Choppy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 5)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Ha, ha.” Rowan jerked her finger away and flicked his ear. “You’re a pervert.”

  “I am,” Quinn agreed, turning serious. “As for this … I don’t know what to make of it. I had no idea that Leighann was far gone enough to pay money out of pocket to rent one of the salons – and trust me, these rooms don’t go cheap – just so she could display the trophies she’s won over the years.”

  Rowan leaned closer so she could read the metal plate at the bottom of the nearest trophy. “She didn’t win this, though. It’s from two years ago.”

  “I believe she says that she’s the real winner because she put together the winning team.” Quinn made a face at Rowan’s incredulous expression. “I’m not making it up. She really does say stuff like that.”

  “Except she didn’t earn this.” Rowan ran her fingers over the metal and cringed. “Now that you’ve mentioned that it looks like an urn that’s all I can think about. It gives me the creeps.”

  “That’s because you agree that Leighann is evil enough to put dead cheerleaders in there.”

  Rowan rolled her eyes. “Now you’re just being dramatic.” She shifted to another photo and frowned when she realized what she was looking at. “Wow. This is from twenty years ago.”

  “It is.” Quinn bobbed his head. “This is my second time through here. I didn’t believe Demarcus and Sally when they told me how surreal it was. I had to see for myself.”

  “Aren’t you running security on this?”

  “It’s closed down until the day of the competition. Leighann is convinced that several people on this cruise – and I’m betting you can guess which ones – are keen to steal her trophies. She threatened death and destruction if anyone comes in here … and she included security in that declaration, which I promptly ignored.”

  “I like how she keeps all the trophies and doesn’t give any to the girls,” Rowan grumbled, tilting her head as she regarded the photo. “Huh. Claire is in this one, too.”

  “Where?” Quinn eagerly stepped forward and stared at the woman Rowan pointed toward. “You’re right. That is Claire. She’s at the opposite end of the row from Leighann.”

  “It’s obvious that they hated each other even then,” Rowan noted. “They each had a faction following them and there’s a clear line between the groups. This half belongs to Leighann and this half belongs to Claire.”

  “It’s kind of sad that their whole lives have become about hating each other, isn’t it?”

  Rowan shrugged. “I know this makes me sound like I’m making excuses, but the fact that Claire recognizes her shortcomings and knows she isn’t perfect makes me like her more than Leighann.”

  “I was thinking that over dinner,” Quinn admitted, turning rueful. “The thing is, I was upset with myself when I realized it. In truth, Claire isn’t much better than Leighann.”

  “No, but she’s somewhat better because she’s not constantly putting on an act. She is who she is and she’s beyond apologizing for it. Still, she did a good thing for those girls.”

  “Speaking of those girls, I want to check on them,” Quinn said, directing Rowan toward the door. “My understanding is that they’ve been hanging around close to the tiki bar in an effort to sneak drinks when no one is looking. I want to put an end to that behavior right away.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.”

  “You’re only saying that because you haven’t heard them complain yet.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard them complain.”

  “Not when they’re trying to manipulate me at the same time.” Quinn linked his fingers with Rowan’s and tugged her toward the deck door. “Just wait until you hear the whining they whip out when they’re trying to misdirect me. It’s a thing of cheerleader queen beauty.”

  Rowan barely managed to contain her smile. “Am I going to need to protect you from them?”

  “You laugh, but I might actually need it.”

  “I’ve got your back.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  THE TIKI BAR WASN’T overly busy – something Rowan was thankful for – and only a handful of mothers sat on stools at the bar counter. That allowed Rowan and Quinn to settle at their usual table, which was located in a spot that essentially offered an unencumbered view of the deck.

  Quinn signaled Demarcus for drinks before following Rowan’s gaze, shaking his head when he recognized Clover and a small group of Claire’s acolytes sitting in loungers, their heads bent together as they whispered to one another and occasionally stared at the bar.

  “They’re plotting,” Quinn muttered, shaking his head.

  “They are,” Rowan agreed, smirking. She found the girls’ antics a lot funnier than Quinn did. She couldn’t help it. “I like how they all straighten their shoulders and push out their chests whenever you come around. They’re very aware of your movements.”

  Quinn scowled, not bothering to hide his distaste. “You’re messing with me.”

  “While I always enjoy messing with you, that’s not exactly what I’m doing now.” Rowan reclined in her chair and studied the girls with a clinical eye. “If I’m any judge of character – and I like to think I am – it’s almost as if they’re in a competition to see if they can get your attention.”

  “They’re children.”

  “Kind of.” Rowan shot him an affectionate smile, his discomfort making her chuckle. “I think it’s because Leighann and Claire fancy themselves in competition for your attention so the girls are simply following suit.”

  Quinn balked. “No one is in competition for my attention. You’re the only one I want to be attentive to.”

  “That’s sweet.” Rowan patted his hand. “That’s not what I’m talking about, though. Leighann sees you as some sort of feather in her cap, perhaps a personal triumph. She was upset when you essentially brushed her off because that never happens to her. In her world, money buys affection.”

  “Not genuine affection,” Quinn countered. “You can’t buy love. It just … is.”

  “And I get that.” Rowan held her hands up in mock surrender at Quinn’s vehemence. “I believe in Leighann’s world you can buy good actors and she assumed that would be the case with you. Thankfully for both of us – because I would hate to be legitimately jealous – you can’t be bought.”

  “No, I can’t.” Quinn knit his eyebrows as he took in what Rowan was saying. “I think I understand what you’re getting at, though. Leighann went after me because she wanted some personalized attention. She wasn’t looking for anything serious, just someone to dote on her.”

  Rowan nodded. “Exactly.”

  “Once Claire realized that Leighann wanted attention, she became interested in stealing that attention simply to mess with Leighann,” Quinn continued. “That’s why she really sat with us tonight. She used the excuse of getting away from the girls, but she wanted Leighann to see her with us.”

  “She did,” Rowan agreed. “She kept looking in the direction of Leighann’s table. I didn’t get it at first, but eventually I came to understand what she was trying to do. I think Claire is smarter than Leighann and realized she couldn’t put a wedge between us – so why even try? – and she settled for sitting with us and pretending you two were in a serious conversation. That was enough to drive Leighann crazy even though Claire didn’t technically claim you for herself and Leighann’s anger is enough to fuel Claire.”

  “Good grief.” Quinn slapped his hand to his forehead and rubbed vigorously. “It’s like a really annoying soap opera. I can’t even keep up with everything that’s happening.”

  “That’s because you’re a rational human being.” Rowan remained amused as Demarcus delivered their drinks. The gregarious bartender heaved out a sigh after handing them over and then planted himself at their table.

  “You have no idea how tired I am,” Demarcus announced. “If I never see another teenaged girl again – or her drunk mother, for that matter – I’ll be a happy man.”

  Rowan snorted as she s
ipped her rum runner. She’d never had occasion to sample the Florida favorite before moving to The Bounding Storm, but now she considered herself a big fan despite how strong Demarcus made the cocktail. “You’re not the only one irritated with the girls. I’ll be honest and say I haven’t seen much of the mothers.”

  “That’s because you’ve been spending the bulk of your time in the practice area,” Quinn pointed out. “The mothers are locking themselves away in main floor bars and the adult pool. They’re supposed to be chaperones, but I’ve yet to see any of the mothers really interacting with the kids. This is simply a vacation for everybody and that means bad behavior abounds.”

  “I know, but I still thought there would be a handful of worrywart mothers hanging around and constantly watching the girls.”

  “I think that will happen when there’s a stop at port,” Quinn offered. “Right now the girls are in a contained environment. They can’t wander away. They’re stuck here and the only male attention belongs to workers and I think the mothers are mostly okay with that because the employees know better than messing with teenagers if they want to keep their jobs.”

  “Quinn is right about port – and our only stop this trip is Bermuda, which is a change from what we normally do – being a different story,” Demarcus said. “Then the mothers will do their jobs and watch the kids.”

  “Yeah. Speaking of a contained environment, there’s something I want to check on.” Rowan sipped her drink before standing. “I’m going to talk to Clover for a few minutes. I won’t be gone long.”

  Quinn watched her with confused eyes. “Why would you purposely go over there and talk to those kids? Take a break. You’ll have to deal with them all day again tomorrow.”

  “I will,” Rowan agreed. “I need to ask them something, though. I have no intention of spending an extended amount of time with them. I’ll be right back.”

  Quinn was dubious. “Okay, but you’d better hurry up. If a member of my fan club comes by and sees me sitting alone, I’m likely to be snatched up.”

  Rowan rolled her eyes. “I’ll take my chances.”

  “Where do I stand in that equation?” Demarcus challenged. “Will I suddenly become invisible to these women who want to throw themselves at you?”

  Quinn shrugged. “I think the women simply find me hotter because I’m head of security and that naturally means I’m buff.”

  Demarcus made a face. “Whatever. If Rowan doesn’t hurry up I’m going to finish her drink and then we’ll see who is hotter.”

  Rowan’s lips curved as she cut her way across the desk, not stopping until she stood next to Clover. For her part, the girl looked sheepish as she attempted to appear nonchalant on her lounger.

  “We weren’t doing nothing,” Clover grumbled.

  “Anything,” Rowan automatically corrected, hating herself when she realized how condescending she sounded. “You weren’t doing anything and I’m not here to bust your chops.”

  Clover wrinkled her ski-slope nose. “I don’t even get what that saying means. My mother uses it, too. Is it from the olden days?”

  Rowan scowled as she scratched at the back of her neck. “No. It’s not from the olden days.”

  “It sounds like it’s from the olden days.”

  “Are you trying to irritate me?”

  Clover held her hands palms out and shrugged. “I’m just trying to enjoy the great weather. I happen to love fresh air.”

  There was no way Rowan was going to fall for Clover’s innocent act. “You’re out here because you’ve figured out that the tiki bar isn’t overly populated, which means you’re less likely to run into a gaggle of mothers.”

  “Our mothers didn’t come.”

  “That doesn’t mean the other mothers won’t bust you,” Rowan argued. “You’re trying to decide if there’s a way for you to scam the bartender into giving you drinks. I’m going to bet you even have a fake ID handy. What you don’t have is a story that will work.”

  “You don’t know that.” Clover’s lips twisted. “We might have a story that will work.”

  “You don’t.” Rowan smirked at the girl’s downtrodden expression. “Everyone here knows what they’re doing and you won’t get away with it. You should let it go and simply enjoy your trip.”

  “Whatever.” Clover rubbed her cheek as she glared at the bar. “You told them not to serve us, didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t have to. Demarcus isn’t an idiot.”

  “We’re going to figure out a way to have some fun,” Clover promised. “Just you wait.”

  “I have no doubt.” Rowan turned serious. “I still don’t see Gabby. Has she not shown up yet?”

  Clover shook her head. “No, and I’m starting to get worried. I know I said it was nothing earlier – and I honestly believed that – but no one has seen Gabby since breakfast. That’s completely unlike her.”

  The ball of worry sitting in the pit of Rowan’s stomach all day expanded. “No one in your group has seen her?”

  “No.” Clover was grave. “We think Mrs. Porter did something to her.”

  “Leighann Porter?” Rowan had no idea how to respond when Clover bobbed her head. “I’m sure Ms. Porter wouldn’t risk doing something to Gabby. I’m not going to pretend she’s a good person, but she’s not an idiot either.”

  “Gabby is our captain,” Clover reminded her. “Without her, we don’t have a chance of winning. You don’t think it’s strange that suddenly Gabby has gone missing right before the competition and Ms. Porter doesn’t want us to win?”

  “Well … .” Rowan honestly did find it suspicious. It wouldn’t be prudent for a woman in Leighann’s position to risk everything over a cheerleading competition, though. Of course, the one word Rowan couldn’t use when describing Leighann was “practical.”

  “You have to help us find her,” Clover pressed. “I think Ms. Porter has her stashed away.”

  Rowan awkwardly patted the girl’s shoulder. “I don’t think that’s feasible, but I’ll have the security teams keep an eye out for Gabby. I’m sure whatever is going on is innocent.” Even as she said the words, Rowan didn’t believe them.

  “You don’t care.” Clover was dejected as she scuffed her foot against the deck wood. “You pretend to, but you’re just like everyone else.”

  “Don’t say that,” Rowan warned as she extended a finger. “I don’t appreciate it and I’m not so stupid that you can manipulate me with that lame attempt.”

  Clover turned sheepish. “That’s not what I was trying to do.”

  “You were and I get it. I do care, though, and I will make sure that the security guys keep an extra lookout for Gabby. I bet they find her relatively quickly once I ask them to search for her.”

  “But how are you going to get them to do that?”

  Rowan pointed toward Quinn, who was doing his best to shrink in his seat because Leighann picked that moment to visit the tiki bar. He clearly didn’t want her to join him. “He’s head of security. He’ll order his men to look for her.”

  “Because he’s your boyfriend?”

  Rowan shook her head. “Because he’s a good man.” Rowan managed a smile that didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. “I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for where Gabby wandered off …and why. I promise we’ll start looking for her, though. We won’t stop until we find her.”

  “I hope so. I’m starting to get that sick feeling in my stomach I get when I know something is wrong.” Clover rubbed her flat midriff for emphasis. “I’m afraid.”

  “It will all work out.” Rowan hoped that was true. “I’ll make sure security starts looking for her right away. You have my word on it.”

  11

  Eleven

  Quinn was already texting on his phone when Rowan woke the next morning. He lay still beside her, working overtime not to jostle her head even though it rested on his chest, and his fingers danced over the screen.

  Rowan, always a slow starter, rubbed her eyes as s
he stared at his handsome features. “How can you look this good before you even shower? It should be against the law.”

  Quinn snickered as he smoothed her flyaway hair. “I believe it’s simply one of those little gifts from the genetic fairy. I can’t take credit for it.”

  “It’s definitely unfair.” Rowan took a moment to close her eyes and then pressed a kiss to Quinn’s jaw before rolling to her back. “Who are you texting?”

  “The overnight teams to see if they found Gabby.”

  Rowan was instantly alert. She’d almost forgotten about the girl thanks to her morning-muddled mind. She felt an instant of guilt over that and then pushed it out of her head. Regret and guilt wouldn’t help anybody. “Anything?”

  Quinn stared at her for a long beat and she knew the answer before he uttered. “Not so far. They’re still looking.”

  Rowan absolutely hated his answer. “Where could she be?”

  “I don’t know. You shouldn’t freak out, though. There’s no reason to believe that something terrible has happened to her because we don’t have evidence to support that.”

  “No, I guess not.” Rowan couldn’t shake the worry weighing her down and grabbed her camera from the nightstand so she could look through the photographs she snapped the previous day.

  “What are you doing?” Quinn asked, concerned.

  “I’m going to see if I can find a photograph of Gabby. I never uploaded these last night so I didn’t get a chance to look for the symbol.”

  Quinn exhaled heavily. “I thought you didn’t see Gabby other than at breakfast.”

  “I didn’t, but I took a few photos of the dining room when we were finished. Maybe I’ll luck out and Gabby will be in them.”

  “Okay but … I don’t want you to panic if the symbol is on Gabby’s photograph. It doesn’t necessarily mean she’s already dead or anything.”

  Rowan refused to acknowledge the statement. If the symbol was on Gabby’s photograph, they both knew exactly what it meant. Rowan rapidly flipped through the pictures until she found the ones she was looking for and then slowed her pace, ultimately stopping when she found one that featured Claire’s table. Gabby was holding court in the center of the photograph and there was no symbol present.