“If she’s dying, well...” Edward paused, shaking his head, and then speaking very softly but with distress and passion, “After all this... maybe just let the murderous woman die!”
Sixteen
They weren’t at the table long before they were joined by first Celia and Jeff, and then Daniel and the beautiful Gina and his brother Broderick.
Naturally, the conversation went around again about Amelia being in the hospital now instead of prison, with everyone tactfully avoiding Edward’s somewhat sinister suggestion.
“It’s pretty serious. They’ve called George down there,” Edward said gravely.
“Well, must be the prison grub!” Daniel said lightly. He shrugged. “Maybe she should be sick, after everything that she did.”
“Okay, guys,” Gina put in. “We don’t know the truth! Therefore, I think that we need to use a little caution when we’re talking about her.”
“Gina!” Celia said, laughing. “I don’t think that you need to worry. You’re not part of the group that may find themselves sued!”
Gina shook her head. “We just don’t really know!” she said.“I mean... Edward! You’re an amazing man. What you and your company tried to do for this cruise—yes, yes, promotion for yourself, too—is amazing. But please! Let’s have a nice day, let’s not think about Amelia anymore, or let any speculation ruin a beautiful day at sea!”
“Hear, hear! I like this lovely woman!” Sally said.
“Right, okay, yes, of course,” Edward murmured. He looked around the table, forcing a smile. “A day at sea! Who is loving the wind and the water, lazing it out on a deck chair, and who is heading to some music, some dancing... the casino?”
“Hey, who is to say that you can’t do a little of both?” Daniel asked lightly. “Though this lovely lady has mentioned dancing, but that will be a bit later. Oh, but we’re doing something incredibly important today, too!” he said.
“What’s that?” Edward asked.
“Coming to see you speak, offer any further explanation, keep our mouths shut, whatever you’d like!” Broderick told him.
Edward laughed. “Trust me, I never thought that I knew it all!”
Wes listened, laughed and determined his next best move was getting to speak with George.
He wanted to know what the hell had gone on with Amelia.
Two things occurred to him...
Someone could have gotten to her. Poisoned her, as she had tried to poison Sally.
Or...
She’s managed it all herselfin an attempt toget herself removed from the ship’s brig. There really wasn’t a way out down there. From the hospital...
Well, there was no massive metal door for one.
He made a point of stretching and wincing. “Babe,” hesaid to Chloe, “you didn’t happen to remember to bring any of my back medication, did you?”
“I brought it, sweetheart, but it’s in the cabin,” Chloe told him.
“Of course, thank you. Excuse me. I’ll be right back!”
He left the table, hurrying toward the hallway and the elevator. But instead of heading to the cabin, he hurried to the hospital deck.
He found George in the waiting area, pacing.
“What the hell?” Wes asked him.
He shook his head. “Seems like the kind of sickness you might get from really bad fish or something similar. Food poisoning.”
“I know damned well they didn’t serve bad food on this ship,” Wes said.
