Even before Veronica sprang to her feet, Regan braced herself, knowing Sir Gilbert was about to be resurrected.

“My dear departed husband Sir Gilbert Exner was a poet. Anytime and anyplace he would make up poems. When we were in bed he would hold me in his arms and recite his favorite creations. Moments before he died, he gathered me close and whispered his last original verse:

“I would like to say, say, say In a special way, way, way. . .”

Nay nay nay, Regan thought.

Chapter 37

THE STEWARD HAD left a manila envelope propped up on the dresser in the suite.

“For you, Regan,” Veronica pronounced, glancing at it. “How sweet. An admirer, I hope. It will just take me a minute to change.” She disappeared into the bathroom.

Regan ripped open the envelope. Photocopies of news stories from several Greek newspapers were enclosed with English translations. Thank God, she thought as she dropped them into her tote bag. They had elected to have a hamburger by the grill instead of a formal lunch.

When Veronica emerged from the bathroom she was sporting a striped red-and-white T-shirt, matching shorts and red sandals. She gathered up her sunscreen, her Jackie-0 sunglasses and the latest book by Nora Regan Reilly.

At the pool they managed to find two deck chairs that were not already occupied or “saved” by the presence of a towel. Getting settled in her chair, Regan glanced at the ship’s wake. We’re in the middle of the ocean, she thought. She tried to imagine what it would be like to be lost at sea.

“This picture of your mother is lovely,” Veronica pronounced as she studied the back cover of Nora’s latest effort. “You do resemble her. I feel I’d know her anywhere.”

That’s what I’m afraid of, Regan thought.

Veronica opened the book. “I’m so happy to be reading this book while I’m with you, Regan. Now if I have any questions I can go practically to the source and find out all the inside information on the rascals and murderers I’ll meet in here,” Veronica said gaily as she flipped the pages from the back to the front with her thumb. “And now you must get to work.”