“Most people don’t store arsenic on the pantry shelf,” Livingston observed. “Very odd, this whole business. I’ll get any news clippings faxed to you straightaway and certainly hope they are helpful in jogging your memory.”

Regan hung up. Hurriedly she filled Luke and Nora in on what had happened to Penelope, then said, “I’ve got to get back. Gabby Gavin is bringing Veronica up to the suite, and the boat drill starts in fifteen minutes.”

As she darted out the door, Nora called after her, “Regan, I’m worried. Athena’s body was found near the Exner estate and this Penelope woman was poisoned there. For God’s sake, be careful!”

Chapter 21

“TIGHTEN THOSE BUTTOCKS. And hold. And one and two and three. Now release and two and three. And squeeze and two and hard, harder and release . . .”

Gavin looked around. These people could sit here from now till Doomsday squeezing their buns but they still won’t end up in great shape. Sit-and-Be-Fit. What a joke. It was like telling a couch potato he was building up his muscles by pushing the remote control with one hand and lifting a Twinkie to his mouth with the other. But from the looks on the faces of all the oldsters surrounding Gavin, it was obvious they thought something worthwhile was going on. Maybe it was all that squeezing.

Forty-five minutes later the young muscle man instructor yelled “Thank youuuuu, alllll,” as he clapped his hands enthusiastically. “See you tomorrow and watch out for all that fattening food they serve all day long. And have fun! Go out and get some of that sea air!”

“I will. I will,” Veronica cried out. “But first we must all prepare for the boat drill.” That proclamation having fallen on the ears of her fellow exercisers, who shook their heads in agreement and muttered “Oh yess, um hmmm, that’s right,” Veronica jumped to her feet. “Gavin, I’ll race you back to the suite.” In a shot she was off.

Gavin hoisted his not overweight yet not fit body out of the chair and ran after her. Veronica’s course followed a zigzag path as her body veered starboard and then port and then back to starboard, through the maze of corridors and staircases, in tune with the creaking and leaning of the ship. Just as she was reaching the door he caught her arm. “Lady Exner, I have a tough time keeping up with you.” He forced a laugh. This woman is going to put me in my grave, he thought. Either that or drive me crazy.

“Exercise releases endorphins which gives one a sense of well-being and energy which begets energy. It’s just like the smashing feeling of being in love that eating chocolate can recreate. Which reminds me. I’ve got a Mars bar which I’ll split with you.” She smiled up at him.

Maybe my ex-wife Clovis wasn’t so bad after all, Gavin thought.