Page 14 of Transatlantic Terror Cruise

“It’s true?” The dark-haired man looks momentarily confused as he does his best to quickly take in the scene. His eyes dart from Brad’s face to the knife. “What the heck happened?” He shakes his head. “Where’s Elvie? She shouldn’t have to see this.Elvie?” he calls out as he quickly makes his way back into the lounge.”

“He’s right.” Tinsley closes her eyes for a moment. “And I don’t want to see it either. I’d better go check on Elvie as well.”

She takes off, and in the murky darkness of the lounge, I spot Becky Lee. Her face has gone ghost-white, hands trembling as she clutches that tote bag slung from her shoulder as if it were a life preserver. Her face crumbles once she spots the body and her entire body proceeds to shake. And sadly, I’m sure that’s a perfectly natural reaction to finding your friend with a knife in his back. She turns away quickly before disappearing into the sea of onlookers.

Soon enough, the entire security brigade has descended upon us and have pushed the onlookers back into the lounge.

Elodie takes off to tend to the Queen’s Mall because, despite the fact we have a body on our hands here in the lounge, the rest of the ship must go on.

Ransom comes my way with his jaw set tight. “Are you okay?” He wraps his arms around me as he pulls me to the side.

“Yes, I’m fine, I promise,” I say.

“Good. Now please go back to our cabin.”

“You didn’t even ask if I found the body.”

“I didn’t need to.” His voice softens just a fraction, and despite everything, my heart does a little flip. “When do you not find the body?”

“You have a point.” I make a face because I’m not pleased with that particular point.

We share a quick kiss before he heads back to the scene of the crime, and I’m about to leave when I spot something catching the light just shy of Brad Whipple’s waist.

I take a step in that direction when the object comes into focus and I gasp.

I’m about to point it out when Ransom snaps a few pictures of it before placing that rhinestone lipstick brooch into an evidence bag.

Oh my word! I know exactly who that lipstick brooch belongs to!

Ransom and his crew get right to work as they continue to document the scene.

“Trixie.” Wes comes my way and offers me a quick embrace. “I’m sorry, but this investigation ends here for you.”

I pull back and I can’t seem to say a word. Instead, I head for the exit and push my way past the steady current of curious passengers.

Wes thinks this should be the end of my investigation, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning.

CHAPTER7

While Trixie’s Away, the Ship Will Play—The Elodie Edition

Ahoy, pleasure seekers! While our lovely Trixie is conducting a very thorough investigation of the honeymoon suite’s structural integrity with that dreamy head of security, let’s address another burning question from our mailbag.

Dear Elodie,

My husband and I booked the Captain’s Table for formal night, but I have no idea what to wear! The dress code sayselegant formal attire, but how formal is too formal? And how elegant is too elegant?

Dress Code Distressed

Dear Distressed,

The real question isn’t how formal is too formal, but rather how much attention do you want your husband (and every other eye in the dining room) to pay to your...elegant assets?

My personal rule is if one of the ship’s security guards blushes when you walk by, you’re on the right track. If the maître d' drops a menu, you’ve nailed it. And if your husband can’t remember how to use his spoon? Well, that’s what I call a successful formal night.

Remember—the Captain’s Table might be formal, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Although do try to keep your hands visible during dessert. We wouldn’t want to scandalize the sommelier. Again.

Sailing seductively,

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