From the corner of her eye, Ginger detected Chief Inspector Reed heading up the steps to first class.

“Scout, would you mind Boss for me for a little while? I’ll pick him up in the kennel later on.”

“Sure thing, missus.”

Ginger handed over Boss’ leash, reassured him that she’d come for him soon, and sprinted up to first class. She didn’t see the chief inspector right away and worried that she’d lost him, but then caught sight of him on the metal steps that led to the bridge. His suit jacket flapped in the wind, and he held his felt hat to his head.

Hand on her own summer hat, Ginger followed the chief inspector. She was careful to keep a good distance in case he should glance over his shoulder. From this vantage point, she could see passengers meandering about on both the first- and second-class decks. The sun shone brightly as it set in the west, while contrasting dark, brooding clouds rolled in from the east. The waves, once calm, were as choppy as meringue. The air smelled metallic with the promise of a change in the weather. Ginger only hoped they’d reach Liverpool before a storm broke.

Ginger called out to Chief Inspector Reed just as he positioned his fist to knock on the door to the bridge. “Chief Inspector!”

He turned to her in surprise. “Mrs. Gold? Can I help you?”

Ginger smiled brightly. “I’m assuming you’re about to interview Chief Officer MacIntosh. Would you permit me to join you?”

A deep V formed between his hazel eyes. “Surely, you must be aware that civilians aren’t typically invited to get involved in an open murder investigation.” His frown deepened. “Especially those who find themselves a suspect.”

Ginger ignored the last part of his statement. “Well, yes, I’m sure it’s not typical in a city like London. However, with only you onboard to investigate and only one day left before we reach Liverpool, I would think that you would appreciate a little assistance.”

The chief inspector folded his arms, the crisp linen of his suit crinkling at the elbows. “And how is it that you can assist me?”

“I have some information you might find helpful.”

Basil Reed raised a brow. “Go on.”

“If I give you what I know, I think it only fair that you allow me to accompany you.” She held up a palm. “Before you say anything, consider this—entering with a female companion would put the officer at ease. He won’t suspect that you are interviewing him as a potential murder suspect, and therefore would likely be more forthcoming.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” The chief inspector said, relenting. “Very well, you may join me, so long as you promise to let me do all the talking.”

Ginger pantomimed turning a key in front of her mouth.

“So, what is this piece of news that you have?” The chief inspector said.

“Miss Higgins and I were walking Boss, and we happened to witness Officer MacIntosh leaving Miss Guilford’s private room.” She stared at him with meaning. “Quite alone.”

“I see.”

“In fact, the incident occurred shortly before you arrived to interview her.”

“You seem to spend a lot of time on the starboard side of the ship. It is my understanding that your room is situated on the port side.”

Ginger batted her eyes. “How is it, Chief Inspector, that you would know exactly where my own private room is?”

“As the investigating officer of this crime, it is my duty to know where every passenger is situated and located.”

Ginger found that broad-stroke explanation disappointing. She enjoyed being the centre of attention and wouldn’t have minded if the chief inspector had specifically sought her out.

“Fair enough,” she said. “Shall we go in?”

Chief Inspector Reed knocked on the door, and it was answered by a sailor who announced their arrival to Chief Officer MacIntosh, now the acting captain.

MacIntosh didn’t seem surprised to see the chief inspector though he did raise a brow at the presence of Ginger Gold.

“And to what do I owe this honour?”

“If you would permit me,” Chief Inspector Reed said, “I have a few questions.”

MacIntosh considered Ginger with appraising eyes. Knowing that he was a ladies’ man, Ginger winked to give him the false impression that perhaps she would be interested, should Miss Guilford become unavailable. MacIntosh sat casually in the captain’s chair just as Ginger predicted.

“Officer MacIntosh,” Chief Inspector Reed began. “How has the demise of Captain Walsh affected you and the goings-on here on the bridge?”

“Of course, we are all saddened and shocked by his death,” MacIntosh replied solemnly. “But as the next-in-line senior officer, it is now my obligation and duty to ensure that the passengers of the SS Rosa get to Liverpool safely.”

Basil Reed scribbled in a small notepad. “If I understand correctly, as second-in-command, you are now the acting captain of this ship.”

“That’s true.”

The chief inspector looked the chief officer in the eye. “Will that be a permanent position?”

MacIntosh didn’t break his gaze. “The final decision is not mine, though it is common for the first officer to replace the captain if he’s suddenly indisposed, and so long as there’s no other officer with more seniority who wants this post.”

“And is there anybody else that you know of who would want this post?”

MacIntosh stiffened. “I wouldn’t know that, sir.”

“Did you and the captain get on?”

“If you mean did we drink beer together in our free time, no, but onboard, we were both professionals.”

“What were you and the captain quarrelling about on the bridge?” Ginger asked, earning a scowl from the chief inspector.

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“I saw you, you know I did.”

“Oh, that? Just a silly disagreement.”

“Over what, precisely?” Chief Inspector Reed asked with interest.

MacIntosh let out a short breath. “Walsh owed me money and refused to pay. He didn’t take it kindly when I threatened to go public.”

That lined up with Elise Walsh’s blackmailing story, Ginger thought. The captain was struggling to pay up.

“What exactly is your relationship with Miss Nancy Guilford?” she asked.

Chief Inspector Reed shot her a warning glance, but nodded to MacIntosh. “Answer the question.”

“There is no relationship between myself and Miss Guilford,” MacIntosh said. “She’s a passenger on the Rosa, and I, as a senior crew member of the ship, go out of my way to spend time with all the passengers. We want happy and satisfied customers.”

“Miss Guilford looked very happy and satisfied to me,” Ginger said. “Oops.” Her hand flew to her lips as she confronted Basil Reed’s displeasure with a faux look of apology.

MacIntosh stood and tugged on his white blazer. “What exactly do you mean by that, Mrs. Gold?”

Chief Inspector Reed tapped Ginger’s arm before she could answer, guiding her towards the door. “Thank you for your time, Officer MacIntosh,” he said stiffly. “I’ll find you if I have any further questions.”

Back on deck, Basil Reed pierced Ginger with an intense glare. “I thought you said you were going to let me do all the talking.”

“Did you see his face?” Ginger said. “He was rattled by my question. He knows he was caught in a lie, and he tried to cover it up.”

Chief Inspector Reed harrumphed, his frustration with Ginger ebbing. “He did seem quite shaken at your question, or rather, your outrageous accusation.”

“Perhaps the actress and MacIntosh worked together,” Ginger said.

“Why would you suggest that?’

“Well, MacIntosh and Captain Walsh were at odds over something. Maybe it wasn’t money, but rather power. Perhaps MacIntosh was tired of playing second fiddle and didn’t want to wait for the captain to retire.”

“It’s an interesting hypothesis.”

“Or perhaps the motive has to do with... the alluring complexities of women.”

“Do you think MacIntosh and Miss Guilford were, um, involved?”

Ginger arched a brow. “Miss Guilford is quite captivating, is she not?”

The chief inspector swallowed. “I hadn’t noticed. However, if they colluded together, what would you say was Miss Guilford’s motive?”

“She was tired of sharing the captain with his wife,” Ginger said. “It’s the classic mistress/wife tension. The man promises the girlfriend he’ll leave the wife, but year after year goes by, and he never does.”

“Why not just break it off with the captain? Killing him seems somewhat extreme.”

Ginger propped a hand on her waist. “Have you never heard of a woman scorned?”

Basil Reed frowned. “I’m the first to admit that the complexities of the female population are a mystery.”