Chapter 6
It was only moments after Vincent Von Hemmingsly collapsed on the floor that the place was swarming with sea officers. Loretta held Francesca, the victim’s wife, as the ship’s medic confirmed the guest surgeon’s verdict: death. Ruth was pulled away to answer some questions about what had happened. Ruth had some questions of her own, like what killed the author, but her concerns went ignored. They were not releasing any information at the time as sea officers took statements from the witnesses. Though, the waitstaff, cooks, and bakers in the kitchen were not authorized to leave. It was something they called a lockdown for crew members involved in the reunion party—a safety precaution, Ruth assumed.
“So, let me get this straight,” one of the officers said. “You say he just collap
