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Tony closed the door and Cammie had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing too loudly. “That was not what I was expecting,” she whispered.
“Me neither.” Without being asked, Zane zipped up her dress.
“Thanks.” Her cheeks were hot, and her heart thundered both from the inferno of her lust and the interaction with Tony LaRoch.
Zane buttoned up his shirt then straightened his jacket as they waited for an elevator to arrive. “I have half a mind to take you back to my cabin for real and finish what we started.”
She bit her lip as she turned to face him, ready to climb back onto him and do exactly that right there when the doors opened to an almost-full car.
“Going up?” A man put his hand on the doors to keep them open. “There’s room. Hop on board!”
When Zane hit another deck that wasn’t either of theirs, Cammie realized that he was planning on knocking on the last man’s door…and the prospect of make-out ploy round two had her body coiling all over again. She snuck him a wicked grin and he returned it with a wink. Maybe being spontaneous was the way to go after all. Screw planning every last detail to death. Cammie was beginning to see the benefits of zigzagging through all her straight lines.
When the doors opened, Cammie practically skipped out, dragging Zane behind her. She was about to turn, ready to launch back into their hot and heavy play when someone cleared their throat.
“Hello there! What can I do for you two?” The steward was all smiles, just like Ben, but he was older and far more suspicious, despite his friendly greeting. “Did you get off on the wrong deck?” He knew right away that they didn’t belong there.
“Oh no…ah, we’re just checking up on a friend. He wasn’t at dinner.” Cammie’s voice cracked a little which made the steward’s eyes narrow even more.
“And what’s your friend’s name?”
“Salis Collie,” Zane said, his voice as smooth as silk. Cammie looked up at him, admiring his calm demeanor. “His room is right there.” Zane pointed a few doors down the hall.
“Oh yes, Mr. Collie.” The steward frowned. “I’m afraid Mr. Collie isn’t in right now.”
“I hope he’s okay.” Cammie put on a mask of concern. Seriously, she deserved an Oscar for her performance, considering how badly her body was vibrating from all her pent-up lust. “I know he wasn’t feeling well yesterday.”
“Really?” The steward looked genuinely concerned. “He hasn’t been in his cabin since departure, but I assumed he was just out and about. I should check the infirmary.” He shimmied past Zane. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Cammie looked sharply at Zane and hoped he got her drift. Salis hadn’t been back to his room because he was probably dead.
“We’ll come with you,” Zane said, leaving no room for argument as he entwined his fingers with Cammie’s and kept pace with the steward.
* * * *
While the infirmary had a few men who were clearly suffering from something, there was no sign of Salis Collie, or at least, no sign of anyone who looked remotely like the dead guy Cammie had found on her floor.
Which meant that they had one missing man who fit the description, at least on paper, of the body she’d found.
“It’s him.” Cammie’s whisper came out like a growl.
Zane lifted a hand to quiet her so he could presumably eavesdrop on the hushed conversation between the nurse and the steward. Cammie couldn’t hear shit and she was impatient to get Zane alone so she could share her theories with him, about the captain, about the fact that Salis Collie was her guy.
“Good news.” The steward returned, his hands already motioning for them to exit the infirmary. “Mr. Collie hasn’t been here, which means he’s likely enjoying all the amenities available on the cruise.”
Cammie and Zane moved into the hallway. “Is that normal?” Zane asked. “Do people often spend all their time participating in events and never return to their cabins?” He squeezed Cammie’s waist and hauled her closer to his side. “Gosh, honey, we’re missing out!”
“Oh yes, very normal. Many guests like to use every available minute to enjoy the perks that come with a lot of the packages.” The steward led them to the elevator. “I hope you’re able to reconnect with your friend.” He ushered them on but didn’t follow. “And do enjoy the cruise!” He waved and smiled as the doors closed.
Cammie spun to face Zane. “Salis is our guy!”
“Whoa, there, slow down.”
“What? Why? It all makes sense…and the captain has to know something. He’s involved in all this, I’m sure of it.” Cammie’s words tumbled out until she was out of breath.
“The captain is definitely involved in something.” Zane stepped off the elevator as the doors slid open. They’d landed on his deck. “I need to check something in my cabin. You coming?” He held his hand out to Cammie.
She wanted to keep going. She wanted to tell someone what they’d discovered, but she couldn’t tell the captain. She couldn’t she tell Chief Ross, because the head of security was as shady as they come. Ben, her steward? Could she tell him?
