Chapter 17

Suddenly Single—What a Trip!

Hey, Trixie. It's me, Ned. I spotted Shelby at the ship's mall, and what I saw left me deeply concerned. She was buying everything in sight, and seemingly without a second thought. It's become clear she might be struggling with a shopping addiction. And judging by the mountain of packages I saw her with, this is a problem that will require professional help. Despite our past, I find myself wishing I could show her some support before she self-destructs. Do you think I can offer some help without overstepping, especially considering our recent divorce?

Selfless,

Ned

Dear Selfless,

Given your concern for Shelby, maybe the two of you should have a little talk soon. But be prepared to confess a few truths of your own if the opportunity arises. I have a feeling more than a few miscommunications are at play.

XOXO Trixie

Bess jumpsout of her seat right here in the newly minted Buccaneer Den and waves her bingo card in the air with victory.

One of our sage pirate leaders strides over with his eye patch almost slipping off as he examines her card. "Well, shiver me timbers, we have a winner! Let this be a lesson—a true pirate always keeps one eye on their treasure and the other on their bingo card."

A soft round of applause breaks out as everyone stretches to their feet.

Nettie stands and lets out a whistle sharp enough to bring forth a hurricane of disastrous proportions.

"All right, ye wenches and cutie pie pirates," she shouts. "I say let's conga to the nearest bar and get plastered into tomorrow with Jolly Roger Spirits! Who's with me?"

Within seconds, a line of pirates fifty deep attaches themselves to Nettie's waist as she congas them right out of the lounge while shouting the words conga, conga, conga over and over again.

Bess takes off to garner her prize and I wrap my arms around my own prize—a rather handsome one at that.

The ship wobbles slightly and the scenery outside the windows begins to shift.

"Looks like we'll be getting our vitamin sea one way or another," I say. "It feels as if the ship just set sail."

"It sure did." He lands a kiss on my lips. "You're all the vitamin I need." We don't get five minutes into our smooching session when both Bess and Nettie reappear, Bess with her gift card and Nettie with a bright orange rum punch in her hand.

"So how's the case going?" Bess asks in haste. "Did you garner any clues during the game?"

I lift a brow up at Ransom. "I didn't, did you?"

"I think we were all clued into the health benefits of vitamin C," he says with the hint of a smile. "As far as the case goes, I got zilch. But I had a good time with the best company. And to me, that's worth a thousand treasure chests."

Both Bess and Nettie coo in unison.

"So you're good with her secret?" Nettie asks and his eyes dart to mine.

"I'll say it again." I shrug up at him. "Ransom, I know this is hard to hear, and strange to comprehend, but I really can see the dead."

A low growl emits from him. "Does this have something to do with the body count you've been racking up?"

My mouth falls open as I stifle a laugh. "Are you accusing me of being a killer?"

"If the killer shoe fits," Nettie mumbles from the side of her mouth. "And it's a Quirky Kick of a shoe that comes dirty with a side of homicide."

"Would you stop?" Bess plucks Nettie in her direction. "Ransom, Trixie is being literal."

"A literal killer," Nettie adds.

"Nice," Ransom says with a deadpan look in his eyes. "Now the three of you are pulling my leg." His phone chirps and he fishes it out and examines the screen. "Wes wants to see me on the bridge." He lands a kiss on my lips. "And after that, I've got roving detail at all of the bars. This crowd is a bit too rowdy for my crew. But I've got tomorrow off. How about we spend the day at Sapphire Cay? You ladies are welcome to join us," he says to Bess and Nettie.

The three of us accept his offer and he lands another kiss on my lips and we linger before he disappears from sight.

"So much for telling him the truth," I say.

"Well, you know what they say"—Bess wraps her arm around my shoulders—"sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction."

"Indeed it is," I say. "But strange things are a part of my reality now, and I'm hoping Ransom will want to remain in my reality long after he hears of those supernaturally strange things."

"But in the meantime, we have a killer to catch," Nettie says, hoisting her drink into the air.

"Hear, hear," Bess says, hoisting her gift card in the air as well. "Who are we shaking down next, Trixie?"

"Elsie James," I say. "She just might hold the answers we're looking for when it comes to a certain mysterious Mr. X."

"Ooh, Mr. X sounds hot," Nettie chirps while wetting her whistle.

"He sounds dangerous." Bess shudders.

"He sounds downright lethal," I add.

But is he?

There's only one way to find out.