Murky Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 2)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “How are you doing, sweetheart?” Demarcus smirked when she pointed toward the blender. “Piña colada?”

  “That’s just what the doctor ordered,” Rowan replied, mustering a small smile as she hopped up on one of the stools. She risked a glance over her shoulder so she could watch Jamie stare at a group of Cara G Cosmetics representatives before turning back to Demarcus. “How long has he been here?”

  “That guy?” Demarcus shrugged. “About an hour or so. Why? Are you already looking to trade Quinn in for a fresher model?”

  “Not even remotely.” Rowan shook her head as she accepted the drink, fishing out the wedge of pineapple so she could munch on it while spying. “He has a friend. Do you know where he is?”

  Demarcus knit his eyebrows together as he glanced between Rowan and Jamie. Her distraction was evident, although he couldn’t figure out why she was on deck alone when he saw her sharing an intimate meal with Quinn two hours before. “I haven’t seen anyone with him tonight. Are you talking about the blond guy? He was hitting on one of the Cara G Cosmetics women a little bit ago, but I have no idea where he went.”

  Rowan’s heart plummeted. “Which woman? Did you recognize her?”

  Demarcus nodded. “It was Penny Parker. I could never forget that name.”

  “Oh.” The admission made Rowan feel better, although only marginally. According to her camera lens, Penny Parker was safe for the time being. That could change but as of now … well … Madison Montgomery was her primary concern. “Has Jamie been hitting on anyone specific?”

  “He’s been sitting there by himself for the bulk of the night,” Demarcus answered, his expression unreadable. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on? You’re acting weird.”

  “I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you,” Rowan admitted.

  “Try me anyway.”

  “Well … .” Rowan launched into the sordid tale, keeping it short and sweet as she lowered her voice. When she was done, she focused on Jamie and held her hands palms up. “I don’t know what to make of any of it.”

  “I don’t either,” Demarcus admitted, moving to the stack of tabs next to the cash register. “I can answer the mystery about the room, though. They’ve been charging drinks to their room since they arrived.”

  “Doh!” Rowan slapped her forehead. “That never even occurred to me. I guess that’s why I’m not a professional investigator, huh?”

  Demarcus shrugged, his lips curving. “You have a professional investigator on your payroll and methinks he probably prefers being paid in kisses, so you lucked out there. I’m sure things even out over the long haul, though. Speaking of Quinn, where is he?”

  “He’s in his office talking to the Cara G Cosmetics attorney,” Rowan replied. “I think the guy found some important information. He looked pretty serious. I figured I would just meet Quinn here when he’s done. By the way, I need to text him.”

  Rowan fished in her pocket until she retrieved her phone, taking a moment to scan a few photos – including one of Penny – to make sure the omen location hadn’t changed. Everything remained the same. Madison Montgomery was still in danger and Penny Parker was safe.

  “I’m going to text him so he knows where to find me,” Rowan said.

  “That’s a good idea.” Demarcus tilted his head to the side as he studied Jamie. “You know, he’s acting different tonight than he has during previous visits.”

  “Does he come here a lot?”

  “Every night this week.”

  “What does he usually do?”

  “He picks a woman, hits on her, plies her with drinks, and then disappears with her before it gets too late,” Demarcus answered. “Then, the next night, he picks a new woman and does it all over again. I think he’s allergic to spending more than one night with the same woman.”

  “Yeah? Sally said the same thing. In all honesty, I’m not sure that’s unheard of when you’re dealing with a guy that age.”

  “Especially while on a cruise,” Demarcus added. “Guys go on cruises strictly to get laid. Still … now I can’t stop watching him given what you said. How do you think he fits into this?”

  “I have no idea. We can’t be sure he does fit into this. No matter how I run the scenario through my mind, I can’t find a reason for him to kill Daphne. It’s not as if he knew her.”

  “Maybe he’s working with someone,” Demarcus suggested. “Maybe it’s the other person who has the motive.”

  “That’s a distinct possibility,” Rowan conceded. “As far as we know the only person he’s working with is Gary. You haven’t seen him talking regularly with anyone else, have you?”

  Demarcus shook his head. “I haven’t been looking either, though. I see so many faces over the course of a given week that I can’t focus on one unless I make a concerted effort. That guy barely ruffled my radar and he’s a poor tipper so I saw no reason to focus on him.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know what to think about it,” Rowan admitted. “I have trouble believing anyone who doesn’t have ties to the company took out Daphne DuBois … or Claire Fisher, as the case may be. I think it’s too coincidental. Plus, well, there’s the body fished out of the ocean right before we left. That was a Cara G Cosmetics representative, too.”

  Demarcus’ eyes hopped up his forehead. “Really? I hadn’t heard that detail yet. How do you think that plays in?”

  “I wish I knew. I don’t have an answer. It’s a really complicated puzzle.”

  “Yes, well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Demarcus patted Rowan’s hand as a form of solace. “You’re very smart and so is your boyfriend. I don’t think anyone can outsmart you, especially a group of saleswomen on a bender because they haven’t snagged a vacation in years. Still … my bet is that you’re right. Whoever did this is inside the company. It’s probably that assistant. She seems happy since her boss died.”

  “Yeah, I’m not ruling her out,” Rowan agreed. “She has as much reason as anyone to kill Daphne. Plus, now that the truth is out about Claire Fisher, no one in that company is going to see a dime. Whoever killed Claire did it for nothing.”

  “Oh, really?”

  Rowan froze when she heard the voice at her back, stiffening as she swiveled on the stool and locked gazes with Jamie Dalton. Her throat went dry as she swallowed hard, her heart hammering.

  “I didn’t know you were standing there,” Rowan gritted out, her stomach twisting. “I … um … .”

  “Do you need something?” Demarcus asked pointedly.

  “I need answers,” Jamie answered, fixating on Rowan. “Sadly, I think you’re the only one who will be able to supply them. How about you and I take a walk?”

  “Oh, that’s a nice offer, but I’m meeting someone.” Rowan hated how breathy she sounded. “I think I’ll stay here, but you should feel free to enjoy your walk.”

  Jamie’s eyes darkened. “I think not. You’re coming with me whether you like it or not.”

  21

  Twenty-One

  “Take your hands off her.”

  Rowan had never seen Demarcus be anything but friendly and amiable, but his voice was positively dripping with venom when he fixed Jamie with a dark look.

  “Listen, bud, this has nothing to do with you,” Jamie warned. “I don’t want to make a scene or anything … but mind your own business.”

  Demarcus remained still for several beats and then bared his teeth, causing Rowan to involuntarily shudder. “If you put your hands on that woman I will break your neck.”

  Whatever reaction Jamie expected, that wasn’t it. “Listen … .”

  “You listen!” Demarcus cut off Jamie with a dark glare. “If you touch her, you’re going to be sorry.”

  Jamie almost looked amused. Almost. Something about Demarcus’ expression caused him to take a step back. He held up his hands by way of surrender and made a tsking sound as he swung his chin back and forth. “I just wanted to talk to her, man. There’s no reason to get all worked up.”
/>   Demarcus didn’t stop staring. “Walk away.”

  “I’m walking.”

  Demarcus remained rigid until Jamie was a good seven feet away and then he shifted his eyes back to Rowan. She had a wide smile on her face when he slumped his shoulders.

  “Oh, that was very impressive,” Rowan enthused, quietly clapping her hands in tribute. “If I wasn’t already involved with a muscular macho man, I would totally jump you right here and now.”

  Demarcus’ skin was too dark to register blushing, but Rowan could tell he was both pleased and embarrassed. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Oh, you did something. You’re my hero.”

  “I only stepped in because I figured Quinn would start punching people if something happened to you,” Demarcus offered. “I’m strong and tough … but he works out a lot. I’m pretty sure he could take me.”

  Rowan snorted. “Stick with me. He’s putty in my hands.”

  “So I’ve noticed,” Demarcus said dryly. “I … look out!”

  Rowan registered the change in Demarcus’ demeanor at the last second, smoothly shifting to the side and averting a pair of strong hands as they reached for her shoulders. Rowan was caught off guard and even though she tried to maintain her balance, she toppled to the side and hit the deck on her hands and knees with a loud thud, knocking the wind out of her as pain tore through her left wrist.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Demarcus roared, moving to launch himself over the counter. He didn’t get the chance because that’s when Gary swooped in – seemingly out of nowhere – and grabbed the struggling bartender by the throat.

  From her vantage point on the ground, Rowan had trouble monitoring exactly what was happening. She could hear Demarcus gasp for breath – and then someone groaned when flesh made contact with flesh – and then things fell eerily silent.

  Rowan rolled to her knees as she tried to control her breathing, sucking in gasping mouthfuls of oxygen as she attempted to keep her wits about her. She stared at the deck until Jamie moved in front of her and hunkered down, pressing a finger to the spot beneath her chin and tipping it up.

  “I think we need to have a talk.”

  Rowan openly glared at him. “You’re going to be sorry.”

  “If you open your mouth again, so are you.”

  “SELENA, HAVE you seen Rowan?”

  Quinn was confused when he searched the front lobby and found no sign of his missing girlfriend. He stopped by the main kitchen long enough to chat with Sally, getting an earful about stupid people and the definition of seafood before heading toward the lobby. Sally said Rowan was on her way there when she last saw her. By the time Quinn arrived, though, she was gone.

  “I have no idea who Rowan is.” Selena was young – she’d just turned twenty-one – and Quinn recognized that she harbored something of a crush on him. He tried to ignore her eager smile as he tamped down his frustration.

  “Rowan Gray. My girlfriend. She’s about yay high with long reddish brown hair, big green eyes and a great smile.”

  Selena’s lips turned down at the corners. “You have a girlfriend? When did that happen?”

  “This week. That’s hardly the point. Have you seen her?”

  “She’s the photographer, right?” Selena’s mood shifted from bubbly to pouty. “Yeah, I’ve seen her. She came by asking if we could track down some guy named Gary Newman. She said she accidentally screwed up his photos and needed to find him.”

  “Did you tell her where to look for this guy?”

  “If you ask me, she shouldn’t have been hired if she can’t keep the photographs straight.”

  “Selena, I’m not messing around,” Quinn warned, tugging on his limited patience. “Did you tell Rowan where to go?”

  Selena smirked at the innocent tongue slip. “I can tell her where to go … if you want me to, I mean.”

  “Selena!” Quinn’s tone was dark and he left no wiggle room when he forced the girl to lock gazes. “Where is Rowan?”

  “Oh, um, I couldn’t find anyone by the name Gary Newman,” Selena supplied, affronted. “We even searched for empty rooms because she thought there might’ve been a strange error or glitch. We couldn’t find anything, though.”

  “So where did she go?”

  Selena shrugged. “I didn’t realize it was my turn to babysit her. She’s your girlfriend. Why don’t you know where she is?”

  “Because I was busy with a Skype call,” Quinn gritted out.

  “So maybe she texted you because she knew you were busy. That’s what I would do. Actually, if I were your girlfriend I’d never let you out of my sight. Never. Not even for a second.”

  “Yes, well, good luck with stalker school,” Quinn muttered, digging in his pocket. He frowned when he realized his phone was off. “Crap. I forgot I powered it down when Dickerson called. She probably did leave me a message.”

  “See, you should’ve listened to me,” Selena sniffed. “I know what I’m talking about. By the way, I wasn’t kidding about never letting you out of my sight. I know you made the stalker joke but … never.”

  Quinn made an odd face as he took a step away from the woman, focusing on his phone as he waited for the screen to go live. When it did, he exhaled heavily when a text notification popped up in the corner. “She’s at the tiki bar waiting for me. Okay.”

  “Never,” Selena repeated, winking as Quinn shuffled toward the door.

  “We’re probably going to have to revisit those sexual harassment seminars that everyone hated six months ago,” Quinn offered. “When I make the announcement I’m going to tell everyone to thank you for their mandatory attendance.”

  Selena’s smile slipped. “You’re very mean.”

  “Yes, but you don’t want to stalk me any longer, do you?”

  “Oh, no. I still want to stalk you. I’m just going to make sure you don’t know when I’m doing it.”

  “That makes it worse.”

  Selena shrugged. “I’m not bothered by that in the least.”

  ROWAN RUBBED her wrist with her free hand as she sat at the table and stared down Jamie. He was unarmed – as far as she could tell, at least – but his anger was palpable. Her wrist ached, pain coursing through her. Thankfully she could use it as an excuse to remain mildly active while appearing helpless and formulating a plan.

  “What are we going to do?” Gary asked from behind the bar, gesturing wildly with the knife Demarcus used to chop fruit. “You blew everything by going after her in front of people. Why couldn’t you wait until she was alone?”

  “Because she’s never alone,” Jamie snapped. “We’ve been trying to get close to her for days and we haven’t been able to do it because she’s almost always with that security guy. When she’s not with him she’s with that annoying cook lady. I heard her talking, though, and she knows something.”

  “What could she possibly know?” Gary argued, his temper getting the better of him. Rowan risked a glance at Demarcus, who sat dazed and confused at the foot of the bar, his eyes unfocused. Gary slammed his head into one of the coolers when he attacked and Rowan couldn’t help but worry that Demarcus had a concussion – or possibly something worse. “She’s been on this ship with us the entire time. She can’t know anything.”

  “I heard her talking to that guy.” Jamie jerked his thumb in Demarcus’ direction. “She mentioned Daphne and said something about having to deal with it. Then I heard her say the name Claire Fisher when she thought no one other than the bartender idiot was listening. She clearly knows something.”

  Gary widened his eyes, surprised. When he turned to Rowan, his face was a mask of decadent evil. “How do you know the name Claire Fisher?”

  Rowan knew she didn’t have a lot of choices. She could tell the truth and stall until Quinn showed up or be openly defiant and risk violence. It was an easy choice. “The fingerprints.”

  “No, I fixed the fingerprints,” Jamie snapped. “I hacked the system and wiped Claire’s fingerprints. I di
d it with ours as well.” He gestured between Gary and himself. “I’ve done it before and never had a problem. You’re making that up.”

  “I’m not making it up,” Rowan countered, defiant. “You may have wiped the fingerprints in the system, but Quinn collected some as evidence and his search engines are much broader than the ones in the lobby.”

  “Did you know that?” Gary’s tone was accusatory.

  “Obviously not,” Jamie spat. “What did precious Quinn find?”

  Rowan wet her lips, darting her eyes to the table where the Cara G Cosmetics women sat several minutes before. It was empty. They’d either run or been chased out during the melee. Given how drunk they’d been, Rowan had no idea which one was true. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  Jamie thumped her forehead with the palm of his hand to get her attention. “I would recommend starting at the beginning.”

  “And don’t waste time,” Gary added.

  “Quinn ran the prints and realized that he had two sets that didn’t match our records,” Rowan volunteered. “You did well erasing your print records, but you would’ve done better if you hadn’t left prints behind in Daphne’s room. On top of that, Daphne’s prints matched old criminal records in Minnesota. They weren’t hard to match.”

  “I told her that would be a problem one day,” Jamie groused. “Did she listen? No. She never listened. She was such a pain in the ass.”

  There was something odd about the way Jamie referred to the dead woman. He knew her well – that much was obvious – but there was another sort of tie hovering right below the surface. It felt almost familial, but Rowan hard no idea how that theory worked.

  “Once Quinn realized that Daphne DuBois was really Claire Fisher he started making calls,” Rowan supplied, keeping her face neutral as she silently worked through and tried to make sense of Jamie’s reaction. “He called the corporate attorney, who admitted that Daphne DuBois was an alias and the real company founder’s name was Danielle Studebaker.

  “The lawyer and Quinn are trying to find Danielle and figure out why Claire Fisher is impersonating Daphne DuBois,” she continued. “Quinn seems to believe there’s a very good chance Danielle is dead.”