Page 100 of Love Overboard
Heads poked out of cabin doors, and a crowd started to gather. Murmurs abounded. Collins pushed his way to the front and joined Jon, the guard, and Ricardo.
Jon cocked an eyebrow. “Thanks for the help.”
“We’re on a boat.” Collins shrugged. “Where’s he gonna go?”
Ricardo pointed at him. “You are—”
“Former FBI agent and current private detective, Reid Collins.” He raised two fingers to his brow in a salute. “Never even knew I was on the case, did you?”
“FBI?” Ricardo squinted. “You said—”
“I said I was a passenger who got lost.” Collins grabbed the chef’s arm and jerked it behind his back. “Do I really look that stupid? I’ve had my eye on the kitchen staff for a while now. You were dumb enough to be a drug mule. Don’t add to it by making a scene. We caught you red-handed.”
“We?” Jon scoffed. “If you mean thanks to Lacey and a clever little lady in her seventies, I guesswedid.”
“Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to.” Collins twisted Ricardo’s arm, and the man yelped. “I’m glad this mystery is solved.”
Many emotions assailed Jon. Relief wasn’t one of them. Busting Ricardo meant good news for the family business. But his last excuse to stay on the MSBuckinghamwas gone.
CHAPTER 45
THE PROMENADE DECK SAT INquiet repose as most passengers spent the morning in town. Emily stood by the railing while the last few disembarked. Sunshine warmed the top of her head, but she buttoned her jacket to her neck and pushed her cold hands into her pockets.
“I don’t remember Cozumel being this chilly.”
The other Shippers sat on lounge chairs behind her.
“Feels great to me.” Althea tilted her face to the light. “Should we get another icky pedicure? Or see if they have a full-body fish massage?”
Gerry frowned. “How can you say that after what happened with Lacey and Jon last night?”
“I was only kidding.” Althea drooped. “Trying to lighten the mood.”
“I know you were.” Daisy patted her. “Gerry, quit being ugly. Stop picking on Althea.”
“I wasn’t picking on her.” Gerry crossed her arms.
“Girls”—Emily waved a hand behind her—“no time for squabbling.” She leaned out as a familiar form appeared on the gangplank below. “There’s Jon.”
The other three scampered to her side and peered at the dock. Jon wore a navy-blue suit and expensive leather loafers. His dark hair was slicked back in a boardroom-appropriate style.
“He doesn’t look like he’s going souvenir shopping,” Althea said.
He was joined by a shorter man in a black pin-striped suit carrying a briefcase. Mr. Collins slumped behind them wearing baggy jeans and an oversized sweatshirt with the Monarch Cruises crown on the front, a duffel bag slung on his shoulder. They walked together down the pier and away from the ship. Not once did Jon turn around.
“The detective finally found a shirt that fits,” Gerry said.
“I’d hardly say ‘fits.’” Daisy pursed her lips. “He must’ve bought the extra-extra-extra-large to have room left over.”
Althea tugged at her fanny pack. “Maybe he ate so much at the buffet none of his clothes fit him anymore. I can relate to that.” She squinted. “But who’s the other guy?”
“Mr. McMillan’s secretary,” Emily said. “The one who spilled the beans at the ball.”
“Oh,” Daisy moaned. “This isn’t good.”
“He’s probably leaving for Florida,” Gerry said. “We have to go after him.”
“Or find Lacey,” Althea said. “She needs to talk to him.”
