Grave Seas: A Maddie Graves and Rowan Gray Mystery

by Lily Harper Hart

  THEY SET UP THEIR PLAN FOR THE start of the dinner hour. Quinn predicted that would mean the deck was largely empty, and he wanted to make sure there was no collateral damage. He was fairly certain Ben and Violet weren’t armed — Lana and Connie confirmed as much regarding their friend — but he didn’t want to take any chances.

  “I texted Ben and told him I had some news,” Quinn supplied to Nick, Maddie, and Rowan. The women had insisted on being there for the takedown and he could hardly cut them out given the fact that they’d been involved from the start. “My men are collecting Violet in person. I gave them strict instructions to confiscate her phone so she can’t tip off Ben that anything is coming. I’m going to act friendly at first, and then when Violet gets here, I’ll drop the bomb on him.”

  Nick nodded. He looked relaxed, kicked back in his chair with an iced tea in front of him. “Are you sure you want to turn him over to island police tomorrow instead of taking him back to the mainland for prosecution?”

  Quinn smirked. “Actually, I do. I have a good relationship with the El Demonio Police Department thanks to frequent interaction ... and they have very strict stalking laws. He’ll be locked up here for twenty years at a minimum, and they don’t even really care about due process.”

  “Is that fair, though?” Maddie queried. “I mean ... I know he’s a dirtbag, but doesn’t he deserve his day in court?”

  “If you were Lindsey, would you think he deserved his day in court?”

  “No. I just ... it seems weird to leave him in the custody of another country.”

  “I don’t care.” Quite frankly, Quinn was over the entire thing. “We’re leaving them both here. Ben won’t have access to his funds so he’ll be struggling to even get proper representation for weeks. That will give Lindsey time to clean out his accounts, file for a divorce, and then start a new life. Fred is going to help her get a new identity, one Ben won’t be able to track, and then she can disappear into the ether ... with or without Dylan.”

  “I think it’s going to be with Dylan,” Rowan noted. “He’s in love with her.”

  “He’s a little strange,” Quinn pointed out.

  “So am I. You still love me. Once she manages to calm down and look toward the future, I think she’s going to come to the realization that being with someone who is strange isn’t all that bad.”

  He merely smiled and shook his head. “I’ll leave the matchmaking to you. I just want these two in custody. I expect it to go smoothly. He’ll lie and offer denials. It won’t matter, though. I have evidence, including Lindsey’s statement and Dylan’s corroboration, and tomorrow we’ll hand them over to the detectives who will be waiting for us on the dock. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

  “And then we can get back to our honeymoon,” Maddie enthused. “I’m looking forward to that.”

  Nick squeezed her hand appreciatively. “We both are.” He sipped from his iced tea again and then inclined his chin toward the growing shadows. “Here he comes.”

  “Let me do the talking at the start,” Quinn warned. “I want him to be sitting so he’s not in a dominant position and can’t run. Does everyone understand?”

  Rowan and Maddie nodded in unison. They knew the statement was aimed at them.

  “Good.” Quinn plastered a fake smile on his face as he turned to greet Ben. “Thanks for coming. I know you’ve been making yourself sick over Lindsey’s disappearance, but we think we might have a lead.”

  Maddie had to fight back a grimace at the words. Quinn was good, but Ben made her sick to her stomach.

  “You have news?” Ben’s eyebrows hiked high on his forehead as he hurried over to the table. He looked the picture of a man who was worried about his beloved wife. “Where is she? Did you find Dylan?” He hesitated. “He didn’t hurt her, did he?”

  “We haven’t found them yet, but we’re reasonably assured they’re still on the ship,” Quinn replied calmly. “Have a seat. I think you’re going to want to hear what I have to say.”

  “Of course.”

  Rowan shrewdly watched Ben. He didn’t appear drunk, which was interesting because she happened to know that he’d been imbibing at the deck bar all afternoon. Was it possible that he’d been faking that, too? She involuntarily shuddered at the thought. He really was a good actor. He’d fooled her, something she didn’t think was all that easy.

  Ben lowered himself into the chair, which happened to be located between Nick and Quinn by design, and eagerly focused on the security guru. “Where do you think they are?”

  “Safe,” Quinn replied simply. “They’re both alive and safe.”

  Ben’s face reflected puzzlement. “Why wouldn’t they be safe?”

  “Because you’re a monster,” Quinn answered without hesitation, watching closely as a new emotion stormed into Ben’s eyes to take control. “You’re good, I’ll give you that, but I know the truth now and you’re done.”

  Ben moved to stand. Maddie could practically feel the panic wafting off him even as he put on an Oscar-worthy performance to the contrary. “I don’t have to take this. My wife is missing. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I refuse to participate.”

  “Sit down,” Quinn ordered, his tone deadly.

  “No. I’m leaving.”

  “Sit down or I’ll make you sit down,” Quinn threatened. “I’m done playing with you. I mean ... so done.”

  Ben hesitated. Perhaps he sensed something about Quinn that he hadn’t noted before. Rowan couldn’t be sure. The unease he’d been trying to hide before was on full display now. “I want my wife.”

  “Well, you’re not going to get her.” Quinn rested his hands on the tabletop. He wasn’t aggressive, but Rowan knew him well enough to recognize that he was preparing himself to spring into action should it be necessary. She and Maddie were safe on the other side of the table, but Quinn and Nick were determined to keep it that way. “We know everything, by the way. We know the entire story.”

  “And what story is that?” Ben turned haughty. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “We know that you’re the one who terrorized Lindsey,” Nick volunteered. He looked just as antsy as Quinn. Maddie had the feeling that he was almost hoping Ben would put up a fight just so he could punch him. After all, the man had it coming. “We know that tale you told about Dylan was fake, that you were actually talking about yourself.”

  “That is ludicrous,” Ben sputtered. “Is he the one who told you that? He’s a sociopath. Of course he’s going to lie.”

  “Except Lindsey was willingly with him,” Quinn noted. “He was only on this ship because she had a plan to run and he was helping her. We’ve talked to both of them.”

  Emotion, hot and fast, clouded Ben’s features. “Where is she?” There was such vitriol in the question that it sent shudders down Maddie’s spine.

  “She’s safe,” Quinn replied easily. “She doesn’t want to see you. She’s not coming out until you’re locked up.”

  “And you think that’s going to happen? You don’t have authority over me. You can’t do anything. You’re just a ... cruise ship cop.”

  Quinn refused to rise to the bait. “I’m a cruise ship cop with connections. I also have the authority to take you into custody and keep you in a holding cell. The good news is that you won’t be alone. Your girlfriend will be with you.” He pointed his chin toward a spot behind Ben, and when the man turned, he saw Violet struggling with two security guards. Her face was flushed and she was talking a mile a minute. Quinn couldn’t hear what she was saying, but he very much doubted it was anything good.

  “We have testimony from Connie and Lana regarding Violet’s actions over the past year or so,” Quinn continued. “They’ve been very helpful. We also have evidence that Lindsey has been accumulating over the years, and we’ve made arrangements for it to be transferred to the El Demonio Police Department.”

  “And then what?” Ben sputtered. “What happens then?”

 
“You become their problem ... and they have a minimum sentence of twenty years for stalking. Oh, and they don’t allow you to correspond with American lawyers — they like keeping it on the island — which means that you won’t be able to freeze your accounts or even talk to anyone in the United States for a good three weeks. That’s more than enough time for Lindsey to take what she needs and disappear ... something she’ll have help for.

  “Now, I don’t foresee you ever leaving this island, because El Demonio has an interesting prison-release program,” he continued. “I’ll be taking steps to make sure it doesn’t matter, though. Before you see the light of day again, you’ll be divorced and broke. Lindsey will be safe. As for Violet, I hope you two enjoy your time together on the chain gang. Oh, yeah, they have those here, too. It’s quite delightful the way they’re operated under armed guard and away from the tourists.”

  Ben’s face drained of color. “You can’t do this.”

  “Watch me.” Quinn got to his feet and pulled a pair of cuffs out of his back pocket. “You’re going to want to stand. If you fight, that’s only going to make things worse. I’m not going to lie, though. Part of me wants you to fight.”

  Ben swallowed hard as he glanced from left to right, surveying his options. Finally he stood. He didn’t put up a fight.

  Twenty

  Dinner was a festive affair. Dylan and Lindsey emerged from hiding to join the small group in the dining room. Lindsey was so relieved when she found out that Ben was in custody she burst into tears. Dylan, as was his way, awkwardly consoled her. They were both so happy they went out to the dance floor to sway to some slow and melodic music.

  From the table, Rowan grinned.

  “You really think they’re going to end up together, don’t you?” Quinn queried.

  She nodded without hesitation. “I really do. I think they’ve been friends for a long time and that Lindsey needs someone she can trust. He may be weird — okay, he’s really weird — but I don’t think that means he’s not right for her. He’s stood by her all these years because he’s in love with her. She’s free to see the depth of his affection now that her entire life isn’t about being terrorized.”

  “She says she’s not going to take his money,” Quinn noted. “I told her that was a mistake, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him.”

  “It’s possible that she’s afraid he’ll get out one day and come looking for her. The money would be extra incentive. I really don’t blame her.”

  “I guess.” Quinn rolled his neck and shifted his gaze to Maddie and Nick. They were wrapped around each other on the dance floor and didn’t seem to be aware of the hundreds of other people milling about. “They do it right, huh?”

  Rowan grinned. “They do. I hope we’re just like them when we’re married ... without the really schmaltzy stuff. I mean, they’re so bad I even cringe.”

  “They’ve had a lifetime to get that way. The ten years they were separated did a number on both of them. They’re one of those couples who will never be torn apart, though.”

  “Like us?”

  He laced his fingers with hers. “Like us.”

  They lapsed into amiable silence for a few minutes and then Rowan decided it was time to discuss something of a more serious nature. “So, Maddie and I were talking about what I’m going to do once we leave the ship.

  “I know that’s still a year away and I don’t have to make any decisions now,” she added hurriedly. “You’ve been great about pointing that out to me.”

  “I just want you to be happy, Ro. I don’t care if you do anything.”

  “I care. I admire women who want to stay home and raise kids, but I don’t think that’s ever going to be me. Maddie is essentially starting a new business. She’s going to keep reading fortunes, attending festivals, but she’ll be able to set her own schedule. I like that idea.”

  He was confused. “Are you saying that you want to read fortunes for a living? Don’t you need to be psychic like her? I mean ... I happen to think you can do anything you put your mind to. Still, that seems like a leap.”

  She laughed, delighted with him. “I don’t want to read fortunes,” she reassured him. “I don’t have the patience for that ... or the ability. I had something else in mind.” She licked her lips and went for it. “What would you think about me working with you and Fred?”

  Whatever he was expecting, that wasn’t it. “What? You want to be a private investigator?”

  “Not exactly. I want to take photos but that might not always bring in a lot of money. I also want to help people. I see the omens for a reason. I figure there might be a way to make that useful for your business ... while I still take photos on the side.”

  To give himself time to absorb the news, Quinn sipped from his cocktail and mulled the suggestion. His initial reaction had been to dismiss it outright. On second reflection, though, he wasn’t opposed to the idea. “How would it work?”

  “We would have to figure that out. We have time. I know you don’t care if I bring money into the household, but I do. If you want to buy the house from Uncle Nick, I’m going to have to come up with a way to funnel my own money into the purchase. That’s the only way it will be fair.”

  “It’s not about being fair,” he protested. “We’re going to be married. What’s mine will literally be yours.”

  “I know and it’s unlikely I will ever make as much money as you. It’s not about that. I want to contribute, though. I don’t want to feel as if I’m always trying to catch up with you. I know you might not like the idea of working with me, maybe it will be too stressful, and if you feel that way I want you to tell me. There won’t be any hard feelings. I swear it.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “If I had a problem working with you, we wouldn’t be here ... and I happen to like where we are in life.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm, causing her heart to stutter. “I’m okay with it.” That was the truth. “We’re going to have to come up with ground rules because I don’t want you wandering into dangerous situations willy-nilly. I think this can work, though.”

  “What about Fred?”

  “He loves you. He’ll be fine with it.”

  “Really?” Rowan found she was so relieved it felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “That means a great deal to me. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. It’s not every man who can say he gets to live with and work with the most beautiful woman in the world. Honestly, I think it’s a fantastic idea. You’re going to be able to help us a great deal.”

  “Especially if more omens keep coming and I can figure out what they mean. Another one showed up today, by the way.”

  He stilled, dread coursing through him. “Oh, I don’t want to hear that. Who is in trouble?”

  “Nobody.” She grinned as she retrieved her camera from the bag under the table and lifted it. “I took a photo of Nick and Maddie.”

  Quinn furrowed his brow as he stared into the viewfinder. There, in the usual spot, was indeed a new omen. Instead of being dangerous, a portent of terror and fear, it was a simple thing they both could recognize. It was a heart.

  “That’s kind of cute,” he said after a beat. “Are you going to give it to them? It’s a nice photo.”

  “I have a million nice photos of them. I don’t think they take bad ones.”

  “Neither do you.” He leaned closer and planted a kiss on her lips. “It’s going to be an exciting life, Ro. This is just the start ... and you can do anything you set your mind to. So, if there are more omens — which I think there will be because whatever this is seems to be growing — we’ll deal with it together.”

  “That’s all I want.”

  “Me, too. Forever.”

  ON THE DANCE FLOOR, MADDIE and Nick were so tightly pressed together that it was difficult to ascertain where one of them started and the other ended. That’s how it was supposed to be for them. From kindergarten until forever, it would always be them.

  �
�I’m sorry this hasn’t been the honeymoon of your dreams, Mad,” he offered ruefully. “I promise, from here on out, I’ll completely focus on you. You don’t have to worry about any distractions.”

  She laughed at his serious expression. “Nicky, this might not have been the honeymoon I imagined, but it’s been perfectly us. I’ve loved every single second of it.”

  “You have?” He was understandably dubious.

  “Yes.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “As long as I’m with you, you can rest assured that I’m having the best time.”

  He tightened his grip on her as she rested her head against his shoulder. “We still have time to live it up on the ship. Then there’s that private beach where I plan to ravish you Hollywood-movie style. And then, when we get home, the honeymoon is going to continue.”

  “I figure the honeymoon will never end with us.”

  “I figure you’re exactly right.”

  He kissed her, long and deep. She was right. The honeymoon hadn’t been perfect by objective standards, but it was perfectly them. That’s all that mattered.

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  Acknowledgments

  I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.