That morning they were attired in outfits acquired on board. Jude was in navy blue board shorts and a short-sleeved flower-patterned cotton shirt; Jackson wore khakis and a T-shirt with an image of Janice Joplin on the front. Jude figured they looked like the tourists they were pretending to beor perhaps bigwigs disguised as tourists...
Jude nodded as they both studied their phones.
Their task had been made easier than it might have been. Computer programs had allowed tech support workers at the home office to narrow down who, of the several thousand crew and passengers, had been where when. With the majority of the passengers, it must have been pretty straightforward. Theyd been in their home states workinguntil it was time for their vacations. With those who traveled for work, the task was somewhat harder. Their movements had to be traced through hotel and restaurant bills. Same with those who were independently wealthy.
Big Brother might not always be watchingmainly because Big Brother wasnt interested most of the time, Jude thought wrylybut Big Brother was capable of a great deal of research.
Angela went through every report personally, Jackson explained, perusing the list. Shes meticulous.
Your wife, right? Unusual that youre in the same unit, Jude said. There was no problem with agents being partners or married, but they were generally required to be in separate units.
Jackson glanced up. Its different with the Krewe. Angela and I met when the Krewe of Hunters was first formed. The unofficial name is the Krewe because, as Im sure youve assumed, our first case was in New Orleans.
Yes, of course. I know about that, Jude said.
Jackson returned to studying the list on his phone.
Jude studied his own list. Jackson Crow didnt act as if he wished hed managed to have one of his own people on this case.
But neither did he see him as a particularly valuable asset. Or at least that was what Jude sensed.
So the possible suspects, Jackson began.
Passengers Roger Antrim and Hank Osprey, Jude said.
And we have an interesting list of entertainers. Jackson took another sip of his coffee. Larry Hepburn, Ralph Martini, Simon Greenand head of entertainment, Bradley Wilcox. He nodded at Jude. Your friend from the piano bar should be able to help us as far as the entertainers go.
For a moment Jude wished he had real printoutspaper he could actually write on, the old-fashioned wayand wasnt working on his cell phone. He refrained from saying so to Jackson.
Everyone on this list could have been in each city where the murders took place, Jackson went on. These are the entertainers who were between contracts. As far as the two passengers go, both are businessmen with deep pockets. And judging by the number of times theyve sailed on Celtic American ships, theres every chance they were in the port cities where the previous victims were killed.
Wow, Jude murmured, reading. The list also includes the ships head of security, our friend, David Beach.
Id put him toward the bottom of the list, Jackson said. The man has an impeccable background.
Which may or may not mean anything.
No, but because of his size
Hed be noticed wherever he went, Jackson agreed. And the last one we have here is the cruise director, Jensen Hardy.
Two passengers, Roger Antrim and Hank Osprey. One security man, David Beach. No regular crew membersdishwashers, stewards, mechanics. Three entertainers. Ralph Martini, Simon Green and Larry Hepburn. Plus the head of entertainment, Bradley Wilcox. And last, but for the moment we wont say least, one cruise director, Jensen Hardy.
Eight suspects, Jackson said. Ill talk to Beach. Well give him the listminus his own name, of course. And well keep a sharp eye on him, but he and his staff need to be on the lookout. You should go and see Alexi Cromwell again. Actually, Id like to speak with her, too.
Jude stared down at Angela Hawkinss report, which included pictures of the suspects. I dont believe any of these men are the one we followed on board, he said.
No? Jackson shrugged. Ghost or not, I havent really seen his face yet. I dont get it. I dont get what he was wearing. It wasnt a mask. But he was disguised.
A killer would want to disguise himself, Jude said.
Well, well see, wont we? Hows your cell working out here?
Im set for international. Should be fine.
Lets head out. Dont forget, I want to talk to Ms. Cromwell later.
We can arrange that, Jude said.
All right. Ill go chase down David Beach. You see what you can do with the entertainer group and well send for more info on our two passengers. Jackson rose. Like many law enforcement officers in the field, hed taken his coffee black and finished two cups.
Jude picked up his own mug of black coffee and finished the last couple of swallows. He rose, too. Ill find Ms. Cromwell. But all in all, you might do better in dealing with her. Im not sure she was...comfortable with my response to her last night.
He was surprised Jackson smiled at that. I think youll do fine.
They parted ways.
Jude used the stairs to reach the crew and entertainment level of the ship. He paused at her door. The entertainers slept late, he assumed, since they worked late.
He raised a hand to knock on the door.
It opened.
Alexi Cromwell seemed very bright and attractive for someone whod been up until at least 3 a.m. the night before.
She glanced up at him warilyand yet as if shed expected him.
Ms. Cromwell, Id like your help, he began.
To meet the ghost?
He didnt answer that. Instead, he asked, How well do you know your fellow entertainersand do you ever get to know the passengers?
Some of the entertainers I know quite well, but some are here on their first contract with the Destiny. Maybe youd like to meet a few of them yourself? she suggested.
I would, thank you, he said.
Come to the employee cafeteria and lounge with me. I can introduce you to some of the people I know. She looked at him anxiously. Do you really believe the killer is on the Destiny?
He decided not to lie to her. Yes, he said.
Because your manmy ghostcame on the ship?
Yes.
But since you dont believe me and you think this guy is alive... Maybe if thats true, he was watching what was going on, and then realized he was late for the sailing.
No.
Why do you say that?
His behavior.
Its still just a hunch.
He didnt 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 wasnt willing to discuss it. My partner on this case wants to meet you, by the way. Well get to that later. Meanwhile, Id appreciate going to the employee cafeteria with you.
Follow me, she said. As they left her cabin and walked down the narrow hallway, she added, Youre aware that there are quite a few entertainers on the ship, arent you?
Of course.
Anyone in particular you want to meet?
Anyone 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.
Oh! she said.
You know them? he asked her. Well?
Bradley Wilcox was the head on my first contract with Celtic American, too, she said. Hes talented at his job.
And?
She shrugged. To my mind? A jerk. Rude. He seems to think were all lesser individuals. His servants. But as I said, I have to admit hes good at his job.
What about the others?
This is the first time Ive been on the same shipsame contractwith Simon Green and Larry Hepburn. Ralph Martini, I do know. Ive worked with him before. Hes 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...
Be careful around these people, he said, his voice gruff.
Theyre really suspects? Is there a reason for that? she asked.
Proximity, he replied. They mightve been in all the locations where murders took place. And you really shouldnt know what were thinking, and I shouldnt be speaking to you about this at all. At the moment, though, youre about all Ive got.
So, Im all youve got. Great, she murmured.
But he could tell that she did intend to be helpful.
Grab a tray, she told him, leading him to the buffet. I see Simon and Ralphtheyre 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 Judes hand. He was a stocky middle-aged man of about six feet. Hes a great tenor! Alexi said in a cheerful voice.
And Im chorus. Simon got up to shake Judes hand, as well.
We 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 wasnt.
No. Jude grinned back. Were 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.
Thats a relief, Ralph said. Hey, theres 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.
Just getting some food! she called.
Clara Avery, Alexi told Jude. She has a gorgeous soprano voice.
Part of our Les Miz cast, Simon added. Ill find a chair for her.
Clara joined them a moment later. You look peaked, girl! Ralph said to her. You up all night?
Nightmares, Clara said shortly. Hi, she greeted Jude.
Alexi quickly introduced them.
Nightmares? Simon asked her. On the ship?
I shouldnt have, but I stayed up watching the news, Clara replied. That Archangel killer out therehe was in New Orleans!
And hes probably already moved on, Simon said gently. He goes from city to city. Youre safe on this ship. And were all here with you, he added.
They dont seem to have anything on this guy, nothing at all! They cant even find some of the actual crime scenes, Clara said, shivering.
Jude considered himself a good judge of character. He believed that the men at the table were as concerned for their friend as they appeared to be. Their empathy and determination to assure her seemed completely genuine. He was as confident of that as he could possibly be.
A good thing, since this young woman, like Alexi, would certainly appeal to the killer.
He lowered his head.
The ship has many beautiful young women aboard. A veritable feast for the so-called Archangel.
Clara shivered again, then managed a smile. Im going to stick close to all of you.
The cops arent sharing much information, Simon said. I read somewhere that the women werent just found in churches, but that they were all posed, with saints medallions around their necks. What do you suppose it means?
I didnt hear about that, Ralph said. Ill bet the cops werent supposed to give out that information. I guess some of em talk when theyre off duty. And once the media gets hold of something...well, you know! Of course, I dont think anyone could miss the news that he leaves his victims in churches. Or sometimes on the steps.
Jude was intent on watching their faces and was startled when Alexi Cromwell suddenly rose. Her meal was only half-eaten.
She seemed to notice that everyone was staring at her.
She was thinking fast, Jude thought, looking for a plausible lie. Why, he wasnt sure yet.
I just saw someone you need to meet, Alexi said, turning to Jude. Ralph, would you mind returning our trays? Um, Mr. McCoy, would you come with me?
No problem, Ralph said, but he watched curiously as Jude excused himself and followed Alexi out of the cafeteria.
Then Jude saw why shed left so abruptly, why shed summoned him.
The man in the hooded sweatshirt was moving along the hallway.
* * *
Wait, please! Alexi called out. The young man whod tried so hard to speak to herwhod disappeared at Jude McCoys arrival last nighthad popped his head into the cafeteria.
Now he was hurrying down the hallway.
If nothing else, she somehow had to convince the FBI man that she was telling the truth.
His quarry was a dead man.
Please! she called again.
He stopped and glanced back at her and then nervously scanned the hallway.
Alexi realized that Jude McCoyonce againsaw him, too.
I need to speak with you, the agent said. His voice was calm and even.
The young man remained where he was.
Alexi kept walking toward him, with Jude a few steps behind. There was no one in the hallway just then, but at any minute there could be workers coming through, either to get to their gigs or to eat or return to their cabins if their shifts were during the off-hours.
My cabin, she whispered.
She reached her door and used her key card to open it. The young man paused, looked at herand then at Jude McCoy.
Then he stepped into her cabin; McCoy followed.
Who are you and whats going on? McCoy asked.
Alexi stared at him. He still didnt know. He still didnt get it. But the ghost, whose name she didnt know yet, answered him.
Byron Grant, he said.
The name was vaguely familiar to her; she wasnt sure why.
The FBI agent knew it instantly, though, and his tension and anger were unmistakable.
Byron Grant is dead, killed in his attempt to save Elizabeth Williams.
Yes.
Jude McCoy stood completely still, green eyes with their flecks of gold focused on the ghost.
Alexi clutched the edge of the built-in wardrobe as she sank to the foot of her bed. Now she knew. Now she understood.