Page 16 of The Situation Ship
“I guess Joshua backed out at the last minute, because he panicked when he saw a detective was going to protect me. Orhis conscience kicked in, and he figured killing off his girlfriend was a terrible idea,” Poppy was telling Mina.
So, Joshua was the one who’d intended to carry out the murder. It made sense that Isaiah’s presence would panic him.
“What if this was part of the plan? What if he suspected you knew something and left so that you would let your guard down? What if he hired someone else to do his dirty work? At least a dozen people saw him drive away, giving him a great alibi,” Mina countered, pacing back and forth. Isaiah was sure she would wear a hole in the hallway carpet.
“Relax. You’re seriously overestimating their skills. Duggery couldn’t pull off something that intricate. I bet Dug was planning to use Josh as his fall guy, which is why he involved him in his plans in the first place. But the lawyers called me last night and stripped Dug of anything related to me. Even if I die, he’ll get nothing, making me worthless to him – dead or alive,” Poppy said. “Given that, he could have decided to back out, and Josh didn’t have the courage to go ahead alone. When he didn’t come to my apartment last night, I wasn’t sure if he’d even show up this morning. Isaiah’s arrival was just the final nail in the coffin.”
There was a pause, and for a moment he thought they had left.I should call Michael and find out more about her manager, he thought. If the man wanted to kill her, then he might be behind the other deaths connected to her.
“I have to admit, I’m relieved we don’t have to be on guard anymore. Joshua gave me the creeps, and I could see how much he was sweating on the way over here. With him out of the picture, can we really relax?” Mina asked, sounding uncertain.
“I think you deserve a break. You helped me settle into my new apartment and find Isaiah, even if hiring a detective was questionable. If you hadn’t shown me that video of them, I might already be dead. I appreciate all you’ve done for me when youcould have walked away. Now we can relax without having to look over our shoulders.”
“I hate to think that people who were meant to protect you, to care for you, wanted to kill you to further their career, and because they were jealous of your success,” Mina said sadly. “I don’t know Joshua, but maybe he would have backed out even if Isaiah hadn’t come.”
“I admire how you want to see the best in people, but I prayed every night until today that Joshua would confess or warn me about what Dug was planning, but he never did,” Poppy said. Isaiah noted that she still didn’t sound heartbroken.
“You’re free of that coward now, but we should still err on the side of caution to be safe—”
Isaiah silently thanked Mina for her good sense.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything crazy,” Poppy replied, shaking her bracelet. “Plus, how much danger can I be in now that I’m tagged?”
“We can’t be too careful. It’s not like you thoughttheywere capable of murder, and look how that turned out,” Mina said. “At least it’s a cute accessory. Could you imagine if it had been some clunky ankle bracelet?”
“Don’t mock ankle bracelets. They were once all the rage in Hollywood. But thanks for caring so much.” Poppy laughed. “Let’s put all thoughts of murder behind us, get a drink, and enjoy the sunset.”
Isaiah digested all he had heard. Poppy wasn’t planning on murdering her boyfriend, but on defending herself against those who plotted to kill her. Why wouldn’t she go to the police and tell them what her manager and ex were planning? Isaiah moved to the other door so he didn’t miss anything else they said, only to knock his shin on the desk. He coughed loudly to cover up a curse.
“Are you okay in there?” Poppy called, her voice filled with concern.
“All good. Just dropped something,” Isaiah called, rubbing his shin to remove the sting.
“I didn’t think detectives were allowed to be clumsy,” Mina joked.
Isaiah smiled.
“I didn’t think they were allowed to be so attractive either. How old is Isaiah anyway?” Poppy muttered, probably thinking he couldn’t hear her. It was hard not to be flattered, considering she was used to being around celebrities and the surgically enhanced – he was just a regular guy.
“I don’t know. He’s younger than Eckells. So probably like mid-thirties,” Mina whispered back.
“Take your time unpacking,” Poppy called to him through the door. “We’re heading to the pearl bar to watch the sunset – we’ll be just fine!”
“What was that?” he asked, opening the door. He wouldn’t let her run off without ensuring she had her bracelet on. Poppy was already out the door, but he caught Mina on the way out. “I didn’t catch what Poppy said.” Better to make sure they thought the suite was soundproof so he could keep listening in on their conversations.
“We’re just off to the bar! For the sunset,” Mina explained. “Do you want to join us?” She smiled supportively at Isaiah. “It could be a great opportunity for Poppy to warm up to you.”
“I appreciate the thought, but my priority is keeping her safe, not warming her up.” Their absence would give him a chance to look through her bags – perhaps uncover a journal, schedule or other clue that could connect Poppy’s ex-manager to the troubling murders. “Still, a bit of charm might help. It’s obvious she has difficulty trusting people.” Mina nudged him pointedly.
Isaiah chuckled, a bit defensive. “Usually I don’t have to convince those who hire me to let me protect them. You should go after her. If she doesn’t want me to shadow her, then I want you to stay close.”
“Got it! I won’t let her out of my sight,” Mina said with a playful salute before the door clicked shut behind her.
Isaiah took a deep breath and eyed Poppy’s numerous suitcases, unsure where to begin and what he might discover.
Blaring sirens woke Isaiah from sleep with a jump. He reached for the gun hidden under his pillow before he was fully conscious. Groaning, he listened to the announcement over the intercom, instructing everyone to gather at the muster point on B-Deck. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand. The tracker said she was in the suite, though not in which room.
“Poppy?” Isaiah banged on the adjoining door, but there was no reply. She had to be with Mina.
