place. Just don’t think for a fraction of a second that I had anything to do with anybody’s death. I don’t know about that Sarah chick—she is sorta possessed. As a matter of fact, I don’t even have your DVDs, so you don’t need to sign ‘em for me.”
Polly looked at Tim, who took out the Excel sheet that Tiffany-Amber had provided, and unfolded the paper. “According to the sales report, you purchased the
Polly Pepper Playhouse
special collector’s edition the day before yesterday.”
Rachel made a face and snatched the paper out of Tim’s hand. She looked at the names and turned the sheet over. “Hundreds of people?” Rachel sniggered at the short list.
Without missing a beat Polly said, “I didn’t want to carry around all seventy-five pages filled with names, dear. I won’t have time to thank everybody, the way I wanted to express my appreciation to you and Sarah.”
Rachel gave Polly a quizzical look, and took another sip from her champagne glass. “The truth is, a guy came into the bookstore while I was there. He didn’t have his Kool Krooz Swelltime Pass for shopping. He asked if I would charge it to my account, and he’d give me the $29.99, plus tax. I was just doing a good deed for another passenger.”
Polly gave Rachel a wide, insincere smile. “Then he’s the next customer on my list of passengers to whom I must give a great big Polly Pepper hello and autograph. What’s his name?”
Rachel shrugged. “Sorta cute-looking. Maybe a little tough acting.”
Tim leaned in toward Rachel and said, “Neil Patrick Harris cute? Or Mark Harmon cute and tough acting?”
Rachel returned Tim’s smile. “We’re on the same page, sugar. This one was Colin Firth extreme.”
“And you didn’t get his name?” Placenta marveled.
Rachel shook her head. “I’ve been kicking myself ever since! I figured I’d see him around and then guilt him intobuying me a drink. You know the game. I did him a favor, now it’s his turn to repay. But I haven’t seen him anywhere. Maybe he’s spending all his time watching those darn DVDs.”
“That’s the only logical explanation!” Polly said. “But in the meantime, I’m keeping my eyes on Miss Vacation Bible School. Something tells me there’s a serpent missing from the garden, and she knows where it’s slithered to.”
C HAPTER 9
A s Polly and her posse left the lounge, they wandered to the glass elevator in the center atrium. Soon, they found themselves walking without purpose along the vast expanse of the outside Lido Deck. It was late. The air was crisp and breezy. Despite the hour and cool temperature, laughing couples were enjoying the Jacuzzi. A few other romantics were enfolded in each other’s arms. “That puts me in a mood,” Polly sighed as she and her team strolled passed another canoodling couple.
Polly looked at Placenta. “You have Mr. Piano Man,” she said. She looked at Tim. “And you have Mr. Danger-glow. Don’t ever let me go on a romantic cruise again, unless I’m with Randy, or a reasonable facsimile of Mr. Right.”
Tim hugged himself against the cold air. “You and Randy aren’t married, or even engaged. There’s nothing wrong with you making a new friend—just for this week.”
Polly harrumphed.
“A Kool Krooz is not elegant enough for your mama to find anyone suitable to hang with,” Placenta agreed. “God knows she can’t be seen sitting alone at a bar in the Coral Lounge. The
Peeper
would love a shot of that! That only leaves a one-in-a-bajillion chance encounter with an eligibleman in the library or at the bingo parlor or the shuffle-board playoffs. The good ones don’t play old folks’ games, and they bring their own books. So it’s a lost cause.”
Tim briskly rubbed his arms for warmth. “When I see Dangelo tonight, I’ll get the skinny on who’s single and available. You do the same when you meet up with Lawrence,” he said to Placenta.
Polly shook her head. “I can take care of
Polly looked at Tim, who took out the Excel sheet that Tiffany-Amber had provided, and unfolded the paper. “According to the sales report, you purchased the
Polly Pepper Playhouse
special collector’s edition the day before yesterday.”
Rachel made a face and snatched the paper out of Tim’s hand. She looked at the names and turned the sheet over. “Hundreds of people?” Rachel sniggered at the short list.
Without missing a beat Polly said, “I didn’t want to carry around all seventy-five pages filled with names, dear. I won’t have time to thank everybody, the way I wanted to express my appreciation to you and Sarah.”
Rachel gave Polly a quizzical look, and took another sip from her champagne glass. “The truth is, a guy came into the bookstore while I was there. He didn’t have his Kool Krooz Swelltime Pass for shopping. He asked if I would charge it to my account, and he’d give me the $29.99, plus tax. I was just doing a good deed for another passenger.”
Polly gave Rachel a wide, insincere smile. “Then he’s the next customer on my list of passengers to whom I must give a great big Polly Pepper hello and autograph. What’s his name?”
Rachel shrugged. “Sorta cute-looking. Maybe a little tough acting.”
Tim leaned in toward Rachel and said, “Neil Patrick Harris cute? Or Mark Harmon cute and tough acting?”
Rachel returned Tim’s smile. “We’re on the same page, sugar. This one was Colin Firth extreme.”
“And you didn’t get his name?” Placenta marveled.
Rachel shook her head. “I’ve been kicking myself ever since! I figured I’d see him around and then guilt him intobuying me a drink. You know the game. I did him a favor, now it’s his turn to repay. But I haven’t seen him anywhere. Maybe he’s spending all his time watching those darn DVDs.”
“That’s the only logical explanation!” Polly said. “But in the meantime, I’m keeping my eyes on Miss Vacation Bible School. Something tells me there’s a serpent missing from the garden, and she knows where it’s slithered to.”
C HAPTER 9
A s Polly and her posse left the lounge, they wandered to the glass elevator in the center atrium. Soon, they found themselves walking without purpose along the vast expanse of the outside Lido Deck. It was late. The air was crisp and breezy. Despite the hour and cool temperature, laughing couples were enjoying the Jacuzzi. A few other romantics were enfolded in each other’s arms. “That puts me in a mood,” Polly sighed as she and her team strolled passed another canoodling couple.
Polly looked at Placenta. “You have Mr. Piano Man,” she said. She looked at Tim. “And you have Mr. Danger-glow. Don’t ever let me go on a romantic cruise again, unless I’m with Randy, or a reasonable facsimile of Mr. Right.”
Tim hugged himself against the cold air. “You and Randy aren’t married, or even engaged. There’s nothing wrong with you making a new friend—just for this week.”
Polly harrumphed.
“A Kool Krooz is not elegant enough for your mama to find anyone suitable to hang with,” Placenta agreed. “God knows she can’t be seen sitting alone at a bar in the Coral Lounge. The
Peeper
would love a shot of that! That only leaves a one-in-a-bajillion chance encounter with an eligibleman in the library or at the bingo parlor or the shuffle-board playoffs. The good ones don’t play old folks’ games, and they bring their own books. So it’s a lost cause.”
Tim briskly rubbed his arms for warmth. “When I see Dangelo tonight, I’ll get the skinny on who’s single and available. You do the same when you meet up with Lawrence,” he said to Placenta.
Polly shook her head. “I can take care of
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