Death on the Bella Constance (A Jesse Watson Mystery Series Book 6) by Ann Mullen Page B

swim.”
    Billy dove into the pool while I chose to walk down the steps
and slowly submerge myself. When he popped up out of the water, he was right in
front of me with his arms extended.
    “Give me your hands, stretch out your legs, and just try to
float.”
    An hour later, my skin had turned into a prune, but I was
swimming from one end of the pool to the other. Billy did it! He taught me how
to swim! Let’s just hope I don’t have to put my newly acquired ability to the
test on the open sea. I would have reservations about my survival.
    “I’ve had enough,” I said as I wiped the water from my face.
“Can we take a break?”
    “I thought you were having fun.”
    “I am, Billy.” I bobbed over closer. “Thank you so much. What
you taught me here today might some day save my life. Let’s just hope I don’t
fall overboard.”
    “I would save you, `ge ya.”
    Instead of trying to crawl out of the pool on the side, which
always looks awkward, we walked up the steps, Billy holding my hand the whole
time. I felt loved, and happy that everyone could see that Billy was my man.
Childish, I know, but it sure did make me feel good.
    By the time we reached our table, a server came up,
introduced himself as Kody, and asked if he could get us anything. We ordered
iced tea—without the alcohol—and a plate of appetizers. We hadn’t eaten in a
while and I needed something in my stomach if I was going to make it through
the day until dinner.
    Before the young man could return with our order, a woman in
her late twenties walked up to one of the tables and spoke with one of the
women. She held a photo in her hand, and from the look on her face, it was
either a bad photo of herself she just had taken on the ship, or it was a
picture of the devil. She looked our way and then said something to the woman.
The woman craned her neck to get a look at us.
    “What do you think that’s all about?” I asked Billy as we sat
down at the table next to our chaise loungers, and waited to see what was going
to happen next. I could feel it, and I’m sure Billy could, too. Another
adventure was headed our way—like it or not.
    The two women huddled together, making their way over to us.
    “Here it comes,” I whispered.
    “I’m so sorry to interrupt your afternoon, but we have a
serious problem,” the older woman said. “My name is Maggie Anderson, and this
is my daughter, Teresa.”
    We exchanged greetings with a handshake.
    “And since you’re the ship’s private eye,” she continued, “I
was hoping you’d take this matter seriously and realize there’s a real threat
here.”
    The word had gotten out, and now everyone would want our
help.

Chapter 5
    The last thing I wanted was to be involved in another case.
This was our vacation! I wanted my privacy... and so did Billy.
    “I think there has been some sort of mistake,” he said. “We’re
on vacation.”
    “Then you’re not a private eye?” Teresa asked.
    “Yes, I am,” Billy answered. “But…”
    “Then you can help me, can’t you?”
    “You see,” Maggie said, jumping in, “there’s this guy, Peter
Dawson.” She held out a picture for us to see. “He’s been stalking my daughter
for months now. The police caught him in the act and arrested him. But the jerk
made bail. We got a restraining order out on him, but that’s not going to stop
him from hurting her. He’s already threatened to kill her, and he doesn’t go to
court on the stalking charge until three weeks from now. He could do anything
in three weeks.”
    “Please help us,” Teresa begged. “Peter Dawson is on this
ship. I saw him! He’s followed us!”
    I looked over at Billy and could tell that he was giving in.
I could see it in his smile.
    “Let me have a look at the photo,” I said. “I’m a pretty good
private eye, too. If you don’t believe me just ask my private eye husband.”
    The mouth on both women fell agape.
    “You’re a private investigator, too?” Teresa asked,