Grave Seas: A Maddie Graves and Rowan Gray Mystery
Page 9
“The cameras cover most of the deck and we have a clear shot during the day,” he explained, politely shaking his head when Maddie offered him an iced tea. They had four glasses piled up on the table next to them, which he found amusing. Apparently they’d taken their spy mission to heart. “Inside we have cameras in most of the hallways and they cover all angles, except for a few blind spots in certain employee areas.”
“Can guests enter those areas?” Nick asked.
“They shouldn’t be able to, but I would be lying if I said it’s never happened. Most of the time it’s accidental. A member of the waitstaff uses a keycard and doesn’t double check to make sure nobody enters the storage area behind them, that sort of thing.”
Nick nodded. That made sense. “Have you searched every inch of the ship?”
“No, but we will. We don’t have a choice in the matter. If comes to it, we’ll search every room, too.”
“Are there empty rooms?” Nick’s mind was working a mile a minute. “I mean ... is it possible one of the workers gained access to an empty room and somehow stashed Lindsey there? Or what about the storage areas you mentioned? If she’s dead ... .”
“I don’t think she’s dead.” The statement was out of Quinn’s mouth before he thought better of it.
“None of us want her to be dead,” Nick agreed. “At this point, though, that seems like the more viable option.”
It wasn’t as if Quinn could volunteer information about Rowan’s gift. Even though her father was no longer in hiding, the psychic angle of that story — how the demented uncle she’d never known was trying to create psychics and even used his own sister to do it — hadn’t been made public. Quinn wanted to keep it that way. The fewer people who knew about Rowan’s gift, the better.
“It’s just a feeling I have,” the security chief lied. In truth, if he spent enough time thinking about it, he happened to agree with Nick. It would make more sense for Lindsey to be dead at this point. Rowan was adamant that she wasn’t, though, and he found himself relying on her to inform his decision. “We have to proceed as if she’s alive regardless.”
“Could she have fallen overboard?” Maddie asked, involuntarily shuddering at the prospect. “Honestly, that would be the worst way to go, if you ask me. I can’t imagine being stuck in the middle of the ocean by myself ... with the sharks.” She swallowed hard. “People fall overboard, though, right?”
“I’ve notified the Coast Guard that it’s a possibility,” Quinn replied. In truth, if she was out there floating somewhere, that would explain why she wasn’t yet dead in Rowan’s photos. The omens seemed to pop up in a manner that suggested there was a chance the individual could be saved, though. If Lindsey was in the ocean, odds of her being scooped up were tiny. “They’re on the lookout, but we don’t have confirmation she went into the water.”
“They can still launch an official search,” Nick noted. “I mean ... they have to, right?”
“They don’t have to do anything they don’t want to do and an official search is a massive undertaking. They’re not going to do it without proof, and the sort of proof we need is video of her going overboard. We don’t have that.”
“How long could she survive lost at sea?” Maddie queried.
“A couple of days if she’s really lucky — or unlucky, depending on how you look at it.”
“She didn’t have a life vest, though,” Maddie figured. “It would be more difficult for her to keep herself afloat the entire time, right? Plus ... with sharks.”
“What is it with you and the cheery thoughts?” Nick chided. “Let’s stop the shark talk.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to consider that either,” Quinn admitted. “Right now I’m heading down to the hospital wing. You don’t have to keep watching Ben if you don’t want to. This is your honeymoon, after all.”
“And we’re enjoying it,” Maddie insisted. “We’re happy in our hammock with our iced tea. We’re fine for the time being. We already ate lunch and everything.”
“Yes, well, I don’t want you thinking that you have to stay here because I asked.” Quinn was firm. “Right now, I don’t even know what I’m dealing with. I’m hoping my next stop fills in some of those gaps.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.”
ROWAN WAS WAITING FOR QUINN WHEN he arrived at the hospital wing. She grabbed his arm and dragged him away from the private suite that housed Violet before he could utter even a single question.
“Hello to you, too, Ro,” he gasped as she furiously tugged at his arm. “Ow. You’re being a little intense.”
“The doctor wants to talk to you before you question Violet again,” she insisted. “It’s important.”
“Okay.” He brushed a strand of auburn hair away from her face. “You seem intense, sweetheart. What’s going on?”
For her part, Bernadette pretended she didn’t notice the tender moment between the couple. She was all business when she started talking, taking the initiative before Rowan could upend the conversation. “We have a problem,” she intoned, grave. “A very big problem.”
Quinn didn’t like the sound of that. “Well, great. There’s nothing I love more than very big problems.”
Bernadette ignored the sarcasm. “The victim refused to allow us to do a rape kit.”
“That’s not unheard of,” Quinn argued. “That happens in at least fifty percent of the cases. Did you confiscate her clothing?”
“I did. Your men have already collected it.”
“That’s good. They’re running tests, right?”
She bobbed her head. “Yes, with Dr. Flanagan. He’s working in conjunction with them right now and he just updated me on the status.”
“And?”
“And there are no tears in the clothing, no foreign DNA, no semen on anything ... including her underwear. There’s no skin under her fingernails to indicate she fought off her attacker.”
“She said she did.”
“I know. Your fiancée also informed me that the suspect you’re looking for had marks on his neck that would indicate he’d been scratched. Unless she cleaned very diligently under her nails, though, there’s no proof of that.”
Quinn was taken aback. “What does that mean?”
“You’re head of security. I’m leaving that question for you to answer because I don’t know what it means. I will say that I don’t like the lack of evidence. I mean ... for there not to be a trace of anything on her clothes, that seems unlikely to me.”
Rowan stirred. “I don’t like the way this conversation is heading,” she hedged. “I believe all rape victims. I just ... do.”
“And that’s a lovely way to live your life,” Bernadette drawled. “From our perspective, though, we need evidence. It’s not unheard of for people to make up false claims of rape.”
“I tend to side with Rowan on this one,” Quinn offered. “I would rather err on the side of believing the victim because the alternative is ... not good. Still, it does sound mildly weird. Has she said anything?”
“She’s watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Bernadette said dryly. “She’s yelling at the screen and calling the women names. She’s not acting like a rape victim.”
Rowan made a small throat-clearing sound. “Um ... you’re the one who told me that no two victims react the same way.”
“And I stand by that. There are warning signs in her behavior, though, that we simply can’t ignore. It’s possible she hooked up with someone and regrets it.”
“Except there were no fluids found,” Rowan persisted. “At least on her clothes. If there was sexual contact, it seems to me there would be ... something. I’m not an expert, though.”
“Either way, we’re at an impasse,” Bernadette supplied. “I’ve treated two abrasions on her skin. They weren’t serious, barely scratches really, and I’m done. I can’t find a head injury. She won’t submit to a rape kit so there’s nothing else for me to do.”
“Including that she’s lying?” Rowan was horrified at the thought. “I don’t like thinking that about anyone.”
“That makes two of us. I still have a job to do. I’m going to see her now. I would appreciate it if you came with me ... just to be on the safe side.”
Rowan exhaled heavily and nodded. “Fine. After that, though, I need to head up to the deck. I need to take some photographs.”
“Fair enough.”
VIOLET WAS FINISHING GETTING DRESSED IN THE shorts-and-sweatshirt set that had been provided by the doctor when they entered.
“Oh, hey.” She cast a sidelong look in Quinn’s direction and then flashed a smile for Rowan’s benefit as she smoothed the shorts. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been great. Really. I’m going to get moving, though.”
“I have some questions for you,” Quinn started.
“I think I’m done answering questions.” Violet dragged a hand through her hair. “What I really need is a shower and something to eat.”
“We can get you food here,” Rowan offered. “Once you take a shower, there will be no chance for a rape kit.”
“And that sucks, but I already told you a rape kit is out of the question.” Violet refused to back down. “I know I’m not reacting in the way you would like but ... I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do. You don’t have control of my body.”
“We don’t want control of your body,” Quinn promised. “This is serious, though. You were attacked.”
“And I’m over it.” Violet flashed a bright smile as she grabbed her new flip-flops. “I’m sure Connie and Lana are waiting for me. I’m going to get cleaned up and find them. I appreciate how great you guys have been, but I’m out of here. I’ll see you later.”
With those words, she blew past both of them and headed through the door. She was gone before Quinn could find his voice.
“I know you don’t want to hear it ... .”
“But she’s acting weird,” Rowan finished. “I see it, too. I just don’t like thinking the worst of someone in her position. That’s not how I’m wired.”
“I’m not either, but we have a lot going on ... including a missing woman. If she’s not going to cooperate, then I have to focus on Lindsey. She’s my priority.”
“I understand that.” Rowan honestly did. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open while I’m taking photos. I don’t know what else to do.”
MADDIE LEFT NICK TO WATCH BEN and headed to the tiki bar to place a snack order and grab more drinks. In truth, she was starting to grow bored with their assignment. She didn’t know how to broach the subject, though, because she’d been so gung-ho hours before.
In truth, she felt selfish. She wanted to find Lindsey. She also wanted to enjoy her honeymoon. Their lives were full of danger and even despair on a regular basis. It was so rare for them to have two weeks entirely for themselves. She didn’t want to waste a moment of it.
“Hello, Sunshine,” Demarcus called out when he saw her, grinning. “You’re not under the influence again, are you?”
Maddie snorted. “No. Once a year is enough for me. Although … why did you call me that?”
Demarcus shrugged. “You look like a ray of sunshine with all that pretty hair. I don’t know. Why? Is it a problem?”
“No. My mother used to call me that. I was just wondering.”
“I think it fits. What can I get you?”
“I need another appetizer sampler and two iced teas please.”
“Absolutely.” He bobbed his head and started typing on the cash register. “Where is your bodyguard?”
“He’s guarding a hammock on the deck.”
“Oh, that’s smart. Somebody will snag that right up.”
“Yeah.” Maddie leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting down until it landed on two women. She recognized them as the individuals who hit on Nick – well, two of the three – and they looked to be well and truly sloshed. “Where is their friend?”
Demarcus shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m about to call security to help escort them back to their room. They need some downtime.”
Maddie felt sorry for him. “It can’t be easy to be you.”
“It’s not so bad most of the time. They’re just … being a little rowdy.”
Maddie nodded in understanding. “Yes, well … .” Whatever she was going to say died on her lips when Lana slid down the bar – she was so drunk she needed the sleek wooden surface to hold her up – and bumped her hip against Maddie’s thigh.
“You’re the girl with the hot boyfriend,” she noted, her eyes unfocused.
“Husband,” Maddie corrected automatically, instantly regretting her need to make the distinction. The woman was too drunk to care and Maddie didn’t need emotional reinforcement. She knew who she was and how Nick felt about her. Rubbing it in felt unnecessary and childish.
“Husband,” Lana repeated, laughing at the word. “How did you get such a hot husband?”
“Just lucky, I guess.”
“You are definitely lucky.” Lana leaned over so far she almost fell into Maddie. Thankfully the Michigan blonde saw what was happening and caught her before she could tip over. “Whoa! That was quite the ride, huh?”
Maddie wanted nothing more than to put distance between herself and the woman. Unfortunately for her, she was waiting for food. “Quite the ride.” She cleared her throat, searching for a safe topic of conversation that wouldn’t turn her stomach. “So, what happened to your other friend?”
“Violet? Isn’t that a stupid name? She was named after a flower and it’s not even a good flower.”
“I happen to like violets a great deal, although lilacs are my favorite.”
“I like lilies … and roses … and whatever else is expensive. I have expensive taste. You obviously … don’t. Your hot husband obviously likes that.”
“He’s easily pleased,” Maddie agreed. “What happened to your friend again?”
“Violet? Did I mention I hate that name?”
“You did. You didn’t mention where she was.”
“She went off with the security stud and the photographer chick. She was out all night and showed up acting like something happened to her.”
Maddie stilled, surprised. “What do you think happened to her?”
“Nothing. She always does this. She makes up stories for attention. She’s a passable liar. Or … a possible liar. No, that’s not right. What’s the word I’m looking for? You know, she’s one of those people who lies all the time.”
“Pathological,” Maddie supplied.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Lana shot her a thumbs-up. “She’s a pathological liar. I still like her, though, other than her name. Such a stupid name.”
Maddie was bothered by so much that the woman said she didn’t even know where to start. “How can you be sure nothing happened to her? I mean … if she said something happened to her, I would believe her. Just because she might tell small lies … .”
“Oh, she tells big lies,” Lana countered. “She once told a woman that she was having an affair with her husband just to break them up because he refused to have an affair with her. She’s totally vindictive … but so much fun.”
Maddie felt sick to her stomach. “Well, that sounds … lovely.”
“Right? I need another drink.” She turned to Demarcus and snapped her fingers. “Give me another.”
“Yeah, I think you’re done for a bit,” Demarcus replied, winking at Maddie. “Don’t worry, Sunshine, I’ll take it from here.”
To Maddie, that was an enormous relief.
Ten
Quinn was frustrated.
He had two cases, seemingly separate from one another, and yet there was ... something. He sat in his
office and stewed about it for more than an hour as he tried to make sense of the two cases.
He came up blank.
He was supposed to meet Rowan on the deck shortly before dinner. When he didn’t show, Rowan didn’t take it to heart. Instead, she tracked him to his office ... and then proceeded to watch him from the open doorway as he paced. The hallway where his office was located, in the basement, was off limits to almost anybody but her. Of course, her office was right down the hallway ... although she rarely opted to work in the space. She found it confining.
“You may think you’re sly sneaking up on me, but I feel you watching me,” Quinn said finally, scrubbing his hands over his face as he slowly turned to face her. She was breathtaking ... and she looked amused. He loved the way she smiled. “Do you need something, Ro?”
“Just dinner.”
He furrowed his brow. “Dinner? I ... .” He flicked his eyes to the clock on the wall and frowned. “Geez. I didn’t realize what time it was. I’m so sorry.” He moved toward her, an apology written all over his face. “I lost track of time.”
She was amused despite herself. “You don’t have to apologize to me for doing your job,” she noted. “I knew you weren’t standing me up.”
He slid his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her mouth. “I would never purposely stand you up. I just ... this case is bugging me. Or, rather, these cases.”
She rubbed her thumb over his cheek as she considered how to respond. “You can only take on what you can take on,” she said pragmatically after a beat. “You said Lindsey has to be your primary concern. I get that. She could be in grave danger.”