Sally set a hand on his arm. “Edward, dear, please, please, you need to let this go! Maybe the woman was really, truly, just trying to be nice!”
George cleared his throat. “Well, Sally, even I heard you talking about being careful because of your allergy to nuts.”
“But you honestly couldn’t tell that there were ground nuts in the chocolate!” Sally said. “I mean, it was delicious chocolate! Normally, you can see a piece of an almond or peanut. So, I understand. Maybe she just didn’t know. And now, of course, she’s furious, and I’m so afraid that she’ll really cause trouble for you and the others and the captain and the company that owns the line! And this... this really is such a wonderful cruise! So luxurious and a casino, too! Not many of the luxury vessels like this one have casinos! And of course, the private island! So much that’s so very nice! Our captain is amazing, the security people are top-notch—I just hate that I’m the one causing trouble!”
“Sally,” Chloe assured her, “none of this is your fault.”
“Of course not. And Amelia is right where she should be. I went with the captain.” He arched a brow to Wes. “I, too, was privileged to see the waste containers! But I... I needed to see where they were keeping her. And it’s not horrible at all—I didn’t think she should be locked up with only a bare floor. But I wanted to make sure that she was really, truly locked up and that she wouldn’t be trying to kill Sally a third time!”
“Edward, we don’t know that—” Sally began.
“You’re nice, you’re way too nice, Sally.” He lowered his voice, although only the five of them were at the table. “There’s more security footage, you know. Someone came out to twist some valve or something that caused the drain in the pool to turn into a vacuum! And while you sure can’t see who it was all covered in a black suit and mask and all, I’m willing to bet that it was Amelia Swenson!”
Chloe kept from glancing at Wes, but she knew that neither of them had known Edward had seen that footage.
“Anyone could have gotten caught in that drain,” Sally said.
“But everyone knows how you love the water, how you’re the first to hop in, swim to the deep end, head underwater!” Edward said.
“But no guarantee,” George reminded him, “no guarantee that someone else might have been first.”
“But that woman! I don’t think she would have cared if someone else had gotten caught—it was a gamble on her part,” Edward said.
“Edward, there’s just no way to be sure about this, or any of the things that have been happening. There was strange trouble on the dive,” Wes reminded him, “and Amelia wasn’t even there!”
“Thankfully, my friend, you were!” Edward said.
“Hey, so, what are you planning for today?” Chloe asked.
“I have a lecture at one. Right now, of course, we’re enjoying breakfast!” Edward said. “Then... hm,” he said, smiling at Sally, “Whatever this lovely lady would like!”
“I like just being with you!” Sally said. “But I do love the pool. And don’t worry—I will wait until tons of people are in it before I go in.”
“I truly wish that I thought what happened was purelyaccidental!” Edward said. “But I’m not worried today. Amelia is locked up!”
George excused himself; his phone was ringing. He stepped away from the table for a moment.
“We were thinking of lounging around the pool, too,” Wes said. “I guess—if they’re not giving lectures—our usual crowd will be around.”
“Daniel and Broderick—and their new ladies!” Edward said. “Well, as I said. It will be a lovely, relaxing day! Amelia will not be out. There’s a security office in front of that cell—and a good metal door on it! We’ll be fine, and we will have a great day, and she can try to sue from here to eternity, but once we’re in court... she underestimates the talent of many of the fine prosecutors out there!”
George walked back to the table, looking troubled.
“What is it?” Chloe asked him.
“Um, well, Amelia isn’t locked up anymore,” George told them.
“What?” Edward almost shouted the word. “She couldn’t have escaped—”
“She didn’t,” George said quickly. “But she’s not in the brig—she’s in the hospital. She was vomiting so violently that they had to get her to the infirmary. And she’s burning up. They’ve, uh, asked if I mind coming down. Edward—”
“Go,” Edward said. “I’m fine and I’ve been fine, but I do enjoy your company, sir!”
“And we’ll stick to him like glue!” Chloe promised sweetly.
“But, George!” Edward said.
“Yes?” George asked, getting ready to leave them.
