Choppy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 5)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Rowan was intrigued despite herself. “How is it going to go?”

  “Let’s just say that women of a certain age tend to cut loose when they’re away from family and responsibility.”

  “Like the makeup women when they came?” Rowan asked, referring to a trip from a few weeks before that ended in murder and mayhem. “They were all over you because you’re so sexy.”

  “I expect that to be the same … and not just for me but for my men, too.”

  “I guess I should carry around a stick to beat them off with, huh?”

  “I think you should prepare yourself for a long couple of days,” Quinn clarified. “You’re already tired and things are just getting started. They’ll be a lot worse by the time we dock.”

  Rowan shook her head, dumbfounded. “That’s a scary thought.”

  “Just you wait, baby. It’s going to get scarier. I promise you that.”

  4

  Four

  Leighann Porter found Quinn before their scheduled meeting and planted herself between him and Rowan at the small table.

  She was a pretty woman, her long blond hair perfectly coiffed and she wore a tailored suit rather than the more comfortable leggings and T-shirts the other mothers and participants opted to wear. She flashed a small smile for Rowan’s benefit before fixing her full attention on Quinn.

  “You’re Quinn Davenport, right?”

  Quinn nodded. He recognized the woman from photos sent with his dossier. “And you’re Leighann Porter. I didn’t think we were supposed to meet for another ten minutes.”

  “We’re not, but the captain pointed you out when I met with him upon arrival.” Leighann’s tone was warm and friendly even though her eyes remained cool and remote. “I’m sure you understand that security is our primary concern.”

  “I do understand that.” Quinn nodded as he rubbed his cheek. “What is it exactly that you’re worried about?”

  “Mostly it will just be typical squabbles and drunk mothers.” Leighann was matter-of-fact. “This year’s event has another element to consider, though.”

  Quinn shot Rowan a quick look but didn’t linger. “I understand there’s a change in the make-up of the participants this year. While it’s probably a lot for you to deal with, from my perspective I’m not sure why I should worry.”

  Leighann arched a challenging eyebrow. “You don’t understand why I’m worried?”

  Quinn held firm. “I was speaking for myself but, while we’re on the subject, the answer is no. Quite frankly, I don’t see why this is such a big deal.”

  “Well, then I guess I should explain it to you.” Leighann steepled her fingers and rested her elbows on the table. “The new girls are … different … from the regulars. They’re a little rougher around the edges.”

  Rowan found she had to bite the inside of her cheek to refrain from challenging Leighann’s assessment. Since he was head of security, Quinn didn’t have to abide by the same rules.

  “I’m going to need more information than that.”

  “You just want me to come out and say it, don’t you?”

  Quinn nodded. “That would be helpful. I’m too old to play games.”

  “Fine.” Leighann heaved out a long-suffering sigh – as if she were being punished for something she couldn’t quite understand – and tilted her head to the side. “The new girls are disadvantaged. They’re only here because they got something for free, which is not generally how we like to do things.

  “The whole point of our Cheerleading for America group is that we want to teach young women that it’s necessary to work for certain goals,” she continued. “It used to be that women couldn’t hope to achieve the same things their male counterparts could. That is no longer true.”

  Quinn pursed his lips. “So … what you’re saying is that the newer girls are a threat because they’re black. That’s basically what I’m getting from you.”

  Leighann balked. “Color has nothing to do with it!” She was emphatic … and the flush of her cheeks indicated she was mildly furious, too. “The newer girls aren’t an issue because many of them are black – by the way, some of them are white and others are Hispanic, too. That’s ridiculous.”

  Rowan felt the fist that gripped her heart moments before release as relief washed over her.

  “I’m glad to hear you say that,” Quinn supplied. “I refuse to treat the girls differently because one faction is white and the other mixed race.”

  “And I would never want that.” Leighann tugged on her suit coat to smooth it. “I don’t care about skin color in the slightest.”

  “Great. Then what’s the problem?”

  “I care that they’re poor and therefore more likely to steal or try to injure the other girls to ensure a win,” Leighann replied without hesitation.

  If Rowan had a drink, she was convinced she would’ve choked on it. As it was, she let loose a loud cough and fanned her cheeks as she tried to avoid making eye contact with Quinn. She worried she would explode if she did.

  Quinn didn’t have the luxury of looking elsewhere when dealing with the woman. “I’m sorry, but did you just say that the newer girls are an issue because they’re more likely to steal because they’re poor?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Quinn licked his lips as he wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know what you expected me to say to that but, for the record, I will not be increasing security to watch the new girls because they’re poor.”

  “I don’t want you to increase details because they’re poor. I want you to increase them because poor people are more likely to commit crimes. It’s not something I’m making up. I saw it on the news.”

  Quinn opened his mouth but no sound came out. Rowan read right away that he was close to blowing his stack.

  “Mrs. Porter, I think you’re probably misunderstanding those statistics,” Rowan offered helpfully. “Crime tends to go up in inner-city areas but that’s due to a multitude of reasons … including population and opportunity. I doubt very much that’s going to be an issue on the ship.”

  Leighann took a moment to give Rowan a long look. “And you are?”

  “Rowan Gray. I’m the ship photographer.”

  “Well, I guess I’m glad you’re here.” Leighann’s voice grew cooler. “I need to make sure that you double the photos for my girls. That’s one of the things I promised when news broke that another group – one that was getting a lot of attention – would be joining us.”

  The swift change in the woman’s demeanor – and the odd request – had Rowan grappling for control. “I … .”

  “Rowan knows how to do her job,” Quinn interjected. “She’s supposed to take photos during set hours and events. That’s part of her job description. What is not part of her job description is separating the haves and the have-nots and treating one group better than the other.”

  “That’s not what I was trying to force her to do,” Leighann shot back. “I promised my girls multiple photos, though, and I mean to make sure they have that option. The photos taken on this trip will be part of their college portfolios when it comes time to interview for prime positions on university-level squads. The other girls can’t afford college so they don’t have the same concerns.”

  “And I’m sure Rowan will take more photos than they could ever use.” Quinn refused to back down. “I feel the need to make myself clear here – and if it’s unnecessary and somehow embarrassing to you, I apologize – but we will not be giving one group of girls preferential treatment over the other. That’s not how it works here.”

  Leighann narrowed her eyes, something dangerous lurking in the glittery blue slits. “I see. Perhaps I should take this to the captain.”

  “Perhaps you should,” Quinn agreed, not missing a beat. “I’m sure you’ll find he agrees with me.”

  “I guess we’ll have to see.” Leighann was full of fire as she stood. “I’m going to have a chat with him right now. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other agai
n when you realize things have to be done a certain way.”

  “I’m looking forward to a second meeting.” Faux sweetness practically dripped from Quinn’s tongue as he watched the woman stalk away.

  Rowan widened her eyes as she watched her go, worry clouding her features when she turned to find Quinn typing on his phone. “What are you doing?”

  “Texting Michael to make sure he’s aware of how things are going to be,” Quinn replied. “We are not giving one set of girls preferential treatment over the others. I don’t care who is paying for what.”

  Rowan worked overtime to tamp down her worry. “What happens if Michael doesn’t agree with you?”

  “Then I’ll quit.”

  Rowan’s heart rolled. “Quit? You would … leave?”

  Quinn realized what he said when it was too late to take it back. “Not really.” He offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s not going to come to that. I have a stipulation in my contract that I get final say on matters like this. You don’t have to worry about me leaving.”

  Rowan was mollified, but only slightly. “What about me, though? I’m pretty sure I don’t have that stipulation in my contract.” She didn’t ask the obvious question because she was too fearful the answer wouldn’t be what she wanted to hear. What would happen if Rowan stood her ground, lost her job, and no longer lived on the same ship with Quinn? Would that be the end?

  As if reading her mind, Quinn pressed “send” on his phone before placing it on the table and grabbing her hand. “We’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have gotten you worked up about this. No matter what happens, we’ll work it out.”

  “Right.” Rowan wasn’t convinced. “It will be fine.”

  “It will be.” Quinn was furious with himself for causing the worry he knew she wouldn’t be able to shed from crowding her features. “Do you know what you need?”

  “Another rum runner.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Quinn lifted two fingers so Demarcus would know what to deliver. “Ro, it’s going to be okay. I shouldn’t have gotten you so worked up. That’s not fair.”

  Rowan forced a smile even though it didn’t reach to her eyes. “Everything will be fine. I have faith.”

  Quinn didn’t believe that for a second. “Yeah, you definitely need something to drink. I promise I’ll make sure we’re both okay.” He meant it … and he wasn’t nearly as worried as Rowan. He already knew how things would turn out.

  “SHE WAS FREAKING FURIOUS.”

  Michael Griffin was all smiles when he joined Quinn and Rowan on the aft deck an hour later. He had a drink in one hand and planted himself on one of the few loungers left in the area so he could drink and gossip in comfort.

  “So … everything is okay?” Rowan glanced up from the stage she was busily scanning for photo options the next day.

  Michael snorted. “Everything is fine. There’s no reason to be a worrywart.”

  “I wasn’t being a worrywart.” Rowan’s shoulders sagged with relief despite her words to the contrary. “I’m glad that’s taken care of, though.”

  Quinn shot her an amused look before grabbing the lounger next to Michael and sitting. “I told you there was no reason to worry.”

  “Yes, well … .” Rowan made a tsking sound with her tongue. “I’m not the chief of security so I don’t have the same ability to do whatever I want and get away with it.”

  “No, but you’re the chief of security’s girlfriend. That means you have special privileges.”

  “And he doesn’t just mean that in a perverted way,” Michael added, his eyes sparkling. “I had no idea you were such a Nervous Nellie, Rowan. You need to chill. This is a cruise ship. Things are supposed to be relaxed on a cruise ship.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Rowan returned to her stage perusal. When Quinn suggested checking out the setup she figured that was his simple way of getting her mind off her troubles. Now she was secretly glad she’d made the effort because the location offered a few problems. “We need to move that row of chairs out.” She pointed to where Quinn and Michael sat. “If we don’t, the people watching will block off the bulk of the angles and I need to make sure I have a lot of photos from back here if I expect to keep my job.”

  “Oh, geez.” Quinn rubbed his forehead. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  Rowan adopted an innocent expression. “I’ve already let it go. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I bet you wish you’d stuck to your guns and remained girlfriend-free, huh?” Michael teased Quinn. “I told you women were a lot of work, but you didn’t believe me.”

  “Some women are worth the work,” Quinn replied easily as he smiled at Rowan’s flushing cheeks. “I happen to have found one who is worth double shifts every single day.”

  “Oh, you’re turning into a sap.” Michael flicked the ridge of Quinn’s ear. “When did that happen?”

  Quinn shrugged, noncommittal. He knew exactly when it happened. He also knew that Rowan couldn’t take much more embarrassment so he decided to turn the conversation into a different direction. “As for Leighann Porter, I’m not going to lie, I don’t like her. Everything she said makes me want to give the ‘poor’ girls special treatment just to mess with her.”

  “Well, we can’t do that either.” Michael sobered. “Quite frankly, I hate the entire idea of this cruise. It’s a logistical nightmare and there’s nothing worse than women and girls yelling at all hours of the night. It’s even worse when they yell at the same time.”

  It took Rowan a moment to realize what he was referring to. “I think that’s called cheering.”

  “Yes, well, I happen to hate it.” Michael wasn’t the type to back down even if he stuck his foot in his mouth. It was one of the things Quinn liked best about the man. “I hate clapping, too. I should’ve called in sick for this trip.”

  “I would think cheerleader moms would be right up your alley,” Rowan countered. “They’re enthusiastic by nature and you’re not picky so you can probably just scoop them up as they fall at your feet.”

  Instead of being affronted, Michael barked out an amused laugh. “I like you. If Quinn hadn’t plucked you first, I would be all over you.”

  Rowan rolled her eyes. “I don’t think you and I would be compatible.”

  “Oh, don’t say things like that to him, Ro,” Quinn chided. “Michael is the sort of man who thrives on a challenge. You’re the ultimate challenge.”

  Rowan offered up a pretty smile. “Really? I’m challenging, huh?”

  “I knew from the moment I saw you that you were going to be a challenge for me,” Quinn confirmed. “I didn’t realize at the time that you were probably going to be the best challenge of my life, but I knew you were going to be challenging.”

  “Oh, you say the sweetest things.” Rowan sidled over and sat at the foot of Quinn’s lounger, yelping when he grabbed her around the waist to settle her between his legs. She knew Quinn and Michael were close, but she was uncomfortable showing too much affection in front of the captain, who was essentially the big boss as far as she was concerned.

  “You make it easy to say sweet things.” Quinn kissed her cheek before turning back to Michael. “As for Leighann Porter, I think we need to watch her. She wants us to focus on one group of kids over the other, but I think it’s far more likely that she’ll be the type to stir up trouble.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Rowan asked, legitimately curious.

  “He means that Leighann is the type of woman who would cause problems and try to frame other people if she thought she could get her way by doing it,” Michael answered, his expression thoughtful. “Just how far do you think she would go?”

  Quinn held his hands palms up. “That’s the question, isn’t it?”

  It took Rowan a few moments to catch up. “Wait … you don’t think Leighann would do something to her own girls and then blame the other girls, do you?”

  “I think the woman I saw in my office is capable of alm
ost anything,” Michael replied. “She said a few weird things, including the fact that Quinn seemed more worried about you than the safety of our guests.”

  Rowan’s mouth dropped open. “How could she say something like that? If you think Quinn was being rude to her in favor of me, I promise that’s not what happened.”

  Quinn patted her arm to calm her. “That’s exactly what happened and I’m not going to deny it. Leighann Porter got my dander up from the moment I met her. It wasn’t just the way she talked to Rowan, though. The way she talked about those other girls – as if they were dirt under her feet – made my skin crawl, too. I don’t like her and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

  “I don’t like her either,” Michael admitted. “The thing is, the other one isn’t much better. Oh, she puts on a good show, but she’s clearly here simply to mess with Leighann. I don’t think she cares about the girls she sponsored any more than Leighann does.”

  “You’re talking about Claire Austin, right?” Rowan queried. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her yet.”

  “I think she’ll actually like you,” Michael noted. “She’ll definitely like you once word gets out that Leighann doesn’t. As for what Leighann said about Quinn, I think she had impure motivations.”

  “And what would those be?”

  “She’s hot for your boy.” Michael’s smile was impish. “I don’t know what it is about him, but women fall all over themselves whenever they meet him. You’re included in that statement, Rowan.”

  “I didn’t fall all over myself,” Rowan protested. “In fact, I was … rather remote, I guess would be the way to phrase it … when we first met.”

  “You were, but it didn’t last.” Quinn poked her side. “You fell under my spell right away. I do have a certain magic when it comes to women.”

  “Humbleness isn’t part of that magic,” Rowan groused.

  “Definitely not,” Quinn agreed. “I didn’t get an interested vibe from Leighann, though. Maybe at first … until I opened my mouth and basically called her a racist.”