Free Dead in the Water (Kate Ryan Mysteries Book 10) by Kate Sweeney

stronger.”
    Hannah glanced at the cabinet next to the coffeemaker. “Well…”
    “How about some bottled water for now?” I said.
    Simon frowned. “All right. Water would be lovely, please.”
    Hannah looked at me; I looked at Costello, who rolled her eyes and walked away.
    “Low woman on the totem pole, eh?” Simon asked. “So, Kate, I understand from Matthew that you and the lovely Maggie will be sailing with me on the maiden voyage of The Queen ,” he leaned toward Hannah, “as I like to call her.”
    “Yes, we…Wait. You’re going, too?” I asked.
    Simon looked stunned. “Well, of course. It’s my ship.”
    “I thought were a silent partner.”
    “Oh, Kate. Really. Have you ever known me to be silent?” He waved his hand. “I long for the smell of sea—”
    “It’s a lake.”
    “And the sea breeze in my face.”
    “And the bats in your belfry,” I said dryly.
    Simon scowled, rather pouted, and looked at Hannah. “Why is she so glum?”
    “It’s the case we’re working on,” Costello offered.
    “Scotch?” Simon grinned happily when Hannah laughed.
    “Very funny. A client,” I said.
    “Ah. I understand. Can’t catch the bad guys?”
    “No. There’s something else on Kate’s mind.” Hannah looked at me and smiled.
    Simon looked from me to Hannah and back to me. “Okay, I’ll play along since I’ve nothing else to do at the moment. What else is going on in that gumshoe head of yours?”
    It’s funny how I open my mouth and Hannah’s voice comes out.
    “Kate’s proposing to Margaret on the cruise,” Hannah blurted out…again.
    A wisp of a smile graced Simon’s face. “Proposing what?”
    “What do you think?” I asked dryly.
    “Oh, dear,” he said.
    “And it’s a surprise,” Hannah added. “So mum’s the word.”
    “Understood,” Simon said. “This is so sudden. Or is it?”
    “Heavens, no!” Hannah said. “I thought I’d have to use my cattle prod.”
    Simon raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure which is more disturbing, Hannah. That you would think of using a cattle prod on poor Kate or that you may actually have one that you call your own.” He stood then. “Well, I will leave you to it. With the mention of cattle prods, I fear this conversation is going to take a disconcerting left turn.” He offered his hand to Hannah. “And I mean from you, madam.”
    Hannah grinned evilly and took his hand. “Why don’t we meet for dinner tonight?”
    “An excellent idea,” Simon said, whirling around to me. “How about Matt’s?”
    “Fine,” I said, realizing—once again—how little control I had around here. I stood and walked him to the door.
    “Wonderful. Seven? Maureen, you’ll join us, of course? We’ll make a night of it.” He didn’t wait for a response. “See you at seven sharp!”
    And then he was gone.
    “I like him,” Hannah said.
    “You like everybody, Hannah darlin’,” Costello said, setting her attention back to our file.
    “Not true,” Hannah asserted, “there’s a certain assistant in the mayor’s office I’m not fond of. He’s a boorish young man.”
    “I’ve been thinking about this,” Costello went on. “What do we really know about Chad Henson?”
    “Other than what we’ve been told by Matt and Phil, nothing. What’s your idea?” I asked.
    “I’m not sure. It’s just this whole thing is odd. So I did a little background check on Phil and Chad.” Costello offered the manila folder to me. “Have a look.”
    I glanced at the pages. Nothing jumped out at me until I got to his education. “Holy crap. This guy was smart.”
    “To put it mildly,” Hannah said. “I read the file, as well.”
    “MIT at sixteen?” I looked up, knowing my jaw was hanging on the desk. “Stanford? Then the navy? Holy crap,” I said again.
    “All on scholarships.” Costello walked over to Hannah’s desk and sat on the edge of it. “And that got me to thinkin’. Why would someone who’s practically a genius, and with all