Ghostly Seas

by Lily Harper Hart

  Jared leaned back in his chair as he regarded her. He wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of real anger when it came to his fiancée. “What do you want me to do?” he asked finally, caving.

  “I want you to go with Quinn,” she replied quietly. “I want you to find out where Mark Brady is. I want you to look at the video footage — like you promised — and see who was with Zander when he wrote that note. That’s what I want you to do.”

  Jared ran his tongue over his teeth. “Fine. I will do all those things. What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to find Zander.”

  He sighed. “Heart ... .”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” Her tone was biting. “I’m serious about this, Jared. I’m going to find him. Something is wrong. I know it is.”

  “I would prefer you wait for me.”

  “No.”

  “Will you at least promise to stick close to Rowan so I know you’re not alone?”

  It was the desperate pleading in his eyes that did her in. “Fine.” Harper regrouped, holding her hands up to calm herself. “I will make sure I’m with Rowan so you don’t have to worry. That’s all I can promise you, though.”

  “I guess it will have to do.”

  “Yeah.” She rubbed her cheek before glancing at his plate. It was only half-empty. “Finish your breakfast so we can go.”

  “Not unless you eat something.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Are you trying to kill me?” Jared’s voice whipped past fury before banking just as Quinn and Rowan arrived at the table.

  Quinn recognized the tension rolling between Harper and Jared and merely arched an eyebrow. “Trouble in paradise?”

  “Do you want me to strangle you?” Harper hissed, completely losing herself in the moment.

  “Now is not the time,” Jared offered, pinning Quinn with a quelling look. “Harper is having a bit of a ... mood. It’s probably best not to poke her unless you want to get mauled by a bear.”

  “I’m way past bear,” Harper warned.

  “What’s going on?” Rowan asked, legitimately concerned.

  “Harper thinks Zander is in trouble,” Jared replied. “I happen to disagree ... and we’re at a crossroads.”

  Adopting a pragmatic disposition, Rowan took the seat next to Harper. “Why do you think Zander is in trouble?”

  “Because he misspelled her name on a note,” Jared answered for his fiancée.

  “She was asking me,” Harper growled.

  “I was asking her,” Rowan agreed, her voice soothing. “What kind of note did he leave?”

  Harper handed over the note she’d been reading (and rereading over and over again) so Rowan could study it. Quinn looked at the piece of paper over his girlfriend’s shoulder and merely shrugged when he was finished looking at it.

  “I don’t see the issue,” the security guru said blankly.

  “Of course you don’t,” Harper drawled. “You’re a man.”

  “And here we go,” Jared muttered, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t think now is the time to push her, Quinn. She’s not going to take it well.”

  “I don’t understand why she’s so worked up.”

  “He misspelled my name,” Harper barked.

  “He did misspell her name,” Rowan agreed, thoughtful. “Helper. Maybe he was asking for help.”

  “That’s what I said,” Harper enthused, leaning closer to the other woman. “I want to look for him, find that Monica woman and ask her if she’s talked to him.”

  “I think we can manage that,” Rowan said.

  “I want him to check the video feed from our hallway last night to see who Zander was with,” Harper added, extending her finger in Quinn’s direction. “You can make him do that, right?”

  Rowan swallowed hard. There was such determination in Harper’s blue eyes she had no choice but to shift her gaze to Quinn and gauge his reaction. “I can ask,” she replied lamely.

  Quinn blew out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, geez.” He dragged a restless hand through his hair as he shifted from one foot to the other. “I’ll look at the footage,” he volunteered finally. “I’ll give it due diligence and make sure my men are on the lookout for Zander. That’s all I can do.”

  “That’s all I ask,” Harper said primly, squaring her shoulders. “I’ll handle the rest of it.”

  Quinn turned suspicious. “And exactly how are you going to handle it?”

  “Don’t you worry about that.”

  “I will worry about that,” he countered, firm. “What do you have planned?”

  “I’m going to find a ghost,” Harper replied, matter-of-fact. “I’m going to find a ghost, find my friend, and then do a little dance for Jared when it becomes clear that I’m right and Zander was in trouble the entire time.”

  “That sounds ... healthy,” Quinn said after a beat. “Stay out of trouble, though, and don’t do anything reckless.”

  Harper averted her gaze. “I never do anything reckless.”

  Jared made a growling sound deep in his throat.

  “What?” Harper protested. “I never do anything reckless ... without Zander by my side. That’s what I meant to say. I can’t do anything reckless because he’s missing and in danger.”

  “Yeah, that’s an interesting semantics argument,” Quinn deadpanned, focusing his full attention on Rowan. “You promised to be careful … for me. I expect you to follow through. Help Harper, but don’t do anything stupid. If you find something, call me and I will handle it.”

  Rowan nodded solemnly. “I promise to call you before getting into trouble.”

  “No, not before.” Quinn wagged a finger. “You call me instead of getting into trouble. Not before. I don’t like you insinuating that you’re going to get into trouble no matter what.”

  Rowan managed to hold off on rolling her eyes, but just barely. “I won’t get into trouble. You have my word.”

  “Thank you.” Quinn gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be in touch if we see anything on the video footage. You do the same if you hear anything of note while questioning people.”

  Rowan perfunctorily bobbed her head. “Yes, sir.”

  “Cute.” He gave her another kiss before turning to Jared. “Are you ready?”

  Jared nodded as he held Harper’s gaze. “It’s going to be okay,” he said finally. “We’re going to find Zander. I’m sure he’s safe and will regale people with this story for years to come.”

  Harper didn’t crack a smile. “You should get going.”

  Jared’s heart hurt at her distant expression. “I love you, Harper, no matter how angry you are at me. I’m sorry you’re so upset.”

  She relented, but only a little. “I don’t want you spending your morning worrying about me. I have everything under control.”

  “I have no choice but to worry about you. That’s what love is.”

  “Yes, well ... good luck with your work.”

  “Good luck with your work too.”

  “Thank you.” She rested her hands on her lap as she waited for him to leave.

  On impulse, Jared grabbed the front of her shirt and hauled her up so he could kiss her senseless. He felt better after, even though they were both breathless. “I love you. Be good. Don’t leave Rowan’s side. If Zander really is in trouble and you find him, I’m looking forward to the dance.”

  Harper’s lips curved. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “You will.” He stood to join Quinn. “Keep in mind that you’re the most important thing to me. I will not make it if something happens to you.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me.” Harper meant it. “We’re getting married. I can’t die before I let Zander act as our wedding coordinator. That wouldn’t end well.”

  Jared scowled. “He is not our wedding coordinator.”

  “I’ll let you tell him that.”

  “I will.”

  “Okay,” Harper smirked. “Be careful and make sure you come ba
ck to me.”

  Jared sobered. “Right back at you.”

  ROWAN, TRUE TO HER WORD, was gung-ho to help Harper track down Monica.

  “I think she’s our best place to start,” Rowan agreed. “Where do you want to look for her?”

  Harper tapped her bottom lip as she considered the question. “I don’t know. I was thinking that we could find out what room she was in, kick the door in, and then simply look for Zander at our leisure.”

  Rowan managed to keep a straight face, but just barely. “Well ... that’s an idea.”

  “I have to find Zander.” Harper was firm. “My heart is racing a mile a minute. I know he’s in trouble. I can feel it to my bones. There’s no other reason for him to misspell my name.”

  Rowan remained calm. “I can find out what room she’s in.”

  “Do you have to go through Quinn to do it?”

  Rowan shook her auburn head. “No. Demarcus can tell me. He has access because of the bar bills.”

  “Will he tell Quinn what we’re doing?”

  Rowan shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. Do you care? I mean ... if they show up while we’re investigating they’ll probably yell, but it will be too late to do anything about it because we’re investigating.”

  “That is a very good point. Let’s get her room number.”

  “Come on.” Rowan gestured for Harper to follow, taking a shortcut through the bowels of the ship that was only accessible to employees. “Once we get the room number from Demarcus, we’ll stake out the room and decide what to do. I mean ... we can solve this without the guys. We’re both smart women.”

  “Now you’re talking.”

  DEMARCUS WAS LESS THAN thrilled when Rowan showed up demanding room number information.

  “I’m not supposed to give you that information,” he whined, rubbing his forehead as if he were fighting off a terrible headache. “You know that.”

  “You’ve done it before,” Rowan argued.

  “Yes. The looks on your faces tell me I probably shouldn’t do it today, though.”

  “Why is that?” Rowan adopted what she hoped was an innocent expression. “We don’t have anything planned. We’re simply looking for Harper’s friend Zander. He seems to be missing.”

  “Again?” Demarcus arched an eyebrow. “You should get that guy a collar, Harper.”

  “I’ll consider it,” Harper said. “We need that room number first, though.”

  To buy himself time, Demarcus continued wiping down the counter and avoiding eye contact. “Why do you need the room number?”

  “Because that psychic is the last person I saw Zander with and I want him back right now.” Harper was at her limit, her emotions bubbling up to the point where they were threatening to take over, and her voice cracked. “He’s my oldest friend, my best friend. He’s like a brother to me ... except I actually like him. I can’t just ignore the fact that he might be out there and in trouble.”

  Demarcus opened his mouth but didn’t immediately say anything.

  “We’re not going to do anything stupid,” Rowan offered. “In fact, you’re more than welcome to tell Quinn and Jared what we’re doing if it will make you feel better to tattle.”

  “I would feel better if you didn’t call it tattling,” Demarcus countered.

  “Call it whatever you want.” Rowan didn’t back down. “Give us the room number, wait five minutes, and then call Quinn to tell him what we’re up to. I won’t get mad if you do it.”

  Demarcus looked relieved until all the words sank in. “Why do I have to wait five minutes?”

  “Because we need time to get there and scope out the situation,” Rowan replied without hesitation. “In fact, we’re probably going to need ten minutes. Yeah, ten minutes is better. You can tattle on us to your heart’s content after that.”

  Demarcus glowered at her. “Don’t call it tattling.”

  “Fine. You can squeal on us in ten minutes.”

  “That’s not any better.”

  Rowan was at the end of her rope. “We don’t have time for this. We have to find Zander. Are you going to give me the room number or not?”

  “I am, but only because I can’t take that bottom lip she’s jutting out over there,” Demarcus answered, gesturing toward Harper. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. “I’m calling Quinn, though. You have exactly ten minutes and then I’m sending him after you.”

  “I’m fine with that.” Rowan meant it. Once Quinn was on the scene, even if he was agitated, he would still force his way into the room to look around. He wouldn’t leave Rowan and Harper upset to their very marrow if he had another solution. “I really appreciate this.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Demarcus shuffled to the computer and started tapping on the keyboard. “She’s in seven-eleven.”

  “That’s interesting,” Harper mused, her eyes suddenly dry.

  “Why is that interesting?” Demarcus asked. “Do you think she’s partial to Slurpees or something?”

  Harper shook her head. “Those are lucky numbers in many paranormal circles. I bet she requested that room number. She probably thinks it will keep her safe.”

  “Why wouldn’t she be safe?” Demarcus asked, frustration washing over him when Rowan grabbed Harper’s arm to drag her away rather than answer. “Why wouldn’t she be safe?” he called after them. “Well, crap,” he muttered to himself. “I just know this is going to come back and bite me.”

  “THERE’S ZANDER,” Jared announced, pointing at the computer screen as he watched footage from the previous evening over Quinn’s shoulder. “What time does that say in the corner?”

  “A little after two,” Quinn replied, his eyes narrowed as he watched Zander walk down the hallway with two women. “Do you recognize them?”

  Jared nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Do you notice how both of them have a hold on his arms?”

  “I do.” Jared felt sick to his stomach as the Zander on the screen cast a look at a doorway while passing. He could read the number on the door, and it was the room he was sharing with Harper. “He went right past us.”

  “And he doesn’t look happy,” Quinn added. “This is not my place because ... well, it’s your business. Still, I don’t think he was willingly with those women. He looks terrible.”

  “He does,” Jared agreed, pressing his hand to his forehead. “Cripes. Harper was right. I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

  Quinn chuckled, genuinely amused. “I’m sure you’ll be able to live with that as long as we get Zander back, right?”

  “Oh, we definitely have to get him back.” Jared was firm. “Harper can’t live without him. She loves me. I have no doubt about that, in case you’re wondering.”

  “I wasn’t wondering. It’s obvious you guys love each other.”

  “We do.” Jared bobbed his head in confirmation. “Zander is part of her, though. She’ll never be truly happy without him. He’s always going to be a part of our lives. If he isn’t ... .” He left it hanging because the idea of finishing the statement was more than he could bear.

  “Then we’ll find him,” Quinn said. “We’ll simply track them on the video footage to see where they go. We have the ability to tag images on the feed and follow them from camera to camera.”

  “Really?” Jared was relieved. “If I could find him before Harper does and deliver him to her, it would go a long way to getting her to forgive me.”

  “I thought you were looking forward to the dance she plans on doing for your benefit.”

  “Yeah, well ... she is kind of cute when she dances.” Jared smiled. “I still want to deliver Zander to her. It seems the least I can do after doubting her.”

  “Well, all we have to do is follow the footage.” Quinn clicked a few buttons and tagged the three images in the frame. “Let’s see where they go. It’s probably to one of their rooms, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Absolutely,” Jared agreed, his eyes fixed on Zander’s sallow features. “
He looks afraid, doesn’t he?”

  Quinn nodded. “Yeah. I don’t like it any more than you do, but yeah. I think it’s going to be okay, though. I doubt they hurt him. Rowan would know if they did because the omen would’ve shown up on a photograph of him.”

  “Right.” Jared let loose a pent-up breath. “I just want to get him back. I’m kind of fond of him, too, although I’ll deny it if you ever tell him what I said.”

  Quinn smirked. “I get it. He’s part of your family. He’s essentially the annoying brother you never wanted.”

  “Pretty much.”

  The two men continued watching the footage, their eyes scanning the trio of faces until the phone on Quinn’s desk rang, causing them both to jolt.

  “Don’t lose them on the screen,” Quinn instructed as he reached to answer the phone. “It shouldn’t take them long to get to their destination. The ship isn’t that big.” He pressed the phone to his ear. “Davenport.”

  Jared kept one ear on the conversation and his eyes peeled on the footage. He wasn’t so engrossed with the video, though, that he didn’t notice the change in Quinn’s demeanor.

  “They did what?” Quinn barked, his temper on full display.

  “What’s going on?” Jared asked, sensing that Harper was part of whatever report Quinn was receiving.

  “How long ago?” Quinn asked, holding up a finger to Jared. “I can’t believe you just handed a room number over to them. Are you crazy? Wait ... don’t answer that. Thank you for calling.”

  Quinn hung up the phone and rubbed his cheeks hard, as if trying to get the blood flowing because he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or awake. “That was Demarcus. Rowan and Harper sweet-talked Monica’s room number from him. They’re on their way now.”

  “Well, she is in the video with Zander,” Jared pointed out.

  “She is, but she’s not alone. I don’t think they know that.”

  “I’m guessing we’re heading to Monica’s room, huh?”

  Quinn nodded. “We need to get in there anyway.” He paused the footage on the screen and pointed. “They led Zander into her room. He’s there.”

  “The thing is ... they had to know that this would all be on video.”

  “Maybe they thought the note would work and you wouldn’t question anything.”