Pastries and Pilfering

by Danielle Collins

  His question shocked her and she almost choked on the bite of oatmeal she’d just taken. “You don’t pull any punches,” she observed.

  “Sorry,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve found that I can come across rather abruptly at times. I suppose it’s just a fault I have.”

  That, or it was the reality that he could get away with asking whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, due to his celebrity standing. Either way, she wasn’t sure she wanted to open up about her husband’s death with this total stranger.

  “I only ask,” he continued, popping a grape into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully for a moment, “because I’ve experienced loss as well.”

  Her eyebrows rose and she took a breath. What she would share with him wouldn’t be anything more than what she’d share with anyone else. “My husband was a detective in our small town in Virginia. He was a casualty during a particularly dangerous case he was working. A wrong place, wrong time sort of thing.”

  “Oh, Margot,” Brice said, reaching across the table and resting his hand over hers, “I'm so sorry.”

  She smiled but gently pulled her hand away. “It was five years ago. The wounds, though painful, aren’t as fresh as they once were.”

  Brice didn’t seem to notice her withdrawal and kept his hand on her side of the table as his vibrant blue eyes poured into hers. “My sister died of a drug overdose.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, genuinely sorry for him.

  “It was terrible,” he said, leaning back and shaking his head, lost in his own thoughts. “I can still remember what I was doing when I heard the news. Drugs. Terrible things.”

  Margot narrowed her eyes, trying to understand the enigma in front of her. He was gregarious, handsome, and charming, but there was something underneath all of that that Margot couldn’t quite point out. A feeling. Something like an underlying current that felt off. Perhaps that was what celebrity did to a person.

  They finished up their breakfast, the conversation remaining light and mostly revolving around Brice’s considerable knowledge of Mexico. When Margot was done, she pushed her plate forward, took the last sip of her coffee, and made her excuses to leave.

  “You’re welcome to join us in Ensenada if you’d like. We’ll be having a lot of fun.” He grinned and winked.

  “Thanks, but I’ve got plans. Thanks again for breakfast.”

  He merely grinned and she felt his eyes on her as she left the dining room. It had been the strangest breakfast she’d ever had.

  Chapter 6

  Margot was marveling at the incredible view when she rounded the corner and ran into Noah. Blinking rapidly in surprise, she stepped back but immediately noticed the young man’s expression. Was it sorrow or anger?

  “Noah, are you all right?”

  He stiffened when he saw her and his expression changed to one of sadness. “I’m sorry… I just…sorry.”

  “Did you know the woman who died?” She blurted it out before she could couch her speech, but the words seemed to shock him out of his stupor.

  “Yeah.” His jaw clenched. “I knew Kristen.”

  Margot studied his expression, but he turned his gaze out toward the ocean. “I heard she was new to the ship?” She wasn’t sure why she was asking exactly, but it did seem odd that the young man, who had been on the ship for three years, would know a new crewmember despite the fact that he was so busy working in the kitchens. Was he known to attend the clubs? Was that where they’d met? Or had they known one another off of the ship?

  “I didn’t know her all that well,” he was quick to explain. “We’d just gotten drinks a few times off ship. You know. Caught up in Ensenada and did some touristy things together.” He snuck a glance at Margot and forced a tightlipped smile.

  “I’m so sorry to hear that she passed away as she did.”

  His eyes narrowed, “How did you hear about it?”

  “I discovered the body.”

  “You did?” He looked completely shocked, but she also noticed that his face paled, the color all but draining from his features.

  “Yes.” She wrapped her arms around herself as the breeze picked up. She could just make out land in the distance and knew that within an hour, they would be docked in Ensenada.

  “Yeah, and to overdose like that…” He shook his head and his expression hardened. “Pretty dumb if you ask me. But I’ve got to get going. Sorry.”

  “Oh, yes of course.” She took a step back. “I’ll see you tonight?”

  He frowned. “Tonight. Right. Yeah, see you then.”

  She watched him walk away, surprised at the change in his demeanor. If Addie barely knew the young recreation staffer, how had Noah met her? Were they closer than he’d let on?

  Pushing her inquisitive desire to the side, she went to the deck and took up a spot on an empty chaise lounge, planning on reading until they pulled into port. At least while she was here she wouldn’t be tempted to look into the mysterious death of the young woman.

  Then again, it wasn’t that mysterious. Many people overdosed from drugs. It happened…but still, it bothered Margot for more than just the obvious reasons. The young woman had been dressed for a party, and yet she’d overdosed in the sports equipment room without anyone around. That didn’t make sense.

  Then a thought occurred to Margot. She put her book away and pushed off the lounge. Taking her cue from the sounds of shouting and cheering on the other side of the deck, she walked toward the recreation area.

  Standing on the sidelines, she watched the organized game of pool volleyball. There were two crewmembers, a young woman and a young man. They both looked happy and enthusiastic with their job and the woman was cheering loudly for the players in the pool. The young man commented something to the woman and picked up a bag that looked like it was full of equipment and started heading toward the door leading inside.

  This was her chance. Margot circumvented the crowd on the deck watching the volleyball game and met up with the young man just before he went inside.

  “Excuse me,” she said, putting on a warm smile. “I was wondering if I could ask you a question.”

  He looked surprised that she’d stopped him but characteristic of all of the crewmembers that she’d interacted with, he was only happy to oblige. “Yes, ma’am, how can I help you?”

  “I know this may seem…unorthodox but…” She managed to look uneasy. “I was the woman who found…Kristen Chambers.”

  The young man’s expression changed to one of shock and sorrow. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s a terrible thing that happened.”

  She nodded, agreeing. “I just…I guess I wanted to know more about her. Maybe that sounds odd to you, but I just can’t get that image out of my mind and I thought that, maybe if I knew more about her, I could…you know, move on?”

  “Oh, I understand,” he said, nodding. A look of sympathy overtook his handsome features.

  “I was just curious about what kind of woman she was?” Margot schooled her features, looking interested but not too interested.

  “She was great. Really good at her job. I know that passengers really seemed to love her.” His expression fell and he looked appropriately sad. “To be honest, I didn’t know her well.”

  “Why not?” Margot looked openly curious.

  “We worked different shifts pretty much consistently and she was new. I hadn’t seen her around much so…” He shrugged to emphasize his point.

  “Yeah, that makes sense.” Margot scrunched up her nose. “So you never saw her…out? I mean, the heels and outfit she had on last night were pretty fancy.”

  “You could ask Carol over there. I know she likes to visit some of the clubs on board. She might know.”

  “Thanks so much,” Margot said, offering him a warm smile, which he returned before heading inside.

  Margot stood to the side and watched the game wrapping up. She still had an hour or more before she would need to meet Addie for their jaunt into town and she still
had questions about Kristen. She was apparently liked by all but not really known by many—except for Noah. Had he met her at a club? If so, would Carol know?

  When the game broke up, Margot watched as the woman collected the volleyball items and told everyone when they could expect the next tournament. She hauled a cloth bag with the balls and the netting from across the pool toward the same door that the young man had gone through.

  “Hello,” she said with a friendly smile when she approached the door where Margot still stood. “Can I help you?”

  “Well.” Margot again looked sheepish. “I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions…about Kristen Chambers.”

  The name shocked the woman but her smile only faltered slightly. “What type of questions? And, if I can ask, why are you asking them of me?” She asked in a kind, respectful way that Margot appreciated.

  Margot explained how she had found the woman and that she was just trying to make sense of it all and get to know a little more about the woman whose life had ended. Just as the young man had, Carol softened immediately.

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that—and on a vacation no less.” She shook her head.

  “Did you know Kristen then? The other young man who was helping you seemed to think you might know her better than he did.”

  Carol shrugged. “Well, maybe. She hadn’t been with us very long and I really hadn’t gotten a chance to get to know her well. I did see her at one of the clubs, though. In fact, it wasn’t last night but the night before.”

  “Really? I noticed last night—” Margot grimaced. “—that she was dressed to go out.”

  “Yeah, I could tell right away she was a regular party girl. Was dancing with this one guy. They seemed to really hit it off.”

  Margot’s mind filled in the blank. “Was he tall and blonde? Good looking?”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “Tall, but he had dark brown hair, kind of curly I think? Looked like he was wearing some pretty expensive jeans. I know, terrible thing to notice, but that fancy stuff on the pockets sticks out.”

  Margot felt the breath leave her lungs. Jeans with fancy pockets. Gabe?

  “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.”

  “Sorry, but we really didn’t talk much. She bunked with a few other women but I didn’t see her around a lot. She kind of kept to herself when she wasn’t on duty.”

  Margot nodded and thanked the woman. The new information filled her mind with questions. If the man in question dancing with Kristen was Gabe, how did they know one another? Did they even know one another? And was it a coincidence that Margot had been following who she thought was Gabe only to find Kristen dead?

  The questions stacked up against one another but the timer on her phone went off, alerting her to the fact that it was time to make her way to the mezzanine to meet Addie. The questions would have to wait.

  Margot almost made a grave mistake as she made her way to the appointed meeting area. She almost ran into Brice. But, at the last minute, she slipped behind a large bank of leafy plants, sucking in a breath at how close it had been. He was a nice man, she’d give him that, but he was self-assured, arrogant, and no doubt wanted her to join him in exploring Ensenada. Something she wasn’t going to do. Sure, she could turn him down, but when she’d tried that at breakfast it hadn’t gotten her far.

  Now, as she stood breathing shallowly so as not to draw any attention her way, she ground her teeth realizing that Brice and his associates had stopped just on the other side of her hiding spot.

  “And you’re absolutely sure, Haden? I mean we’re talking about murder here.”

  Margot pressed her lips together so firmly she felt her teeth leaving impressions on the inside. Had he just said murder? It only made sense that he was talking about Kristen, but as far as she knew, it was an overdose. A sweet girl who’d partied too hard.

  Still, that explanation hadn’t sat well with Margot anyway.

  “I’m telling you there’s no connection. We’re clean. But we have to go. He called.”

  The voice of one of his assistants was low but easy enough for Margot to hear. So they had knowledge of the crime? What did this mean? And what did she mean they were clean? And who had called? How was Brice, of all people, involved with any of this? Or was he? Had Kristen known him or approached him at the club perhaps? That sounded like a place that Brice might go at night on the cruise ship.

  It was all a big guess, though. There was no way for her to know more information…unless…

  The sound of Brice and his assistants walking away drew Margot’s attention. She checked the time and saw that Addie was already fifteen minutes late. Biting her lip, Margot surveyed the mezzanine. Not seeing her friend, she made a hasty decision. She left a note at the customer help desk, hoping that Addie would get it, and went in search of the handsome and potentially devious celebrity.

  She rushed to the railing of the boat and looked out to the gangplank. Near the exit, she spotted Brice and his two female assistants. She’d have to hurry, but maybe she could still catch up with them and gain an invitation to tour the city with them as Brice had offered before.

  Holding onto her canvas tote, she rushed down the steep slope toward the dock, careful not to let her sandals slide. At the dock, she skirted past disembarking passengers. The crowds were thinning, though there were still plenty of people around. Taxis lined up, their drivers waving their hands and speaking in broken English to attract any customer they could.

  Brice stopped near one such taxi and she seized her chance. Trying not to look or sounded winded, Margot smoothed her hair and stepped up toward him.

  “Hello, Brice,” she said with a smile.

  “Margot, fancy seeing you here.” His smile was bright but there was something holding it back. Was it his thoughts of murder?

  “Is your offer still valid for a little tour of Ensenada? I find myself with a free afternoon.”

  Now his smile definitely slipped. “Oh, I'm so sorry. You’d said you were busy and…well, something’s come up. I won’t be able to show you around today.”

  Odd. For someone who had seemed intent on having her join him, he’d sure changed his tune quickly.

  “Oh really? You can’t spare any time?” She fluttered her eyelashes, nearly making herself sick as she did.

  “I’m really sorry.” He widened his eyes trying to express the truth of his regret. His hand slipped to her arm. “Any other time…” He looked away as another car pulled up. It wasn’t a taxi but an expensive black car. The driver got out and he was wearing a dark suit and white shirt. He opened the door and said, “Mr. Simmons?”

  “Come on, Brice,” the woman with blonde hair said. “Sorry.” She flashed a fake smile at Margot that gave her the distinct impression she wasn’t sorry at all, then ushered her boss toward the car, his hand sliding from Margot’s arm.

  “Rain check?” he said, a hopeful light coming into his eyes.

  Margot said nothing and watched as he slid into the dark interior, one of the assistants with him and the other into the front seat.

  She watched as they pulled slowly into traffic. The urge to follow him was so strong that Margot didn’t even try to ignore it. She found the next available taxi and nodded to him. “Let’s go.”

  The man, short with a dark moustache, grinned and hopped into the front seat. “Si, Senora. Where to?”

  His English was better than she’d expected, but for a tourist town, she knew she shouldn’t be too surprised. “Can you follow that town car?”

  She pointed ahead to the black car and the man turned to look at her. “Follow?”

  How was she going to explain this?

  “Is he…you know, your lover?”

  “Uh…” She bit her lip.

  “I got it. Silencio.” He grinned and swerved into traffic despite the blaring horns of those behind him.

  Margot slumped back into the worn leather interior of the older car. She knew this wasn’t the brighte
st idea she’d had. Even as she thought it, she heard Adam’s voice in her head berating her for taking a chance like this. Then again, she was in a cab. She was just following the man to see where he went in a city he seemed immensely knowledgeable of. If it looked like they were driving into a bad part of town, she’d have—

  Frowning, she peered up at the name on the dash. It said Juan. Well, then she’d have Juan turn around and take her somewhere in town where she could do some sightseeing. A stab of guilt struck her as she thought about Addie. She had come on this cruise as a favor to her friend but also to spend time with the woman. Then again, it seemed Addie had things she needed to attend to that had kept them apart as well, but still… Should she have stayed around and waited for her friend rather than follow Brice?

  Just then Juan pulled over.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  “They stop. You stop. Si?”

  “Yes. Si.” She peered up ahead and saw Brice and the two women get out of the car. They were on a side street but she’d noticed the larger main thoroughfare a few streets over. They were still in what appeared to be a good neighborhood and Margot knew if she got out here, she was only a few blocks’ walking distance to touristy crowds and shops.

  “Thank you, Juan,” she said, tossing a 500-peso bill at him.

  He grinned, appreciating the tip. “You need me to wait?”

  She shook her head. She wasn’t planning on crashing his party, but she did want to see what was so important that Brice would rescind his offer. Not that she was such an important person to him, but he’d made it clear he wanted her company that day but something had definitely changed.

  “Adios,” Juan said, then drove off.

  Stepping into the shade of a nearby building, she donned a floppy hat she’d kept in her tote, shoving her shoulder-length hair up into the hat and leaving her neck and shoulders bare. Then she put on a large pair of sunglasses that hid a good portion of her face. And, for good measure, she took off her sweater and shoved it in her tote, which she carried by the straps instead of over her shoulder. It wasn’t a great disguise, but she also didn’t look like she had when she’d seen Brice last.