Page 20

I was in a bit of a mood as I took Harry home, but I had a plan to fix that.

I dropped off my knitting and changed into a simple outfit of loose, black drawstring pants, a black T-shirt, and black flats.

I took off all of my jewelry, including my diamond stud earrings.

The only thing I kept on was my wristband.

I went out to the living area. “Harry, can you send the recording you made of my reading to Frank?”

“On it, Mum. Can I watch squirrels?”

“You bet. I’ll be back in a bit.” I turned the screen on, selected his channel, then headed for the spa.

I hadn’t been able to book a massage, but I was at least going to sit in the steam room, probably the hot tub, too, and possibly swim some laps. I needed to relax, calm down, unwind and think.

I entered the spa, got myself checked in. I was issued a locker, along with a disposable swimsuit, robe, and sandals. I changed, knotted my hair up to keep it at least temporarily dry, put my stuff into the locker, and went into the common area of the spa to forget about everything for a while.

The spa was busy but no more than usual.

The cruisers who would have normally been in there were replaced by staff and crew who now had time.

I went to the steam room first. Two women were in there already, sitting to one side and talking softly.

Not any kind of deep conversation, just a lazy chat that was punctuated by long pauses.

The steam had a way of slowing everything down.

I took a bench on the opposite side to give them space and settled in, closing my eyes and letting the damp heat do its thing.

But shutting down my mind just wasn’t possible. Not with Mhari’s words rattling around in there. What did she mean that she had all the time in the universe and I didn’t?

That was a pretty bold statement. Why did she have more time than me? Nothing I’d read about the Ohuli, which, granted, wasn’t much, had said anything about them having an exceptionally long lifespan.

I supposed that could be the case and the reason it wasn’t mentioned was that so little information about the Ohuli was known.

It still felt like a threat. Maybe not quite as much now as when she’d first said it, but I didn’t know if that was because it really wasn’t a threat or the edge of those words had worn off. Either way, it was an odd thing to say to someone.

I leaned back against the bench behind me and tried to let it go, at least for the moment. To distract myself, I eavesdropped on the women across from me, who’d just started on a new subject.

“I think we should do it,” the first woman said. “It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t know.”

I had a feeling I knew exactly what they were talking about.

“We got the pila. Why not?”

“I just … I don’t have any real questions, that’s all,” the second woman said.

Yep. I’d been right. Seemed to be the same subject nearly everyone on board was discussing.

“You don’t have to have questions,” the first woman said. “You can just find out what’s going to happen next. I think it would be a laugh. Come on. Don’t make me do it alone.”

The second woman sighed in what sounded like a mix of reluctance and resignation. “Fine. But I think it’s going to be a bunch of generalizations like good things are coming your way or the universe only wants the best for you.”

The first woman laughed. “You might be right, but who knows?”

I knew, but I held my tongue. The Ohuli already didn’t trust me. I didn’t need to give them a valid reason by steering people away from their little scheme. Besides, those were two grown, adult women. They could make up their own minds.

The benches creaked. I opened my eyes to see one of the women climbing down and adjusting her towel. “Silma, I’m getting too hot. I’m going out.”

“Okay,” Silma said. “I’m coming.”

And just like that, I was alone. I spread my towel out and lay down on the bench. Another few minutes and I’d be ready to leave, too. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to sit in the hot tub or swim next. Maybe swim. I was already hot.

I held my arm up and checked my wristband, mostly to see if Frank had responded to what Harry had sent him, but there was nothing from him. He was at work. Not the best place to watch surveillance video, so I hadn’t really expected him to have seen it yet.

Sighing, I dropped my arm to my side. Beads of sweat, or maybe they were condensation, trickled down my temples and into my hair. The spa offered a cold plunge pool, but I wasn’t sure I was warmed up enough for that yet.

Funny how I would have gladly jumped in during a hot flash, but now, in this self-imposed heat, it still seemed like it would be too cold.

We humans were funny creatures.

A couple more minutes and I was done. I grabbed my towel and stepped out of the steam room just as another woman was coming in.

Being outside in the pool area cooled me off right away. I decided to hit the hot tub. Three women sat in there already. I left my towel on a nearby chair and greeted them with a nod and a polite smile as I walked down the steps and took a seat.

The water felt glorious. I let out a deep sigh as I sank in up to my neck.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” the woman across from me asked.

“It feels amazing. Just what I needed today.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You look familiar. Of course, everyone on this ship looks familiar and with good reason.” She laughed. “I’m Toni Speranza. I work in Food Services.”

“Toni, of course! You like cozy mysteries and humorous detective novels.”

“How—Ellis McFadden! Right? From the library.”

I nodded. “That’s right. How are you?”

“Better in here than standing behind a hot prep line.” She grinned as she floated closer. “I’ve been meaning to come in and get some more recommendations from you. I want a nice long series I can binge during this fallow phase.”

“It’s so perfect for reading, isn’t it? Have you read the Inspector Tambolli series? He’s a detective in Mumbai, and his wife secretly helps him crack cases. There are twenty or so books in that series. It should keep you going for a while.”

“No, but I love the sound of it already. I’ll get over there tomorrow and have you add it to my card.”

I grinned. “I can do better than that.” I lifted my wristband to my mouth. “Library database.” The screen changed to the one I’d requested. “Toni Speranza. Add books one, two, and three of the Inspector Tambolli series.”

I watched the screen until confirmation popped up. Then I looked at Toni again. “All done.”

She lifted her hands from the water and clapped. “You’re my new best friend.”

I laughed. “Happy to help.” I couldn’t lie; it gave me a rush to be able to do that for people. There was something really fulfilling about telling someone about a great book or series and then instantly getting it into their hands. “I can’t wait to see what you think of it. I love it.”

“I will, too, I’m sure.” She half-swam, half-floated to sit by me. “I heard our new visitors have set up shop in the library. Is that true?”

“It is.” I tried to keep my expression neutral.

“What’s that like?” She made a face. “I mean, I can sort of imagine if we had to share kitchen space with some folks who just showed up and…” She shook her head. “I don’t think I’d like it.”

“They’re only occupying two classrooms, so it’s not really a big deal.”

“But?” She leaned in. “Sounds like you were going to add a but there.”

I exhaled. “I don’t love it, but there’s not much I can do about it.”

“Isn’t your daughter the vice-admiral?”

“Yes, but I don’t like to ask for any kind of special treatment. It’s fine.”

She sat back against the tiled ledge that ran around the wall of the tub. “Have you tried the meditation? I thought about it, but I don’t know. I think I’d fall asleep.”

I snorted. “I might, too. No, I haven’t tried it. I did get a reading today, though. Just to see what it was all about.”

She straightened. “And?”

I realized I didn’t know this woman very well, but we had similar taste in books, and that counted for a lot with me. “And it seemed kind of general and nonspecific. Like it could have applied to just about anyone.”

Toni nodded like that was exactly what she’d expected. “Sort of like the fortune tellers on the Jersey boardwalk.” She chuckled. “I grew up near the Jersey Shore.”

“How did you end up on the Athos ?”

“My two boys. One sings and dances in a couple of the cruiser shows at the Galaxy, and my other boy cooks at Luna’s.”

I gasped. “Are you serious? That’s my favorite place to eat! My boyfriend—” I laughed as the word left my mouth. “Sorry, I don’t think I’ve ever called him that before. He takes me there once in a while.”

“Yeah? Nice boyfriend.”

“He sure is. You must be very proud of your boys.”

“I am.” She smiled, almost shyly. “Never thought I’d be doing this at my age, but what a crazy adventure, huh?”

“That’s for sure. But you can’t be more than fifty-seven? Fifty-eight?”

“You’re sweet. I’ll be sixty-six next month.”

“You look fantastic. What’s your secret?”

She gave me the scoop on a beauty cream she’d picked up a few starports ago, and we chatted until our fingers pruned. It felt like we were old friends. She promised to let me know how she liked the books and told me to ask for her son Ludo next time we went to Luna’s.

The conversation, which hadn’t been anything I was looking for, had lifted my spirits unexpectedly. Talking about books and food always did that. I swam some laps, then went home to shower and rest before I met the girls for dinner.

The other thing talking with Toni had done was get my mind off the Ohuli and Mhari’s cryptic words to me.

But as my wristband chimed with an incoming message from Frank, they were front and center again.