Page 24

CHAPTER 24

T o say it was embarrassing to have Wes and Ransom walk in as soon as my results were read is an understatement.

It would have been less embarrassing to run across every deck of this ship in nothing but my birthday suit. And truthfully, I might have preferred it.

Soon enough, we step into the crew lounge down the hall.

I’ve never been inside, despite the fact I’m technically crew, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how spacious it is, not to mention the modern design and furniture. Just like everything else on the Emerald Queen, every inch of the crew lounge is luxurious through and through.

The signature fleur-de-lis pattern in the carpet is woven with colors of emerald and silver, there are a few marble bistro tables ensconced with leather chairs in a butter-soft cream hue, and mahogany panels line every inch of the place. A wall of windows offers endless ocean views, while hidden speakers pipe in jazz so smooth that a part of me wants to apologize for interrupting the tranquility.

“ Trixie .” Ransom pulls me into his arms and bores those cobalt-blue eyes into mine. “Do you want to tell me what that was about?”

I open my mouth to answer, but Wes beats me to it with a chuffed laugh. “What do you think it was about, buddy?” Wes looks physically affronted that Ransom even had to ask. “Clearly she’s worried that your years of womanizing have come home to roost—in her body.”

I gasp hard.

The thought had never even crossed my mind! At least not today.

“My years of womanizing?” Ransom goes from glaring at Wes to wincing at me. “Fair point. And I have no defense to plead.” He gives a mournful sigh. “I’m so sorry, Trixie.”

Wes nods. “You should be.” He looks my way. “Trixie, I’ve spent years trying to warn him to stop treating women like a ride at an amusement park. I’m shocked prime body parts haven’t fallen off of him by now.”

Ransom is back to frowning at Wes. “I don’t remember asking for a commentary.” He inches back as he returns his attention my way. “Wait a minute—is this why you’ve been a bit standoffish?”

Wes gives a dark chuckle. “Your new bride has been standoffish? Oh, this is one for the record books. The great Ransom Courtland Baxter denied on his own honeymoon. How is that ego holding up, buddy?”

“Better than your face will once I’m through with you,” Ransom growls his way.

“No, no.” I jump in before fists can fly. “It’s not about you, Ransom.” I grimace for a moment. “Well, it is, actually, but not in that way.”

Ransom lifts a brow and his eyes double in size.

“I was worried that Stanton might have left me an unwanted gift that I may have unwittingly gifted to you by proxy,” I say. “But thankfully, he didn’t.”

Ransom gives a slow nod. “And that’s why you’ve been standoffish?”

I cringe. “Not exactly.”

Wes edges toward the door. “And I’ll take this as my cue to leave.”

“No, please stay,” I say, catching him by the sleeve. “You should hear this, too. Because there’s something else that’s made me standoffish. Something bigger—something very much supernatural.” I give a little shrug up at Ransom. “And her name is Titsiana Genevieve Forenza. She’s the ghost that’s come back to help me solve the case.”

“Titsiana?” Wes leans in like maybe he misheard.

I nod. “She goes by Tits.” Now it’s me wincing. “And she also goes by Sassy, thankfully.”

Wes chuckles to himself. “So let me get this straight.” He looks over at Ransom. “There’s a ghost named Tits who’s somehow keeping you from enjoying your honeymoon? I’m not sure where or how, but I’m sensing there’s a bit of cosmic justice in there somewhere.” He lifts a shoulder my way. “Sorry, Trixie. But when your husband beds half the female population, evidently the universe feels the need to get involved when it comes to retribution.”

“Maybe so, but she was Elvie’s assistant,” I explain to Wes. “She actually worked with her on the Luscious and Delicious cosmetics brand.” I look back up at Ransom and wince once again. “And, well, she just so happens to have a hankering for hanky-panky—as in ours . Or more to the point, anybody’s, but we’re sort of front and center at the moment.”

Ransom closes his eyes for a moment. “You mean, we’ve had an audience all this time?”

“It seems so.”

Wes shakes his head. “I suppose this gives new meaning to the phrase three’s a crowd .”

Ransom’s eyes widen my way for a moment. “Is this the lady from the window?”

“The one and only,” I say.

Wes sighs. “I’m sorry you’re both going through this. I guess the only way to restart your honeymoon is to solve the case.” He ticks his head to the side. “Whoever Sassy may be, Brad must have really revered her if she’s been sent to help.”

“You would think,” I say. “But according to Sassy, she hardly knew Brad. In fact, she says he couldn’t stand her.”

“Yet another plot twist,” Ransom says with a sigh. “As much as I hate to say it, I think Wes is right. The fastest way to resume our honeymoon is to solve this case. So by all means”—Ransom gestures to one of the leather chairs—“let’s take a seat. Tell us more about our spectral friend with the name of an exotic dancer.”

Ransom and I do just that, but Wes moves toward a small cupboard next to the window.

“This calls for sustenance.” He pulls out a tray of what looks like fresh baked white chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. “It’s the head pastry chef’s secret stash. Don’t tell him I know where he hides the treats.”

Wes’ phone chirps before we can dig into the stolen baked goods. He glances at the screen and grimaces. “Looks like duty calls. Try not to summon up a cemetery while I’m gone. One ghost is probably enough for any cruise ship.”

No sooner does the door close behind him than a spray of pink and red stars glitters through the air just as Sassy materializes in her spectral glory—redheaded victory roll and all.

“Well, well,” she purrs as she floats over in her red and white dotted dress. “It looks as if the head of security is about to arrest his new bride.” She gives a dark laugh. “I just can’t wait for the naughty twist about to take place.” She snags a cookie and lands across from us, ready for the show.

I grab Ransom’s hand and give it a squeeze. “The guest of honor just showed up.” I nod her way. “And now it’s our turn to do a little prying into her personal life.”