Page 40 of Love Overboard
“Today, I hope. Tomorrow at the latest. The computer can generate the names quickly, but I asked a friend at corporate to organize them in specific groups. It depends on how long it takes him.”
“What kind of groups?”
“Various factors. Age. If they’re traveling with children. Do they have a criminal history? We’ll focus on the most logical suspects first and then work our way through the list. In the meantime, we monitor everybody as best we can.”
Collins made no effort to move. The so-called professional appeared to be more concerned with his tan than catching the criminals.
Jon ground his teeth. “Why don’t you station yourself by the gangplank and keep an eye on people returning to the boat? Take note of anyone with a suspicious amount of luggage or shopping bags.”
“Couldn’t hurt.” Collins checked his watch and stood. “But first, I’m gonna hit the head. Who knows when I’ll get a chance if I start tailing someone.”
The detective took the long way to the restroom—which included a complete circle around the volleyball bunnies. Jon rubbed his left temple. No time for a headache. He needed to make a circuit of the downtown shops. If any passengers were involved in the smuggling, they wouldn’t travel far to make a pickup. But once Jon returned, he’d make an urgent call to corporate. When the MSBuckinghampulled into home port, he wanted a replacement for Collins. Fast.
“I wish I were you.” Abby’s upper half hung over the top bunk as Lacey prepared for her night out with Ricardo. “I haven’t been on a date since I can’t remember when.”
“Why not?” Lacey buckled a pair of strappy stilettos on her feet. “I bet plenty of guys would jump at the chance.”
“Who has the energy for romance after taking care of a hundred kids all day?” Abby flopped on her mattress and moaned. “Why did I think being a childcare worker on a cruise ship was a great way to use my teaching degree?”
“Why did you?” Lacey applied one more spritz of hair spray to the silky French twist at the back of her head.
“I planned to spend my free time dating handsome crew members, like you’re doing.” Abby thumped her alarm clock with a forefinger and yelped. “Oops! I was supposed to be at a water balloon fight five minutes ago.” She scrambled down the ladder and raced to the door. “Have enough fun for both of us.”
Lacey blew a kiss at her exiting roomie and spun in front of the mirror. Her cranberry vintage-style pantsuit skimmed her curves in all the right places. It reminded her of a costume from an old black-and-white movie. She felt glamorous and mysterious, so unlike her normal, starchy self.
Lacey reached for her lip gloss but paused. She stared at the Cherry Surprise and then her reflection. A soft pink tinge infused her cheeks. She placed the tube in her bag and pulled out a vibrant red lipstick instead. It’d been two and a half years since her last date. Two years and seven months, to be exact. Might as well make the most of it.
She finished primping and checked the clock on her dresser. Time to go. Lacey hurried to their meeting spot as fast as her high heels allowed. The gangplank was empty as most of the passengers had disembarked hours earlier. She walked down the metal ramp, leaning forward on her toes to keep her stilettos from catching in the grated floor. Ricardo stood on the pier, hiding something behind him. He wore white slacks and a black silk shirt. His thick curly hair gleamed in the sunlight. The perfect picture of an exotic Latin suitor.
Lacey tottered as she hit the pavement. “Sorry I’m late.”
“It was worth the wait.” Ricardo scoped her out from head to heels. He presented a bouquet from behind his back with a flourish.
Lacey’s smile faltered at the dozen white roses. Not exactly unique. Or colorful. But what kind of wretch was she to be disappointed? Most women would faint dead away over the beautiful flowers.
“Thank you very much.” She took them and held the roses in front of her bridal-style. Was there a less conspicuous way to carry them? Lacey tried laying them in the crook of her arm. More awkward.
“I’ll go put them in my cabin.”
“No, no. I made reservations. We should leave.” Ricardo placed a hand at her waist and urged her down the pier. “You will love this restaurant. The owner is a friend of mine.”
Lacey wobbled like a baby deer taking its first steps as she tried to keep up in her sky-high stilettos. Ricardo held out his arm, and she grabbed the offered lifeline. New memories were waiting to be made.
Four pairs of eyes pointed at the departing couple. The Shippers lined the deck railing, watching the date unfold. Emily observed each interaction with her binoculars, and Gerry took notes in the binder. When the couple was out of sight, the women turned and sat at a shaded table.
“I didn’t see that coming,” said Althea. She dug around in her fanny pack and unwrapped atortue. Her granddaughter bought the special candies in the French Quarter and mailed them to her at regular intervals. Althea bit into the creamy mix of chocolate, caramel, and pecans and talked around the gooey mess. “We should’ve stuck with Ricardo in the first place. It’s obvious Lacey prefers him.”
“Do we change our target again?” Daisy asked.
“Perhaps.” Emily drummed her fingers against the tabletop, running the options in her mind. “Gerry, read me the information we gathered on Ricardo.”
Gerry flipped through the binder and scanned the page. “Ricardo Montoya. Twenty-six years old. Born in Juárez, Mexico. Youngest in the family, with four older sisters. Graduated culinary school three years ago and—”
“Please stop,” Emily moaned. “Dry and boring, like his relationship with Lacey would be. No sparks. We vetted Ricardo before Jon came. He seemed a good choice at the time, but now …” Her fingers restarted their beat. “Something feels off. We should follow them. They were on foot. If we grab a bicycle taxi, we can catch up.”
“Why don’t we take the path of least resistance?” Daisy asked. “Lacey likes Ricardo. Ricardo likes Lacey. Easy.”
Emily slammed her fist, and the glass tabletop rattled. “Easy isn’t always better. Can’t you see that?”
