Page 63 of The Situation Ship
“Because the same type of knife that was used on Patrice was also used on Joshua, and Calliope was already dead when Joshua was killed.”
“The killer could have stolen the knife from Calliope’s changing room,” Poppy argued, but Isaiah wanted to hear Davide’s reasoning. A fresh set of eyes never hurt.
“Then why didn’t the killer use the knife on Calliope? It would’ve been much more effective than the metal hairpin. The killer went to see Calliope before meeting with Joshua and didn’t have their weapon of choice on them. They were working together, or Calliope figured out something she shouldn’t have and confronted the killer, or they disagreed on how to proceed with their plans. Either way, the killer didn’t have the knife until she met with Joshua. I don’t think she expected to end up fighting with Calliope,” Davide said, adding another fork in the road. “I think the key to this is Calliope. If her death wasn’t planned, then the killer probably messed up or wasn’t as careful.”
“So we focus on Calliope. Is there anything else that needs to be shared?” Captain Hamill asked, looking around the room. “Now’s the time.”
No one spoke up.
“Then I suggest we get back to our duties. Davide, I want you to take another sweep of Calliope’s dressing room and the theatre footage. I want every female guest who attended the opera or was even on that level accounted for,” the captain ordered, before turning her attention to Poppy and Isaiah. “Here is the number to the bridge. It’s a direct line to me from your suite. If anything happens, or you wish to share any other information, you can speak to me exclusively. Please inform our security before any more snooping. We’re all on the same team, and I don’t want two more deaths on my conscience.”
Isaiah hesitated, unsure of whether she could be trusted. TheMidas’ssecurity was meant to be one of the best teams in the world. Yet, through either stupidity or complacency, so much had slipped through the cracks. Still, since they had limited allies, they couldn’t be picky.
“While security is going back over the videos with Davide, what are we supposed to do?” Poppy asked, holding her chin high. Isaiah admired her steel. He couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for her to keep it together.
“You two will act like any other guests. Once we dock in Amalfi in the morning,all guests will disembark the ship, but not without a smartwatch, private or not; all guests will be kept track of from now on. While you enjoy your day trip, we will search the ship from top to bottom. The evidence we collected will also be sent to the lab, and hopefully, when we dock in Greece, we will have a name to put to our killer.” Captain Hamill sounded confident, but Isaiah couldn’t help but notice her hand shaking by her side. Running a ship was no easy feat, but running one with a killer on board had to be eating away at her. “There’s a private dinner tonight for those who knew Calliope, and I think you should both attend. If the killer is part of her group orsomeone who knew her, then they might be tempted to show themselves.”
“Nothing says grief like a tasting menu. I wish I could stay in the tub,” Poppy said under her breath.
“It seems we have a gameplay we can all agree on,” Isaiah said, looking to Poppy. She nodded, but he could see she was already lost in thought. He wasn’t sure if she was even paying attention.
“And we all agree that if anything happens in the meantime, we let each other know?” Captain Hamill said, and everyone nodded again.
“If the killer’s tracking our movements, we don’t want them to think we’re working together,” Poppy said, reminding herself to update Mina when they were together again. She could enjoy a few more hours of sun to herself before they dropped another murder bomb on her. “I’m not sure about tonight, but maybe it would be useful. Calliope boarded with her niece. Despite having known Calliope for most of my life, I’ve never met her. Getting to know her tonight might give us some insight into who she has been close to recently.”
“Her name is Sophia Monroe, and she was devastated when we broke the news about her aunt. She was in her suite when Calliope was killed – seasick. She asked that we arrange the dinner to honour her memory and stop others from gossiping about how she died,” Captain Hamill informed her. “Since you were seen helping Calliope, the other guests are also talking about your involvement…”
“And you also want them to stop talking about it? Poppy attending will put an end to their curiosity,” Isaiah put in.
“Yes,” Captain Hamill admitted.
“Fine, we’ll be there,” Poppy said, heading for the door. “We should go, or Mina will wonder where we are.”
Isaiah followed her.
“Are you not going to lecture me about my snooping?” she asked once they were alone in the hallway, but he shook his head.
“Why would I? It’s good that everything is out in the open now. We can work together,” he said, walking by her side.
“I keep replaying what happened with Joshua. I wish I’d asked who hurt him sooner. The killer could have attacked me but didn’t. Why?”
“You can’t blame yourself. You were in shock. I saw his injury report –it wouldn’t have changed anything,” Isaiah reassured her. “As for the killer, maybe they didn’t have time or didn’t expect you, but I’m grateful they didn’t. The thought of losing you—” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Of course, it would be terrible for your reputation to lose a client,” she said sarcastically.
“That’s not it,” he confessed, taking her arm so she was forced to stop and look at him. “It’s because I care about you far more than I should, and the thought of losing you, of someone hurting you, puts a knife in my heart.”
“Sorry, that wasn’t fair. I hate that you’re caught up in this, whether it’s your job or not. That you and Mina are in danger because of me worries me most. I should’ve known better than to start caring about anyone. You shouldn’t have taken this job.”
He hated to see the fear in her eyes. Unable to resist, his eyes drifted to her lips, and he took her face in his hands and brushed his lips against hers, wanting to remove all traces of fear and hurt. Her lips moulded to his as she fisted his shirt, pulling him closer until they were pressed against the wall beside the lift.
“I’m sorry. Someone could see us,” he said, sliding his palm down her throat to her shoulders to keep her still.
“Who cares!” Poppy lunged at him without a care in the world.
He would take anything she was eager to give. He held her firm against him, using his body to conceal her. He wanted to be gentle, but her demanding kisses set a wildfire in him. He nipped at her lower lip, and she moaned softly as he reminded her who was in charge.
“I can’t lose you,” Isaiah said, his grip tightening on her hair as her eyes met his.
