Page 91 of Hearts Aweigh
Gerry wrote in her notebook. “That doesn’t mean someone wasn’t listening at the door. Who gave you the massage?”
“Magda.” Daisy rubbed her forehead. “But it couldn’t be her. She’s the best spa technician on the ship.”
Gerry frowned. “Her work competency has nothing to do with her trustworthiness.”
“On the contrary,” Daisy said. “I’ve found the way a person performs their job directly relates to their integrity.”
Maddie’s feet sounded on the stairs. The Shippers returned to the living room and met her there. With a new book, she plopped beside her grandmother, and Daisy drew her close.
Althea propped her arm on the back of the couch. “I’d be willing to bet all my bingo winnings, it isn’t Magda.” She snapped her fingers. “Hold up. There was one other time. I forgot because it was so short.”
Daisy glanced at Maddie. “You mean that morning in the chapel?”
“Yep. We swung by after the spa. Remember?”
Gerry leaned forward. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Who else was there?”
Daisy and Althea spoke together. “No one.”
Emily grumbled as she made another note.
“I’ll repeat what I said before.” Althea rubbed her roommate’s shoulder. “Tell your son. Then this scoundrel loses any power over you.”
Daisy toyed with a lock of Maddie’s hair while her granddaughter flipped through her picture book. “What if he hates me?” Daisy said.
The other Shippers exchanged glances. Not one of them dared to point out the relationship between Daisy and her son couldn’t get much worse.
Emily slipped her phone in her pocket and stood. “Okay, girls. Let’s go.”
Gerry put her stuff in her bag. “Where are we going?”
“Maddie”—Emily smiled at the child—“how’d you like to read your story somewhere special? Have you ever visited the chapel?”
“What’s a chapel?” Maddie asked.
“A beautiful place. We’ll go say hello to God, read your story, and then eat dinner at the buffet.”
“Mmm-mmm.” Althea rubbed her tummy. “They have the best cupcakes. You’ll love it, Maddie.”
“Cupcakes?” Maddie’s face beamed. “Yay!”
“Daisy, you tell Spencer we’re taking Maddie to dinner.” Emily retrieved her purse. “We’ll stop by the chapel and examinethe scene of the crime. My bones tell me that’s where we’ll find some answers.”
CHAPTER 46
ACOUPLE HOURS AWAY FROMSpencer afforded Abby a respite. Dr. Grant was charming, funny, and an attentive date. But she’d been detached.
She laughed on cue, ate her meal with relish, and grinned like an idiot when he suggested they meet for a walk the next morning. Yet, she’d checked her watch every few minutes, marking the time until her two hours were up.
She used the key card Spencer had given her and entered the Imperial Suite. Daisy sat on the couch, and Maddie spun in a rapid circle beside her.
Abby walked over. “What’s going on?”
“A sugar rush,” Daisy said in a soft drawl. “We took her to have supper at the buffet, and I’m afraid she overdid it. I suspect Spencer doesn’t let her eat junk food often.”
“Dinner was yummy!” shouted Maddie. “I had two cupcakes.”
“One of which you snuck,” her grandmother reminded her. “Not to mention a slushie, a hot dog, a cookie—”
