to the plate, two drained cocktail glasses loomed, and in the tall wineglass only the stain of red wine remained.

A strange hush settled on our table.

Howard, Sara’s husband, slouched into his chair and casually slung his arm around the back of Sara’s. “Looks like we’re going to be here awhile.”

Everyone at the table looked at Howard, and then followed his eyes to the starboard window. The night and bay were dark except for a troubling light that was converging upon us.

“Oh good!” Margaret exclaimed. “That must be the hospital boat for Helene.”

The craft nudged itself alongside us. Silence descended on the entire dining room as letters on the boat came into view: “SFPD.”

CHAPTER TWO

Outreach

I waved my cell phone around, counting bars as I moved from window to window. I had five bars showing until I hit the first number on the keypad, then three bars disappeared.

Most of the passengers were now lingering in the lounge area. The captain had announced that we would be further delayed and complimentary hot beverages would be served.

Jim was in line getting me a hot coffee, while I frantically tried to reach my mother, who was babysitting for us.

I moved away from the windows, still focused on the phone, and slammed directly into Nick Dowling, the San Francisco Medical Examiner.

“Mrs. Connolly! What a coincidence.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. If Nick was here, it couldn’t be good news for Helene.

“Mr. Dowling. Don’t tell me Helene is . . .”

Nick brushed his bangs off his forehead. “Well, I’m not supposed to tell you anything. You know that, Kate.”

After giving birth to Laurie just a few short weeks ago, I’d been dragged into a murder investigation. Well, maybe “dragged” wasn’t the right word. I had launched a fledgling private investigation business. Maybe “launched” wasn’t the right word either. I had solved a missing person’s case, and two murders.

Yes, I had solved it.

I’d also met the medical examiner.

The ME is called to a scene only when a death has occurred.

I closed my eyes and bowed my head. I felt Nick’s hand on my elbow.

“I’m sorry, Kate. Were you close?”

I shook my head. “No, I only met her briefly. She and another mom invited me to join their mommy group. Tonight I met the whole gang.”

He sighed. Something buzzed from inside his jacket pocket. “Sorry, I have to get that.” He fished out his cell phone and hurried toward the exit.

Nick had reception, why didn’t I?

I tried to focus on my phone but there was a tightening in my chest, my eyes teared.

Poor Helene. Dead? What could have happened?

How could a fall down some steps have killed her? Had she broken her neck? Head trauma or what?

One minute she was alive and well, eating dinner with us, then suddenly she was gone.

How many children did she have? They needed their mommy.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

What was behind all the looks exchanged at my table? There seemed to be some animosity between the women.

Could Helene have been murdered?

Maybe someone pushed her down the stairs.

No, that didn’t make any sense.

Certainly if anyone was trying to kill her, they wouldn’t have done it on a crowded dinner cruise, much less by pushing her down a stairwell. That would have been stupid.

Push her overboard, maybe, but not down some steps.

It had to have been an accident. Or perhaps she’d died of natural causes. But she looked so healthy!

Maybe an aneurysm—those could strike suddenly and take someone’s life even if they were young and seemingly healthy.

The medical examiner would figure it out.

Could I help in any way? Maybe there’d be a need for a PI?

Right. What was I thinking? I had no license. No way to land a case on my own. The only way I could fathom landing a case would be to enroll help from Senior PI Albert Galigani.

Galigani had been instrumental on my first case. Maybe he would let me use his license, or work for him. I’d do whatever it took to make myself legit.

I pushed the thought aside. Legitimacy didn’t matter. Helping Helene did. Although I hardly knew her, my heart grieved.

I recalled meeting her last week. I was at Angles de la Terre, the ultrachic baby store in downtown San Francisco. It was pricey, but they carried high-end products and had a great selection of items such as cradle cap cream, which I hadn’t been able to find at Target. Never mind the fact that there is no Target or Walmart in San Francisco.