But he hadn’t really gotten personal with Mandy Brandt. Actually, it had never been a matter of attraction with Mandy—he had simply liked her. And admired her. Her life had been filled with tragedy. Her mother dead of cancer when she was about five, her dad in a car crash when she was eighteen, and her only brother had been killed in the armed forces. She had told him once, You can only cry so much before the soul is dead inside.
That was because Mandy had been so worried about her friend—but in a very matter-of-fact way. She’d never suspected that she herself was the one Tate Morley had been after.
He hoped that her soul was alive and well now; he liked to believe that she was in light and happiness somewhere.
Still trying to help...and that would be why she had entered their dreams.
Clara Avery looked up then and saw him. Something in her eyes changed; she was actually glad, he thought. Then again, she might have been glad to see her friend—Jackson Crow.
The others at the table turned to see him and Jackson arriving, as well.
He kept his voice low and level as he greeted them all. “Everything all right here?”
“Right as rain,” Ralph said, rising to greet him and Jackson. “Officer Friendly over there seems to be a great guy. He wouldn’t join us. Said he’s on duty and eating a burger takes two hands.”
“Ah, well, he’ll be off in a few minutes,” Thor said.
“I’ll grab you a chair,” Simon offered.
He was about to say that they should get going, but Jackson sat down at the table then and suggested that they should get something to eat quickly. “You know the staff around here?” Jackson asked him.
Thor grinned. “Yeah, I do.” He’d eaten at the Hawthorne often enough. He knew Ali Norman, the waitress serving the table, because he’d helped out when her son had been arrested for drugs, getting him into rehab instead of jail.
Ali was quick to see that he and Jackson were promptly served the house specialty—venison stew—and to assure him that her son Tyson was doing well, working, and even engaged to a girl he had met while doing community service.
Thor told her how glad he was.
“Anything new?” Simon asked anxiously when Ali was gone.
“I’m afraid not,” Thor told him.
“The cop goes when Clara goes, right?” Larry asked.
Thor nodded. “I’m afraid that law enforcement is being stretched thin here.”
“We’re good,” Ralph said. “The Fate has security. The ship is still undergoing some work before our appointed sailing time, but we’ve been told we’re welcome to take our cabins. Most of the crew is already aboard. We’re set to sail in less than a week.”
Thor wasn’t sure why that wasn’t a comforting thought. If she sailed, Clara would be far away. Far away from Seward, murdered women and, hopefully, the killer.
No, this killer—this killer had to be caught before the week was up!
“So, you three are going to board,” Jackson said. “That’s a good choice.” He looked at Clara. “You’re sticking with us for the time being?”
Clara nodded.
“Crazy!” Ralph said. “The killer was after the television people—and maybe us.”
“Not crazy,” Simon said. “She’ll be with the FBI guys. Let’s admit it, Ralph, you can play a great cop, but you aren’t one. And no one in his right mind is afraid of me, which has been proven.”
“I just look big and tough,” Larry said regretfully.
“It doesn’t matter,” Clara said. “I feel I have to stay—for a few days at least. I’ll be with you guys soon enough.” She glanced over at Thor and Jackson. “Nothing new?” she asked weakly. “Nothing at all?”
“At least, no new bodies, right?” Ralph asked.
“Right,” Thor said. He wasn’t sure why—just agreeing made him uneasy.
“So,” Jackson said. “What’s the show about?”
“A ghost,” Simon said, shaking his head.
“Yep, a ghost,” Clara murmured, and then she smiled. “It’s really charming. Shades of Blithe Spirit mixed with an older movie about an Irish castle. Love, falling in love, learning to fall in love again, all that.”
“Sounds good,” Jackson said. “Just the four of you?”
“Five of us. I’m the old wife, and there’s a new wife,” Clara said. “Connie Shaw is joining the Celtic American lineup. She was working on a ship that ended a cruise in Seattle. She’s due up here anytime.”
“I think she’s due today,” Ralph said. “But she’s not staying here. She rented a cottage on the outskirts of town for the few days she planned on being here. Says she’s seen Seward and wanted more of the rustic feel of Alaska.”
“Do you know where this cottage is?” Jackson asked.
Damn—was he also feeling uneasy?
“No, but you can get that information easily enough. Head of entertainment for the ship knows everything,” Ralph said.
Jackson rose. “I’ll get the info,” he said.
Thor rose, as well. “We need to get going. Clara?”
“My things are at the desk. I’ve checked out,” she said. “I figure I’ll go on to the ship, too, when—when it’s time,” she finished lamely. “Anyway, see you guys soon.”
“Soon, my love!” Ralph said as she rose to leave them. Simon and Larry stood, too. She hugged them all; Thor waited patiently.