“Understood.” Bert glanced back through the doorway, making sure he could still see Mary and Diane. “What about Mary? I want to keep her out of the line of fire.”
“Agreed. When Canadian law enforcement boards the ship, you and Mary stay back. Let the professionals handle Frank.”
“That I can do.” Bert checked his watch. “We’ll keep eyes on him till we retire for the evening.”
“In the morning, RCMP takes him into custody, and Diane finally gets away from the man who’s been planning to steal from her for years.” Logan’s voice was firm. “You’ve done good work, both of you. Just a few more hours.”
They disconnected, and Bert took a moment to steady himself before returning to the dining room. A few more hours. They could manage a few more hours of playing this role, of pretending they didn’t know Frank was a murderer, of keeping Diane safe without alerting Frank to their suspicions.
When Bert returned to the table, Frank was just coming back from the men’s room, his expression pleasant and relaxed. He slid into his seat and immediately engaged Mary in conversation. Bert couldn’t quite hear over the ambient noise of the dining room, but Mary’s laughter sounded genuine.
She was good at this. Playing her role, she kept Frank comfortable and unsuspecting. But what Bert really wanted to do was let Mary know what was going on. Unfortunately, that would have to wait.
Frank turned his attention to Diane, leaning forward with his solicitous manner. “How are you feeling, Aunt Diane? You seem happy tonight.”
“I feel wonderful,” Diane said, her smile warm. “Much better than I have in days.”
Of course she did, Bert thought. Frank probably hadn’t dosed her as heavily today, realizing that too much would make others question Diane’s behavior.
“I’m glad.” Frank’s hand covered Diane’s, the gesture appearing affectionate but making Bert’s skin crawl. “You know what we should do? Go to the lounge on the next level for coffee and dessert. It’s cozier up there, and with this rain, there won’t be a moon to see from the deck anyway.”
Bert thought that was a good idea since it would give them the opportunity to keep an eye on Frank for a little longer tonight.
“That sounds lovely,” Mary said, her tone warm. “I could use some coffee. Bert?”
“Sounds good to me,” Bert agreed.
They finished their meal and prepared to leave, the group gathering their belongings and heading toward the exit. Bert kept close to Mary, his hand on her wheelchair, hyperaware of Frank’s position relative to Diane.
The elevator was near the grand staircase that connected the ship’s decks, a beautiful rising of brass and wood that passengers could use if they preferred stairs to the lift. As they approached, George spoke up.
“I’ll take the stairs,” he said, gesturing to the staircase. “No sense crowding the elevator when there are four of you plus wheelchairs. I’ll meet you in the lounge in a few minutes.”
He bent toward Diane with a warm smile. “See you shortly.”
Diane returned the smile, and Bert noticed the way Frank’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He didn’t like George’s attention on Diane. At the elevator, Frank turned to Diane with sudden concern. “Aunt Diane, do you have your purse? I thought I saw you set it down near your chair.”
Diane checked, her hand patting the small bag in her lap. “Yes, right here. I have it.”
“Oh good. I was worried you’d forgotten it.”
Then Mary made a small sound of realization. “Wait, I don’t have mine. It must have fallen out of my lap.”
Bert immediately moved to help. “Wait here. I’ll run back and grab it. Colin, you and Diane can go ahead to the lounge. We’ll meet you there after catching the elevator on its return.” Bert hurried back toward the dining room, just as the elevator arrived with a soft chime, its doors sliding open to reveal the elegant interior.
33
Mary waited by the elevator with Diane while Colin stood nearby, his body language tense in a way that made her instincts prickle with warning. George had already disappeared up the staircase, and Bert had headed back to the dining room to retrieve her forgotten purse.
She hated being separated from Bert when everything felt as though it was building toward some kind of confrontation. She didn’t remember her purse falling from her lap, but Bert would be back in two minutes, maybe less.
The elevator arrived, its doors sliding open with a little chime to reveal the small, elegant interior.
“After you, Mary,” Colin said, as he gestured broadly to the open elevator.
Mary hated to get into the elevator without Bert. “I can wait for the next one,” she said with a forced smile. “When Bert gets back. No sense crowding the elevator.”
“Oh, please,” Colin insisted, his smile widening in a way that didn’t reach his eyes. “We can all fit easily. Mary, you go ahead. I’ll assist Diane in.”