Page 48 of Transatlantic Terror Cruise

Ransom tips his head. “I know for a fact he’s here on the ship with her. I spoke with him earlier. Here’s hoping this trip can help reset them as a couple, and reset him as a husband. Although I’m guessing he needs more than a vacation to set him straight.”

“You got that right,” I say. “Who else should we ask about?”

“Reed Williams,” Ransom says without hesitation. “I know all about the haunted house ventures he had with Brad. What do you know about the guy, Sassy?”

“Whatdon’tI know.” She gives a low gurgle of a laugh. “Let’s just say some of those bedroom moves I saw the two of you pull off—well, Reed and I pulled off a few just like it.” She twists her lips as she inspects Ransom. “Although I’ll admit, his moves weren’t quite as smooth or spicy as yours.” She shoots me a look. “What are you waiting for? You have a perfectly empty lounge to defile. Now go on, get busy. I’ve been taking notes on all the good stuff. And believe me when I say, it’sallgood stuff.”

I concur, but I don’t dare say that to her—although, let’s face it, she already knows.

Now it’s me shooting her a look—a dirty one at that. “Continue with what you know about Reed.”

“Fine.” She gives a dramatic sigh. “I told him about the fact Brad was siphoning funds from Luscious and Delicious. And he thought something was off with the finances in their haunted house venture, too.”

“And what did he discover?” Ransom doesn’t hesitate to ask.

“I don’t know, I applied a little too much lip gloss and ended up at a singles mingle in Paradise. Let’s just say relationships are a little more genuine up there. And don’t worry about that whole there-is-no-marriage-in-Heaven thing. The real beauty is, it’s not needed because once you find your true soul mate, the two of you simply choose one another each and every day.”

“I’ve heard that before,” I say as I blink back tears. “I think that’s so very beautiful.”

Ransom kisses the back of my hand. “I’ll choose you forever.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” I say, kissing his hand right back. “For all eternity.”

“Well, go on and get busy.” Sassy giggles as she scoops up a handful of cookies. “You’ve got a honeymoon to get back to. Keep those kisses coming and maybe lose a few clothes, would you?” She munches away on her sweet treats as if they were popcorn.

Ransom groans. “I hate to burst your bubble, Sassy, but we’re not interested in an audience.”

I shake my head her way. “Especially not a very enthusiastic audience who takes notes.”

Sassy strikes a pose that would make a Vegas showgirl proud. “I prefer the termthorough observer. But if you’re going to be a couple of prudes about it, I’m headed back to that uppity ice cream shop. I believe there’s a Rocky Road waffle sundae with my name on it. Oh, and don’t forget, Elvie and Reed are hosting a big get-together tomorrow afternoon for those crime aficionados who hopped on this boat with them. It’s going to be a killer good time. And I bet the killer will be there, too.”

She up and disappears and I gasp at Ransom. “We will be there with bells on.”

He frowns my way. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to stop you.”

I shake my head. “And there’s no way to stop me from having my way with you right here, right now, either.”

“Right here?” He inches back and a devilish grin curves on his lips.

“This is the crew lounge,” I point out, biting down on a grin of my own. “Any one of the ship’s employees can walk in at any given moment. Which makes it extra exciting. Besides, I just got an all-clear from the infirmary and I think we should celebrate.”

I pull Ransom into a dark corner and have my way with him indeed without an STD, or a voyeuristic ghost anywhere in the vicinity.

Sometimes solving a murder requires following leads, sometimes it requires following your heart, and sometimes—if you’re really lucky—it requires doing both at the exact same time.

Ransom Courtland Baxter has smooth moves indeed.

There’s a killer out there who thinks they’re pretty smooth, too, but both Ransom and I are about to prove them wrong.

And then we’re going to arrest them.

CHAPTER26

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

Welcome back, pleasure sailors! While our honeymooners are busy conducting a thorough inspection of their private balcony (and honestly, their dedication to detail is admirable), let’s address today’s burning question.

Dear Elodie,

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