“What did you see, Nora?”Ezra asked when they were out of earshot.
“Enough to know that Augusta is not a murderer.I’m pretty sure I know who is, though.”The pieces were falling into place.“We need to expose the real killer before we hit Cozumel.And I’ve got an idea of where to start.”
ChapterFifteen
When I explained the plan to everyone, I got a few"Are you out of your mind?"comments...mostly from Gilly, who was still pissed at me for scaring her with my heart problems.
Ezra was a rockstar, though.He supported the plan, as long as we stuck together.I was good with that.Going off on my own was a really good way to get my butt kicked—something I’d experienced a time or two in the course of my work with the police.I didn’t want any gunshot wounds, broken bones, or black eyes.
Of course, for the plan to really work, we’d need the FBI to give us an assist.I left that task up to Pippa.She could be very convincing.I offered Gilly an out.Neither Scott nor she was obligated to participate in what she called a"harebrained plan."That’s when she called me a harebrain and told me it would be a cold day in hell before she let me out of her sight.Scott wasn’t going to let Gilly out ofhissight, and so, our scouting team became a party of four.
Before heading out, we changed into less formal, more stealthy, stretchy clothes.Tight dresses and heels weren’t exactly ideal for sneaking around the ship.
“How do we sneak into the morgue?”Gilly asked as we took the elevator down to the second floor.
If I was right, the real murderer would come down here soon while the FBI was occupied with getting the details of Augusta’s questions and try to get rid of Sebastian’s body.If it were to go over the rail and disappear into the ocean...well....no body, no crime.Or, at least, it would be hard to prove.Augusta was a smart enough lawyer to know that confessions can be overturned.People already suspected the young singer had jumped over the rail.On top of that, no body, no autopsy to prove that he hadn’t died of natural causes.
“Scott, since you’re a doctor, can you fake an emergency to distract whoever’s on duty tonight?”I requested.
“Easy enough,” he said, but I could tell it made him uncomfortable.
“I’ll do it,” Gilly said, sensing it as well.
“No,” he said firmly.“I’m part of this Scooby gang now, and I’m going to do my part.”
“You dear, sweet man,” I gushed.“I could totally kiss you.”
My statement drew objections from both Ezra and Gilly.
“I meant metaphorically.”I rolled my eyes.“Dude?”
“Dude,” she replied.
I blew out a breath.“Duude.”
“Duuude.”Gilly put her hands on her hips.
“Duuuude.”I widened my eyes for emphasis.
She nodded.“Dude.”
I smiled.“Dude.”We were cool again.
“You guys are so strange sometimes,” Ezra said.
To which Gilly and I both said, “Duuuuuude,” then laughed.
I knew the levity was a result of nervous energy.We both resorted to humor in times of stress.Well, humororwanting to punch someone’s ticket.I was glad that we’d decided not to choose violence.Humor was a much better option.
“We’ll hang back by the elevators until Scott creates the distraction.And while they’re busy with him, we’ll slip down the restricted corridor to the morgue.”
“Bulletproof,” Gilly said with only a hint of sarcasm.I was calling that progress.“How do we know which drawer to look in?”
“There can’t be that many.”I dipped my chin.“We’ll search them all.”
“Wonderful,” she mumbled.
Ezra held a hand up to shush us as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.“Keep out of sight.”
