George shook his head. “I spoke with three of the security officers. You know, they do go through extensive training. The International Maritime Association keeps great tabs on people. The oceans go everywhere and I’ve gotten to know several of the officers, Wes, and they’re good. They’re honest, they’re passionate about the law and people at sea. They didn’t allow anyone in. They swear as well that they all ate the same dinner that Amelia ate. So, whatever is plaguing her...”
“She did it to herself,” Wes said. “She did it to get out of the brig.”
“I think you’re right. But I’m keeping close tabs on her, I promise you,” George said.
Wes nodded. “Call me if you need me. I don’t care who thinks what on this. If anything, if you need help—”
“I will call you immediately. At this moment, the woman is no danger to anyone. The doctor is treating her, and he is one of the best. But it will be a while before she could begin to be dangerous to anyone.”
“Right. Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”
George nodded gravely.
Beyond a doubt, they needed to keep in touch. The day at sea stretched before them, and anyone on board could be in danger.
And he couldn’t begin to imagine just what someone might be planning.
Wes headed to the elevators and down the hallway and then back to the table, smiling as he rejoined them, nodding to Chloe as if assuring her that he’d found everything just fine.
“So, any plans?” he asked.
“Well, for me, since I get to my lectures and Q and A sessions early enough to welcome those who arrive, I figured I had just the right amount of time for a rollicking good game of bocce ball!”
“There’s bocce ball on the ship?” Wes asked.
“Near the kids’ pool,” Gina assured him. “We’re in! Ready for—what did you call it, Edward? A rollicking good game of bocce ball!”
“Very well, I believe we are all set,” Wes agreed.
“The great game of bocce ball!” Edward told them all. “The ancient and great game of bocce ball! Historically, the game was first played in ancient Greece and then the Romans took over. Those Romans were known for taking over!”
“Roaming Romans, roaming all around!” Jeff said lightly.
“I’m going to beg out on this,” Celia said. She nodded toward a woman Wes had seen in a few of the classes who was at a nearby table. “I promised a little bit of a private session with the lady over there. She’s a young widow, just forty-eight, but she lost her husband to cancer a couple of years ago. She met him in high school and she’s incredibly awkward when it comes to dating and, of course, naturally onlinedating, since it didn’t exist back when she and her husband met one another.”
“Aren’t we all!” Chloe said, adding sagely, “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be married to the love of my life. Dating is... wow. I never did get into the whole online dating thing—I wanted to see people in the flesh! Well, anyway, I hope you can help her, Celia, because I wouldn’t want to be back out there!”
“Probably not,” Broderick said. “Trust me, it is still painful and awkward. You know, there was a video that went viral about a year ago. There was a woman who was going on and on about how it was impossible to make women happy. You open a door, you’re too macho. You don’t open the door, you’re a rude, unmannered slob! It’s impossible to find that middle ground that makes you the perfect gentleman. Dating can be a nightmare.”
“And guys can be just as bad, if not worse,” Celia assured them. “Seriously, I’ve heard plenty of nightmare stories about men, too.”
“Hey, we’re all part of humanity, right? Male and female. We come in nice and not nice. Some of us have manners, some don’t. Anyone, male or female, can be great and anyone, male or female, can be a monster. Whoever this woman was doing the talking on the video, ranting on and on, I’m just sorry to hear about it. She must be an extremely unhappy person,” Chloe said.
“Oh! Your ‘Buttercup’ is just too lovely a person!” Jeff told Wes, grinning.
“His lovely, lovely angel!” Edward said. “And if only there were more in the world. Especially the corporate world!”
Daniel laughed softly, looking at Gina. “And I guess I got lucky, too. I believe I found the perfect woman, definitely an angel!”
“It all depends on who I’m with!” Gina said in return, smiling.
“All right, then. I say break!” Wes stood. Jeff rose right after him, looking at the other table and then the group. “Hm. You want my help, Celia, or you want to talk to her alone?”
“You go. Play bocce ball!” Celia told him, rising as well and gently touching his cheek. “I’m fine. I can manage this one on my own. If I finish up, I’ll join you guys. Then again, I can’t really be an angel and still beat the pants off all of you with my incredible ability at bocce ball!”
“Ooh. Are you that good?” Daniel asked her.
Celia laughed. “No. But it sounded pretty tough, right?”
