Read Online Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page B

realized he was late for the sailing.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œHis behavior.”
    â€œIt’s still just a hunch.”
    He didn’t admit that she was nearly right.
    She smiled. “So you believe in gut feelings and not much else.”
    He shook his head, almost smiling, but he wasn’t willing to discuss it. “My partner on this case wants to meet you, by the way. We’ll get to that later. Meanwhile, I’d appreciate going to the employee cafeteria with you.”
    â€œFollow me,” she said. As they left her cabin and walked down the narrow hallway, she added, “You’re aware that there are quite a few entertainers on the ship, aren’t you?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œAnyone in particular you want to meet?”
    Jude had memorized the names. “Simon Green, Ralph Martini and Larry Hepburn. And your head of entertainment, Bradley Wilcox.”
    â€œOh!” she said.
    â€œYou know them?” he asked her. “Well?”
    â€œBradley Wilcox was the head on my first contract with Celtic American, too,” she said. “He’s talented at his job.”
    â€œAnd?”
    She shrugged. “To my mind? A jerk. Rude. He seems to think we’re all lesser individuals. His servants. But as I said, I have to admit he’s good at his job.”
    â€œWhat about the others?”
    â€œThis is the first time I’ve been on the same ship—same contract—with Simon Green and Larry Hepburn. Ralph Martini, I do know. I’ve worked with him before. He’s a nice guy and, again, very talented.” She glanced at Jude sideways and he was surprised to realize once more how attractive she was, with her head of sunset-tinged hair and amber eyes.
    Just the type the Archangel might choose...
    â€œBe careful around these people,” he said, his voice gruff.
    â€œThey’re really suspects? Is there a reason for that?” she asked.
    â€œProximity,” he replied. “They might’ve been in all the locations where murders took place. And you really shouldn’t know what we’re thinking, and I shouldn’t be speaking to you about this at all. At the moment, though, you’re about all I’ve got.”
    â€œSo, I’m all you’ve got. Great,” she murmured.
    But he could tell that she did intend to be helpful.
    â€œGrab a tray,” she told him, leading him to the buffet. “I see Simon and Ralph—they’re over there.”
    He selected a bagel and a plate of eggs from the buffet and followed her to the table.
    Ralph and Simon greeted her with friendly smiles and she introduced them to Jude. “Company bigwig,” she said lightly. “Watching us on board.”
    Ralph stood up to shake Jude’s hand. He was a stocky middle-aged man of about six feet. “He’s a great tenor!” Alexi said in a cheerful voice.
    â€œAnd I’m chorus.” Simon got up to shake Jude’s hand, as well.
    â€œWe all start somewhere,” Ralph said.
    Simon Green was a handsome man, young, classically good-looking. He was lean, and Jude figured he must be a decent dancer if he was in the chorus of a play like Les Miz .
    Ralph grinned. “Should we be afraid of you?” he asked. He obviously wasn’t.
    â€œNo.” Jude grinned back. “We’re just observing, trying to see what works and where improvements might be made,” he lied. “I understand that the entertainment on this ship is excellent.”
    â€œThat’s a relief,” Ralph said. “Hey, there’s Clara.” He waved and Jude turned. A very pretty blonde had come into the room. She looked over at them and waved, frowning curiously as she saw Jude.
    â€œJust getting some food!” she called.
    â€œClara Avery,” Alexi told Jude. “She has a gorgeous soprano voice.”
    â€œPart of our Les Miz cast,” Simon added.