Welcoming Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 1)

by Lily Harper Hart

“I’m always right. Didn’t I already tell you that?”

  Rowan made a face. “If you knew that I was allowed to eat in the dining room, why did you act as if you were doing me a favor when you invited me?”

  Quinn shrugged. “Maybe I wanted to impress you.”

  “Why?”

  “I should think that’s obvious. You’re kind of cute.”

  He was unbelievably cute. That didn’t stop Rowan from taking an instinctive step away from him, though. They couldn’t keep this up. “We should probably go inside,” she said, changing the subject. “I’m hungry and we need to keep watch on the girls.”

  Quinn’s eyes were thoughtful as they roamed her face, but he nodded. “Okay. I have some information to share with you anyway.”

  Five minutes later the duo settled at the same small table, Quinn’s eyes briefly shifting several tables over so he could check on Hayley, Kara, and Kylie. He found Kylie staring at him – her eyes predatory – and offered a goofy wave before focusing on Rowan.

  “She makes me ridiculously uncomfortable,” Quinn muttered.

  “That’s your own fault for being such a heartbreaker.” Rowan kept her tone even. “I’m sure you’ve crushed hearts all over the world.”

  “I think that’s a gross exaggeration,” Quinn said. “That’s not really important right now, though, is it?”

  “Definitely not,” Rowan said, snapping a crab leg and dipping it in butter sauce. “What did you find?”

  “The three engineers in town with the girls have only been on the ship for less than a month,” Quinn replied. “Their names are Daniel Gardiner, Aaron Jordan, and Shane Newcomb.”

  “Is their limited time on the ship important?”

  “It’s … interesting,” Quinn replied. “Their work history is solid, but they’ve hopped from ship to ship. That’s usually a sign that something is wrong.”

  “How?”

  “If you’re a solid worker and good at what you do, why change locations so often?”

  “You have a point.” Rowan cracked another crab leg. “Do you think they’re murderers?”

  “I can’t answer that,” Quinn replied. “It would be rare for a group of alpha males – and that’s definitely what they looked like to me this afternoon – to be working together, but not unheard of. I simply don’t know what to think. I do know they’re all on duty in the engine room tonight, though.”

  “And?”

  “And I’m going to search their room.” Quinn made the announcement as if he said he was having white bread instead of whole wheat with his dinner. He didn’t appear bothered by Rowan’s eyebrow acrobatics in the least. “I need to know if they’re hiding something in their room. They’ll be at work, although I’m taking Demarcus with me so he can watch the hallway to be on the safe side, though.”

  “What if you’re caught by someone else?”

  Quinn shrugged. “I’m allowed to do whatever is necessary because I’m the head of security. If I get caught, I’ll own up to what I’m doing and deal with the fallout. I won’t be caught, though. Trust me. I’m good at what I do.”

  Rowan had no doubt about that. Even though he was flirty and fun on the surface, his eyes were always busy and he clearly knew everything happening on the ship at any given time. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Watch the girls,” Quinn replied. “Even though we finally have suspects, we have no idea if they’re really dangerous. You saw the symbol thing on Hayley’s photograph. That means she’s still in danger. I need you to keep an eye on her.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I know you can.” Quinn winked as he dipped his crab into her sauce. “Now that we’ve got the important things out of the way, do you want to tell me what your deal is?”

  “I … have no idea what you’re talking about.” Rowan averted her gaze, her stomach flipping. “I don’t have a deal.”

  “You definitely have a deal,” Quinn said. “You were in a great mood earlier, but that shifted when we met on the deck upon returning from port. Did I say something?”

  “I … of course not.”

  Quinn narrowed his eyes. He didn’t believe her. “Rowan, if you need to talk about something, I’m sitting right here.”

  Rowan made her decision on the spot. They would have to discuss his comments eventually. Hayley’s safety – and possibly finding out what happened to Jessica – were far more important, though. “I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

  Quinn didn’t look convinced. “Fine. We’ll talk about it later. I won’t forget, though, so you’d better be prepared for a serious conversation when this is over. It’s might be a big ship, but there won’t be anywhere to hide when I’m ready to chase you down.”

  Rowan’s cheeks flushed, this time from anger rather than embarrassment. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “You are a little bit afraid,” he said, grabbing the butter sauce so he could move it closer to his plate. “I’m a little afraid of you, too. It’s normal.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Rowan managed to choke out the words with a straight face, but her heart hammered as Quinn leveled a thoughtful gaze on her. “I’m simply tired and hungry.”

  “Then eat up,” Quinn instructed. “We have a long night ahead of us. If we’re lucky, we’ll finally get some answers.”

  “Then here’s hoping we get lucky.” Rowan lifted her iced tea glass as she offered her mock toast and then frowned when she realized the double meaning of her words. “I mean … um … crud.”

  Quinn chuckled, delighted. “Yes, here’s hoping we get lucky.”

  “WHAT DO I do if they see me?”

  Demarcus was thrilled when Quinn asked him to run interference while he searched the rooms. It was a covert mission, after all. That was exciting. Unfortunately for both men, that excitement quickly shifted to fear when the reality set in.

  “Say you’re working,” Quinn answered. “You are technically working.”

  “Yes, but I’m working at being a spy,” Demarcus pointed out. “I originally thought that sounded fun, but now I keep picturing those guys returning and beating me senseless while you’re in their rooms.

  “Then, because I’ll be unconscious and bleeding out on the floor, they’ll find you in there and jump you,” he continued, warming to his story. “You’re strong and have a fighting background so you’ll be able to hold your own for a bit. That won’t last forever, though.

  “You have a strong heart and body, but eventually they’ll wear you down,” he said. “By the end, it will look like a final fight in a Rocky movie and you’ll be dead on the floor. By the time I recover – hundreds of my most adoring friends sitting vigil by me in the hospital wing until I regain consciousness – I’ll be haunted by your death forever. You’ll be my Apollo Creed, man. I’ll never get over the loss of you.”

  Quinn was surprised – and a little put off – when Demarcus gave him a quick hug. “Are you finished?”

  “Not quite,” Demarcus replied, unbothered by Quinn’s dark expression. “I’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

  “You watch far too much television,” Quinn chided. “None of that is going to happen.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Because I’ve done this before. Even though there are three of them I still won’t have a problem taking them out if it becomes an issue.”

  “That doesn’t help me,” Demarcus said. “I’ll be bleeding out on the floor before that happens.”

  Quinn narrowed his eyes. “Just stand by the door and tell me if you hear the hallway security lock disengage, okay? All three of them are scheduled to be in the engine room for the next six hours. Everything will work out.”

  “Okay.” Demarcus wasn’t convinced, but he fell into step behind Quinn as the security head fobbed his way through the lock mechanism panel and stepped into the darkened hallway. This part of the ship was cut off from the type of outside light the small port windows on other floors had to offer. “Wha
t if you walk into one of their rooms and find a body, though?”

  “What body?” Quinn liked Demarcus – and often found him to be entertaining company – but the man’s refusal to let him work in quiet was irksome.

  “The missing girl.”

  “Oh.” That actually hadn’t occurred to Quinn and he stilled outside the first bedroom. “Then at least we’ll know,” he said after a beat. “We’ll be able to answer the family’s questions and turn our suspects over to police once we hit the mainland.”

  “That sounds reasonable.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What if you go in there and find her chained to a bed or something?”

  Quinn heaved out a weary sigh. “Then at least she’ll be alive and we’ll still have our suspects.”

  “That sounds reasonable, too. What if … ?”

  “Demarcus, if you ask me one more question I’m going to tie you to one of their beds and leave you here,” Quinn warned. “The time for questions is over … at least for the next few minutes. Do you understand?”

  Demarcus widened his eyes and wordlessly nodded.

  “Great,” Quinn muttered, waving his security pass over the first door and pushing it open. “Stand in the doorframe. If you hear anything, let me know.”

  Demarcus did as he was told, his hands fluttering as he hopped from one foot to the other and stared toward the end of the hallway. He was seemingly focused on his task – which suited Quinn just fine – so when he decided to speak again Quinn had to swallow his annoyance.

  “So, what’s the deal with you and Rowan Gray?”

  Quinn bit the inside of his cheek to refrain from saying something hateful as he opened a dresser drawer. They were in Jordan’s room first. It wasn’t by plan. He simply happened to be closest geographically. “Nothing is going on.”

  “That’s a load of crap,” Demarcus said, leaning against the doorframe. He seemed more comfortable when conversation was present so Quinn didn’t chide him about noise levels a second time. As long as the gossipy man kept his eye on the door, everything would be fine. “Everyone has seen you two together. There’s even a rumor that you spent last night in her room.”

  Quinn riffled through the clothing in the dresser. “I’m glad to see the ship’s gossip train is still fully functional.”

  “That wasn’t really an answer.”

  “She got sick and I stayed with her to make sure she was okay. Nothing happened.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing.”

  “What about the other stuff?” Demarcus pressed. “You guys have eaten all of your meals together for the past three days and you’re either with her or watching her whenever I turn around.”

  “I hardly think I’m always watching her.”

  “Then you’re dumber than I originally thought,” Demarcus shot back. “You can’t keep your eyes off her.”

  “She’s an attractive woman.”

  “She is definitely hot,” Demarcus agreed. “You, however, have made it perfectly clear that you’re not interested in a relationship. You’ve been kind of militant about it, in fact. I know at least fifteen waitresses who have tried to tempt you and come up empty.

  “Now Rowan has been on the ship for less than a week and you’re all over her,” he continued. “She’s pretty, don’t get me wrong, but there must be something else about her that you like.”

  “She’s snarky and sarcastic. She makes me laugh.”

  “That’s it?”

  Quinn shrugged as he moved to another drawer. “I don’t have an explanation for you. I can’t explain it. There’s something about her that I can’t ignore. I have no idea what it is. She draws me to her. That’s it.”

  “So … are you guys going to get horizontal?”

  “That’s kind of a rude question.”

  “I stand by it.”

  “I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Quinn said, slamming the drawer shut with a little more force than was necessary. “I know I like her. I know we have a missing girl we have to focus on. After that, though, I’m not sure what will happen.”

  “But you’re open to a relationship now?” Demarcus was genuinely curious.

  “I don’t know.” Quinn rubbed the back of his head before moving toward the footlocker at the end of the bed. “I didn’t think I was, but now I can’t decide how I feel. I guess we’ll have to play it by ear.”

  “That’s probably a smart move,” Demarcus said. “You don’t want to rush into anything.”

  “Exactly.” Quinn frowned when he found the footlocker wouldn’t open, his fingers wandering over the padlock securing it. “I need a paperclip.” He moved his eyes around the room and found what he was looking for on the small table near the bed. He grabbed the paperclip and bent it so he could work it into the lock.

  “I don’t want to tell you your business, man,” Demarcus said, his eyes serious.

  “Sure you do.”

  “Fine, I do. I don’t know Rowan very well, but she hardly seems like the one-night-stand sort. If you’re going to go after her, make sure you know what you want and share your feelings with her. You could hurt her if you’re not careful.”

  Quinn briefly flicked up his eyes. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning she’s clearly as smitten with you as you are with her. She’s more likely to get hurt if you waffle, though.”

  “Smitten?”

  “That’s a word.”

  Quinn couldn’t help but smirk as the lock clicked and he removed the padlock. “I’ll keep that in mind. Nothing is going to happen no matter what until we deal with this issue.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” Demarcus watched Quinn search the footlocker, his eyes widening when Quinn made a grunting sound and held up a baggie full of pills. “What is that?”

  “I’ll need to have it tested, but I’m pretty sure it’s Rohypnol. They made all of the security personnel for the entire fleet take a course on recognizing illegal narcotics a few weeks ago.”

  “Isn’t that the date rape drug?”

  “Yup.”

  “I … but what does that mean?”

  Quinn shook his head as he lowered the footlocker lid and replaced the padlock. “I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean anything good. Come on. We’ll give the other rooms a quick search to make sure Jessica isn’t inside. Otherwise, I think we’ve gotten everything we’re going to get here.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  “That’s … something.”

  17

  Seventeen

  “What did you find?”

  Rowan leaned against the main dining room bar and sipped an iced tea as she waited for Quinn to return. Even though she knew he was capable and most probably fine, that didn’t stop her from fretting about his safe return.

  “A bag full of drugs.”

  Rowan shifted, her eyes wide. “Seriously?” She hadn’t been expecting that.

  “Seriously.” Quinn bobbed his head in confirmation. “I took it to the hospital wing so they could test it. It’s Rohypnol.”

  Rowan’s heart sank. “Well, there’s no reason for them to have that. Are you going to haul them in for questioning?”

  “I am, but I’m going to wait for the end of their shift so I don’t draw too much attention to what’s going on,” Quinn answered. “I also had to place a call to the company owner and explain what’s happening. I’ve never been in this situation before so I didn’t want to risk making a misstep.”

  “Surely he doesn’t want you to cover it up.”

  “It doesn’t matter because I would never do that. I don’t care if it means losing my job.”

  “What did he say?”

  “That he wants me to question them and then remove them from employment if necessary,” Quinn replied. “I thought he might be angry … or even leery, I guess … but he was pretty matter-of-fact. He’s especially excited because I found the drugs before a guest complained.”

  “Yes, but if they did som
ething to Jessica, that doesn’t relieve the company of culpability.”

  “That’s definitely true,” Quinn said, resting his back against the bar and scanning the dance floor for familiar faces. His eyes landed on Kylie and Hayley, who appeared to be having a good time. “Where’s the third one?”

  “Watching from the table,” Rowan replied, pointing. “She was out there dancing with them before, but I think she’s taking a breather.”

  “She doesn’t look happy.”

  “If I had to guess, I think she’s just irritated with Kylie,” Rowan supplied. “They’ve been fairly popular with the male guests, but every single time one of them shows interest in Kara it never fails that Kylie swoops in and tries to distract them.”

  “Let me guess … she uses her boobs as the focal point of the distraction.”

  “They’re almost hypnotizing. I’m totally straight and I can’t stop staring at them.”

  Quinn snorted. “You’re funny.”

  The duo lapsed into comfortable silence for a few moments before Rowan’s curiosity got the better of her. “Do you think the engineers did something to Jessica?”

  “In theory, it would be nice to get them to confess, but I’m not sure that’s in the cards,” Quinn answered. “Even though they seem like bad dudes – and I definitely think they’re worms of the lowest variety – I can’t wrap my head around Jessica’s blood being on the balcony.

  “I mean, let’s break it down,” he continued, talking as much for his own benefit as Rowan’s. It always helped him solve a problem when he talked about it out loud. “We know the girls were drinking at the tiki bar and they were all drunk. You overheard them talking and none of them can actually remember Jessica returning to the room with them.”

  “That would seem to suggest that Jessica somehow got left behind and the engineers did something with her on the deck after everyone else departed,” Rowan interjected.

  “Then how did the blood end up on the balcony?”

  “I … don’t know.” Rowan rolled her neck until it cracked, jolting when Quinn absentmindedly reached over and pressed his hands to her cranky muscles. She wanted to pull away – it seemed somehow dangerous to let him touch her in such a friendly manner – but she groaned instead.