As they entered the suite Gavin’s heart started to pound even harder. Maybe I’ll have a chance to nab the bracelet, he thought. It was only Tuesday but if the opportunity presented itself . . .

“Excuse me, but as they say at sea, I must use the head,” Veronica blushed. Tittering, she shut the bathroom door.

Gavin stood there, not believing his own luck. He looked around and spotted the small stool in front of the vanity in the bedroom area. This was his chance. That jump suit Lady Exner was wearing would probably take a few minutes to peel off and a couple more to yank back on.

He hurried over, grabbed the stool with both hands and dashed up the steps to the closet. Ha! It was natural for him to get the life preservers out for her. They were within easy reach but he knew he’d shoved the bracelet so far back on the top shelf he’d have to stand on something to get it. Which of course would look fishy even to a dingbat like Lady Exner.

Opening the closet door, he was once again subject to the mean stare of the orange water wings. I never should have thrown the bracelet on that top shelf, he thought angrily. He pulled the stool in closer and, carefully balancing himself, placed both feet on the cushion usually reserved for wealthy rumps. Grabbing the doorframe, he pulled himself up at the same moment the sound of the toilet flushing announced Lady Exner’s imminent return. He reached up and fumbled for the bracelet when the toilet whooshed again and he heard Regan Reilly’s voice outside the door, chatting with the steward, as she placed her key in the lock. Not close enough to locate his hidden treasure, he jumped back down and frantically shut the door, ran over to the couch with the stool, dropped it, and stretched his left leg out on top.

“Regan, you are just in time. Mr. Gray is here to give us personal instructions for the boat drill. He is so kind.” As Veronica walked up to the living room she added, “Oh dear, is there something wrong with your leg?”

“I guess all the squeezing got to me. I seem to have aggravated an old hamstring injury I sustained when I was water skiing out in the Hamptons at a big celebrity party. I’ll be fine.”

Regan wondered if this was a first. She couldn’t imagine there were too many people besides Gabby Gavin who could walk away from a Sit-and-Be-Fit class in pain. “We may as well get suited up,” Regan said brightly. “Let’s get out those life jackets.”

Chapter 22