“Good. If anything strikes me about B.A. or three-one-five while I’m reading the papers, I’ll give you a call.” Then she remembered to ask for the address of Athena’s parents. She hung up, sure she would have to field questions from her parents about the suspicion cast on Veronica.

“I should get some faxes today,” she told them quickly. “Right now they’re just trying to follow whatever leads they can. I’d better go get Veronica and bring her to the poetry seminar. What are you two up to?”

Nora’s expression changed. “I was going to go to that as well, but I think I’ll pass. Let’s see what else they have listed. Oh dear, they’re having a contest at that time for all the grandparents on board . . . they’re giving out prizes for whoever has the oldest grandchild, whoever has the youngest . . . maybe we’ll be eligible for that in a couple of years ...”

“Good-bye, folks,” Regan muttered as she shut the door behind her, wishing for the umpteenth time she were one of ten children at least one of whom had made her an aunt by now.

Chapter 36

AT SEA

“REGAN! YOO-HOO! THERE you are!” Veronica cried as she and her fellow Sit-and-Be-Fitters extricated their hindquarters from their seats.

Regan decided that just as the gymnast has the uneven bars, a hockey player his stick, and the bodybuilder his barbells, these athletes had all the equipment they needed for their favored sport—a folding chair. “Yes, here I am,” she agreed. “How was class?”

“Splendid. Did you enjoy it, Mr. Gray?”

“Oh yes.” Gavin smiled, having awakened this morning with all the hope a new day can bring, feeling a fresh surge of energy to accomplish his mission, no matter what. “But, Regan, you didn’t have to come down here. I told you we’d meet you back at the room ...”

“Oh, that’s all right. Veronica said she wanted to go to the poetry seminar. I thought we might take a look at the pictures from last night and then head straight there.” Regan turned to Veronica. “Unless of course you need to go back to the suite.”

“Certainly not. Mr. Gray, take some time for yourself. Ohhh, I can’t wait to see the pictures. Come along, Regan. Thank you, Mr. Gray, we’ll see you later.”

As they walked off, Regan couldn’t help but notice how Gabby Gavin’s smile had crumpled. Could he be that disappointed about not walking Veronica back? Why?

A half hour later, with six pictures tucked under her arm, including several candid shots from the Captain’s party which contained no one she knew but would be good to “show off the lovely atmosphere,” Veronica paraded into the library where the poetry seminar was about to begin.