“Well, I’m glad they caught that no-goodnik and threw him in the brig. Why do you suppose he broke into Jade Moon’s cabin?”
“There you go, playing detective again. I’m sure Jade Moon is a perfectly respectable woman who will breathe a sigh of relief when she finds out that sleazy murderer is out of her hair.”
Flossie crossed her arms over her bosom and glared at her brother-in-law. “Are you going soft on me? I’m not so sure she’s on the up-and-up, either. Maybe she’s in cahoots with that guy. Don’t you think it’s strange that a businesswoman was right there to step in for poor Pearl Woo as Kazaam’s assistant? What kind of a business can you leave on a moment’s notice? She never said what it was.”
“You know, Miss Nosey, everyone in the world isn’t obligated to tell you their life story.”
“Yeah, but most people don’t sidestep innocent questions unless they’ve got something to hide. I’ll tell you Sterling, I’m not done digging.”
“Well I’m not picking up a shovel and helping you. Listen, Old Girl, I can feel it. If you’re gearing up to go snooping again, count me out. The murder has been solved, Red will have harmony back on his ship and I’ll be happy to be home tomorrow. It’s over, Flossie. No mystery here. I’m gonna sit on the balcony and watch the view until dinner. Red said it will be a grand celebration with sparklers, special entertainment and a real gourmet spread. I want to be ready.”
Sterling stepped around Waldo’s bed and slid open the balcony door. Flossie stomped out of the cabin. Since they still had two hours before dinner, there was no way she was going to cool her heels.
She stood in the corridor and looked in both directions. No one was coming. A slight breeze filled the air with a mild salty aroma. It was chilly, so she pulled her pink cardigan around her shoulders and set off in the direction of the Jade’s cabin, determined to find out more about her. Lost in thought, she speeded up as she rounded the corner to the cabin and smacked right into Jade Moon who had been walking toward her with her head down.
Jade grabbed Flossie’s elbow just in time to prevent her from falling over. “Oh, Mrs. Silver, I’m so sorry,” she said. “I guess I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay?”
Flossie pushed her glasses back into position and took a deep breath. “Sure, Sweetheart, I’m fine. It was probably as much my fault as yours. Silly me. I thought this was the way to the cafe but I guess I was mistaken. I was on my way to get a nice cup of tea and relax a little before the big dinner tonight.” She flashed a grandmotherly smile. “Say, I’ve got a good idea. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll bet you’re still pretty shaken by your Sheik’s murder, and tea is so calming. It might do you good to talk a little. So shocking. That poor man. Can’t bottle things up inside, you know.”
Jade tried to protest but Flossie kept up with her sweet, slightly off-the-track ploy. “Come, come, Dearie. I won’t take no for an answer.”
She linked her arm through Jade’s and with surprising strength for an octogenarian, pulled Jade in the direction of the restaurant. There was no way she was going to lose this opportunity to wheedle some information out of the young woman.
Once they settled at a table with their tea, Jade protested that she had a lot to do and could only stay a few minutes.
“Nonsense, what could you have to do? Since poor Ali Kazaam is gone, you don’t have to worry about the show you two were going to do tonight.”
Jade fidgeted in her chair and dabbed her eye with a napkin. “Tonight, yes we were planning on something big. And now—” Her voice trailed off.
“And now you can enjoy the evening, it will take your mind off of what happened. Boy, oh boy, it’s going to be quite the big formal gala tonight. They have a wonderful party on the last night at sea. We’ll have champagne and a parade when they bring out the Baked Alaska for desert. So, relax, Sweetheart. Let’s just sit for a minute, okay?”
Jade gave in and Flossie began her subliminal probe. “So, we didn’t say anything before, but Sterling and I saw you arguing with that murderer. Frightened us half to death. Did you know each other before the cruise? I thought maybe he was a former boyfriend. In fact, I bet Sterling that’s what it was. If so, you were you lucky to get rid of that jerk.”
Although the other woman’s expression didn’t change, her eyes did and Flossie caught the flash of acknowledgement. Before Jade could reply, Flossie said, “See, I knew I was right. Was he trying to harm you? Was he jealous, or what? Surely he didn’t think you had an affair going on with Mr. Kazaam, did he? With a head like he had, you’d have to insist he leave that stupid turban on all night, and what kind of an affair would that be?” She giggled at her own joke.
“Affair? Kazaam? Yes, yes, that was it. I went on this cruise to get away from Sly. That’s what everyone called him. His whole name is Sylvester Cunning. Could never trust a word he said, and we were arguing because he wanted me to go back to Vancouver with him.” Her eyes watered. “That wasn’t even a real mustache. Did he think that little bit of fuzz would keep me from recognizing him? From realizing that he was stalking me? I was afraid to tell anyone, but I never thought he would kill—” Her voice trailed off. “I’m sorry. I have to go back to my cabin. I guess I’m more upset than I thought I was.”
Flossie patted Jade’s hand. “There, there, I understand. At least you don’t have to worry about—what did you call him—Sly? I’m pretty sure he’ll be out of your hair for a long, long time. Are you going back to Vancouver? Is that where your business is?”
Pulling her hand away from Flossie’s, she said, “Um, no. I was just there temporarily. I’ll be going back to my real home.” She left without saying where that real home was. Flossie never got the chance to ask about her line of work.