Page 75 of Too Far To Sea
“But what?”
“There’s not a lot to tell that you haven’t heard already.”
“I think there is.” ZoElle handed her tablet to Dana. “I received this email this morning.”
“It’s not addressed to me.” Dana tried to hand the tablet back, but ZoElle’s expression stopped her.
“I think you should read it.”
ZoElle Hastings,
I doubt you remember me. I was one of the security members on board your infamous Panama cruise and, more recently, was on a cruise around Ireland with Dana Knight.
I’m writing to apologize to Hastings Security and, hopefully, to Dana herself.
We had an incident that was handled poorly, both by myself and, I feel, by my senior officer. Unfortunately, Dana was caught in the middle.
After reviewing what happened, I feel... I wish that I was at liberty to say more. However, I believe the cruise line owes Hastings Security—and specifically Dana—an apology.
I have spoken to my former superiors about this, and sadly, it will not happen.
My biggest regret is that I did not disobey orders and take Dana into my confidence.
Her role in what happened enabled us to take down an operation that spanned more than one cruise line— an operation that, if left unchecked, could have hurt many people.
Dana once told me that if I wanted her phone number, I should contact Hastings. I doubt she would trust me with that information now, but if you will, please pass on my sincerest apologies.
Thank you,
McKay Worth
Dana handed back the tablet, her hands slightly unsteady.
“Well?” ZoElle’s voice was gentle. “What happened?”
Dana described, as briefly as possible, the altercation with Chandler and what she’d learned from Amy-Kate. Speaking it aloud made her realize how much of her anger stemmed fromhurt—not at being used in the investigation, but at feeling McKay hadn’t trusted her enough to include her.
“Wow,” ZoElle picked up a ginger cookie. “Do you want one? I don’t need them anymore but I can’t stop eating them.”
Dana took a cookie to give her a moment to process.
ZoElle brushed a crumb off of her blouse. “That is an unexpected twist to your cruise, to say the least. So, may I pass on your phone number?”
Dana bit her lip. “I’m not sure I’m ready to talk with him. I mean, I understand why he did what he did, and he was following orders, but?—”
“But you feel you still can’t trust him?”
“Something like that.” Though even as she said it, Dana wondered if she was being fair. After all, hadn’t she jumped to conclusions without giving him a chance to explain? Dad had pointed out the same things.
ZoElle tapped a couple of keys on her tablet. “There, I forwarded the email to you. Now you have his email address, and you can do anything you want with it.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“Do you need to grab any snacks from the break room for your drive?”
“No, I’m pretty well stocked.”
“Oh, please take some. Alan’s been getting me the weirdest things, and I really want them gone. The break room looks like a convenience store exploded.”
