Page 47 of Too Far To Sea
“Sorry, not my department. You can see guest services in the morning.” If she was wise she’d disembark and head to the Dublin Airport.
Amy-Kate stood, talking more to herself than McKay. “Maybe Dana would trade, no I don’t want a dungeon room.”
Interesting. Dana hadn’t told the others, or at least Amy-Kate, about her new room. Still not his problem. He watched until Amy-Kate turned the corner and out of sight. Alvaro’s office door was still closed. Hopefully, Alvaro got the answers he needed. McKay watched the monitors on the walls. A few people still tried their luck in the casino. The bars were mostly empty.
“Anything of interest?” he asked the single security officer watching the monitors.
“No, Sir.” The new security employee still used the honorific term.
The empty chair in front of the other monitors caught McKay’s attention. “Has Ian been gone long?”
“He said he needed to take a break just after you all came in.” McKay checked his watch. Just shy of a half hour. Long for an unscheduled break. Two crew members hurried into the office. One was still tucking his shirt in. “Reporting, Sir.”
Before McKay could ask what they were reporting for Alvaro opened his door. He looked first at McKay, then the empty seat in front of the monitors. The frown on the chief security officer’s face deepened. “Change of plan, you two go find Ian and bring him here. He may resist. Mac escort Mr. Fairfax to his cabin. He will be packing, as he has chosen to disembark in the morning. I’ll send someone to replace you as soon as I am able to and then we can talk.”
Chandler held his head high as he left the room. McKay wondered why he was leaving. Was it to avoid charges? Or his bride-to-be and her family?
Once they were in the elevator, Chandler spoke. “I reported your assignations with Cheyanne’s sister. Expect your comeuppance too.”
McKay ignored him. Once they reached the cabin, McKay stood outside the door. He only had to wait a few minutes for two security crew members to relieve him. They would stay at their posts until Chandler left the ship.
In the brief silence of the corridor, McKay’s thoughts drifted to Dana. She needed an explanation. He pushed them aside—he had a job to finish.
The captain stood in Alvaro’s office. “Any idea how long this has been going on?”
“Ian isn’t talking. The dark web chat post that Mr. Fairfax responded to was two months old. I have to wonder if Ian’s done this before.” Alvaro shook his head. He turned to McKay. “Did the redhead know anything?”
“Only that Mr. Fairfax paid for the information about the space. She seemed more upset about her future than anything.”
The captain stared up at the ceiling. “This could have been so much worse. I can’t say I liked your sting operation, but I am glad it worked. Good idea, Worth.”
The implications hung heavy in the room—a security breach like this could have devastating consequences. Neither Alvaro or McKay put words to what the captain was thinking. It wasn’t necessary.
“It was Martina’s plan. She deserves the credit.” McKay pondered his interactions with the soon to be ex-crew member. “You know Ian doesn’t strike me as being bright enough to come up with this on his own.”
“I had the same thought,” agreed Alvaro. “I’m glad we kept the operation only to the three of us. We might have missed Ian entirely.”
The captain stifled a yawn. “I’ll contact the main office and let them know our suspicions. They will need to consult with legal department to see if there are any laws that have been broken. Between the laws of the US, UK,and the Netherlands, there must be something. I don’t want to be forced to turn Ian loose so he can try this on another cruise line.”
Netherlands? Could the country their ship sailed under do anything? Ninety percent of cruise ships sailed under convenience flags. Meaning they claimed one home country, even though mainly operating out of another. The home country rarely came into play except in docking priority. McKay fought the urge to yawn, too. “Don’t forget Ireland, we discover the issue in their waters.”
The captain shook his head. “So glad I won’t have to figure out this mess. It’s a shame we had an innocent bystander in this. I watched the footage. I’m impressed with how quickly she stopped Mr. Fairfax when he became aggressive. Wasn’t she the one on crutches at dinner?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Alvaro. “She works for Hastings Security.”
The captain closed his eyes for a moment. “Please tell me she isn’t onboard working.”
“I’ve spoken to her on several occasions, and I am convinced that Miss Knight is here only as the sister of the bride,” said McKay.
“Hastings Security, what are the chances of that? Did she knowwhat was going on?” asked the captain.
“Miss Knight had no idea about the hidden camera or the rendezvous spot.” The fact sat like an anchor in McKay’s stomach.
“Well, if it is appropriate, thank her. And if Mr. Fairfax tries to charge her with anything, let her know I am all for testifying against him.” The captain seemed to have aged in the past fewmoments. If Ian wasn’t working alone the ramifications were enormous.
McKay nodded his reply. He had no intention of telling Dana anything unless it came up. If he did, it wouldn’t take long for her to realize that she’d been manipulated into an awkward position and could ruin any connection they had forged. But keeping the truth from her felt just as wrong as using her had been. Either way, he’d never have a chance to know her better.
14
