Grave Seas: A Maddie Graves and Rowan Gray Mystery

by Lily Harper Hart

Violet was nervous enough that Rowan stuck close for the walk to the hospital wing. Quinn had called ahead so they were expected and she was relieved to find that the entire staff was made up of women today.

  “We’ll take it from here,” Bernadette McNally supplied. She was one of the main physicians. “You don’t have to stay.”

  Instinctively, Violet reached out and grabbed Rowan’s hand. “You don’t have to go, do you?”

  Rowan didn’t need to be cajoled into standing guard over the woman. “I can stay as long as you want me to stay,” she offered. “It’s not a problem.”

  Bernadette glanced between the two women for a beat and then smoothly nodded. “Rowan can definitely stay. We have a changing room for you. There’s a gown back there. We also have a private suite for your exam.”

  Violet furrowed her brow. “What exam? I just have some bumps and bruises.”

  “Your pelvic exam,” Bernadette replied without missing a beat. “We need to collect evidence in case there’s criminal prosecution on the mainland.”

  Violet immediately started shaking her head. “I’m not getting a pelvic exam.”

  “It’s standard procedure in cases like this.”

  “But ... I don’t want one.”

  Bernadette was a professional and it was obvious to Rowan that she’d been through situations like this before. “I understand. It’s a daunting prospect. We’re going to be as gentle as we possibly can.”

  “No.” Violet was adamant. “I’m not having a pelvic exam. I’m just ... no way. I don’t want to go through that.”

  Bernadette flicked her eyes to Rowan, silently asking for help.

  “I know it’s awful — and nobody likes a pelvic exam, even under the best of circumstances, which these aren’t — but don’t you want the individual who attacked you to be prosecuted?” Rowan queried.

  “Yes, but ... they don’t need a pelvic exam for that.”

  “They need as much evidence as they can amass,” Rowan pressed. “It’s important.”

  Violet worked her jaw, her mind clearly busy. Finally, she shook her head. She was firm this time. “I’m not having a pelvic exam. I’m sorry but ... no. I’m not going through that.”

  Bernadette maintained her composure. “That’s fine. Perhaps you’ll change your mind. We still need to collect your clothing and you need to get in a gown for the rest of the exam. My understanding is that you might’ve received a blow to the head.”

  “I can’t really remember,” Violet admitted sheepishly. “I was drunk. I don’t even know if I feel so shaky because I was drunk or because of what happened.”

  “It could be a mixture of both. You’re in shock. We’ll get you a banana bag, which will help with the hangover, and treat any cuts and abrasions. We’ll take your clothing from last night and turn the items over to Quinn.”

  “What am I supposed to wear? I can’t wander around the ship in a hospital gown.”

  “We’ll provide you with new shorts and a sweatshirt from one of the gift shops. We have you taken care of.”

  “Okay, well ... I guess I’ll change then.” She didn’t as much as glance over her shoulder as she disappeared into the room Bernadette indicated.

  Rowan waited until she was sure the woman was out of earshot to ask the obvious question. “Is her reaction normal?”

  Bernadette shrugged, noncommittal. “I don’t think there’s a ‘normal’ reaction to something like this. We’ve been trained to believe certain things thanks to television and movies but no two reactions are exactly the same.”

  “Have you dealt with this a lot on the ship?” Given the fact that she’d been a crew member on The Bounding Storm for an extended period of time at this point, Rowan was embarrassed to ask the question. Still, for her own edification, it felt necessary.

  “In general, the ship is safer than a metropolitan city,” Bernadette explained. “That could simply be because of socioeconomic reasons. Crime tends to pop up in lower income areas and by nature of what we’ve got going on here, it’s more middle-income people who visit the ship.”

  “So ... that’s a no?”

  Bernadette chuckled softly. “It’s complicated. While we don’t see a lot of violent rapes on the ship, we do see more accusations of date rape.”

  Rowan could see that. Still, she was bothered by the particular phrasing the doctor utilized. “Aren’t all rapes violent?”

  “You’re right. That was a poor choice of words. I shouldn’t have said it that way. It’s just ... we’ve been programmed to believe that a certain type of rape is worse, when they’re both terrible. Stranger rape is practically unheard of on this ship. When there are accusations made, it usually stems from two individuals who know each other, who perhaps had a bit too much to drink, and engage in some ill-advised behavior.”

  She was trying to be delicate, but Rowan was still bothered. “Do you think she’ll change her mind about the pelvic exam?”

  “I don’t know. The problem is, the best evidence we can get happens in the immediate hours after the attack. After that, it gets tainted just from the simple act of changing clothes. There might be some trace evidence on her clothing but ... that will be up to Quinn to ascertain.”

  Rowan nodded, rolling her neck. “I’m kind of out of my depth here. What should I be doing?”

  The smile Bernadette sent her was small but heartfelt. “Exactly what you’re doing. Just sit with her. It’s not uncommon for emotions to vacillate wildly in situations like this. I’m sure she’s blaming herself. Unfortunately, that’s also a common reaction.”

  “I hate that we live in a world like this,” Rowan admitted. “The thing is, I met her yesterday and hated her. Now I feel guilty being the one sitting with her. I feel as if it should be someone more sympathetic.”

  “The fact that you can be here for her despite what happened yesterday is a testament to who you are. You’re exactly what she needs.”

  Rowan hoped that was true.

  MADDIE AND NICK WERE ENJOYING THE sun on the deck — iced teas instead of daiquiris in their hands — when Quinn approached them.

  “Any word?” Nick asked, straightening.

  “On Lindsey? No.” Quinn shook his head. “We’ve had another situation pop up, though.”

  “Do we even want to know?”

  “No, and I can’t discuss it with you. I’m looking for a specific guest ... and it happens to be the same individual I saw in the hallway outside the bathrooms with you yesterday, Maddie.”

  The blonde furrowed her brow. “You mean Dylan?”

  “That would be the person I’m looking for,” he confirmed. “Have you seen him?”

  “Not this morning, but I honestly haven’t been looking. He’s a little ... depressing.”

  “That seems to be the general consensus,” Quinn said dryly. “I still need to talk to him.”

  “Do you think he had something to do with Lindsey’s disappearance?” Nick queried.

  Quinn shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m really not at liberty to discuss it. The thing is, another incident has occurred. It happened in the same bar and I’m anxious enough to give you a warning of sorts because Dylan showed interest in you. I would stay away from him, at least for the time being.”

  Maddie frowned. “I don’t think he showed interest in me.”

  “Really?” Quinn was dubious. “He was practically salivating over you.”

  “That’s a natural occurrence,” Nick noted. “Men the world over drool when they see her.”

  Honestly, Quinn could see that. She was a beautiful woman. Rowan was the only woman for him — he would never believe otherwise — but Maddie bore a striking resemblance to a swimsuit model. The fact that she seemed unaware of the effect she had on the opposite sex only made her more attractive in his book. She had the sort of beauty that men were trained to find appealing. That meant she was likely to draw good and bad people alike.

  “We’re dealing with a thorny situa
tion,” Quinn explained. “It seems there were two incidents at the same bar last night. I’m still trying to sort things out. Dylan is a person of interest in at least one of those instances. I’m not saying he’s guilty but ... .”

  “You’re worried enough to warn us,” Nick finished. “We get it. I won’t let Maddie go anywhere alone.”

  “You don’t have to go that far,” Quinn insisted. “The ship is safe. I just need to find Dylan and after an initial sighting this morning, it appears nobody has seen him.”

  “I’m guessing you checked his room.”

  “I did. He’s not there.”

  “Well, we’ll be on the lookout for you,” Nick offered. “I plan on keeping Maddie close regardless because we’re on our honeymoon. We can watch for him. Give me your cell phone number and I’ll text if I see him.”

  “That would be great.” Quinn rattled off the numbers to the detective. “Actually, since my men are busy looking for Dylan and starting another search for Lindsey, there’s one other thing you guys could do for me while hanging out. It shouldn’t detract too much from your vacation.”

  “We’re happy to help,” Nick offered. “Lay it on me.”

  “THIS FEELS WEIRD,” Maddie complained an hour later as she rolled into one of the deck hammocks and rested her chin on Nick’s chest. He had a book in one hand and two iced teas resting on a nearby table. For all intents and purposes, he looked like a relaxed man enjoying his honeymoon. Maddie knew better, though.

  “It feels weird to cuddle with your husband?” Nick challenged, flicking his eyes to her. “Where did the love go, Mad?”

  She made a face that was so exaggerated he nearly choked on a laugh. “Oh, you’re so funny.” She poked his side. “I’m being serious. I don’t like spying on Ben.”

  Nick moved his hand to her back and lightly rubbed as he shifted his attention to the man sitting at the deck bar. Unlike earlier in the morning, Ben was looking anything but bereaved as he happily imbibed cocktail after cocktail and chatted up various women on the deck. “I don’t particularly like it either but ... it’s interesting.”

  Maddie followed his gaze, frowning. “What do you think he’s doing?”

  “I have no idea. Perhaps he’s drowning his sorrows.”

  “Yeah, but ... .” Maddie was clearly frustrated.

  “I don’t get it either,” he reassured her. “It’s as if he’s a completely different man from the one we met earlier.”

  That was putting it mildly in Maddie’s book. “If that was me, if I’d gone missing, you wouldn’t be sitting around having drinks with other women, would you?”

  Nick had to tamp down the momentary surge of dismay that threatened to overtake him at the thought. It was almost crippling ... and then some. “No, Mad, I wouldn’t be drinking. I would be tearing this ship apart with my bare hands to find you.”

  “So, why isn’t he?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe ... maybe he’s drunker than we think.”

  “Using alcohol as an excuse feels kind of lame,” she admitted. “He looks as if he’s having the time of his life.”

  Nick could hardly argue with the assessment. “I don’t know what to think,” he admitted. “This morning I thought he was a man on the brink. I was convinced that he was already mourning the loss of the great love of his life. Now, though, I just ... .” He couldn’t find the words.

  “I don’t like it.” Maddie was adamant. “I think we should talk to him.”

  “That’s not what we said we would do,” Nick reminded her. “Quinn asked us to keep an eye on him.”

  “I know. I think he asked us to do that because he assumed — like we did — that Ben was falling apart. That guy is not falling apart. In fact ... did you just see that?” She practically shrieked the question and Nick had to wrap his fingers around her finger because she overtly pointed in her excitement.

  “I saw it, Mad,” he grumbled as he shoved her hand down. “Don’t draw attention to us.”

  “He just looked down that woman’s bathing suit top.” Maddie was officially scandalized. “That is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. I mean ... what in the hell is he even doing? If you did that to me ... .” She broke off and shook her head. “You know what? I’m not going to give you the opportunity to do that to me. When I die, I’m coming back to haunt you. I’ve already made up my mind.”

  Nick was not a fan of where the conversation was going. “Mad, I don’t like you saying things like that,” he complained, frustration evident. “You’re never dying.”

  “Yes, I can read the headlines now,” she said dryly. “Maddie Winters, a marvel of modern medicine, celebrated her five-hundredth birthday today.”

  He had to press his lips together to keep from laughing. “I’m fine with that.”

  “Of course you are. That’s how you roll. That’s impractical, though. I would only want to live that long if you were with me. Are you going to live forever, too?”

  “Yes.” His eyes were flirty as he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “If I have to live forever to stay with you, I’ll find a way to make it happen.”

  Maddie believed that was true. “We’ll be together forever regardless,” she promised. “And, by the way, I know you wouldn’t be acting like that if I were the one missing.”

  “No, I would be falling apart.”

  “No, you would be searching for me. You most certainly wouldn’t be sitting at a bar enjoying cocktails and a bunch of fake ... big ... breasts.” She unveiled a disgusted look. “I’m starting to hate him.”

  Nick stroked his hand down the back of her head. He knew exactly how to soothe her. “Maybe we should talk to him. I mean ... at least let him know we’re here. I’m mildly curious how he would react.”

  “We shouldn’t let him know what we’re doing,” Maddie suggested. “We should act casual, like it’s a coincidence we ran into him. I know. I’ll go up there and order us fresh iced teas and act surprised when I see him.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nick countered. “You won’t be able to keep your real feelings hidden. You’re an open book, Mad. Your emotions are always written all over your face. He’s going to know that you suddenly hate him.”

  “Well, you can’t go up there. He knows you’re a cop because Quinn mentioned it. He’s going to be extra suspicious of you.”

  “That is true.” Nick heaved out a sigh as he switched his attention to the man. After a beat, as if sensing a pair of eyes on him, Ben slowly shifted on his stool until he was looking directly at Nick and Maddie. For lack of anything better to do, Nick offered up a half-hearted wave. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue now,” he noted.

  Maddie jerked up her chin, surprised. “He’s looking right at us.”

  “He is.”

  “And, oh, he’s heading in this direction.”

  Nick had noticed that, too. “Mad, I need you to be calm when he comes over here. Don’t start flinging accusations. Right now, he trusts us. That might come in handy down the road.”

  “You’re thinking like a cop on your honeymoon,” she noted.

  “I am. I stand by it, though. Just ... at least pretend to be pleasant.”

  “No promises,” she said grimly before planting a fake smile on her face. “Hey, Ben.” Her voice was almost sing-song, something Nick found impressive given the circumstances. “We didn’t even notice you there until just now.”

  “We weren’t really paying attention,” Nick added, his tone appropriately grave. “Any news on Lindsey?”

  As if a mask was slipping over his face, Ben returned to looking sad. “No, and I’m starting to give up hope. I don’t know what to do.”

  Maddie wanted to point out that looking down the bathing suit tops of other women definitely wasn’t the way to go but she held it together ... barely. “It’s terrible all around. Have you eaten lunch? Is that what you’re doing here?”

  Ben turned rueful. “Actually, I’m drinking my lunch. I don’t kno
w what else to do. If I just sit around waiting, I’ll go crazy. I need to take the edge off.” He looked embarrassed. “Lindsey wouldn’t approve, but it’s all I can manage right now.”

  “Well ... we all deal with trauma in our own way,” Nick said calmly. “You have to do what you have to do.”

  “That’s the plan.” Ben forced a tight smile. “I should head back to the bar. Getting some food isn’t a bad idea.”

  “We’ll be around if you need to talk,” Maddie offered. “We want to help.”

  “Thanks. Unfortunately, all I want to do right now is drink. I’ll leave you guys to it.”

  Once he was gone, Maddie went right back to being furious. “I don’t like him. He’s lying.”

  Nick nodded solemnly. “He is lying. He might be upset, but he’s also putting on an act. He’s good, but he showed us his hand. I think I should text Quinn.”

  “Definitely. Make him grill Ben to within an inch of his life so we can at least know what happened to Lindsey.”

  Nick moved his hand to the back of Maddie’s neck. “I’ll text him and we’ll go from there. Until then, rein it in, Tiger. You’re getting worked up.”

  “I can’t help myself.”

  “Thankfully I like you worked up.”

  “That works out well then, huh?”

  “Definitely.”

  Nine

  Quinn stopped by the deck bar long enough to touch base with Maddie and Nick. The text he received had been interesting ... and troubling at the same time.

  “Any luck finding Dylan the dour?” Maddie asked when he sat in the chair next to them.

  Quinn shook his head. “No. I’ve got a man watching the video footage. We know he was on deck this morning — and at what time — so we’re going to try to follow his movements.”

  “Do your cameras cover every inch of the ship?” Nick was legitimately curious. “I’ve seen quite a few of them and was happy about it, but it didn’t seem to me that they could cover everything.”

  “They don’t.” Quinn had no idea why he was sharing trade secrets with a man he’d just met but, instinctively, he trusted Nick. The man was a detective and clearly besotted with his wife. He had no reason not to trust him and he found he needed a sounding board. Usually he would call Fred and hash these things out, but his former military buddy was still recovering from an attack several weeks before, one he incurred while helping Quinn with a case. That case turned out to be the big one, the one that freed Rowan from the umbrella of fear she’d been living under, and he would be forever grateful to his friend. He didn’t want to further burden him right now, though.