Page 38 of Hearts Aweigh
The familiar form of Mr. May–December approached, his youthful girlfriend nowhere in sight. He swerved around them and charged to the front desk. Gone was the cavalier lecher from earlier. The man placed a shaky hand on the counter. “What will it take to get me off this boat?”
“Excuse me?” Malaya squinted. “We’re in the middle of the ocean, sir.”
“I’m not blind.” He slapped the wood. “I mean, how soon will we dock at a town with an airport? I need to get home. It’s”—he glanced over his shoulder—“it’s an emergency.”
Emily nudged Gerry with her elbow. Her lanky friend opened her notebook once again.
Barney noted the direction they were looking, and his voice rose. “Who’s he?”
“Shhh!” Emily whacked him on the arm.
Malaya typed into her computer. “I’m sorry you have to leave us.” She explained the customer’s options, wrote the information on a sheet of paper, and passed it to him. “Can I help you book a flight?”
“Now you’re talking.” He eyed Emily and lowered his voice. His words were lost in the drone of lobby conversations.
But no one had warned Malaya to do the same. She responded in her usual vivacious tone. “Will your wife be leaving with you?”
“My wife!” His head jerked as he scanned the lobby.
“Yes, sir.” She pointed at her computer screen. “Your reservation is for Mr. and Mrs. Meyers.”
“Oh, her.” He relaxed. “Nah. She’s gonna stay and finish the cruise. She’ll probably find a new boyfriend before you sail home.”
“Um”—Malaya blinked—“yes, sir.”
Emily frittered in her purse so as not to appear interested. After fixing her makeup, eating a butterscotch candy, and studying a wrinkled tourist brochure, she was running out of excuses when Malaya’s printer finally buzzed.
The receptionist handed the man his itinerary. “Here you are, sir. Booked on the first flight for Galveston tomorrow morning. You can catch a taxi at the dock. I hope you enjoy your remaining night with us.”
He snorted. “Not likely. Any chance you’ll give me a refund for the rest of the cruise?”
The tiniest quirk pulled at the corner of Malaya’s mouth. “Not likely, sir.”
“Figures.” He stomped away without a word of gratitude.
Barney turned to watch the man and rubbed his freckled bald spot. “Am I missing something?”
“Sorry, Barney,” Emily said. “We’ll have to fill you in later.”
She and Gerry left without explanation. They tailed the sullen customer through the lobby, careful to keep a healthy distance. When he stopped, Emily slipped a pair of aviator sunglasses on and pointed her face at the ground. The mirrored lenses hid the fact her gaze was still fixed on Mr. May–December. He approached a trash can on the periphery, looked around, and withdrew the black envelope from his pocket. After ripping it into small pieces, he wadded them into a ball, hurled it into the receptacle, and stormed away.
“Gerry.” Emily pointed at his retreating figure.
“On it.” Gerry tucked away her notebook and followed him.
Emily zipped to the trash can. It was almost empty, and the crumpled remains of the note were easy to pick out. She placed the pieces in her purse and headed for her stateroom.
She always did love puzzles.
CHAPTER 18
SPENCER ENTERED THE CHILDCARE CENTERat precisely two o’clock. Madeleine walked at his side, her fingers twisted together in an awkward tangle. Her young face wore the apprehension of a fifty-year-old woman facing an audit.
He bent and laid his open palm on her stiff back. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“Would you like anything?”
