Page 3 of The Situation Ship
Poppy Roe is rumoured to be setting sail with her long-term actor boyfriend following the death of Hollywood legend Martha Roe.
He watched a few seconds of the live footage outside the church.
“The funeral starts at 11. I can make it,” he decided, getting up and slapping his friend on the back. There was no way he would let Poppy slip away to God knew where when she was so close. “Thanks for the tip.”
“I didn’t show you this so you could confront her at her aunt’s funeral! What exactly do you plan to do? Stroll up to her –ifyou get past her security and all the other grieving spectators–flash those beautiful brown eyes at her and expect her to answer your every question?!”
Isaiah grinned. “You could never say no to this face.”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Keep pushing your luck, and the captain will wipe the smirk off that handsome face.”
“Tell Roberts I’m taking that holiday she suggested. What I do on my time is my own business. If I happen to run into Ms Roe, it’ll just be a happy coincidence,” Isaiah reasoned, but Michael didn’t look pleased.
“I want to state for the record that I think this is a terrible idea.”
“You worry too much,” Isaiah told him, putting on his jacket. Despite the summer settling in, it was still Ireland.
Michael was his oldest friend.They’d both made detective the same year after cracking a big case, but Michael loved therule book. While Isaiah understood the need for the rules, he knew the law didn’t account for the many shades of grey.He had seen too many innocent people locked up while guilty ones walked free to feel as confident as he once had in the justice system. His dad had been a detective, and his grandfather had served in the military. Serving was in his blood, but he cared more about protecting those who needed it than preserving a system.
“You don’t worry enough,” Michael said, returning to his desk. “I don’t even know why you stick at this job. You can’t follow the rules, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up without a desk.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m not going to cause a scene.”
“Don’t call me if you get arrested for trespassing,” Michael said, giving up.
“Fine, I’ll call Francis instead. He’s always had a soft spot for me, and he wouldn’t let your partner rot in jail,” Isaiah said, grabbing his files.
“Don’t even think about dragging my husband into your nonsense,” Michael called after him.
A holiday is the perfect excuse to figure out what’s going on without anyone breathing down my neck,Isaiah thought as he stepped out into the drizzle and hurried to his car.
In the back of the hearse, Poppy peered up at the blue sky trying to break through the dark clouds. Putting on her oversized sunglasses, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for the performance of her life –her aunt’s funeral.
Although her aunt had preferred living in the States, Poppy had always cherished returning to Ireland, where she’d been born and raised until her aunt took custody of her at age eight. She had hoped that a quick burial in Ireland would limit the number of attendees. Still, hundreds had flown in to pay their respects. Given the scale of their combined fame, the media attention had been relentless despite her requests for privacy.
“We should get inside,” her boyfriend, Joshua, said as he opened her door, playing the perfect gentleman for the cameras. She couldn’t wait to officially break up; she was tired of their business relationship. They were friends, and while she cared forhim, her aunt had encouraged the arrangement to keep other guys away. Joshua was happy to oblige, since it benefitted his career. But she was ready to go back to being friends.
Stepping out of the car in her aunt’s black Chanel suit and pearls, Poppy let the cameras find her as the crowd’s tears and cheers overwhelmed her senses. She reminded herself that she would be truly free in a few hours. Her perfect blonde hair was slicked into a low bun at the nape of her neck, and her large black sunglasses emphasised her bold red lips. Once she was sure they had got their shot, she started up the steps to the church and noticed an older woman being pushed and shoved by the door. Avid fans were grappling to get her attention, Poppy quickly caught the woman before she fell.
“Please don’t push; my aunt would be grateful to all of you for wanting to attend, but please be mindful of each other,” Poppy said softly. She wanted to scold the crowd, but with so many cameras around, now wasn’t the time to lose her temper.
“Sorry to cause a fuss– I lost my balance,” the elderly woman said as Poppy helped her through the doors and out of the rain.
“No fuss at all. I’m sorry you were almost trampled,” Poppy replied.
Her security hovered at the door, watching the woman suspiciously as the coffin was removed and taken inside. Poppy noticed the ladybird brooch on the woman’s black coat and realised she had seen it before.
“Sorry, but do we know each other?” she asked.
“No – I mean, sort of. I’m Emily Green, and thank you for your help.” The flustered woman smiled at her. “I run the Ladybird House Orphanage. You were only with us briefly, when you were a little thing, before your aunt took custody of you. You probably don’t remember your time with us; you were so young. Your aunt donated generously every year, and I wanted to come pay my respects.”
That explained the brooch. Poppy not remembering her time at the orphanage wasn’t surprising. It had been eighteen years since her parents had been killed in a car accident, and the memories had become a blur. What surprised her, however, was the knowledge that her aunt had donated to a children’s charity for all those years. Was it for a tax exemption? Giving to children would have played in her favour in the media, so why make the donations anonymously? Aunt Martha never let a good deed go unpublished.
“I’m sure Aunt Martha would appreciate your coming. I’m sorry you had to wait out in the rain. My security will ensure you get home safely.” Poppy reached into her small purse and pulled out a card. “Here’s my email address in case you need anything. I can also stop by the orphanage and say hi to the kids?” She needed to get inside before the priest tracked her down.
“Really?” Emily beamed, putting the card in her coat pocket. “I’m sure the kids would love that.”
“No need to thank me, and I’ll make sure to keep up the donations.”
