I shuffled forward, inch by inch, nibbling the inside of my cheek. I leaned to one side, trying to see what the holdup at the front of the line was. Two couples peeled off to the left and moved down the gangway to sweet, sweet freedom on solid land below. The line shuffled forward, and the woman directly in front of me approached a pair of officers stationed on either side of the gangway.
The taller one reached out his open palm. “Papers.”
I held still. Papers?
The woman dug around in her clutch and produced a scroll, which she handed to the taller cop. He unrolled it, the lady cop leaning over to read it, then looked up at the woman and waved her on. “Have a nice evening.” His tone was all business.
Whatever these papers were, I didn’t have them. I was sure Peter could hook me up, though. I edged to the right, about ready to duck out of line and go find him, when a familiar voice sounded a few feet behind me.
“Brazen, wasn’t it?”
The hairs on the back of my neck rose. Zale—my ex.
“To kill an officer during a police ball.”
“It would be if we knew he’d been killed. Probably just fell overboard.”
Eve’s voice.
“Hmm. I’m not so sure.”
Zale again.
My heart thundered in my ears.
“Hey!”
I looked up, blinking.
The lady cop waved me forward. “I said, next.”
13
WALK THE PLANK
I couldn’t turn back, not with Zale and Eve right behind me and my mask off. I glanced to my left down the long, long gangplank. I could make a run for it, but in heels and this dress, I doubted I’d make it far. In fact, I’d probably just plummet into the sea, to my death. I gulped. That might actually be the preferable fate.
The lady cop held her palm out. “Papers.”
Time for my famous powers of persuasion to kick in.
“About that…” I kept my voice low so that Zale and Eve wouldn’t recognize it.
The cops raised their brows, faces stony. I doubted this was how they’d envisioned spending their evening.
I splayed my palms. “I don’t have any papers.”
The woman stared me down, her eyes hard. She jerked her chin toward the crowded deck behind me. “Then go give your statement, get your clearance papers, and come back.” She looked around me. “Next.”
I blocked the couple behind me from advancing by darting in front of them. “Here’s the thing….” I racked my brain. “I had them, but they blew out of my hand, overboard, and I’ve got a kid at home with a babysitter who can’t stay any longer and if I don’t get back in the next—”
The lady cop gave me a flat look and barked. “Next!”
I shot her one back. “Good talk.”
“Jolene!”
My shoulders hiked at Peter’s voice. Oh sea goddess, no. I kept my back to him and flashed my eyes at the lady cop. “Please.”
“Oh, well, since you asked nicely….” She waved a hand toward the gangplank, and I gasped.
“Really?” I hiked up my skirts, ready to make a break for it, but she scowled at me.
“No!”
“Jolene! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Peter’s voice came from right behind me. Daisy’s panting sounded nearly as loud as my heartbeat. Maybe I could just keep my back to him?
I cleared my throat, and my voice came out squeaky. “Oh… really?”
Daisy let out a low growl. Liar. Where have you been?
I grimaced. “What? Nowhere.” I chanced a quick glance over my shoulder and found Peter frowning in confusion.
“Who were you talking to?”
I pressed my eyes shut tight. Urg. Rookie mistake—you don’t answer the animals out loud! The potions and the stress had made me sloppy.
“Jo—Jolene?”
Zale’s voice. It was official. I wanted to die. I peeled an eye open and slowly, slowly turned around.
The lady cop waved the next couple in line forward and the line moved up, brining Zale and Eve closer to me. Peter and Daisy looked between them and me. Zale’s thick brows pulled together, concern and confusion playing across his features. Eve, subtle as ever, stood with her mouth hanging open, aghast.
“Jolene.” Zale said it again, certain this time. “It is you. What—” He shook himself, dark eyes glued to my face. “What are you doing here?”
For the briefest of moments, I considered making up an elaborate story about how I was actually Jolene’s long-lost twin sister… who was also named Jolene. But then I remembered that Daisy would call me out—as if anyone else would believe that.
I opened my mouth to explain I was working as a police consultant now, when Eve cut me off. “Yes.” Her hard eyes narrowed as she gawked at me. “What in the shell are you doing here?” She slid up closer to Zale’s side, her arm looped through his.
He glanced over at her, and his neck reddened before he turned his quizzical gaze back to me.
Peter turned to me, brow pinched. “You… know each other?”
I shot him a simpering smile. “No.”
Daisy growled, and I longed to toss a toy overboard and yell “fetch!”
“I mean….” I turned toward Zale and Eve, searching for the right words. “We used to… a long time ago.” I plastered on a broad smile. “It was so lovely to see you both.”
Daisy barked. Big lie!
I spun to face Peter, ignoring the German shepherd, and raised a fist to my mouth, pretending to yawn. “Peter, I’m beat. You and I both know I didn’t kill anyone, so can you clear me so I can go home?” I raised my brows expectantly at him and bounced on my heels.
He stared at me, no doubt dumbstruck by my abrupt demand and the obvious
