A family murder affair?
“Whoops, we’ve got to get going!” Broderick said, glancing at his watch. “Anyway, great to meet you and so glad we’ll see you later!”
“Yep, great to meet you,” Daniel said, rising to join his brother.
“Thanks, guys, and, yes, ditto! Great to meet you both as well,” Wes said.
The two men left, and Chloe and Wes stood, as well.
“So, time for our classes,” Chloe murmured. “Meet at class two—with the brothers.”
He nodded. “Yep. See you there. Oh, and seriously, watch out for those dating apps!”
“I’m a married woman,” she reminded him.
“Yeah, it should be interesting. I worked a few cases that weren’t... Well, they sure as hell weren’t happy-ever-after. For families, keeping in touch... the internet is great. But when it’s used in the wrong way...”
“Um, that’s what we’re doing on the cruise,” she reminded him.
“Sorry. Dating apps. Kidnapping, ransom... simply taking people for all that they’re worth. Seriously, should be an interesting class. Off to learn about security!” he told her.
They headed out together, checked the spaces where the classes were being held, and pointed them out to each other.
“Wow. Way more people want to date than worry about security!” Wes said.
“Promotion, too!” Chloe reminded him.
“That’s right. Of course. That’s why all those young people are going!”
He gave her a salute and took off. Chloe followed the group into the meeting that Celia and Jeff would be heading, smiling, chatting with others as she did so.
She had a notebook in her bag and took it out as she found a seat with the others. They were in one of the large upper deck spaces reserved customarily for game nights or other such entertainment on the ship, including trivia, cards, karaoke and bingo. She knew where they were since she had read all the brochures.
Changes had been made to pieces of the customary itinerary to accommodate this special occasion. And, of course, cruisers had been given the option to change their reservations or receive a full refund if it wasn’t to their liking.
It didn’t appear that they’d lost any passengers because of the new format.
Chloe was surprised to see that Jeff was the first to walk up to the podium at the front of the class. A computer had been set on a table and a large screen set up behind that.
Jeff welcomed everyone to the class first, explaining that they were going to talk about community and friendship.
“Community, of course, because if we’re looking for love or trying to promote the right people, ideas or products to like-minded individuals, we all need our communities!” he said.
The man could be charming, she saw. He was a good speaker, talented at welcoming and explaining. He won the crowd over easily before introducing his wife.
They started with dating and Chloe wondered what cases Wes had worked that had made him so leery of dating apps.
Celia was an equally good speaker. She talked about the busy lives that most of them led, busy lives with work and family that often made it difficult to meet a partner in the customary way: through church, socials—or even bowling! Her parents had met at a bowling alley, she explained. Something not so common these days.
“Let’s face it, though. We are living in a brave new world!” Celia reminded them. “And I have friends who are now married who met on dating apps. Friendships are formed even when romances don’t bloom. But bad things can happen, too! Very bad things. To start with, only give out so much personal information! If an app appears to be asking too much about your personal life, you may be divulging your whereabouts at a time when you might be vulnerable. Always be wary of money scams!” She sighed softly. “I also have a friend who lost her mom. Her father was devastated. He fell for a woman online who wasn’t a woman at all—and managed to clean out his bank account. So, let’s get started on being safe while also using dating apps for their purpose of finding love and connection!”
Chloe pretended to be attentive; the last thing she wanted was to be on a dating app. Not that friends of hers—even in law enforcement—didn’t use dating apps. She just tended to be skeptical—and too aware of the bad incidents that Celia had mentioned.
And, of course, she shouldn’t want to be on one. She was a married woman—well, on this cruise, anyway.
Celia walked around the room as she talked, indicating to her husband who ran the computer and what was seen on the screen. Different apps were shown. There was no warning against a particular app; this pair had no intention of being subject to a libel suit. But safety was pointed out.
If they weren’t on the suspect list as possible murderers, they might have appeared to be a true, bright, giving couple, knowledgeable regarding all that they were saying.
