“Go ahead.” Quinn enjoyed wielding power over Leighann and didn’t bother to hide it. “The documents are airtight. We have every right to search the rooms.”
“Then you should search them.” Leighann didn’t look bothered by the upheaval. In fact, she was working overtime to act as if nothing bothered her. “You won’t find anything. While you’re doing it, I will retire to my room for a nap. When you’re ready to apologize for suspecting us, you know where to find me. Groveling isn’t necessary but never frowned upon.”
Quinn refused to let her imperious tone tip him into fury. “That won’t be happening.”
“You’ll apologize eventually.” Leighann was smug. “Even the strongest warriors can’t topple me.”
Quinn held up his finger to still Leighann before she could sashay away. “I mean that you returning to your room won’t be happening. The apology won’t happen, don’t get me wrong, but your room is being searched, too.”
For the first time since she arrived on the ship Rowan sensed a crack in Leighann’s ever-present veneer.
“Excuse me?” Leighann was clearly thrown and her temper surfaced, bubbling hot and fast. “Are you actually saying you’re going to search my room?”
Quinn bobbed his head. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. In fact, I’ll be doing it personally. I know how important personalized service is to you.”
“Oh, well, by all means.” Leighann offered a haughty sneer. “Let’s go to my room and talk about things. It’s right over here.”
“I know where it is.” Quinn strolled in front of her, grabbing his master pass key and sliding it in the lock before pushing open the door. He placed his hand against the frame to block Leighann from entering when she tried. “You’re not allowed in during the search.”
Leighann’s smile slipped. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Quinn was firm. “You’re to wait in the hallway.”
“And how do I know you won’t be going through my personal things, perhaps stealing an item of clothing or something?” Leighann challenged. “I’m not going to allow you to go in there alone.”
“Oh, I’m not going alone.” Quinn crooked a finger at Rowan. “All searches are conducted with a partner. Ms. Gray will be mine for this particular search.”
Leighann stiffened. “I see. This is because of what I said to her on the deck, isn’t it? She went whining to you and this is how you’re paying me back. Well, it’s not going to work. I stand by what I said. She’s beneath you. You only want to be with her because she’s simple and unchallenging.”
“Like everything else, you have no idea what you’re talking about,” Quinn supplied calmly. “I’m used to it now, though, and I don’t really care what you do or don’t believe. You’re to remain out here while we search, though. That’s the end of it.”
“Fine. Do what you want.” Leighann gritted her teeth together as she watched Rowan and Quinn enter her room. “This isn’t over, though. I’ll be contacting my attorneys the second you’re out of there.”
“I’m looking forward to conversing with them.” Quinn turned his attention to the room, briefly sparing a glance for Rowan before focusing on the absolute mess that surrounded him. “I’ve never seen anyone this disorganized in my entire life.”
“It’s kind of funny,” Rowan mused, walking toward the bathroom. The room was larger than most but still small. There were only so many places Gabby could be stashed if she was there. “She’s extremely organized in other things and yet this place is filthy. Maybe it’s some mental thing.”
“I think you’re reading too much into it.” Quinn lowered himself to the floor so he could look in the storage area underneath the bed. It was empty. “I think she’s simply used to having maids follow her around and clean up after her and she thinks she’s too good to do it herself.”
“Oh.” Rowan made a face. “I didn’t even think of that.”
“That’s because you’re sweet and innocent.”
“And unchallenging.”
Now it was Quinn’s turn to make a face. “If you let her get to you I’m going to be really ticked off. You’re the most challenging person I know.”
“If I were a lesser person, I would take that as an insult.”
“It’s a good thing you’re not.”
“Absolutely.” Rowan planted her hands on her hips as she glanced around the room. “Gabby is obviously not here.”
“No. I didn’t think she would be, though.”
“So you were just placating me when you agreed to the searches?”
“I don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” Quinn countered. “A girl’s life is on the line here. I’m willing to consider anything at this point.”
“Yeah, well, you might not feel the same way when Leighann’s lawyers get ahold of you.”
“I’m not worried about them at all.” Quinn’s grin was fast and furious. “Trust me. The Bounding Storm’s parent company has sharks on their legal team. This is hardly the first time something like this has occurred. It will be fine.”
“What do we do now?”
“I don’t know.” Quinn sobered as he moved toward the hallway, his eyes narrowing when he saw the smug look on Leighann’s face. “Do you have something you want to say?”
“I told you this was a mistake. You’re looking in the wrong place. We don’t care enough to touch that girl.”
“That isn’t something to be proud of. In fact … .” Quinn trailed off when he noticed one of his men walking toward him, a familiar gray sweater clutched in his hand.
“What’s that?” Leighann asked, instantly alert. She wasn’t the most observant person in the world, but she recognized the shift in Quinn’s demeanor.
“I found this in one of the rooms,” the guard announced. “I believe it’s the same sweater the girl was wearing when she disappeared after breakfast the other day. It looks the same as the one on the video footage.”
Rowan instinctively reached out and snagged the sweater to give it a closer look. “Where did you find this?”
“In Kasey Witherspoon’s room.”
Quinn cocked a brow as he regarded the girl in question. All the bravado was gone from Kasey’s face and she looked absolutely terrified … and guilty. “I think you should come with us, Kasey.”
Kasey immediately started shaking her head. “I didn’t do anything. I … that’s mine. I’m innocent.”
Rowan glanced at the sweater a second time. “This is polyester … and cheaply made. I wouldn’t think you would own an item of clothing like this.”
“I … it’s mine.” Kasey desperately looked to Leighann for help. “Don’t let them take me.”
“Ms. Porter has no power here.” Quinn put his hand to Kasey’s shoulder and prodded her down the hallway. “I think you should come with us. We have some questions.”
QUINN LEFT KASEY TO pace in the interrogation room while Leighann took over his office so she could screech at Michael. Quinn was happy to avoid the conversation and left Michael to do the heavy lifting. After thirty minutes of threats, screams, and hateful glares, Michael slipped out of the office and nodded at Quinn.
“You can question her, but if she refuses to answer there’s not much we can do. Leighann is demanding a lawyer. Kasey is technically eighteen, though, so she needs to request one herself.”
“If she won’t answer questions I’ll simply hold her for the duration of the trip,” Quinn supplied. “That’s within my authority.”
“It is,” Michael agreed. “I explained that to Ms. Porter and she didn’t take the news well. Apparently she’s convinced we want to rig the cheerleading competition so she loses.”
“And what would our motivation be for that?”
“Your girlfriend is jealous of her.” Michael winked at Rowan, amusement evident. “She’s nuts. You shouldn’t be surprised when she says nutty things. That’s who she is.”
“Well, she’s not my primary concern.” Quinn turned his full attent
ion to Kasey, who he could see through the two-way mirror. “I think we should question our little friend.” He flicked his eyes to Rowan. “Are you up for it?”
Rowan couldn’t hide her surprise. “You want me to go in there with you?”
“I do. You’re up on the situation and you’ve dealt with Kasey enough to read her moods. We’ll probably get shut down – I’m sure her parents have coached her to clam up when being questioned by law enforcement – but we do have one ace up our sleeve and we might get lucky.”
“Then I’m game.”
“I thought you would be.”
KASEY REMINDED ROWAN of a caged animal ready to pounce when the duo walked into the interrogation room. Quinn kept his business face in place, but Rowan allowed a hint of sympathy to roll across her features before sitting at the table and steepling her fingers.
“Sit down, Kasey,” Quinn instructed, dropping a file at the head of the table before taking a seat. “We have some things we want to talk about with you.”
“I’m not talking to you.” Kasey was shrill and belligerent. “I demand to see my lawyer right now.” She stomped her foot on the floor for emphasis as she planted her hands on her hips.
“You don’t have a lawyer, at least not on this ship.”
“Then I’m not answering questions.”
“That’s certainly your prerogative. You don’t have to answer questions if you don’t want to.”
Quinn’s response caused Kasey to pause, surprise evident on her narrow features. “Oh, well, that’s good. If I don’t have to answer questions, can I go?”
Quinn shook his head. “No.”
“You can’t hold me here without charging me with something,” Kasey pressed. “I know my rights. I watch a lot of cop shows. I’m even considering being a lawyer … or a supermodel. I’m still debating.”
Quinn ran his tongue over his teeth as he exchanged an amused look with Rowan. “You should do both. You can be a lawyer by day and supermodel by night.”
“You laugh, but I’ve considered it.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to you making it a reality.” Quinn tapped his fingers on the table as he regarded her. “As for holding you, I think you’ll find I can do it for as long as I want because of the circumstances. That’s what I intend to do.”
Kasey sank into one of the chairs, her legs shaky. “I don’t understand. What does that mean?”
“We have a missing girl, Kasey. We’re extremely worried that something happened to her.”
“I heard Ms. Porter telling this one she’s probably hiding because she’s scared to face us.” Kasey jerked her thumb in Rowan’s direction. “She won’t believe us, though, because she hates us – I think she might be jealous, especially of me – but it’s the truth. Nothing happened to that girl.”
“Something did happen to her,” Quinn challenged. “She’s missing. She’s not voluntarily hiding. Just because you believe it, that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“You don’t have the right to hold me.” Kasey crossed her arms over her chest. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You have Gabby’s sweater,” Rowan pointed out. “If you haven’t done anything wrong, where did you get it?”
“That’s my sweater.”
“That’s a thirty-dollar sweater,” Rowan argued. “You’re wearing five-hundred-dollar shoes and eighty-dollar knit shorts. You don’t wear sweaters like that.”
“I … .” Fear flitted through Kasey’s eyes. “I’m not talking to you without a lawyer. I already told you that. You can’t make me!” Kasey slammed her hand on the table for emphasis. “I’m done here.”
“That’s fine.” Quinn got to his feet. “You don’t have to answer questions. I already told you that.”
“Great. I’m going back to my room.”
“No, you’re not.” Quinn’s tone shifted to something Rowan couldn’t quite identify. He almost sounded sad, which was odd considering the circumstances. “We can hold you until we dock in Florida. Then we will turn you over to the local authorities and they will question you. You will be able to call whatever attorney you want at that time.”
“But what happens until then?”
“You sit in a holding cell.”
Kasey widened her eyes to such a degree Rowan momentarily thought they were going to roll back in her head because she was going to pass out. The girl managed to recover, but barely. “A holding cell? That’s the same as jail.”
“On this ship, it is.”
“But I can’t go to jail. I’m Kasey Witherspoon. I don’t go to jail.”
“You either answer our questions or you go to a cell,” Quinn said. “Those are your only two options.”
Kasey clearly didn’t understand the gravity of her situation because she immediately started shaking her head. “No. I have the competition. We’re docking tomorrow. You can’t keep me from the competition.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Quinn leaned back in his chair. “I can keep you from that competition. I have the authority. More than that, I will keep you from that competition unless Gabby miraculously appears or you tell us how you came to be in possession of that sweater.”
“It’s mine!”
“Whatever.” Disgusted, Quinn got to his feet. “I’m done with you.” He opened the door that led to the hallway. “I want her processed. Do everything. I want prints, a mug shot, and even a body cavity search. Throw her in one of those ugly jumpsuits we have while you’re at it.”
“Jumpsuits!” Kasey’s eyebrows flew up her forehead. “What kind of jumpsuit?”
“The kind prisoners wear,” Quinn answered without hesitation. “It’s standard procedure. We have special soft flip-flops and everything. We have rules to follow, which means no laces on your shoes and nothing that could double as a weapon. That means you go in a jumper.”
“You’re just being mean now.” Kasey teared up. “You’re trying to punish me for something I didn’t do because your girlfriend is jealous.”
“Why does everyone keep saying I’m jealous?” Rowan complained. “Why is that the first thing that springs to mind when you guys are backed into a corner?”
“Because you want to be me.” Kasey puffed out her chest. “You wish you could be me and your boyfriend wishes you were just like me. That makes you jealous.”
Quinn snorted. “You have a lot of growing up to do, kid. I hope you do some of it while you’re in here. Lord knows you’ll have plenty of time to reflect on your attitude because you’re not going anywhere until we dock in Florida.”
“I’m really going to sue you.” Tears flowed down Kasey’s cheeks. “You’re so mean. I hate mean people.”
“You might want to look in the mirror when you say things like that,” Quinn suggested, putting his hand to the small of Rowan’s back and prodding her toward the door. “Think long and hard about what’s happening here. Think about the kind of danger that Gabby is in. When you’re willing to talk, I’ll be around to listen.”
“I’m not talking to you!”
“Then rot. I honestly don’t care.”
18
Eighteen
Quinn opted for a quiet table in the corner of the dining room. He watched Rowan fill her plate with about half the food she would normally eat on a seafood night and let loose a weary sigh as she sank into her chair.
“That bad, huh?” Quinn cracked a smile that caused Rowan’s heart to roll.
“I’m sorry.” A crab leg in her hand, Rowan gestured wildly as she tried to calm herself. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I legitimately am. I don’t understand what’s wrong with Kasey that she simply won’t tell us where she got that sweater.”
Quinn nudged back the crab leg before it landed in his lap. “Maybe she’s not telling us because she did something to Gabby.”
Rowan tilted her head to the side, considering. “No, that doesn’t feel right,” she said after a beat. “Kasey is her own special brand of monster, but I can’
t see her being involved with this … at least not the way you think.”
“Okay, let’s talk it out.” Quinn was feeling pragmatic. “The cameras caught Gabby going to the main deck after breakfast that day. There she disappeared in a sea of girls. No matter how we try to find her on the video after that, we can’t.
“Now, that’s a mixture of factors,” he continued. “It’s poor angles, mixed with equipment that really needs to be replaced, and a glaring sun that the cameras can’t compensate for. She very easily could’ve walked away of her own volition and we simply didn’t see it because the glare washed out a lot of the side angles.”
Rowan nodded thoughtfully as she cracked the crab. “Maybe she left the sweater on the deck that morning and your men lost sight of her because they were looking for the sweater and it disappeared.”
“I guess that’s a thought, but it doesn’t sound likely to me,” Quinn replied. “It’s possible, though. The thing is, if Kasey simply picked up the sweater from the deck, why not own up to it?”
“Because that’s probably not what happened,” Rowan said after a beat. “I’m betting that Kasey stole the sweater and she doesn’t want to admit it because it makes her look bad in front of her friends.”
“Why would she steal that sweater, though? You said yourself that it was cheaply made – at least compared to what Kasey is used to – and it’s not as if she was going to wear it in public.”
“No, she wouldn’t have worn it in public,” Rowan agreed, thoughtful. “Kasey is the type of girl who steals because it makes her feel better. She doesn’t even care what she’s stealing, just that she gets a rush from taking something. I knew girls like her in high school. They had everything and yet they wanted more because something inside was empty.
“Most of the time they couldn’t identify what that something was but stealing became an outlet of sorts,” she continued. “You already said that Kasey has been a pain on this trip because she’s been trying to break the rules. You even said you couldn’t figure out why because she seemed to have everything. I’m going to guess this is why.”
Choppy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 5) Page 17