She brought her feelings under control and said, “Just say you’resorry, and we’ll leave it at that.”
The man stopped laughing and frowned at London.
“What business is it of yours, anyway?” he asked.
“Tell her you’re sorry,” London repeated firmly. She saw headsnodding in the group that surrounded them, and heard expressions of support inseveral languages.
The man glanced around, then the edge of his lip turned up into asneer.
“Very well then, fräulein,” he said. “If you absolutelyinsist.”
Turning toward Audrey, he nodded his head and spoke.
“I sincerely apologize, Frau Huhn.”
Then, with a casual jerk of his arm, he splashed London with mostof his remaining beer.
“Oh, dear,” the man said. “Another accident.”
London whole body flooded with rage. This was no accident. Shestepped directly in front of the man and looked him straight in the eye.
“You are very rude,” she snapped at him in German. Steppingcloser, she continued, “I did not expect to encounter such behavior in such acharming place as this. You should be ashamed …”
Before London could say another word or make another move, shefelt a strong hand pushing her away from the man.
A uniformed security guard had forcibly separated the two ofthem.
“Let’s have no more of this!” the guard said in German.
Turning to the belligerent man, he added sternly, “Especiallyfrom you, sir.”
Cursing under his breath, the man turned and stumbled away.
London felt simultaneously relieved and embarrassed—but most ofall, grateful to the guard for intervening.
“Thank you, sir,” she said to him in German.
“Don’t mention it,” the guard said with a tip of his cap. “I justhope this unfortunate incident doesn’t spoil your visit to our lovely city.”
London turned her attention back to Audrey, whose own humiliationseemed so great that she hadn’t noticed the rest of the altercation.
“Come on, let’s go,” she said to Audrey.
The two of them headed back toward the Nachtmusik.
Audrey exclaimed, “That man just called me Frau Huhn—Mrs.Chicken!”
“Just forget it,” London said.
As they continued on their way, London fingered the blouse andvest that were part of her uniform. She wasn’t actually drenched with beer—notlike Audrey. It would soon dry and be hardly noticeable.
Meanwhile, Audrey was stalking silently along beside her with herarms clutched across her soaked blouse.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” London asked.
Audrey scoffed loudly and said, “Now you ask. No, I hardlythink so. Not at this point.”
London felt a pang of guilt, and then a touch of annoyance.
Audrey clearly thought that London shared some responsibility forher discomfort. But obviously, London couldn’t have stopped the man fromspilling beer on her. And she felt sure she’d been right to demand an apologyfrom the guy.
But she admitted to herself that things could have gotten worseif the security guard hadn’t pulled them apart when he did.
Why did I let him get to me like that? she wondered.
She reminded herself that she’d been through a rough severaldays, even besides the two recent murders. Other things had been bothering heras well, including Emil’s behavior and Amy’s secretiveness.
Small wonder that I’m not at my best, she thought.
“I’m very sorry your visit to Bamberg had to end this way,”London said to Audrey as they neared the boat.
Audrey let out a burst of harsh, angry laughter.
“Oh, this isn’t over,” she growled. “Not by a long shot. I’m notone to take an affront like this lying down. No, this is far from over, justyou wait and see.”
Audrey rushed on ahead of London and headed up the gangway.
Following behind her, London felt uneasy at Audrey’sproclamation. Audrey practically radiated hostility at the best of times, andshe did have good reason to be angry with the drunk who had splashed her. Butwould she really pursue some kind of retribution?
As she turned that over in her mind, London looked up and saw thatBryce Yeaton was on his way down the gangway. He was wearing street clothesinstead of his chef’s outfit.
“Goodness, what happened to you two?” the handsome Australianasked. Without responding, Audrey just hurried past him.
“We just ran into a bit of trouble,” London told him, not wantingto explain further. “It’s OK, we just need to clean up a little. Where are youoff to?”
“I’m taking the rest of the day off,” Bryce said. “I’ve alwaysdreamed of attending Hoffmann Fest, and this is my chance. Why don’t youjoin me? I’ll wait here while you get ready.”
London thought she might be blushing and looked down to avoid hisgray eyes. She had always found this man attractive, with his dimpled chin andcarefully groomed stubble of beard. But right now, she wasn’t in much of a moodto party.
“I don’t think so,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m finishedwith my tour, and I’d better get back to my onboard duties.”
Bryce chuckled and said, “I doubt you’ll find a lot of work to dohere. Just about everybody else is out enjoying themselves. The Nachtmusiklooks like some kind of a ghost ship. Are you sure you won’t come?”
“Thanks, but no,” London said. “I think I’ve seen enough ofBamberg for one trip.”
“OK, then. I take it the Maximiliensplatz is the hub offestive activities.”
“That’s right. Most of the action is right next to the fountain.”
“That’s where you’ll find me if you happen to change your mind,”Bryce said.
“OK, have a good time.”
“I’ll do that.”
Then with a flirtatious smile he added, “I really hope you’lldecide to join me. It would make things much more fun.”
Bryce continued on his way into town.
Resisting the urge to call him back. London headed up thegangway. She found no one in the reception area, not even behind the desk.Audrey must have gone on to her room.
London stepped into the nearby Amadeus Lounge, hoping to talkwith her friend Elsie. That was when she realized Bryce was right—there wasn’tgoing to be much for her to do on board. The popular recreation area andbar was nearly deserted. The Nachtmusik really did seem like a ghostship.
Elsie wasn’t even at the bar. Instead London saw an assistantbartender, who didn’t seem to have anything to do except polish the brass rail.
London sighed. The festival hadn’t turned out to be veryentertaining, at least not for her. But maybe it was a mistake to miss
