Deadly Engagement by Terry Odell

Author:Terry Odell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy Mystery, Cruise ship mystery, crime at sea, amateur sleuth, police procedural, Caribbean cruise mystery, Female sleuth
Publisher: Terry Odell
Published: 2018-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

MINNIE DUCKED UNDER the rope, and Angie jumped aside to avoid a collision. The woman seemed oblivious to anything but the Morgan.

Humberto extended his arms and blocked her path. “Please stay where you are, ma’am. Nobody’s allowed in here.”

Minnie slowed to a shuffle, blinked, and glanced around. She pointed to Gordon and Angie. “Why are they here, then?”

Angie tried to send a silent message to Humberto. Don’t tell her Gordon’s a cop. She jumped in before Humberto could speak.

“We’re so sorry for your loss, Minnie. We were the ones who found your husband. I wish we’d have been here sooner. Maybe we could have saved him.”

Minnie blinked again. “Gordon? Angie?”

Gordon approached Minnie, put his hands on her shoulders, turned her around. His voice was calm, soothing. “This has to be very upsetting for you. Let’s go somewhere quiet, where we can talk. Leave the officer to do his job.”

Minnie craned her neck, still looking at the Morgan.

“Gordon’s right,” Angie said. “Maybe once the ship’s security people are finished doing whatever they have to do, they’ll give you a private moment here.”

“I’m sure we can arrange that, ma’am,” Humberto said. “You’ll be notified as soon as we’re done.”

Gordon steered Minnie toward the Promenade. Angie didn’t think the bright lights and loud music were what Minnie needed. “What about the dining room?”

She looked to Gordon for his approval. He might know cop stuff, but Angie considered herself good with people, and Minnie seemed to be in shock. He bobbed his head.

The dining room was half-empty, and Angie requested a table away from the main seating, on the other side of the room from where they ate dinner. No point in reminding Minnie where she and Conrad had eaten.

Once they were seated, Angie suggested herbal tea. “It’s soothing and won’t add any caffeine to your system.”

Minnie gave a half-hearted sigh of acceptance. To show support, Angie ordered the same for herself. Gordon went with his usual decaf.

“Have you eaten today?” Angie asked Minnie.

The woman shook her head.

“Can we get an order of toast?” Angie took Minnie’s hand, which was ice cold. “Or would you prefer rolls or pastries?”

Minnie shook her head again.

After a late breakfast and the recent ice cream, Angie wasn’t hungry, but Gordon’s workout had been more rigorous than her easy pedaling. “Do you want to order lunch?” she asked him, hoping her tone conveyed she didn’t think he should be eating a meal if Minnie was upset.

“No. Toast all around,” he said to their server.

The man gave a sympathetic smile, as if he thought they might all be seasick. Angie didn’t bother to correct him.

“I will return with your beverages shortly,” he said, then left.

Angie hadn’t let go of Minnie’s hand. “Do you want to tell us about it? Sometimes it helps to talk.”

Minnie exhaled a shaky sigh. “I checked on him after the show, and he was feeling better.” Each word seemed an effort for her to get out. She fussed with her napkin. “Our stateroom has separate beds.

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