Page 33 of Last Date

“Homicide?” Selena all but shrieked. “Allister was m… m… murdered?”

I frowned. “They couldn’t know cause of death this soon.”

“Cool your jets, people. Homicide detective is just my title.” Detective Bergen sighed. “I’ve been asked to poke my nose around, maybe ask a few questions. Allister Green had some powerful friends, and they want answers.”

“We all do,” I said gruffly.

“Sure. Sure.” He turned to the captain. “I assume you’re Captain Roscoe?”

“Yes.” Captain Roscoe nodded.

“Care to tell me what happened here exactly?” Detective Bergen pulled a pen and notepad from his sloppy suit coat. “Start at the beginning.”

“I don’t know what happened,” Captain Roscoe said, frowning.

“Who found the body?”

I cleared my throat. “I did.”

Detective Bergen’s alert gaze shifted to me. “Anything you want to tell me?”

“Could you be more specific?”

Judging by the detective’s annoyed expression, I got the feeling he was flattered he’d been asked to drop by to check things out and simultaneously annoyed he’d been bothered at all. “Why are youhere? How did you find the body? What is your relationship with the deceased? That kind of thing.”

“I’m here because I had a date with Allister.”

“So, you were lovers?” He lifted one brow.

I winced. “No. I barely knew Allister. This was our first date.”

“Did you two argue?”

“What? God, no.”

Shrugging, Detective Bergen said, “People argue.”

“We didn’t argue. I didn’t even see him until I found him… you know.” I blanched.

He eyed my red silk tie. “You got all dressed up for your big date, I see.”

“I don’t think that’s unusual, is it?” I frowned.

Ignoring my question, he turned to the captain. “Who else is on the boat?”

“Well, most of the crew have tonight off.” Captain Roscoe swallowed hard. “It was just me, Selena, the chef, and my first mate. Because it’s Valentine’s Day, Allister was… thoughtful enough to just have a skeleton crew on.”

“I see.” Detective Bergen considered our small group. “Did you like working for Mr. Green, Captain Roscoe?”

“Of course.” Captain Roscoe lifted his chin. I got the impression that, even if he’d hated Allister, he’d never say a bad word about him. He was that kind of man: loyal. Stoic.

Detective Bergen turned to Selena. “How about you? Allister ever hit on you or make you uncomfortable?”

“What?” Her face paled.

“It’s not that unusual. You’re pretty, and he was rich. Lots of guys like him believe they can have anything they want.”

“That never happened.” Selena’s voice trembled.