“Okay, enough is enough.” Quinn was firm as he grabbed her arms and shoved her back, ignoring the faux hurt look on Kasey’s face as he scanned the area. “I need to know exactly what’s going on here.”
“I was almost killed,” Kasey persisted as she attempted to worm her way closer to Quinn.
“So you’ve said.” Quinn refused to allow the girl to touch him, instead keeping a tight grip on her upper arms as his gaze landed on the security gurus Johnny and David. “I think I should start with you guys.”
“Okay, but I don’t know what we can tell you,” Johnny said. “We came to the party late. We only arrived after she started screaming.”
“And what were you screaming about again?” Quinn asked Kasey.
“I almost died.” Kasey jutted out her lower lip. “I’m scarred for life. I’ve already told you that.”
“You have told me that,” Quinn agreed dryly. “You’ve yet to tell me how you almost died, though.”
“Oh.” Kasey made a face. “Someone grabbed me from behind and tried to put a cloth over my nose.”
Rowan leaned forward. “Cloth? What kind of cloth?”
“The type that smelled like medicine – or maybe gas, what does gas smell like? I’ve never pumped my own gas – and it was dirty and grimy. Maybe I should ask those other chicks what gas smells like because they’re going to be pumping it their entire lives. Anyway, what was I saying again?”
“You were talking about someone coming up behind you and putting a cloth over your mouth,” Quinn prompted. “I need to know exactly what happened.”
“I’m not sure what happened,” Kasey hedged. “I was going to do a routine for everyone – you know, to show them how it’s done – and then suddenly there was someone behind me. I fought against him and screamed. Then he dropped the cloth and ran.”
“How do you know it was a he?” Rowan asked.
“And you said he dropped the cloth, right?” Quinn carefully released Kasey’s arms in case he needed to protect himself should she attempt to throw herself against him again and focused on the ground. “Where?”
“I … right around here.” Kasey’s frustration came out to play. “I don’t remember exactly where. I was in fear for my life.”
“I need to find that cloth.” Quinn hunkered down so he could stare at the ground. “Absolutely no one move until I find the cloth she’s talking about.”
“It’s over here,” Rowan announced a minute later, pointing underneath one of the loungers she crouched between. “I think it fell under here.”
Quinn moved to her side and leaned over. “Good job.” He offered up a wan smile before accepting a baggie from one of his security officers and slipping on a rubber glove supplied to him by the same man. Quinn gingerly sniffed the cloth before sliding it inside the bag and locking it shut. “Chloroform.”
“How can you be sure?” Rowan asked.
“I’ve had a few occasions to come across it before. It smells like ether and has a sweet aftertaste. It’s hard to describe.”
Rowan pursed her lips and lowered her voice. “So someone really was here and tried to grab Kasey. I wasn’t sure at first because she’s … well, you know.”
“I wasn’t sure either,” Quinn admitted, rolling his neck as he handed the baggie to one of his men. “Lock that in the evidence safe and then get back here. We need to question all of these girls.”
Rowan exhaled heavily. “All of them?”
Quinn’s smile was rueful. “I’m sorry, Ro, but it has to be done. We don’t know what they saw and if someone is grabbing girls … .”
Rowan’s stomach flipped as the magnitude of what he said hit her full force. “Gabby.”
“It would make sense if the two events are linked.”
“So you really think someone is on this ship and trying to take girls?” Rowan was horrified at the thought.
“I really think someone had chloroform and clearly something happened. The problem is, I’m guessing Kasey Witherspoon isn’t going to be the best witness.”
“No.” Rowan rubbed her sweaty palms against her hips. “Why would someone take these girls?” She already knew one possible answer and she hated even thinking it.
“I don’t know.” Quinn forced a smile that didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. “I’m going to find out, though. As for you, I think you should get some dinner and then head back to your room. I’ll find you there as soon as I can.”
Rowan balked. “I’m not leaving you to do this alone.”
“This is my job. It has nothing to do with your job and you haven’t eaten today as it is.”
Rowan didn’t back down. “You might need my help. The girls might be willing to talk to me because I’m a woman.”
Quinn knew she meant well but he didn’t believe that was the true reason she wanted to hang around. “You can’t get in the way.”
“Do I ever get in the way?”
“Do you honestly want me to answer that?”
Rowan considered the question for a long beat. “No. I can help, though. I promise. This is a lot of people to talk to.”
“It is and I’m glad for your help.” Quinn offered up a weak smile before standing. What he didn’t say, but Rowan was well aware of was that he wanted to keep Rowan close because he was legitimately worried someone dangerous was wandering around the ship. If Rowan was with him that meant no one could grab her … or do something infinitely worse. “Okay, we’re going to approach this in a logical manner. If all goes as planned, it won’t take forever.”
“Oh, you’re cute.” Rowan made a tsking sound with her tongue as she surveyed the twenty girls standing near the aft deck. “This is definitely going to take forever.”
That was exactly what Quinn was worried about.
“IT WAS CLEARLY Ms. Austin. She’s the guilty party.”
Quinn ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded Emma Norfolk with unreadable eyes. “You saw Ms. Austin try to chloroform Kasey?”
Emma bobbed her head. “She was there and she said she was going to make sure we didn’t win by any means possible.”
“Uh-huh.” Quinn scratched at the back of his neck as he debated how to handle the situation. “I need you to tell me exactly what you saw.”
“I told you. I was on the deck right over there and I was talking to a few other girls – it was mostly Olivia, Mia, and Abby even though Sophia was there, too – and we heard Kasey scream and then it was obvious it was Ms. Austin.”
It took everything Quinn had to keep from exploding at the girl. “Did you see Ms. Austin?”
“I … um … .” Emma looked confused. “It was dark. I saw someone who looked exactly like Ms. Austin, though, and now that Kasey said it we all agree it has to be Ms. Austin.”
“What if I told you that Ms. Austin was with Ms. Porter at the time of Kasey’s scream?” Quinn challenged. “They were both a good distance away. That means it was impossible for Ms. Austin to be the one who went after Kasey.”
“I … um … .” Emma made a petulant face. “I don’t know. Why are you being mean to me?”
A FEW FEET DOWN, Rowan decided to take a softer approach when questioning Mia Ludington.
“You look very pretty tonight. That’s a lovely dress. The color is perfect for your skin tone.”
Mia preened under the compliment. “I know, right? My mom wanted me to buy it in red, but it totally washed me out. I told her it had to be in blue – which was more expensive because we had to order it and get it rush shipped before I left – but it was so worth it.”
“Definitely.” Rowan managed to keep her smile in place, but just barely. “You were on the deck when Kasey was almost taken, right?”
Mia turned somber and pointed. “We were right over there. “It was Emma, Olivia, Abby and me and we were talking about something very serious. Then Sophia came over and started talking even though no one likes her. Then we heard Kasey scream and everyone ran this way to help. Ms. Austin did it.”
“Why do you think Ms. Austin did it?”
“Because she hates us.”
“Why do you think she hates you?”
“Because she’s jealous.”
The answer was so simplistic and annoying it set Rowan’s teeth on edge. “Why would Ms. Austin be jealous of you?”
“Because we’re young and she’s old.”
“But … .”
“And she’s always been jealous of Ms. Porter,” Mia added. “Ms. Porter was prettier and more talented when they were in school together. That made Ms. Austin jealous, which leads to bitterness and Ms. Austin is definitely bitter.”
“Right.” Rowan adopted a smile that looked more like a grimace than anything else. “Why would kidnapping Kasey help Ms. Austin with her bitterness?”
“Because Kasey is our captain and she’s the reason we’re going to win.”
“Kasey is your squad’s captain?”
Mia bobbed her head. “She’s a goddess amongst cheerleading captains.”
Rowan’s fake smile slipped. “Did Kasey tell you to say that?”
“If we want good placement on the final pyramid, we have to say it.”
“Right. I should’ve seen that coming.”
“DID YOU ACTUALLY see Ms. Austin attack Kasey?”
An hour into the questioning and all Quinn could think about was never talking to a teenager again. Olivia Markham wasn’t making his job any easier because she was such an idiot that she kept parroting back the same statement to him over and over again even though he pointed out it was impossible for her to have seen what she claimed to have seen.
“I did.” Olivia was solemn, her dark hair tucked behind her ears. “She came right up behind Kasey, whispered ‘this is going to be the end of you,’ and put a blue cloth against her mouth.”
Quinn pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “The cloth was white.”
“That’s what I said.”
“And you said you were over there with your friends.” Quinn pointed toward a specific portion of the deck. “How could you hear anyone whisper from that far away?”
“That’s what Kasey said happened and I believe her.” Olivia stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest. “She wouldn’t lie to me. That’s not what she does.”
“Right.” Quinn rolled his eyes so hard he almost tipped over. “Just one more thing. What was Ms. Austin wearing when she went after Kasey?”
“A black shirt and shoes. Oh, and a camouflage hat.”
Quinn flicked his eyes to Claire, took in her sequined jacket and blue shoes, and shook his head. “Thank you for your time, Olivia.”
“Don’t mention it.” Olivia hopped to her feet. “By the way, you’re totally as hot as Kasey said. I know you’re meeting her later for a private rendezvous, but I’m totally open if you want to visit me after that.”
Quinn didn’t bother to hide his scowl. “Whatever Kasey said we’re doing, she’s lying.”
“Kasey doesn’t lie. She told me she doesn’t.”
“Oh, geez. Just … go away.”
“Okay.” Olivia’s smile was pretty. “The offer still stands, though.”
“Get away from me. Right now.”
QUINN AND ROWAN finished up their evening questioning Johnny and David.
“So … you didn’t see anything?”
Johnny’s expression was sympathetic as he took in Quinn’s weary countenance. “Let me guess, all those girls told you different stories, didn’t they?”
“Not exactly. A lot of them told me the same story, which couldn’t possibly true. For the record, that story involved Ms. Austin being the one who went after Kasey.”
Johnny straightened and immediately started shaking his head. “That’s not true. Ms. Austin wouldn’t do that … and I’m not simply saying it because she pays my salary. She doesn’t like to sweat. She’s also discovered over this trip she really hates teenagers. There’s no way she would kidnap a girl.”
Quinn chuckled. “I know she didn’t do it – the fact that she doesn’t like to sweat notwithstanding – because she was standing on the deck down by the main entrance to the dining hall at the time we heard the scream.”
Johnny visibly relaxed. “Oh. I wasn’t worried about her being guilty, mind you, but I was worried you might believe all those girls if they said she was the person they saw do the deed.”
“As far as I can tell, those girls weren’t even watching Kasey at the time of the attack,” Rowan interjected. “They were all scattered about and talking to one another. Kasey was trying to put on a show she wanted everyone to watch, but no one was close … and no one was watching.”
“That’s pretty much what I ascertained, too,” Quinn admitted. “If I didn’t find the cloth with the chloroform on it, I would have to wonder if Kasey made everything up.”
“Maybe she did make it up,” David suggested. “I’ve seen young girls do crazier things. They sometimes can’t control themselves and that particular girl is an attention whore.”
“I can’t argue with the sentiment,” Quinn said. “The thing is, I can’t come up with one feasible way for Kasey to deliver a chloroform-soaked rag on cue.”
“She needed it for authenticity.”
“So she brought it with her from Florida?” Quinn challenged. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. How did she know she was going to do this from the beginning?”
“I guess I didn’t think of that.” David furrowed his brow. “I don’t know what to tell you. We were down that way when we heard the scream and came running. We didn’t see anyone fleeing into the night or anything. If we had, we would’ve given chase.”
Quinn believed that without hesitation.
“Maybe she somehow made her own chloroform,” David suggested. “She might’ve been looking for attention and came up with the story and knew she needed something to sell it.”
“I don’t think so.” Quinn was firm. “Kasey isn’t one of the great thinkers of our time. If she planned it, she wouldn’t have thought of the chloroform detail. If she did plan it, she would’ve gone with the story, added a lot more spice to the point where it was practically unbelievable, and then had nothing to back it up with.”
“That does sound like her,” Rowan admitted.
“Someone really did go after her,” Quinn supplied. “I don’t think it was an accident that it happened at this end of the ship, where it’s darkest and the cameras will have a hard time picking up the attacker’s features because the moon isn’t bright enough and the rail running lights are so far away. I think this was well thought out and planned.”
“What does that mean?” Johnny asked.
“We have a predator on board,” Quinn answered. “We don’t know who or why, but it’s clear something very bad is happening. All I can promise at this point is that I will find out who it is and deal with it.”
“What happens when we reach Bermuda for the competition?” David asked. “Won’t it be too late by then?”
“I guess I’d better get moving if I want to solve it before then, huh?” Quinn slipped his arm around Rowan’s shoulders. “I’m definitely going to find out exactly what’s going on here, though. You guys need to keep your eyes open and watch your girls. It’s important.”
Johnny offered up a half-hearted salute. “You’ve got it. We’re on your side. We don’t want this to keep happening.”
“No one does. That’s the only thing I think everyone can agree on.”
14
Fourteen
Rowan’s dreams were a mixture of screeching teenagers and moving symbols … and one was almost equally frightening as the other. She woke drained, almost more so than when she rested her head on the pillow the night before. Quinn noticed right away.
“Are you okay?”
Rowan nodded as she shifted so she could rest her head on his shoulder. “I had a weird dream.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You want to hear about my dream?”
“I’m not ready to get up and you’re warm and snuggly. Plus, well, if you had a nightmare, I really want to know about it.”
“It wasn’t exactly a nightmare,” Rowan hedged, uncomfortable. “It was more peculiar than anything else.”
“Tell me about it.”
Rowan did just that, although she kept it short and to the point. “Gabby kept staring at me with accusing eyes and Kasey and those other girls were doing a little dance. That was on top of the symbols showing up everywhere. It wasn’t scary as much as odd.”
“I’m sorry.” Quinn pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You needed a good night’s sleep and you clearly didn’t get it.”
“I got enough sleep.”
“Yeah?” Quinn rolled her to her back and rested his head on her stomach, grinning when the unmistakable growl escaped. Her stomach rumbled off and on the entire night, letting him know she was famished and ready to rock the breakfast buffet. “You might have gotten enough sleep, but you’re definitely hungry.”
“I am.” Rowan was rueful. “That candy bar I had before bed didn’t fill me up.”
“You essentially haven’t eaten since breakfast yesterday.”
“Neither have you.”
“Which is why we’re going to have a huge breakfast.” Quinn shifted Rowan’s T-shirt so he had access to bare skin on her midriff and blew a loud raspberry against her belly button, causing Rowan to bark out a laugh since she was expecting a tender kiss.
“That was lovely,” Rowan intoned.
“I aim to please.” This time Quinn pressed a dignified kiss to the same spot. “Still, this is starting to take a toll on both of us. We need to find a way to deal with it.”
Choppy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 5) Page 13