Ginger hooked her arm through Haley’s as she coached Boss along on a leash. She didn’t want to leave him alone in their state room, and it was too inconvenient and time sensitive to seek out young Scout again.

They made their way to the concierge to inquire of Miss Guilford’s room number. The concierge, a youth whose name tag read “Ernest,” appeared besotted by Ginger’s larger-than-life persona. Or perhaps he was just wary of the dog. It was hard to read the younger generation these days.

“Have you met my Boston terrier?” Ginger said, smiling brightly. “His name is Boss.”

“No, madam. I haven’t had the pleasure.” Ernest knelt lower and stretched out a hand. “He’s a friendly sort?”

“He just ate, so you should be fine.”

Ernest snapped back his hand and stared at Ginger with a startled look.

“Oh, I’m just teasing you, Ernest. Boss is perfectly friendly.”

Ernest let out a slow chuckle and made a second attempt. Boss leaned into the young man’s hand and relished the scratching behind his ear. His pink tongue licked the air with approval.

“Boss is supposed to stay in the kennel for the trip, but I just can’t bear the thought of leaving him there. A little walk for fresh air must be okay.”

“I’m a dog owner myself,” Ernest said, shrugging. “German shepherd. Maxine.”

“A lovely breed. So smart!”

“She is, madam. Smarter than a lot of blokes I know.”

“I’m sure Maxine can’t wait for you to get home.” Ginger looked him in the eye. “Ernest? I’m wondering if you could help me out. We had the privilege of dining with Miss Nancy Guilford the other night,” Ginger said, pouring on English charm. “Such a delightful woman, and we got on so splendidly. I simply must see her again before we disembark. I would hate for a potential friendship to be squandered. I’m just so sorry for not getting her telephone number. Silly me.” Ginger batted her eyelashes at the enamoured young man.

Haley tried hard not to roll her eyes.

“It’s against our policy to give out personal information on our passengers, but since we’re docking soon, I don’t see how it should be a problem.” The concierge relinquished the room number. Miss Guilford’s stateroom was located on the starboard side. It was on the same side as the Walshes, but nearer to the bow. Still plenty of opportunity for awkward encounters.

“Thank you, Ernest!” Ginger blew him a kiss. “You’re such a peach.”

“And you are shameful,” Haley said under her breath as they walked away.

“Yet I got the room number, didn’t I?”

“For that, I say, well done. How, exactly, do you plan to present us to Miss Guilford?” Haley said. “I doubt she even knows we exist.”

“I doubt she knows anyone exists who is not in her entourage,” Ginger replied. “Film stars live in their own fantasy world.”

“I hear she's going to be in a talkie next,” Haley said.

“With that voice?”

Ginger and Haley turned onto the corridor where Nancy Guilford’s room was situated, just as the door of the room in question opened and Chief Officer MacIntosh slipped out. Ginger and Haley ducked back behind the corner before he could see them. Ginger held her finger to her lips for Boss’ sake.

“That’s interesting,” she said once MacIntosh was out of sight.

“Very interesting, indeed,” Haley said. “Nancy Guilford and the first officer are acquainted. Lovers?”

“Coconspirators to murder?”

“What could possibly be their motives?”

“Perhaps the chief officer would like to be captain one day.”

“You think he’d kill for that?” Haley said.

“I don’t know,” Ginger said. “What else would he have to gain?”

“Maybe he was the blackmailer, and after demanding more money, he and the captain got into a fight,” Haley said. “In a rage, MacIntosh killed him.”

“It’s possible, and it could very well be what they were arguing about. Or it’s possible it’s purely greed for power. MacIntosh is now the standing captain for the duration of this trip. We need to find out whether he would remain the captain of this vessel indefinitely.”

“His motive could be as simple as a lover’s quarrel,” Haley said. “Perhaps MacIntosh, besotted now with the sensual Miss Guilford, fell into a jealous rage with the prospect of sharing her.”

“The argument between the men could’ve been over Miss Guilford then,” Ginger said.

“MacIntosh’s definitely strong enough to put a man into a barrel.”

Haley slowed as they reached Miss Guilford’s door. “But that still leaves the question as to why bother.”

“A body would be preserved in pickle juice somewhat, wouldn’t it?” Ginger asked.

Haley conceded. “Perhaps for a very short while.”

“But long enough to get it to shore tomorrow night, surely?”

“Yes. That raises the question as to why the killer wants to preserve the body. Is it more than just proof of death? If not, what does our killer need to prove?”

Ginger knocked. Unlike Mrs. Walsh’s slow response, the door opened immediately. The smile on Nancy Guilford’s face dropped when she saw who it was.

“Were you expecting someone else?” Ginger asked.

The actress sneered and said with her nasal drawl, “Wasn’t expecting you, Mrs. Gold.”

“So, you do know who I am.”

“The captain liked to rave about you and his connection to your family.” She squinted suspiciously. “Why are you here?”

Ginger dug into her shoulder bag and produced the half bottle of brandy. At this rate, if they drank with every suspect they queried, they were going to be sloshed by the end of the night.

Nancy eyed the bottle and waved them in. “The dog stays out.”

“If the dog stays out, so does the brandy.”

“Fine, but if he soils the carpet, I’m sending you the bill.”

“Agreed.”

Nancy Guilford seemed to thrive on chaos and disarray. Items of high-quality clothing were draped over each chair, and lacy lingerie hung seductively from open drawers. Though the bed was made, thanks to the chambermaid, the quilt was untidy and shimmied out of place by recent use. There wasn’t a book in sight, but a stack of movie magazines littered the table.

As she had with Mrs. Walsh, Haley claimed three glasses from their position beside the matching crystal decanter and set them on the sideboard in front of the candleholders. Ginger hovered over an open drawer, taking a moment to register the items—unfolded gloves topped by a crinkled receipt from a jewellery store—before closing it with her hip. She poured the brandy and passed a glass two fingers full to Nancy Guilford, who accepted with a nod of thanks.

“I suppose you figured out that the captain and I were lovers,” she said after her first sip.

“We gathered that much.” Ginger didn’t think it necessary to say that they got the confirmation from the captain’s wife.

“And you suspect me of being involved with his death.”

“Were you?” Haley said.

Nancy took a big swig. “Nope.”

Short and to the point. “Were you with him last night?” Ginger asked.

“Not that it’s any of your business. But, yes.” She retrieved a cigarette from its case, inserted it into an ivory holder, and lit it with a silver lighter. Blowing smoke from the side of her mouth, she added, “And before you ask, he was alive when I left his room.”

“Can you substantiate it?” Haley said.

Nancy Guilford glared back. “I don’t have to provide an alibi to you.”

“How well are you acquainted with Chief Officer MacIntosh?” Ginger said.

“This ain’t none of your business, honey.”

Ginger tried the same trick she had with Mrs. Walsh and presented the conversation as an opportunity to practice her answers to the police.

“How well are you acquainted with the chief officer?” Ginger repeated.

Nancy considered her before answering. “As well as anyone on this boat.”

“Did you know that Captain Walsh was being blackmailed?”

Nancy scoffed. “Who told you that? Elise? She’s delusional. She hated how Joseph preferred my company to hers and will do anything to cast a shadow over his memory.”

“So, as far as you know, the captain wasn’t being blackmailed.”

“No, he was not.” She stubbed out her half-smoked cigarette. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m feeling very tired and would like you to go.”

Ginger examined the brandy bottle, with still a good third left, and sealed the top.

“Always a pleasure,” Ginger said. Haley scoffed.

“Let’s go, boy,” Ginger urged Boss as she opened the door. She stopped short, having found herself nose to nose with Chief Inspector Reed, who had his fist up to knock.

“Chief Inspector Reed, what a surprise to see you here!”

His face tightened with a look of disgruntlement, an expression Ginger was beginning to believe was reserved for her. He eyed Boss with distaste, then said, “Is it? May I ask why you are here?”

Ginger waved the near-empty brandy bottle. “Just having a little tête-à-tête with our good friend, Nancy. Were you aware that she’s a famous movie star? In America, that is.”

“I’m afraid I haven’t seen any of her films. Now, if you wouldn’t mind,” Chief Inspector Reed grumbled, “I would like to interview her.”

“Most certainly, Chief Inspector,” Ginger said with a victorious grin. “Good day.”