcony, soaking in the morning sun. When the steward dropped off a special invite an hour later, they were showered and dressed and ready to go.

“We have been summoned to the top deck.” Cassie waved the engraved invitation in the air. “Breakfast will be served while we learn about the day’s agenda.”

Mimosas awaited them at the top deck, with Eggs Florentine, crab omelets and pancakes made to order. There was the usual tower of fresh tropical fruit with an array of dipping sauces. Anna filled a plate with mangoes, pineapple and papaya and put in an order for the eggs.

The wedding coordinator was trying to get their attention.

“This is your last day on the Empress Cleopatra. I hope you are excited.”

There was barely any applause. Most people were busy loading their plates at the buffet. The woman went on undeterred.

“We have planned a scavenger hunt! It’s a photo based game, so make sure your phones are charged and your cameras ready.”

Meg pumped a fist in the air. “Yay!”

A couple of bridesmaids looked enthusiastic.

“This is a great way to explore the ship,” the wedding coordinator continued. “If you haven’t already. The Empress Cleopatra has a lot to offer.”

“Sales pitch.” A man muttered while buttering his toast.

Anna fought back a smile and tried to pay attention to the woman.

“There’s a prize, of course. The grand winner gets a 7 day Alaskan cruise for two.”

The crowd cheered this time. The woman outlined some rules and told them they would get their tasks in an hour, after everyone was done with breakfast.

Gino arrived a few minutes later. Anna gave him a questioning look. He had promised to talk to the security chief that morning.

“Nothing has changed,” he told her quietly.

“You’ll join us, won’t you Anna?” Meg’s eyes shone with hope.

Anna couldn’t say no. There was a mass exodus as everyone received a copy of their tasks. Cassie and Meg poured over it eagerly.

“I’m a pro at these, Meg,” Cassie assured her. “People think they have to start at the top but that’s not true. We can do them in any order. In fact, let’s take this selfie against the wake right now.”

Anna let herself be ushered to the aft end of the ship. Cassie and Meg took many pictures, making sure the frothy wake was visible in all of them.

Cassie made them pose against the side of the ship next, with the ocean in the background.

“That’s two tasks down,” she chortled. “Let’s head to the atrium.”

A woman came out of one of the suites while they waited for the elevators. It was Martha, Fred’s secretary.

“Aren’t you taking part in the hunt?” Cassie asked her.

Martha nodded excitedly.

“I have to run some errands for the boss first but it doesn’t matter. We have all day.”

“Fred’s a workaholic.” Cassie rolled her eyes. “Wasn’t he ready to retire?”

Anna wanted to know how he was handling his grief.

Martha was eager to share her observations.

“He misses Jojo. Fred never married or had kids but he cared a lot for her. Jojo was his pride and joy.” Her eyes watered and Anna saw her blink back a few tears. “But I also sense relief.”

“Relief?” Anna couldn’t hold herself back.

“Jojo was a party girl. Some people didn’t think she would be good for Gold Labs.”

Anna remembered Fred had mentioned he wanted to spend his days fishing at his cabin. Had he been lying to them?

“Fred told us he was proud of her,” Gino spoke up. “He was ready to let her lead the company.”

Martha told them Fred didn’t have a choice. Jojo owned the majority shares in the company. According to her father’s will, she had to be made CEO within two years of his death. Fred had managed to put it off as long as he could.

“So he thought she was a bimbo who would run the business into the ground,” Cassie cut in.

“Jojo knew this day was coming,” Martha shrugged. “The two years were a buffer for her to learn the ropes but she didn’t straighten her act. Ricky was good for her but he doesn’t have a business background.”

“So Fred chose money over his niece,” Julie noted grimly. “He sure had me fooled.”

Martha stayed loyal to her boss.

“Not just money. Thousands of people depend on Gold Labs for their livelihood. One false move can disrupt several families. Jojo wasn’t ready to take on that kind of responsibility.”

The elevator arrived and they piled in. Martha took a quick picture of herself in the atrium and headed toward the climbing wall.

“Wait a minute, Martha.” Anna placed a hand on her arm. “Who handles the day to day operations at Gold Labs now?”

“Millicent, of course,” Martha replied hurriedly. “She’s been running the company since Jojo’s father passed, just without a formal title. Fred will make her CEO now.”

Anna stared at Martha’s back as the older woman hurried to tackle her next task.

“Did you hear that?” she asked Gino.

“That’s three tasks down and twelve more to go.” Meg’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Shall we go to the pool next, Anna?”

Cassie had been chatting to the girl at guest relations. She came back smiling.

“I just got the best tip. There’s a swimming pool for the staff two decks down. I vote we go there now.”

There was a line of people at the elevators, waiting to go up. Most of them were from the wedding party and everyone was waiting to go up to Deck 13.

“What’d I tell you?” Cassie crowed. “It helps to be friendly with everyone.”

Anna looked at Gino and rolled her eyes. Cassie was very competitive and she had pulled Meg into her vortex. She wondered if the scavenger hunt had a task for resting their feet or taking a nap.

Meg rushed forward when they stepped out on the lower deck. The smell of chlorinated water drew them to the pool.

Anna’s eyes widened as she took in the throng of people huddled around something. Did they also have belly splash contests for the crew?

Most of the people were dressed in some kind of uniform. They bowed and greeted Anna, following the famous 10-5 hospitality rule. The crowd parted for them, revealing a most unexpected sight.

Ricky stood with his head down opposite the maid Alicia. Suddenly, Alicia’s hand flew out and she gave Ricky a resounding slap. Then she burst into tears and fled from the scene.

Anna stared at the poor groom in dismay. The welts on his cheek were turning darker by the second. What had he done to make Alicia resort to violence?

Chapter 26

Cassie pulled Meg toward the theater. A sign told them that it was closed to passengers since rehearsals were going on inside.

They had just finished lunch and taken care of two tasks at the same time, a photo at their favorite restaurant on the ship and a photo of a fruit carving. The Asian specialty place had surpassed their expectations with a big sushi buffet and hibachi grill. Anna had pleaded a headache and decided to take a nap for a while. Julie wanted to attend another history lecture in the library. Gino hadn’t said much and Cassie just assumed he wouldn’t tag along with her and Meg.

Anna had promised she would meet them at the spa a couple of hours later. It was their last chance to get pampered and Cassie had booked hot stone massages for all of them. The ship’s spa also offered an immersive ice bath, something she swore by.

“This is closed, Mom.” Meg’s face fell. “We wasted a trip here. We should have gone back to the suite with Anna to get a picture with our cabin steward.”

Cassie told her to be patient.

She pushed the door lightly and crept in. The theater was pitch dark, except for a spotlight on the stage. A troop was rehearsing some dance moves and a choreographer took them through the steps.

A man sat in the front row, observing them and taking notes.

“That must be the director,” Cassie whispered.

Some men and women dressed in costumes were sprinkled across the seats in groups, busy chatting among themselves.

Cassie and Meg sat in a row and watched the drama unfolding on the stage.

The group of girls seated before them suddenly grew animated. Cassie thought she heard them mention Ricky. Meg must have heard the same because she hunched down in her chair and leaned forward.

Cassie realized the girls were discussing the big row they had witnessed by the swimming pool. One of them, a girl called Cho, was Alicia’s roommate and was staunchly supporting her.

“Ricky’s so wholesome,” one of the girls gushed. “One look at those baby blue eyes and I was in love. How did Alicia ever let him go?”

Another girl observed they had all made tough decisions to feed their families.

There was a murmur of agreement among the group.

Alicia’s roommate reminded them it was all ancient history. Ricky and Alicia had met that summer and he had made big promises to her. Now he was reneging on that promise. No wonder Alicia was angry. Any girl in her position would have lashed out. Ricky deserved that slap.

“This is better than the scavenger hunt, Mom,” Meg spoke in Cassie’s ear.

Cassie’s mind was whirling as she tried to make sense of Cho’s words. Why was Ricky making promises to Alicia in the summer? That was when he started his relationship with Jojo. Ricky must have been two timing her. If Ricky and Alicia were complicit in something, how had he duped her?

Cassie felt Meg jab an elbow in her side. Meg was jerking her neck toward the girls, her eyes frantic. Cassie realized she had missed something important.

Cho was talking about marriage. Ricky had promised Alicia he would marry her. Cassie didn’t know if he was going to leave Jojo at the altar or go through the whole wedding and then divorce her and get a big settlement. Her mind wandered again and she barely heard what Cho said next.

“Ricky did exactly what Alicia was afraid of. He married that rich girl.”

Meg squeezed Cassie’s hand tight, making sure she had heard. Cassie was ahead of her.

“Excuse me,” Cassie cleared her throat. “I couldn’t help hearing. Are you saying Ricky and Jojo got married? But that’s impossible.”

The talkative group appeared to be tongue tied. The girl called Cho looked taken aback. Cassie noted the fear in her eyes and tried to reassure her.

“You’re not in trouble, don’t worry. But Jojo was my friend. I’m trying to find out what happened to her.”

One of the girls was staring at them, her mouth open.

“Are you Cassie Butler?” she asked in a hushed voice. “I’m like your biggest fan.”

Cassie smiled and thanked her, hoping to get the truth from Cho. But a few people in the rows had heard the girl exclaim. Heads started turning one by one. The rehearsals stopped and the theater was suddenly flooded with light. Cassie found herself in the midst of a small crowd.

They wanted selfies with her, the modern equivalent of the autograph. Cassie obliged them patiently. Meg reminded her why they had come to the theater.

“Can you let my daughter take a picture with the cast?” She fluttered her eyes at the director. “It’s for a scavenger hunt.”

The cast was more than happy to do it. Meg clambered up the stage with them and posed for several photos. Many of them asked Cassie when she was coming back to the screen full time.

Cho was making her way to an exit when Cassie hailed her.

“Please, stop. We need to talk.”

“My shift starts in twenty minutes. I need to be at the gift shop before that.” She had just been hanging out with her friends.

“I won’t keep you,” Cassie promised her. “What were you saying about Ricky and Jojo already being married? Is that true?”

Cho’s eyes darted to the door.

“Look, I’m not sure if I should tell you this. Alicia won’t like it.”

Cassie pointed out the cat was already out of the bag. She just wanted details.

“Two innocent people are dead, Cho. You might help us catch the culprit.”

“Alicia got herself assigned to the wedding party, just to keep an eye on Ricky. She was cleaning his room when she came across a marriage certificate.”

Cassie thanked her and looked around for Meg. They needed to find Anna at the earliest and tell her about this latest development.

Meg couldn’t hide her shock when Cassie caught her up on the way to the spa.

“So the wedding was just for show? I don’t care how this looks, Mom. But I believe in Ricky.”

Cassie thought her daughter was young and gullible. They could not ignore hard evidence.

Anna hadn’t arrived at the spa and Cassie was feeling overwhelmed.

“This is the topmost rated spa on the seas, Meg. We’re not going to miss this.”

She surrendered to the excellent masseuse and felt her muscles melt when the hot volcanic stones were placed on points along her spine. A stint in a sauna was next, followed by an immersion in a tub of ice. Cassie felt like a new person by the time she dressed and came out. She hadn’t thought of Jojo for the first time in days.

Meg was waiting in the reception area with Anna.

“Mom!” Cassie enveloped her mother in a hug. “I hope you didn’t miss that massage.”

Anna assured her she hadn’t missed her appointment.

There was a smoothie café right outside the spa. Cassie ordered fruity drinks for all of them, making sure Anna got one with mangoes.

“Did Meg tell you?” Cassie leaned forward, her eyes shining with excitement.

Anna listened calmly as Cassie told her about her talk with Cho.

“We thought Ricky was innocent because he didn’t have anything to gain. But this changes everything, Mom.”

“As Jojo’s husband, he stands to inherit a big fortune,” Anna mused. “You think he did this for money then?”

“Money is generally the root of all evil, Mom.” Cassie felt miserable. Ricky’s duplicity was sinking in. Jojo would gladly have set him up for life. A few million meant nothing to her. “Ricky may have been happy in his life before. But I bet all the wealth turned him.”

“I don’t believe it.” Meg was vehement. “Ricky’s eyes tell the truth. He loved Jojo and he’s grieving for her.”

Cassie patted her daughter on the back, reluctant to oppose her. She had been young once and had believed in the eternal quality of love. After three failed marriages, she wasn’t so sure.

“How’s the scavenger hunt going?” Anna asked.

“Mom!” Cassie cried. “Ricky finally has motive. He was right there in that suite with her. Aren’t you going to turn him over to that security guy?”

Anna told her it would all happen in good time. Ricky wasn’t going anywhere. Until then, she intended to enjoy their last day on the ship.

Chapter 27

Anna took a deep breath and nodded.

“Let’s do this, girls.”

The evening had passed quickly. She insisted Meg and Cassie finish the tasks for the scavenger hunt. Cho looked apprehensive when they entered the gift shop. Cassie assured her they just needed some pictures. Now they were dressed for a special dinner on Deck 14.

There was a knock on their door announcing Gino’s arrival.

“Are they all coming?” Anna asked as she took his arm.

Gino told her Chief Bernard was making sure of that.

The wedding coordinator had pulled out all stops, unaware of the drama that was about to unfold. A server offered them champagne as soon as they stepped off the elevator. There was a big seafood tower with fat Mazatlan shrimp, crab legs and lobster with a big urn of melted butter and a variety of dips.

Fred Gold sat at a large round table, flanked by Ricky and Millicent. His secretary Martha sat a few seats away. Alicia Todd sat next to her, clutching her champagne flute, looking around nervously. Anna almost didn’t recognize her. Chief Bernard sat in a chair a few feet away, keeping a keen eye on everyone. Half a dozen men wearing the security uniform stood along the deck, discreetly guarding the exits.

Anna accepted a canapé from a server and gave a silent nod. Cassie saw her and stood up, tapping her glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.

“Jojo wanted me to give a toast at her wedding,” she began. “Unfortunately, I’m here to carry out an unpleasant task.”

Anna watched an array of expressions flit across the faces of the assembled company.

“Jojo didn’t take her own life,” Cassie continued. “Someone killed her for money. Someone who is right here at this table.”

Cassie pointed a finger at Ricky.

“Jojo loved you so much. We all thought you were good for her. Why did you do this?”

Ricky fidgeted with his collar and looked uncomfortable. He told Cassie she was mistaken.

“Do you deny that you and Jojo got married before you boarded the ship?”

Ricky’s face grew ashen.

“We found out the wedding on this ship isn’t legally binding and we wanted to get married on American soil, just to avoid any future complications. So Jojo had this idea. We got a license a few days before this trip.”

Cassie was jubilant.

“This gives you a strong motive. Your whole Captain America image was a sham. Your plan was to take Jojo’s money and marry your old girlfriend.”

“I don’t have any money.” Ricky told them about the prenup he had signed. “According to that, I don’t get a cent of the Gold fortune.”

Anna saw Cassie’s eyes widen in shock. She hated to steal the limelight from her daughter. But Gino and the security chief had discussed the best way to trap the real killer. They had both convinced Anna to let things unfold in a certain order.

“I’m sorry you had to go through this, Ricky.” Anna stood up and walked around the table. “I believe you.”

“But Mom …” Cassie’s mouth hung open.

Anna put her hands on Cassie’s shoulders and stared at the young woman opposite her.

“Ricky’s innocent because I know who killed Jojo. Are you going to say something now, Millicent?”

Milli started to get up. One of the security guys had moved to stand behind her chair.

“I’m not sure about one thing. Was it all you, or did Fred here lend a helping hand?”

Millicent folded her arms and stared at Anna defiantly. She hadn’t said a word.

“Martha mentioned how Fred would probably hand over the business to you, now that Jojo is gone. I could never forget that you were right there in the Empress Suite that night. So I decided to make sure you didn’t have a motive.”

Anna told them she had talked to some of the bridesmaids and a few members of the staff, people who were part of the wedding party. They all agreed that Jojo and Millicent were like oil and water. Millicent thought Jojo was a spoilt brat who had never done an honest day’s work in her life. Jojo barely noticed her.

Jojo started coming to the office six months ago to learn the ropes. They had been at loggerheads since day one. Millicent tried hard to sabotage her. She firmly believed the company wouldn’t survive with Jojo at the helm.

“But you were going to be President!” Fred Gold exclaimed. “I was going to announce it at Jojo’s wedding reception.”

“Millicent didn’t know that,” Anna pointed out. “And knowing her, it’s probably not good enough.”

Millicent’s face was set in a smirk.

“President’s just a courtesy title, Fred. You and I both know it. The CEO is the one the world bows to.”

“Jojo always looked up to you, Milli.” Cassie was looking horrified. “You pushed her just to become CEO?”

Millicent sipped her champagne calmly and gave a tiny shrug.

“Your mother’s senile, Cassie. It’s obvious she’s losing her mind.” She gave Anna a mock toast and took another sip. “It’s not like you have any proof.”

The elevator doors opened and a bearded man in a white coat joined them, holding a little plastic bag.

“You’re just in time, Dr. Santos.” Anna smiled encouragingly. “Why don’t you show everyone what you brought?”

The doctor held up the transparent bag containing a strip of shiny green material. He told them he had found it between Jojo’s fingers.

Anna told them what she had been up to that afternoon. She had convinced the security chief to take a second look at Jojo’s body. He and the doctor had performed a thorough examination while Anna waited outside with Gino. Luck had been on their side. They found the tiny scrap of material in Jojo’s hands. Anna had been sure Jojo had worn something else that night but they had gone through her effects one more time, just to make sure.

“Millicent always said that Jojo was alive when she left the Empress Suite that night,” Anna explained to the attentive crowd. “But there was no one who could confirm that. Ricky was already passed out.”

“I know the dress that comes from.” Cassie got a word in. “Jojo lent it to Milli for the bachelorette party. It was one of her favorite couture pieces but Jojo was like that, generous to a fault.”

Millicent had spilled something on her dress at the rehearsal. Jojo insisted she change before they went to the dance club.

Anna thanked Cassie for clearing that up. She had found the dress hanging in Millicent’s closet with the tear clearly visible.

“Why don’t you get it off your chest, dear?” Anna looked at Millicent. “Was it all for the sake of a job? If you are that smart, surely someone would have hired you as CEO?”

“It wasn’t just any job!” Millicent slammed a fist on the table. “And being smart isn’t enough!”

Anna waited for her to continue. Gino had told her a good lawyer could make the scrap of cloth thrown out as evidence. It was always better to have a voluntary confession in front of witnesses.

“I devoted my life to Gold Labs,” Millicent seethed. “Ever since I started working there as a teenager, I dreamed of being CEO. And Mr. Gold encouraged me. He told me he was grooming me for the top spot.”

“My brother was proud of you, Milli,” Fred told her sadly. “The whole world knew you were his protégé. Who knows what he would have done when the time came to appoint his successor?”

“He shouldn’t have died,” Millicent shot back. “That upset everything!”

She whirled around to face Ricky.

“And you! You gave that party girl a conscience. She suddenly started thinking about the people who worked at the company. Thought she could sit in her penthouse office and make a difference.”

“How long were you planning this?” Ricky’s eyes were red. “Were you thinking of killing my Jojo when you promised to be her maid of honor?”

“She couldn’t even give me that!” Millicent wailed. “She had to choose some washed up Hollywood starlet who taught her how to drink.”

“Hey!” Meg sprang up. “That’s my mom you’re talking about.”

Anna pulled her down and placed a warning hand over her knee.

“This trip was my idea.” Millicent sounded proud. “I had seven days to convince Jojo she didn’t have to be a working girl. She could wear an apron and bake pies for her hubby in her Bel Air mansion.”

“And what if she refused?” Cassie voiced the question every person at the table wanted to ask.

Millicent waved a hand around her.

“Well, if she didn’t, it’s easy to get lost at sea.”

“But your plan backfired.” Anna stared into her eyes. “Had you decided you were going to do it on the night of the rehearsal?”

“I knew Jojo had to go.” Millicent’s eyes gleamed. “First I was going to let her have her last wish, marry this deadbeat and have a honeymoon. But he was a wildcard. Where would I be if he decided he wanted to run the company?”

“The shots were your idea,” Cassie accused. “You planned to get her drunk.”

Millicent laughed.

“It wasn’t that hard. Jojo never met a bottle she didn’t like. I hadn’t counted on this bozo accompanying us to the Empress Suite though.”

Millicent told them she had plied the couple with more drinks once they entered the suite. Ricky had obliged her by passing out on the couch. She took Jojo out on the balcony to watch the moon.

“How did you haul her over?” Gino spoke up. “Did you practise that too?”

Anna had been trying hard to sound aloof. She almost lost control when she heard Millicent’s response.

“When Jojo was in middle school, she and I went to watch Titanic. She was crazy about that movie.”

“Kate and Leo in the famous Titanic pose,” Cassie murmured.

Millicent laughed harshly.

“I told her she and Ricky would look great doing it. It would make a nice addition to the wedding album.”

“But Ricky was asleep inside,” Meg countered.

Millicent promised Jojo she would go inside to fetch Ricky. Then she convinced her to get up on the railing.

“One of her shoes must’ve slipped while she climbed up.” Millicent let out a growl. “She spread her arms out wide, just like in the movie, thinking Ricky was there to hold her.”

“But he wasn’t!” Meg stared at her in dismay.

“The princess was too drunk to notice.” Millicent’s eyes were hard and her face was set in a sneer. “I gave her a push and made sure she was flying.”

Anna realized Jojo’s survival instincts must have kicked in. She had grabbed Millicent’s arm and tried to hold on to it, only latching on to a piece of cloth.

Millicent seethed with anger as she explained her plan. She had assumed Jojo would go overboard and fall in the water. By the time she was discovered missing, the ship would be miles away. But luck hadn’t been on her side.

Anna shivered as she realized the magnitude of what they had just heard. Her hands shook and she hid them under the table. Julie placed a wrap around her shoulders.

“Logan suspected you, didn’t he?” Anna forced herself to continue.

“He was as drunk as Jojo,” Millicent rolled her eyes. “But he must have heard me leave. Unfortunately, his memory started coming back. It was very inconvenient.”

Millicent casually told them how she had taken advantage of Logan’s history of drug abuse. She wasn’t taking any chances.

Chief Bernard gave a silent signal, directing his men to lead Millicent out.

“She’ll be in the brig until we disembark,” he told Fred Gold. “We’ll turn her over to the local authorities.”

Tears had welled up in the older man’s eyes. Cassie went around and hugged him.

“I had no idea, believe me.” He looked pleadingly into Anna’s eyes. “We treated Millicent like family.”

Anna wondered if Jojo had a moment of clarity in the last few seconds of her life. Had she managed to kick off her shoe so she could leave a trail of breadcrumbs? After all, it had been the clue that led Anna to her killer.

Epilogue

Anna woke at dawn and went out on the veranda, hoping to catch her last sunrise at sea. She was in for a disappointment.

A thin ribbon of red streaked the horizon, the only spot of color in a dark sky. Heavy black clouds hung overhead. Whitecaps rolled on the surface and the choppy water made the ship roll and pitch. Anna clutched the railing, feeling a wave of nausea for the first time since they had docked in Cabo.

It was their last day on the Empress Cleo. Anna couldn’t get home to Dolphin Bay fast enough. Her only solace was she had figured out what happened to Jojo.

She barely heard Cassie come out and join her.

“It’s not fair, Mom.”

Her eyes glistened with tears.

Anna placed an arm around her daughter and pulled her close.

Cassie had suggested having a memorial for Jojo and Logan before they disembarked. Fred Gold agreed readily. The wedding coordinator had promised to organize everything.

There was a knock on the door and their cabin steward arrived with coffee. Meg and Julie were up and their faces reflected the somber mood everyone was in.

An hour later, they were showered and dressed, heading to Deck 14.

Fred Gold greeted them outside the elevators, looking drawn. Ricky stood with him, eyes bloodshot, trying hard to maintain his composure.

“Thank you for coming, ladies.” Fred put on a brave face.

Ricky put his arms around Anna and hugged her tightly. Anna patted his back. No words were necessary.

Many people from the wedding party were present, along with some of the ship’s staff. Anna spotted the captain near the aft railing, flanked by his first officer and Chief Bernard.

Rows of chairs had been arranged on the deck and the catering staff was setting up a buffet. Brunch would be served after the service, just before the ship reached the California shore. There was a profusion of flower arrangements and the mild fragrance of roses hung in the air. Everything was lavish but subdued.

Anna spotted Gino in the last row and walked toward him. The whole place had a surreal feel, reminiscent of the wedding day. She almost expected Jojo to stride out of the Empress Suite, dressed in her Vera Wang gown and the Butler pearls. Anna rubbed the strand around her neck and swallowed a lump.

The ceremony was brief but beautiful. The wedding coordinator had strung together a slide show of Jojo’s pictures taken across the ship. She had looked so happy at the rehearsal dinner.

Fred gave a short speech, tears streaming down his face. Ricky sat in the front row, weeping openly. Cassie shared her memories, harking back on the times when she and Jojo had been teenagers, famously painting the town red. She broke down a couple of times but said her piece, blowing her nose in a tissue.

“You made her very happy, Ricky. And I can’t thank you enough for that.”

Toasts were made and the guests finally began to venture toward the food. A display of Anna’s mango chili cupcakes held center stage. It was a special recipe Anna had created for Jojo and Ricky in the ship’s kitchen and had been served at the rehearsal dinner. Jojo had loved them and had three.

The catering staff had offered to make them for the memorial. Anna thought it was a touching gesture.

She sat at a table with Gino and the girls, barely touching the migas she had developed a taste for. The chef brought over a bowl of mango salsa and a pitcher of fresh mango juice just for her.

“Life’s a puzzle, isn’t it?” She let Gino take her hand. “Two weeks ago we didn’t even know Jojo. And now I can’t imagine a world without her.”

Julie held up her mimosa and murmured. “May she rest in peace.”

The coast was faintly visible in the distance and it was a matter of hours before the ship docked.

“She was going to visit us in Dolphin Bay,” Anna sighed.

Fred Gold came over and thanked them all profusely. He was suddenly beginning to look his age.

Meg got up to put in an order for pancakes and came back with Drake Benson in tow. Anna tried to hide a frown.

“Drake wants to ask you something, Grandma.”

He wished to visit Meg in Dolphin Bay and take her out to dinner.

“You don’t need my permission.” Anna shrugged.

Meg sat down and gave him a nod. Drake Benson thanked Anna and walked away.

“That was cold!” Julie stared at Anna. “Clearly, you don’t like him.”

“He thinks John was a fool.”

“Drake never said that, Grandma!” Meg sprang up. “You misunderstood.”

“According to him, the Blue Hill project was a wild goose chase. A waste of time and money.”

“The department cut John’s funding,” Julie reminded her. “So there were plenty of people who agreed with Drake.”

“I have an intuition about this, Julie. John died because he stumbled on something at Blue Hill.” Anna struggled to explain what she was feeling. “Don’t you see? If John’s death is not connected to Blue Hill, we’re back to square one.”

***

What’s next for Anna, Cassie and Meg?

When a champion cyclist plunges to his death on the outskirts of Dolphin Bay, Meg is the top suspect.

Continue reading the Dolphin Bay series with Strawberry Vanilla Peril, Book 7 in the series.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XY368ZP

***

Thank you for reading this book. Please visit my website for Anna’s favorite mango salsa recipe, a reader exclusive.

http://leenaclover.com/mango-salsa-recipe/

***

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Acknowledgements

A big thank you to all my readers who have patiently waited for this book’s release. The past few weeks were harrowing to say the least as my entire family battled against the COVID-19 virus.

I am happy to finally bring you the latest in the Dolphin Bay series.  

Thanks to my tireless editor, beta readers, advanced readers and anyone who gives my books a chance.

I am eternally grateful for my friends and well wishers who sent in prayers, good vibes and encouragement during our trial by fire. Your support means a lot and is highly appreciated.

Special thanks to readers who share how my books helped them get through a difficult time in their lives. These messages provided big motivation when the future looked uncertain.

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