Page 91 of Love Overboard
The pair posed with the flowers in their mouths. “Cheeth.”
She passed the phone back to them and picked up her basket again as they walked outside.
So much for the elegant approach.
If Monarch Cruises was going for a majestic feel, this evening was a total flop. But if their aim was to please the passengers, then chalk up another success. Conversations and laughter hummed.
“There you are.” Jon walked through the outside doors. His tailored, single-breasted tuxedo emphasized his height as he stood in front of her. He wore a gold Monarch crown pin on the black satin lapel, and his matching tie gleamed against the pristine white shirt. He took the flower basket from her, placed it on the side table, and twirled a finger. “Could you give me a 360 spin?”
“What do you mean?” Lacey glanced behind her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I want to get the full picture, so I’ll know what to dream about tonight.”
Lacey shuddered even as she laughed. “Did you search cheesy pickup lines on the internet?”
“I’ve got more if you want to listen.”
“Pass.” Lacey reached to smooth a wrinkle in his tie. One of the elevators dinged, and she retrieved her basket. “Go away now. We’ve got work to do.”
A thin, balding man in a pin-striped suit, bow tie, and horn-rimmed glasses exited the elevator with Reid Collins and walked up behind Jon. Carrying an old-fashioned briefcase, the stranger looked more ready for a boardroom than a ball.
“Hello, Jonathan.” He held out a hand in front of him.
Jon turned, and his smile faded. “Hello, Mr. Eliot. You’re underdressed for the party.” He motioned to Collins, who’d swapped his shorts for a pair of dress slacks but paired them with a different ill-fitting Hawaiian shirt. “Both of you.”
“What?” Collins brushed at his outfit.
“Yes, my apologies.” The stranger’s hand hung awkwardly in midair, and he let it fall to his side. “I flew into Mérida, drove to Progreso, and boarded while the ship was docked there. Since my motive was purely business, I didn’t bring any formal attire.”
Business?
Lacey studied the gentleman. Who would be allowed to board a cruise in the middle of the voyage? A bigwig from corporate? Had the detective found evidence on the MSBuckinghamand contacted him?
Mr. Eliot extended his hand to her. “How do you do? I’m—”
“Let’s not waste time.” Jon’s voice rose. “You picked an inconvenient moment for a visit, Mr. Eliot. We’re in the middle of an event.” He looked at the stranger and then strode to the doorway. “Follow me.”
The man’s pinstripe-covered legs scampered after Jon as he stalked away. Collins followed at a leisurely pace, hands stuck in his pockets, leaving Lacey alone in the entry. She clutched the basket of roses to her body, wishing she knew what was going on. Did they find the smugglers?
Emily winced as she left the elevator. She should’ve worn sandals. Her feet wouldn’t last long in these tight shoes. She pinched the skirt of the ankle-length lavender dress she’d last worn to her great-niece’s wedding.
Lacey stood near the entrance, craning her neck at the crowd beyond the double doors.
Emily hobbled over and patted the distracted girl. “Lacey?”
“What? Oh, Mrs. Windsor.” She took a rose from her basket and offered it to Emily. “Greetings, honored guest.”
Emily accepted the flower. “A simple ‘hello’ will do fine. Have you seen my friends?”
“No, ma’am. Not recently.”
Emily checked her wristwatch and tapped the pointy toe of her dress pump. Where were the girls?
Passengers in formal attire swarmed the outside deck. A tiny man with a pencil-thin mustache and a tall white paper hat passed the doors. He paused when he saw Emily with Lacey and walked inside.
“Mrs. Windsor!”
“Hello, Chef. I’m anticipating the special dessert tent tonight.”
