Viv zipped her suitcase closed. She looked over at Rex, who waited by the door. "All done," she assured him, realizing that he'd been more quiet than usual.
Outside in the corridor, Rex propped her bag next to his against the wall. "They'll come for them in a few minutes. I got a text."
"Do we disembark now?"
"We have about an hour. Would you like to have one last look at the lido deck? Maybe we can chat and let everyone else do the hustle."
Once they arrived, they sat at the first available table. "This is where I sat when Jon Jon Mulroy fell off the elliptical," she reminded him.
Rex rubbed his hand over his arm.
"Don't scratch," she said. "Makes the itching worse. We'll get some prescription cream first thing."
He dropped his hands to the table, but then started playing with his fingers one at a time, rubbing his thumb over the nails methodically.
"Do you think we could have done more to get justice for Jon Jon?" Viv asked.
He looked up. "I always think I can do more. It's kind of my thing, you know. I keep trying. But mostly what I do isn't enough."
Viv nodded. "I would have loved to see people arrested. That might have made a difference. But now everything is up to the police. Will Honolulu take this seriously, you think?"
"Sutton assured me that someone would be meeting the ship as soon as it docked…" His voice trailed off, sounding unconvinced.
"You've seemed kind of down," Viv commented softly. "Anything you care to talk about?"
He forced a half smile. "I thought for sure they were slipping me something in the water to make me sick. So maybe I have an allergy to some specific chemical on board the ship. Even that spa scent seemed pervasive, like a cover-up for smells that are less welcome. People living in close quarters are smelly. I even wondered if the fish was dodgy, you know, a bit past its expiration date."
He began to trace his nails with his thumb again.
Viv knew that she had to handle this conversation with great care. After talking with Sutton, she suspected this time would come, but not so soon and not when they were alone. She'd hoped that Sutton would also be there for support.
Viv bit her bottom lip and took the plunge.
"Have you ever been to an intervention?" she asked quietly.
His head bobbed up, his eyes surprised. "You mean the kind they do for alcoholics and drug addicts? I don't think so. I thought they were dumb, if you must know the truth. People need to stay in their own lane and mind their own business." He sounded quite sure of himself on that point.
Viv gulped, searching for her words. "I agree, mostly," she said hesitantly, "and I've never been to one either. But I need to bring up a hard topic, and it feels kind of like one of those intervention things."
His body stiffened. "Are we breaking up?"
"No. At least I hope not." She reached to take his hand. "Sutton told me some stories about your time in the military," she began cautiously, watching his face for clues to continue.
"Don't you girls have something better to discuss?" He looked relieved but wary.
"She's noticed for years that you get anxious in certain circumstances. That you have triggers that make you feel ill. So she did some research while you were away. Like most men you don't want to share your feelings." She smiled at him.
"She found out that certain smells, sounds, and feelings trigger the brain. The result can be different in different people. For you it seems to start with upper respiratory symptoms. Then digestive issues. Feeling woozy and lethargic. Your brain is sluggish and you might have a headache that lasts for days. Just what you described you were feeling on this cruise."
"That's true." He looked almost relieved.
When he didn't bother to disagree, she felt her confidence return.
Rex admitted, "Now that I think about it, I felt so guilty as soon as I took the job. For leaving you behind, especially after you saw the elliptical incident. I literally abandoned you and walked away, and the reason was selfish."
His voice raised. "I've had bouts of this before. I never thought about a trigger. I'd take some cold meds and it would go away in a week or so. But this time it didn't go away."
When his mouth tightened, Viv spoke. "Sutton and I think that certain triggers bring up memories of your work in Afghanistan."
"How's that? I was just an intel officer. Not in combat." Rex looked away.
"According to Sutton you were within one hundred yards of the burn pits," Viv said. "And the toxic fumes that filled the air. You inhaled that air. You were close to the residue on the uniforms of others, which contaminated the entire camp. Marines who stood in the food lines. The chow hall. The shower trailers. And the work spaces and barracks. Even though you weren't one of the ones dumping evidence into the pit, you may be experiencing the memories."
"That was normal procedure," Rex insisted. "Open-air burning is a way to dispose of waste. The process is contained and approved by the military. It wasn't my decision."
"Like burning plastic and electronic materials," Viv said. "Sutton told me."
"I'm getting tired of hearing her name." Rex shrugged. "But I suppose you're not going to stop with this line of inquiry. Now that the two of you are in this together."
He glared at Viv. She appreciated that his old resistance was returning.
"Lots of veterans sued the government," she explained. "Most had breathing and lung diseases because they'd been exposed to the pollution caused by the pits." She kept her voice calm, hoping her words would sink in.
“I know about all of that," Rex said testily. "I even told Sutton years ago that we were lucky."
"But there's something more," Viv said. "What often goes unexplored. The emotions. The Marines who served in relation to the burn pits. And for you it had a unique quality. You were a witness, watching as Marines followed orders, knowing somewhere in the back of your mind that they may suffer later—"
"Just stop!" Rex jumped to his feet.
When one foot got caught under his chair, he reached to steady himself.
Viv waited for him to catch his balance. She nodded to his empty chair.
"I admit that I still feel guilty, ever since my desert tour. And now that I'm thinking about it, leaving you on the ship to do a couple of shows also activated my guilt. But those are apples and oranges. How is one a trigger for the other? Makes no sense…
"I never got close to the burn pits," he kept explaining. "Not like the rest. I was sitting back in my cushy intel tent, minding my own business. There's no way I can compare myself to the real troops who risked their lives. I suspected about the hazards of the pollution, but I never spoke up."
Perspiration broke out over Rex's forehead. Viv reached for his hand. He didn't respond but stared blankly ahead.
She continued to speak in a quiet voice. "So Sutton knows a guy. A retired chaplain who works with the Navy as a contractor. His specialty is identifying the emotional and spiritual malaise of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan."
"I don't need to talk to anyone," Rex said firmly.
"She'd like you to talk to him while you're here. Maybe have dinner."
"I didn't come here to talk to an old Navy buddy," he groaned.
"It's just a dinner," Viv said. "I can hang out with Sutton."
"I keep forgetting about her. Sutton's a big nuisance," he commented dryly. "And I've heard enough about her for one day."
At that moment, an announcement came over the loudspeaker. "It's time for deck five to debark. Form a line in the elevator lobby. I'd like to thank you for sailing with Aloha Cruises, and don't forget you can sign up for another cruise at the first kiosk on the pier. It's still offered at a discounted price."
"The endless upsell," Viv commented dryly.
As they rolled their bags down the ramp, it was Rex who brought up their previous conversation. "You're forgiven. For bringing up all that nonsense about the burn pits and my past. I know Sutton pulled you into this. It's been a difficult week and I'm going to make it up to you at the Hawaiian Village. I promise. And our alone time is long overdue." He added with a mischievous grin, "At least I'm still good at that."
“Yes, you are," Viv agreed.
A group of people stood at the edge of the pier. They waved at passengers walking down the ramp. Viv pointed to a familiar face.
He turned to her with a look of disbelief. "What have you done?"
"Just taking care of the man I love," Viv said calmly. She waved at Sutton and the man standing next to her.
His eyes widened. "Did you say—"
"Do you think I'd go to all of this trouble for my next-door neighbor, no matter how cute his dog is?"
A tentative smile replaced his scowl. "I don't suppose I thought of it that way. You really must like me."
"I didn't say like," she corrected. "Is hard of hearing another one of your symptoms?" As he registered his pleasure, she looked away.
When he'd come to her room that night, she'd finally allowed herself to feel. It was the way he didn't bother to make excuses that opened her heart.
And then when Rex didn't run away as she probed him about his past, she knew for certain. I've always been that kind of person. I watch what people do more than hear what they say.
"Come on. I'll take your bag too." Rex interrupted her thoughts by taking her bag. He called over his shoulder with his usual exuberance. "I need to introduce you to someone. He's a great guy. Starbuck Little. A chaplain and quite a character."
Rex's last words were nearly drowned out by the blast of the ship's horn. A commotion erupted at the end of the ramp. The crowd parted when two uniformed police officers rushed out of their cruiser.
Standing side by side, the two looked imposing, their sunglasses covering their eyes staring in the direction of passengers disembarking.
Sandi walked past, holding the box labeled Daddy under her arm. She looked forlorn, wearing teddy bear pajama pants and a sweatshirt, her hair piled in disarray on top of her head.
The female cop stepped forward to take her arm, directing her to a man standing in the crowd. He was quite tall and held the air of impatience. "I can't believe you did this again." He took Sandi's arm.
At the foot of the pier, Bertha Alcott walked slowly toward the shore. Without her customary cane, she gripped Cricket’s elbow for assistance. The male officer stepped forward to take Bertha's other elbow, nodding at Cricket to let go.
With Bertha firmly in hand, the officer walked away. His partner continued to scan the crowd. Rex took the handle of the suitcase and hurried forward with Viv following.
She was the first to ask. "Hello, Officer. Who are you looking for?"
"The ship's captain, for one. And then two of his crew," she said curtly.
"Let me guess. That would be Captain Barclay, Allison Thompson, and Robert Redford, no relation," she added to clarify.
The officer nodded.
Viv kept talking. "My friend and I were responsible for reporting Jon Jon Mulroy's accident and the disposal of his body at sea. You got the phone call from Sutton Drew, our private investigator, I presume?"
Rex took a quick look at Viv, his mouth hanging open.
"The captain just gave an announcement over the loudspeaker," Viv continued to explain. "So he hasn't debarked."
"Thanks." With long strides, the officer made her way toward the ship while stragglers pulled aside to let her pass.
Rex grinned. "I guess the cops will arrest them too, including the captain. Not because he was necessarily guilty, but because he's responsible for all employees on the ship."
He sighed. "I have to admit this part is very satisfying." He sent a puzzled look in her direction. "I think I felt guilty, but I also forgot you are the most competent woman I've ever met. A class act, Vivienne Rose."
"I used my time wisely this week," she admitted. "Let's just say that. I can't wait to do an internet search once we're unpacked, get all the gory arrest details."
"That works." Rex glanced toward the dispersing crowd on the shore. He sighed again.
"Go ahead. You know you want to," Viv encouraged.
He lifted his arm and waved in Sutton's direction. Not like she was hard to miss, wearing a red top and tight red shorts with cowboy boots. Even the black baseball cap couldn't hide her flaming red hair.
"She's gone red again," Rex commented to Viv.
"I can see that," Viv said dryly.
The man standing next to Sutton waved both hands in the air.
"It's good to see Chaps." Rex waved back. "I can't wait to introduce you." He urged her forward as they merged into the crowd.
Two days later, Viv and Sutton sat on the beach. They'd ordered margaritas, which sat on the low table between their chairs underneath the beach umbrella.
"This is nice." Sutton picked up her glass. "Sorry I'm not Rex."
Viv looked toward the shimmering blue ocean. Waves lapped at the sand as the sound of children's delighted screams filled the air. "No worries. The cruise was one surprise after another. Plus he's in good hands."
A man hoisted a toddler on his shoulders, walking into the sea. The little girl's high-pitched squeal met Viv's ear. She smiled and turned to Sutton.
"So who's taking care of Kevin and Miss Kitty?"
"Fernando," Sutton said. "He flew back on the first flight. I think Palm Desert Police relieved him of his special assignment once he told them how you solved a murder case with your sheer persistence. Apparently he gave them plenty of info, because they no longer think you require a bodyguard."
Viv thought of Fernando, his warm brown eyes and quiet confidence. "He and Miss Kitty will get along fine." She leaned back into her chaise lounge, taking a deep cleansing breath.
"The tropical breezes are intoxicating. Makes me feel so relaxed. I could take a nap right now," she said.
"I echo that." Sutton pulled down the brim of her hat.
Viv watched as the waves eased up onto the beach and then drifted back toward the ocean. In and out. So peaceful. Viv sighed.
Sutton's phone rang, making Viv look up.
"Speak of the devil, it's the pet sitter," Sutton said. She held up her phone and answered the FaceTime call.
"Hey, girls," Fernando greeted them. "Are you using lots of sunscreen?"
"Put Miss Kitty on." Sutton handed the phone to Viv.
Viv held the phone as Fernando directed the camera toward her cat. Miss Kitty, her tail waving, sauntered across the room. She jumped onto the first shelf of her cat castle. And then, one paw in front of the other, she climbed to the top plateau, turning to face the camera. Her green eyes glared.
"Hello, Miss Kitty," Viv called in her coaxing voice.
Miss Kitty picked up a paw and began to lick, turning her head away.
Viv laughed. "Miss Kitty, I miss you!"
The cat's tail swished over her head.
Fernando's face filled the screen. "All is well here. Tell Rex that Kevin escaped and ran around the golf course again. I got him back. The fine will be in the mail by the time you get home. I guess they doubled it because it's a repeat offense."
Once she'd said goodbye, Viv handed the cell to Sutton. She closed her eyes, deeply contented.
A slight breeze brushed against her skin, scented with plumeria and the briny smell of the sea. In the distance, she heard someone singing. The seaside outdoor patio bar often hired locals to perform during the day.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to the thrum of a ukulele. Another thought drifted past her consciousness. I wonder what Rex has in store for our next adventure.
She smiled softly before drifting off to sleep.