Page 78 of Love Overboard
The email popped up the moment she signed in. Jon must have left it open.
She reread the contents and looked at her waiting friends. “Girls, criminals might be using the MSBuckinghamto smuggle cocaine.”
“What on earth?” Daisy raised her palms in horror.
Althea clicked her tongue, and Gerry took out her notebook.
“It says here”—Emily squinted as she leaned—“they arrested a crew member in Bermuda. He had the drugs hidden in his locker, but this isn’t the first time they’ve caught someone. A group is targeting Monarch vessels.”
“How dare they useourship to move their filthy junk!” Althea thumped the armrest.
Emily held up a finger and shushed her. “What’s that noise?”
She flipped the lamp off, and the Shippers sat in the dark with only the faint light from the computer screen. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway.
“Do you think they’ll catch us?” whispered Althea.
Daisy clapped a hand over her roommate’s mouth.
The gentle whir of the computer sounded like a jet airplane in the quiet office. Four pairs of ears listened as the heavy clomping passed by and continued down the hall. The women exhaled in unison.
“That shaved ten years off my life,” said Gerry. “And I don’t have much to spare.”
“Let’s keep the lamp off.” Emily maneuvered the mouse and clicked on the Schedules folder. “We can’t leave until we change Lacey’s assignments to match with—”
The office door flung open, and the glare from the fluorescent bulbs overhead blinded them.
The four women turned in unison.
“What are you doing in here?” A hulking security guard in a black uniform stood with his hand on the switch.
Althea whimpered as she stuck her sunglasses on her face. “Lawd, help us.”
“Amen,” said Emily.
CHAPTER 35
“HOW DID WE MANAGE TOtalk all night?” Lacey shifted her body against the solid man at her side. “I have to be at work in”—she checked her watch—“three hours.”
The twinkle lights cast their romantic glow over Cloud Nine as Lacey sat next to Jon on the plush bench. A blanket was wrapped around them both, providing a soft, comforting barrier against the early-morning chill.
“Do you want me to walk you to your cabin?” Jon asked.
She snuggled deeper in their fleecy cocoon. “What for? I’m already dressed for duty.” She twisted her lips at the scuffed navy pumps on her feet and swatted his chest. “Next time, give me fair warning when you’re about to pull out the fancy stuff. I’ll come decked out for the occasion.”
Jon’s fingers tugged at the strand of hair by her ear. “You take my breath away no matter what you wear.”
She snorted. “That was a little corny.”
“But true.” He wrapped his arms tight around her waist. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“I recall you mentioning it.” She crossed her legs at the ankles.
“That’s good.” Jon cleared his throat. “Did you have anything particular you wanted to say in return?”
Lacey stilled. Her ankles uncrossed, and she stared at her sensible shoes.
“Something short?” he said. “Three words long?”
