She made her way to Diane’s stateroom, which was not far from her own. When she knocked, Colin answered, opening the door.
“Oh, Mary. Hello.” His smile was pleasant as always.
“I wanted to check on Diane. Is she feeling any better?”
“She’s resting. I gave her something to help her sleep. She’s really exhausted herself over the past few days.” Colin’s tone was sympathetic but firm, clearly intending to end the conversation.
“I also wanted to let her know that George won’t be able to make their card game this afternoon. He fears he has food poisoning. Pretty severe, from what I saw.”
Something flickered across Colin’s face, too quick for Mary to identify but definitely there.
“That’s unfortunate,” he said, his expression settling back into bland sympathy. “Though between you and me, I’m rather glad Aunt Diane will have the afternoon free. George has been a bit... pushy. Constantly seeking her out, wanting her attention. Diane’s too polite to say anything, but I worry about people taking advantage of her generosity.”
“Taking advantage?” Mary kept her tone neutral, but internally, she was cataloging this new information.
“She is too trusting. And if he monopolizes her time, then she doesn’t have a chance to meet others. After all, part of the beauty of traveling is meeting lots of new people.” Colin’s smile was knowing, almost conspiratorial. “I don’t mean to speak ill of George specifically. He seems like a nice enough fellow. But Diane needs to be careful about scammers who just want her money.”
The warning felt calculated, designed to cast doubt on George’s motives and isolate Diane from a potential friend. “George seems like a genuinely nice person,” Mary said carefully. “He and Diane appeared to enjoy each other’s company.”
“I’m sure he does seem that way.” Colin’s tone was understanding but condescending. “You’re kind to give people the benefit of the doubt. But I have to look out for Aunt Diane. It’s my responsibility.”
Through the partially open door, Mary caught a glimpse of the stateroom beyond. It was a suite, larger than her cabin, with a sitting area visible beyond the bedroom. What caught her attention was the open door between Diane’s room and what must be Colin’s room. With the doors between their staterooms open, he had constant access to Diane’s space.
And on the table near that connecting door, Mary spotted several amber prescription bottles, a phone that she recognized as Diane’s based on its distinctive case, and what looked like a room key card.
Colin controlled all of Diane’s medications. He had access to her phone. He had her room key. He managed her finances and isolated her from potential friends by casting suspicion on their motives.
An increasingly disturbing picture formed in Mary’s mind. “Well, I won’t keep you,” Mary said, forcing a smile. “Please let Diane know I hope she feels better soon.”
“I will. And Mary? I appreciate your friendship with my aunt. It’s nice for her to have someone to talk to. But if she seems confused or says things that don’t quite make sense, please let me know. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and I’d hate for her to embarrass herself by saying things that aren’t quite accurate.”
The warning was subtle but clear. If Diane says something concerning, don’t believe her. Come to me first. Let me explain it away.
Mary smiled noncommittally and left, her mind racing as she made her way back to her own cabin. Once inside with the door locked, she rolled to the sliding glass door and stared out at the riverbank in the distance, trying to organize her thoughts.
Am I just looking for trouble where there is none? Diane seemed confused about recent financial decisions. Colin controlled access to her medications, phone, and room key. He was isolating her from potential friends by casting doubt on their intentions. George, who’d been spending time with Diane, had suddenly fallen ill with food poisoning that no one else had contracted. Colin didn’t seem concerned that he and Diane, who also had the lobster roll, might become ill as well.
Individually, each piece could be explained away. Together, they formed a pattern that tickled Mary’s assessment of a possible threat. But what can I do? She had suspicions, not evidence. Diane was an adult with full mental capacity as far as anyone knew, and Colin was her nephew. If Mary made accusations without proof, she’d look paranoid or jealous or interfering. Colin would simply explain everything away, and Diane would likely defend him because that was what victims of this kind of manipulation did… if she is being manipulated.
Mary pulled out her phone and stared at it, considering her options. She could call Bert, get his perspective, and maybe ask him to research Colin Morrison. But what would she say? That she had a bad feeling about another passenger’s nephew? That her instincts were telling her something was wrong even though she couldn’t prove it?
Then again, Bert had always taken her instincts seriously. And LSIMT had resources she didn’t have access to personally. If Colin was scamming his aunt, there might be a paper trail, a history, something that would give weight to Mary’s suspicions.
She checked the time. It was late morning here, which meant early morning in Montana. Bert might not even be awake yet. She sat in indecision for another moment. She needed to talk this through with someone who would understand the seriousness of what she was seeing.
Deciding to send a text in case he was still asleep, she typed. Need to talk when you have time. Call me when you get a chance?
She hit send and sat back, staring out at the gray-blue water beyond her window. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe Colin was exactly what he appeared to be… a concerned nephew caring for an elderly aunt. Maybe her security training had made her paranoid, seeing threats where there were none.
She sat at her desk, watching the coastline pass by in the distance, and waited for Bert’s call. Her phone rang, and Mary jumped, then rolled her eyes at her skittishness. Time to trust her instincts and see where they led.
20
Bert walked out of his shower, feeling more tired than refreshed. He hadn’t slept well since Mary had left for her river cruise. He spent evenings trying to watch TV, but his attention continually drifted to the empty house across the street. He lived for their evening phone calls, but then would lay awake in bed unable to find sleep.
He dressed, grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys and walked into his kitchen. He was pouring his first cup of coffee when his phone buzzed. Mary had sent a text fifteen minutes earlier. “Fuck!” He hated that she had tried to contact him when he was in the shower. Reading her text made his stomach clench with immediate worry.
He stabbed at her contact number. “Mary? What’s wrong?”