Page 31 of Hearts Aweigh
M R . E VERSON ’ S STOCKY FRAME FILLED the 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 MS Buckingham for a good while. I’m familiar with all of your names and your”—the quirk rose higher—“tactics.”
His coworker Mike sidled past him with a folding chair and waited while Althea settled herself. Gerry stood as tall as the man denying them entrance. She peered over his shoulder. “Tell me, Mr. Everson. Can you hear what the passengers are saying on those TV screens?”
He locked his muscular arms over his barrel chest. “That would be a violation of their privacy. We visually monitor everyone’s activity for their own safety and as a precaution against lawsuits but don’t listen to their conversations.
If a question arises about someone’s behavior, we can check the footage. ”
“Speaking of footage.” Emily stepped forward. “Could you check the feed for us? Someone left a note in the infirmary today, and we want to know who it was.”
“Why?”
Emily shot a worried look at her friends. “I’m afraid I can’t reveal the reason, but I assure you it’s important.”
The man did his best imitation of a statue. Only the slightest movement of his lips proved his humanity. “We respect the rights of our passengers. Whatever your newest scheme is, I advise you ladies to cease and desist.” He backed over the threshold and shut the door.
Althea rose from the chair and dusted off her skirt. “Not too friendly, is he?”
Gerry frowned. “Sounds like he’s onto us. We better watch what we say around him.”
Emily tapped her orthopedic sandal on the floor. “We need access to those video files. How else can we discover who left the blackmail note in the clinic?”
Althea snapped her fingers. “What about Barney? He’s always been nice. Maybe he’d sneak a look and fill us in.”
“Great idea.” Emily patted her. “Why don’t we track him down? Once we’ve finished, we can double-check the details for Abby’s romantic dinner at Cloud Nine.”
Emily pictured the imaginary thundercloud hanging above Spencer’s head. Did he have to make his annoyance with his nanny’s dating so obvious? What a shame all that chemistry between him and Abby was wasted.
No matter. The Shippers could find their sweet client someone better. Perhaps this next date would prove they already had.