Page 9 of Too Far To Sea
“For ice? When everyone is hurrying around getting underway...” She looked away as if embarrassed. “And the room service menu said there would be a charge.”
“If I take this bag through that ‘crew only’ door,” McKay gestured to the door behind her, “I can have it full of ice before you hobble back to your room. And for ice, room service is free.” He wasn’t exactly sure about the free ice or room service charges. He’d add a note to her profile stating that she shouldn’t be charged for ice delivery because of a medical issue.
“How do you know my room—” Dana shook her head. “Never mind. Ship security. You probably know everything about me or would, with a few taps on your phone.”
His phone couldn’t tell him why her independent nature drew him in. Or what her eyes would look like in candlelight. “How did you know my phone could tell me that?”
She blushed. “Ogilvie Inc. designed your security app. They’re the best, so they wouldn’t miss a basic detail like that.”
Suspicion grew. “How do you know that? Do you work for Hastings Security?”
Dana Knight’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?”
A member of housekeeping stepped out of the crew door. McKay read the name tag and held out the empty ice bag. “Juan, will you please fill this with ice for me?”
“Yes, sir.” Juan disappeared back through the door.
“Miss Knight, let me reframe the question. I’m assuming you are employed by Hastings. Did you use your Hastings app on this ship?”
“Yes.”
“For what purpose?”
“To answer a work-related question.”
Evasive. Not a reason to drag her down to the security office. “Are you here for business or pleasure?”
Dana pointed to her foot. “Do I look like I am here for business?”
The door opened, and Juan handed McKay the ice bag. “Thank you, Juan. Is Miss Knight’s room, 8-1269, one of yours?”
“Yes.”
“Will you leave her a bucket of ice at 9 pm?” McKay looked to Dana for confirmation.
“No problem.”
“Thank you, Juan. That will be very helpful.” Miss Knight graced the steward with a warm smile. How quickly she changed from glaring to kindness. Another red flag.
Juan disappeared back through the crew door.
“Now Miss Knight. I must know, are you on board for business or pleasure?”
“If you must know, I’m here because of my half-sister’s wedding, which is definitely not business and, as of yet, very little pleasure.”
“Is that why you changed your cabin three weeks ago?”
“I learned this morning that it had been changed. Now are we finished with twenty questions so you can go to wherever you were—” Her eyes narrowed. “You were rushing to find me. Did the Hastings App cause a problem with the ship’s security?”
“Not precisely. We received an alert about its use. The chief security officer and I need to be sure you are not working while on board. Last time we ran into—” Unwilling to say more, McKay’s voice trailed off.
“This isn’t the same ship that was on the Panama cruise was it?”
“No, this one is bigger.”
“If it will set your mind at ease, when I used the app earlier and ZoElle Hastings saw my stateroom, she had flashbacks, too. I reassure you, Officer Worth. I am not working. If I were working, your cruise line would have received a call from my employer.”
“ZoElle still works for Hastings?” How could he forget such an unusual name?
