Page 113 of Hearts Aweigh
Daisy fluttered a handkerchief. “Mercy me. I might never see New Orleans again.”
Emily placed her body between Barney and the exit. “Be strong. We can catch this criminal.”
His laugh sounded slightly hysterical. “I still don’t have a clue who you’re talking about.”
“Why, Mr. Everson.”
“Sarge?” Barney turned the color of leftover oatmeal. “You think he, he … I mean, how could Sarge be a blackmailer?”
Emily gripped the nervous man’s shoulder. “It’s shocking, but someone’s been spying on the passengers with security cameras, and the evidence confirms it.”
Barney rubbed at the freckled bald spot on the back of his head. “How is that possible? There’s always two guards on duty in the control room.”
“Always?” Althea squeezed herself between them. “You mean no one ever slips outside to make a phone call, goes down the hall for a soft drink, visits the bathroom to tinkle?” With each suggestion she moved closer until she was right under his nose. “Admit it, Barney. Hasn’t there been a time when someone left you alone at the board?”
“I guess.”
“So Mr. Everson had the same opportunity. All it requires is a few seconds to hear a deep, dark secret. He pulls out his phone, records the conversation, and makes himself a sweet bonus.”
Emily flanked his other side. “It takes a despicable person to do something so low. Dig up people’s painful secrets and threaten to expose them.”
“Th-this is crazy.” Barney’s gaze swung from Emily to Althea. “You must be mistaken.” He broke away and paced the stage. “Why don’t you leave the investigation to me?”
“We’ve already investigated.” Althea slapped a palm against the giant red box. “Haven’t you been listening? We’ve got the evidence.”
Barney paused. “What evidence?”
Emily lifted her chin. “We caught him dead to rights, messing around in the lost and found, hunting for a body.”
“Not a real body, of course.” Daisy dabbed her cheek with her handkerchief. “It was a mannequin we planted to entice him. Does anyone else find it stuffy in here?”
“You ain’t kiddin’.” Barney swiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “But how does that prove Sarge is guilty?”
“We recorded it on a cell phone,” Emily said. “He was wearing a hoodie and mask, but I’m sure the authorities will be able to pinpoint something on the video to identify him.”
“Have you got it with you?”
“It’s on Daisy’s phone.” Emily waved to her friend.
Daisy pulled up the video and passed him the device.
Barney held the screen close. “Have you got it on a bigger screen?”
“That’s the only copy,” Daisy said.
He shook his head. “The lighting’s too dark on this. Makes it hard to distinguish anything. I doubt the police can use it.”
“Emily!” Gerry rushed into the room. “He’s on his way.”
Emily crossed the stage and grabbed Barney’s hand. “He’s coming. He’s coming!”
His gaze snapped to the exit as Seamus and Gerry joined them onstage.
“Saints preserve us.” Seamus shook his head. “He’s mad as fire.”
Barney, still clutching the phone, moved behind Daisy and Althea. “It’s not too late,” he said. “Why don’t we tell him it was a mistake and wait until we find real proof?”
“He already knows!” Emily stomped her sandal. “Would he be stupid enough to let us catch him again?”
