Murder She Sang: An Unputdownable Hilarious & Heartwarming Cozy Murder Mystery (A Gemma Becker Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Hazel Smith

Author:Hazel Smith [Smith, Hazel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

As the final note of Lucia Rossi’s performance vibrated through the grand theater, a wave of applause surged from the audience. Sitting beside Viv, Gemma clapped politely, her mind not entirely on the music but instead on the investigation that had wrapped her and Viv in its coils. She was about to suggest they order another round of drinks from the waiter when Viv leaned in.

“Come on, let’s go get a fresh drink,” Viv suggested with a wink, nudging Gemma from her seat.

Gemma hesitated. “But we could just order from⁠—”

“No time like the present for a little stroll,” Viv interrupted, already threading her way through the crowd with Gemma in tow.

At the bar, Viv stood close to Dirk Straggler, who was engaged in his applause. She mouthed her gin and tonic order toward the bartender. As he handed her glass over, she made a clumsy gesture, and her drink cascaded down Dirk’s trousers.

“Oh, my stars! I am so sorry!” Viv gasped, eyes wide as she took in the spreading stain marring the man’s tailored slacks.

Dirk’s face screwed up in irritation, then did a double-take, “Vivian? Vivian Carlisle? You could spill a whole bottle on me if it meant I could see you ‘Turn Back Time’ again.”

“Dirk,” Viv beamed, her trademark grin lighting up her features. “You remember my Cher number? I’m flattered.”

Dirk waved away her apology. “Best show in Vegas. I’d pay top dollar to see that performance again.”

Gemma settled on a barstool, lips forming a wry smile, eyes alight with appreciation of Viv’s impromptu performance.

The bartender quickly handed over a replacement drink, which Viv accepted gracefully. She slid closer to Dirk, pretending to dab at his wet trousers with a napkin.

“You know,” she cooed, “I’ve always admired how you handle your stars. Must be quite the balancing act.”

Dirk accepted another whiskey from the bartender and nodded appreciatively at Viv’s compliment. His face soured as he said, “Valentina was…a handful.”

Viv’s eyes shone with an intoxicating blend of sympathy and curiosity as she probed further. “I can only imagine the passion in opera extends beyond the stage.”

He downed his whiskey in one gulp, his jaw setting hard as memories seemed to flood back. “Passion is one word for it,” Dirk said with an edge of bitterness creeping into his voice. “That first night on this damn cruise…she lured me into her room with crocodile tears. I can’t believe I thought…”

His eyes flashed before he motioned the bartender for a refill.

Gemma leaned in closer, pretending to be engrossed in fixing a nonexistent run in her stockings while listening intently.

“The truth is,” Dirk continued, his voice growing darker with each word, “she spent money like there was no tomorrow—furs, jewels…you name it. I had to set limits, or we’d both be sunk.” He scoffed. “That night, I told her I’d set a lower limit on her cards if she didn’t rein it in. Then she had the gall to threaten me—said she’d tell everyone I took advantage of her unless I increased her credit limits.

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