“That’s impossible. It’s just the two of us.”
“Is it?” Harper’s eyes narrow accusingly. “You were sitting awfully close to me.”
I inch back. “Harper, you can’t be serious. I was leaning in to hear better. You don’t thinkItook it, do you? Why would I do that?”
“To protect Beth,” Harper lifts her chin in defiance. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you two have gotten quite chummy.”
“I hardly know Beth,” I protest. “And I swear I didn’t take your USB drive.”
Harper stands abruptly, yanking open the compartment door. “Conductor!” she calls. “We need assistance!”
A uniformed man appears, looking more than a little concerned. “Is there a problem, madam?”
“I’ve been robbed,” Harper howls loud enough for everyoneback on the ship to hear. “My property was stolen when the lights went out. I insist this woman be searched!”
My mouth falls open as I gape at the woman. She does realize we’re not being filmed at the moment. Or are we?
I give a quick look around but see no evidence of that lunacy—just this lunacy before me.
The poor conductor looks more than a little uncomfortable. “Madam, I cannot search passengers without?—”
“It’s fine,” I interrupt, quickly jumping to my feet. “Search me. I promise, I have nothing to hide.”
The conductor reluctantly pats down my pockets and examines my bag, finding nothing even remotely resembling a USB drive.
“Satisfied?” I ask Harper as sweetly as can be. Okay, fine. I snipped at her, but she totally deserved it.
Harper’s jaw clenches. “You could have hidden it anywhere. Tossed it out the window, slipped it under the seat cushion, passed it to someone when I wasn’t looking.”
“Harper, we’ve been alone the entire time!”
“Have we?” She yanks open the compartment door and storms out, leaving me standing there with nothing but the stunning Norwegian scenery and a growing sense that this investigation just got a lot more complicated—and a lot more bizarre.
We disembark, and Harper keeps her distance, all the while shooting me suspicious glares. The production crew gathers its equipment, thankfully oblivious to the tension crackling between us. And I still haven’t had the opportunity to talk to Harper about our shared love of art. Not that I think she’s capable of a less-than-hostile exchange about anything at this point.
The icy air hits us as we make our way back to theEmerald Queen, and once we arrive, I spot Beth near the gangway, watching us with an anxious expression.
Which begs the question—does she know what was on that recording? Is Harper trying to protect Beth in some twisted way?
Or is Harper playing me? Maybe there never was a missing USB drive. Maybe she recorded the women herself and staged this whole field trip to gauge my reaction. Or to deflect suspicion from herself.
Either way, one thing is clear—someone on this ship is desperate to keep secrets buried.
And I’m pretty sure I just painted a target on my back.
CHAPTER 16
Suddenly Hitched—What a Trip!
Dear Trixie,
I’m booked on the Norwegian fjords cruise, but honestly, I just want to curl up with a good book and enjoy the scenery from my balcony. My family thinks I’m wasting money by not participating in every activity and excursion, but after a hectic year, peaceful solitude sounds like heaven. Is it terrible to skip the organized fun and just order room service? And if I do hibernate, what am I genuinely missing that might be worth venturing out for?
Contentedly Antisocial in Cabin 8127
Dear Contentedly Antisocial,
You’ve discovered cruising’s best-kept secret! Your cabin is actually yours to enjoy, however you please. The cruise police will not, in fact, revoke your passenger privileges for skipping the conga line.
