“Listen to me, Amy. We can’t bring personalities into this. We’re talking about drowning your husband and making it look like an accident. You can think about how you’re going to get Gilbert off the boat. But before we do anything, you’re going to have to tell me exactly how it’s going to be done.”

“Okay. We’re going to be in touch during this time, aren’t we? I can call you on my cell?”

“You can call me but not on your cell. If someone dies in this manner, the police will check the phone records of everyone involved. I’ll give you a cell to use that can’t be traced.”

“Where will you get it?”

“I have places. I’ll get two of them, one for each of us.”

“Are you saying the police will automatically suspect murder?” Amy asked.

“No. But they’ll want to cover their bases. David and Carl are rich. Suspicion will turn toward you, especially since you recently lost your son. You have to be ready for that.”

“Don’t worry, I can lie with a straight face.”

“I know.”

“Matt!”

“Sorry. What excuse will you give to get them to leave Catalina in the middle of the night?” Matt asked.

“I can say I just remembered that I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning.”

“You’ll have to set a doctor’s appointment for the next morning.”

“The police will check that?”

“They might. Why would you go to the doctor?”

“For a regular checkup.”

“Would a checkup be enough reason for David and his father to disrupt their plans and come home?”

“Sure. When they get back to the marina, they won’t even get off the boat. They’ll sleep there all night, if it’s late enough.”

“David won’t. David will be dead, remember?”

“I know,” Amy said.

“Can I hide on the lower level of the boat?”

“Yes. We have the perfect place. A storage room. No one ever goes in there.”

“Gilbert could check it out before leaving Catalina.”

“No. At best he will make sure we have all our life rafts and stuff before we leave the marina. You’ll be safe there. This is an incredible plan, Matt.”

“Don’t get excited. The part where we push David overboard is the most critical. Gilbert must not see or hear us. He can’t see David either.”

“Can’t we hit David over the head with something before pushing him overboard?”

“No. Like I said, his body might be found. How would you explain the blow to his skull? Also, he could bleed on deck. The police would never let up if they find blood. The simpler the plan the better. Fewer things can go wrong that way.”

“Gotcha.”

“We have another major problem. I have to figure out a way to get off the boat before you dock in L.A.”

“Why?”