Broken French

Chapter 7: Stowaways

"Are you sure you saw my brother-in-law tonight?" I nodded my head rapidly. "Yes, Micheal. There's no mistaking it- that was Xavier." Micheal stares at me in horror and slowly shakes his head. "How the hell did he get in? I told Elijah to keep security tight. We are on a boat, for God sake. There's only one entrance." "Maybe someone let him in." Micheal shakes his head. "My staff is loyal. I'm sure they wouldn't do such a thing." I raise an eyebrow. "Sure... if you say so. What are you going to do?" "I prefer not to disturb the celebrations if I can avoid it. How did Xavier seem when you saw him? Was he behaving erratically?" I shrug my shoulders. " I don't think so? He was just sitting and talking." "I don't know whether that's more comforting or more concerning." Micheal sighs, his knuckles going white where they grip the ship's handrail.

"There's no need to disturb the party yet, I think. I'll have to do a security sweep." "So, what? Are we just gonna pretend that it's not happening?" Micheal nods his head. "That's precisely what we are going to do. We want everyone to stay calm and enjoy the party." "You know best. And if there's anything I could do to help, just say the word." "I don't want you to confront him, but there's one thing you can do. Will you go speak to Elijah for me? I guess will be noting my absence by now." I nodded. "Of course." " I believe he's in the control room. Please inform him of what's going on and ask him to search the ship." I nod, quickly push through the crowd income of the stairs to the yacht's control room.

Elijah is sitting there, watching the monitors with a cup of tea in hand. "Taja? What's going on?" I quickly explain what I saw and Micheal's instructions. "Dammit. Hired security is never reliable. I should've known something like this would happened." "Elijah... Do you think someone helped him?" "Possibly. When I knew Xavier, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. But who knows what skills he picked up in prison. He could just have easily found his way here alone." I nod. "Somehow that doesn't make me feel better." "You and Xavier are like two peas in the pod, you know? You both worry too much. If Xavier is really on board, I'll find them before he causes trouble, I promise. Keep an eye on the main area and tell Micheal to do the same. I'll worry about the rest of the ship."

Back at the party, I spot my boss chatting near the beverage table and quickly make a move to him. "Micheal, Elijah said-" Micheal! Darling, it's been too long." A pretty blonde absolutely dripping in platinum jewelry pushes past me and air kisses him on both cheeks. "Chloe. We just spoke the other day." "But I haven't seen you in person in ages! Come, I need you to introduce me to your guests." (So this is the famous Chloe Tremond. So far, she's exactly like Micheal described her.) "Umm... excuse me. I actually need to talk to Micheal about something." "Could you be patient for a teensy moment? I was already talking to him. Americans, honestly! So brash sometimes." Chloe's condescending voice carries is over the chatter. A few heads in the crown turned towards my direction. "Please, Chloe. Taja is my honored guest here." The other woman simpers and holds out her arm for one of the limpest handshakes I've ever experienced.

"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." (Mostly about what a pain in the ass you are.) "Oh, that's so funny. I speak with Micheal all the time, and he's never mentioned you. Except... wait. Mich, didn't you say you got an American nanny last week? Is this her?" Chloe says "nanny" like it's a dirty word and poorly hides her giggle behind her hand. "Look, Micheal, we don't have time for this. There's an ongoing situation, remember?" "Wow. Speak very familiarly for a servant. Or are all Micheal's hired help this disrespectful?" "Enough, Chloe. I won't have you criticizing my household or the people in it." "I'm not criticizing anyone. I just think that your nanny was both an apology for her... rudeness." (My mom taught me how to handle Chloe's type- with honeyed words and a sharp tongue.)

I draw myself up to my full height, smile, and call up every one of her lessons in Southern courtesy. "Micheal, I'm so sorry to have interrupt your little chat. And Chloe, I hope you'll forgive me for stealing all of his attention. I can tell it upsets you." Chloe runs speechless. "You- you didn't- I'm not-" Chloe's eyes are narrowing, so I forge ahead before she can process my backhanded apology. "It's just that Micheal is a busy man, with many more important things to do. You understand." "Excuse me?! I'm very important!" Chloe stomps, one high heeled foot for emphasis, and I hear Micheal snort quietly. "I'm afraid of Taja is right on all counts, Chole. We have a rather more important matter to attend to- in private. If you'll excuse us." Micheal put his hand on my back and switch me off to a deserted corner of the ship.