Page 51 of Hearts Aweigh
AMUSEMENT TICKLEDEMILY’S FUNNY BONE. Spencer’s futile struggle to block Abby’s dating endeavors was so entertaining. The poor man had it bad and didn’t even know it. She cocked her eyebrow at Gerry, who met her gaze with bland resignation.
Gerry shrugged. “Guess you’re not delusional after all.”
Emily basked in the triumph of an accurate deduction, but her pleasure was short-lived. She wanted to help the poor man. He’d made two things obvious with his ham-fisted attempts to keep Abby to himself. Number one, he was smitten with the delightful girl. Number two, he didn’t have a clue what he was feeling.
If anyone had ever required the Shippers’ help, it was Spencer. He needed their combined wisdom to make sense of his unplumbed emotions. But one Shipper disapproved.
His own mother.
Daisy had made it clear she didn’t support a romance between Spencer and Abby. Without her acquiescence, Emily couldn’t arrange a match for the woman’s son. The Shipper code of honor forbade it.
Emily perused the waiting room. A long receptionist desk filled one side, and a woman in a nurse’s uniform sat behind it.She pulled a black square envelope from her mail tray with a furrowed brow.
Emily jetted across the room. “I beg your pardon, is that note for me, dear?”
“What?” the nurse asked. “No, ma’am. This was addressed to one of our staff.”
“My mistake. I have one just like it.” If a person counted a paper torn into shreds and taped back together as “just like it.” She turned on her best doting-grandma smile. “Did you see who left it?”
“No, ma’am. It was here when I returned from lunch.”
“Thank you, dear.” Emily patted the desk instead of stomping her foot as she’d prefer. Was there a blackmailing ghost on the MSBuckingham? How else could she explain the person’s uncanny ability to leave the notes without anyone observing? If only she possessed the power to rewind time and stake out the clinic.
Emily’s head snapped up. A black half globe protruded from the ceiling, indicating a CCTV camera was monitoring the room. She returned to her chair and retrieved her purse. “Daisy, are you going to spend the afternoon with your granddaughter?”
Spencer paused with tote bags in hand.
“Why, I”—Daisy looked at her son—“yes. If Spencer doesn’t have a problem with it?”
He nodded his consent.
Emily gave Abby a hug. “Don’t you worry. We’ll arrange the incidentals for your date. Wear your prettiest outfit and be there at five.”
Abby saluted. “Roger that.”
Emily slipped her purse straps over her wrist and marched to the exit. “Gerry and Althea, come with me. We need to pay a visit to security.”
CHAPTER 25
MR. EVERSON’S STOCKY FRAME FILLEDthe doorway of the security room. His glare communicated his displeasure at their visit. At least, Emily assumed he was glaring. His requisite gunmetal sunglasses blocked his eyes.
“Can I help you, ladies?” His gruff voice warned them he’d be no help at all.
“Yes, Mr. Everson.” Emily peeked around his torso at a room lined with TV screens. “This place gives NASA a run for its money. Could you offer us an insider tour? Gerry is doing research for a book set on a cruise ship.”
“It’s not a cruise ship,” Gerry objected. “It’s a five-star hotel. And my villain uses the security cameras to spy on his victims.”
He remained in place. “Sorry, ma’am. This area is off-limits. No passengers allowed.”
Althea exchanged a glance with Emily, placed a hand to her temple, and moaned. “Oh. Oh, my head. The room is spinning. Help me, girls.” She thrashed her arm.
“Don’t break a hip!” Emily grabbed hold. “Help us, Mr. Everson. Her blood sugar must be low. Let her come in and sit down.”
“Mike.” The stone-faced security guard called without moving from the doorway. “Bring a chair out here for Mrs. Jones.”
Althea lowered her hand. “You know my name?”
The right side of his mouth quirked the tiniest bit. “You ladies have been living on the MSBuckinghamfor a good while. I’m familiar with all of your names and your”—the quirk rose higher—“tactics.”
