She cleared her throat. “Since you seem to care nothing about infringing on the privacy of people aboard this ship, perhaps you’d deign to tell us why you’re here. After all, I need something to tell my attorney when I call and inform her of your harassment.”
“Oh you’re going to need a lawyer, but not for harassment. Let’s try murder,” the blond man said.
“What are you talking about?” Dominic asked.
“We got a tip that someone had been killed aboard this little pleasure boat. Turns out our tip was right on the money and you two are at the top of the suspect list.”
“Someone was murdered on this ship? Who?” Ava asked.
“Gina Marron.”
There was a heavy feeling in Ava’s stomach. Her muscles grew rigid. “Gina? Gina’s dead?” she asked, her voice rising in pitch.
“Yes. Her throat was slashed. So far we haven’t found any sign of the weapon used,” the red-headed officer offered.
“I’m sorry to hear that there is a murderer loose among us, but why are you two fingering us for this? We were in bed all night last night,” Dominic said folding his arms.
“For starters we’re well aware of both your reputations.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a legitimate businesswoman and a widow raising a small child. I wouldn’t consider that a reputation that makes me a suspect in a murder.”
“Don’t talk to us like we’re stupid. You’re Joseph Martelli’s widow. No way you’re clean. What did Mrs. Marron do that was worth you slitting her throat?”
“Ava, don’t say another word,” Dominic ordered.
She frowned at the authority in his tone. So going to bed together gave him the right to order her around? She didn’t think so. He must’ve forgotten who he was dealing with. But as much as she hated it, Dominic was right. When it came to law enforcement you couldn’t trust any of them. With a smile, Ava made a motion as if she were zipping her lips. “Sorry. Nothing else to say without my attorney present.”
The two men exchanged glances and Ava crossed her legs watching them. There was nothing “the law” hated more than a person pulling the attorney card. Both men turned their attention to Dominic.
“And what about you, Sambarino? You pulling the attorney card too?”
“That depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“You telling me why you think I’m a suspect.”
“Are you kidding? A guy like you. A male prostitute. A guy connected to the Cosa Nostra. You’re a prime candidate.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. A muscle moved in his jaw. For some reason, Ava was sure he was a few seconds away from throttling both men. His arms unfolded and he cracked his knuckles. His eyes were growing darker. He was about to go nuclear and get them both shot. Ava placed her hand on his bicep. Leaning close she whispered, “Calm down. Don’t give them what they want.”
She leaned away and Dominic gazed at her from the corner of his eye, before turning his full attention back to their interrogators.
“For starters, I’m not a prostitute. Secondly the Cosa Nostra crap is laughable and lastly I didn’t even know the victim.”
“If you didn’t know Mrs. Marron, then what are you doing here?”
“I was invited by a friend who was invited by Mrs. Marron and that’s all I have to say.”
“I don’t buy it,” the red-headed officer said.
Dominic shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t care,” he said before putting his arm around Ava.
She looked at him but didn’t say anything. Right now her mind was on something else. Gina. She couldn’t believe her friend was dead. Who would want to kill Gina? It just didn’t make sense. Had she been on this ship for over twenty-four hours with a killer and not even known it? And what about Dominic? He hadn’t been there when she woke up. Could he have been gone longer than she thought? Might he be the one who killed Gina? She didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want to think that the man she’d allowed into her bed could be a killer or even worse, a killer set out to frame her.
As the two guards huddled together talking, Ava whispered, “Did you do it?” She looked at him waiting for an answer. He turned to face her and his eyes were hard again. Cold. He was angry, but she didn’t care. She had a right to know.
“After everything you still have to ask me that?”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means. After making love to you, after spending hours on end with you, do you think I would kill anyone you love or do anything to hurt you?”
“So after spending one magical night with me I’m supposed to believe you have no ulterior motives?”
Before Dominic could respond, the blond guard walked past them and headed towards the bedroom.
“Where’s he going?” Ava asked.
“To check your things. Make sure the murder weapon isn’t hidden anywhere. Although knowing you two, you probably threw it overboard.”
Ava’s fists clinched. Cursing under her breath she turned back to Dominic. He was watching her. His eyes searched her face, roving up and down. Trying to pretend he wasn’t unnerving her, she returned his gaze, waiting for him to speak. His hand caressed her face as his eyes grew soft.
“No. I did not kill your friend. I told you already what I wanted. I can’t have either of those things if you’re behind bars now can I?”
Ava swallowed. “I suppose not.”
“I don’t expect you to have one hundred percent faith in me, Ava. I realize I did deceive you, but regardless of whether you want to admit it out loud or not, there is something between us. Maybe you’re in denial because I’m Joseph’s son. That’s fine. I can wait. I’m not going anywhere.”
His hand dropped from her face and he turned his attention back to the guard still watching them. Ava sighed. She didn’t know what to think, but her antenna was up. Something was very wrong about all of this. How far was the ship out if the Coast Guard had jurisdiction to board? And who’d called in with a supposed tip about a murder? It all smelled of a setup to Ava and she wanted to know who was behind it. And poor Gina. The vivacious, fun-loving redhead was gone. She just couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to.
In a world where many times to be a successful woman, you had to be a ball breaker, Gina had always managed to maintain her femininity and still get things done. It was one of the things Ava had admired about her. She was going to find out what happened to Gina and when she did, whoever was responsible for Gina’s death was going to pay. And that was a promise.
“Martelli’s room is clean.”
Ava turned to see the guard returning to the living room. There was a scowl on his face. She couldn’t resist the chance to needle him a bit.
“Looks like your theory is out the window then. Pity. That just gives me more ammo to sue you with.”
“Don’t think this is over. We’ll be docking in less than thirty minutes and you two are headed to the police station for a more formal interrogation.”
Ava stood up. “I’m not going anywhere but home to my daughter. You have no evidence that I committed a crime and I’m not going to the police station. Got it?”
“You need to sit down.”
Ava rolled her eyes, before turning on her heel and heading down the hallway to the bedroom.
“Come back here now,” one of the guards yelled.
Ava ignored them. She’d had enough. She may have changed her name but she was still a Martelli and she’d had more than enough of the attitudes of the armed men. Ava entered the room and found her clothes strewn everywhere. Footsteps pounded down the hallway behind her, but she ignored them. Opening her suitcase she quickly started stuffing her clothing and toiletries away. Once that was done, she pulled out her cellphone and called the one person she never thought she’d call.
“Angelo, it’s Ava. I’m in trouble.”
“What is it?”
“I’m being held by members of the Coast Guard for suspicion of murder. We’ll be docking in a few minutes. Can you please meet me?”