Rex felt more peaceful than he had for weeks. Sitting next to Viv, he knew he'd done the right thing, telling her about his feelings. The sky began to gradually lighten as the sun rose in the horizon.
Viv, who sat only inches away, sighed. He reached for her hand.
"I had very little sleep last night," she commented. "I'm surprised I feel this chipper."
He gave her hand a squeeze. "I have that effect on women," he assured her.
"I've seen your effect," she responded dryly. "How about I order our breakfast right now? I've certainly enjoyed being pampered these past few days. I'm ready for a plate of scrambled eggs."
"And buttered toast," he added. "I feel much better now."
"And a giant pot of coffee," Viv agreed. "Remind me. Did you apologize last night? For being a dumbass. I think I heard you say that, in so many words."
"I did," he said, nodding. "And it worked." He smiled from ear to ear. "Make that two pots of coffee. We have some work to do."
Once she’d ordered, he turned to her. "If you're up for it, I'd like to talk about a few things. The first being we were both locked into a room and left there."
"Fernando told you," she said.
"Yes, he did. Right before I booted him out of my stateroom," Rex growled.
Viv smiled. "I have plenty to share with you since we last spoke. A lot of unfinished business with Aloha Cruises. I'm concerned that will all be swept aside once we come into port."
"There is a time frame here. I'm beginning to understand all of that myself." He pulled out his cell phone. "But first I'm going to have my luggage delivered. Then I'll tell you about the two guys I saw tossing a body bag overboard." He narrowed his eyes, waiting for a response.
He could tell he'd piqued her interest. The way she gazed at him with wide eyes. "When was that?"
"Right before I came upstairs to find you," he replied.
"Did you report the incident?" she chided.
"Just like you did when you saw that guy fall. And guess what? Allison Thompson had the nerve to tell me I was seeing things.”
"Gaslighting. That's what happened to me," Viv said with annoyance.
"I was surprised how angry I got. Walked out on her. After giving her a piece of my mind. We need to get to the bottom of this."
Rex stood and looked toward the door. "I hear the room steward. Time for breakfast."
Rex viewed the breakfast tray with two coffeepots and a covered dish and a basket. Lifting the metal lid, he inhaled deeply. "The eggs are still hot," he assured Viv.
Then he leaned closer to examine a basket of pastries. Filled with buttered toast, fresh croissants, and two oversized cinnamon rolls, his stomach growled.
He reached for a slice of toast. "Have you been eating like this all week?" he mumbled. Then he made a point of staring under the table. "You don't look as if you've gained a pound."
"I've enjoyed more food than usual." Viv reached for a large spoon to scoop eggs onto her plate. "Something about the sea makes me ravenous." She lifted a full fork to her lips.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Not a bit," she assured him. "Completely rejuvenated."
"Everything was okay for you…last night?” He liked being complimented after lovemaking.
"Last night was delightful." She shoved a plate filled with eggs toward him. "Now it's time to tell me about that body going overboard."
Not the gushy type, my Viv.
He cleared his throat. “So here's what I saw…”
By the time Rex finished recounting what he'd seen the night before, they’d made it to the second pot of coffee. "More?" she asked, holding it up.
"Yes, please." He lifted his cup for a refill. When he put his cup down he pulled out his cell phone. "I have a message," he scrolled with his thumb. "It seems my luggage has been delivered next door."
He felt himself relax. "Looks like we're back on track." He winked at her.
"Looks like we're more than that," Viv smirked. "Let's talk about our case."
"Our case…" he commented dryly.
"Neighbors in crime. That's us. So in a nutshell; one or two dead bodies have disappeared." She sounded matter of fact.
"One went into the sea, at least we know that," Rex said.
She took a bite of her cinnamon roll. "This is delicious." She licked the frosting off her lips.
"You're delicious." He tore off a bite for himself. "Do you think the guy tossed overboard was the same guy who fell off the elliptical?"
Viv paused. "There could be one body, or quite possibly two. I can barely remember what elliptical guy looked like. It all happened so fast, and then whoosh, the body's disappeared."
"The same with the body bag. Heave-ho and it disappeared. But it may be the same guy," Rex repeated.
She turned her head to gaze at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I think you're right. But we still don't know for sure. And we don't know why either. Who would be so dangerous they had to toss him in a body bag?"
"Who and why," Rex added. "Was his identity that important? It's a big risk getting rid of a person overboard. There might be someone waiting for him when the ship anchors."
"If it was family or a friend, they'd surely call the cops," Viv said.
Rex said thoughtfully, "My time in the infirmary. There was a body next to me on a respirator. Then I woke up and the body was gone."
"Do you suppose they transferred the body to the morgue when you were going in and out of consciousness?” Viv asked.
"Possibly. And what if," Rex insisted, "that was the guy at the gym. I think we've circled back to the same conclusion. Overboard guy is elliptical guy."
Viv looked toward the horizon again, taking a minute to think. "We only have a few hours before we reach Honolulu.”
"And don't forget that memorial for Daddy," Rex added. "I'd like to go." He remembered the chapel and how he'd stood up to Allison only a few hours ago. Rex had no regrets. That decision made him disregard the rules, bringing him directly to Viv's door.
"Did you meet Sandi Hughes?" Viv asked.
"Remember? I met her that first night at my show. She seemed a bit off to me."
"Carrying Daddy's ashes everywhere," Viv said dryly. "I saw more of Daddy than I saw of you for most of the week."
Rex sighed. "I don't know how you can forgive me."
She reached to pat his hand. "You do contrite so well."
"Really? I wasn't aware." He shot her a quick little-boy smile, the one that he knew was irresistible.
"But now we have a murder and a coverup to solve. And time's a-wasting." Viv pushed her plate away and rose.
Rex stood up too. "Let's plan our first move. We need to get Allison or Redford cornered and have some of our questions answered."
Viv smiled. "I gave Redford quite a dressing down the last time the two of us spoke. I left in a huff from his office."
"Wish I could have been there." He glanced at her in admiration.
"I accused Redford of gaslighting me. Just a minute, I need to make a call.” She walked to the room phone, picked up the receiver, and said, "You can come remove our breakfast tray now."
"You're adapting quite well to this life of leisure." He tossed his napkin on the tray.
"Maybe it's time to get dressed." She smirked.
"How about a shower first?" he invited. "Then we can take your phone to the IT desk and make a big scene. It will be fun. I can't wait."
"I prefer a bath," she said. "That shower isn't big enough for one, let alone two."
"It will have to be quick, considering we have work to do."
"Not a problem," she assured him with a smile. "I can do quick."
Rex and Viv stood at the IT desk looking alert and freshly bathed. He with his hair slicked back and Viv with a bright smile.
"Mr. Redondo. Ms. Rose," Redford addressed them.
Viv turned to Rex. "You go first, sweetie."
"We need to talk privately," Rex said with authority. "So call someone else to help the people behind us."
"And this is regarding…" Redford's fingers tapped the counter.
Viv glared. "Don't play dumb with Redondo and Rose. We're talking about the body," she said in a sharp voice. "Do I need to say that louder so everyone can hear?"
Robert’s face drained of color. "Not at all," he said with a forced whisper. "Come this way."