"We were never really that close but I can't see him having such a hatred for me that he would try to kill me," Kitty said meeting the lawyers eyes.
"Neither can I madam," Gautier said sitting back in his chair. "He has asked about you quite often since you left."
"What do I need to do now, Mr. Gautier?" Kitty asked looking at the will.
"You'll want to take that copy of the will and read it over, it should answer any of your questions. I will not be disembarking until we arrive in New Orleans if you should like to discuss anything. I booked this trip specifically to have to opportunity to meet with you and explain the situation in person."
"Thank you," Kitty said taking the document. "I'll keep that in mind."
Matt silently opened the door to their cabin as Festus did the same. Kitty put the papers she had received from Gautier on the table and sat down as Abelia joined her.
"Can I get you some coffee, Kitty?"
Kitty shook head no as Matt took off his jacket and entered their bedroom.
"Kitty!"
"Matt," Kitty said getting to her feet she rushed inside the bedroom to find it ransacked.
Kitty gasped as Matt looked around at the open drawers of their bureaus and closet.
"They did the same thing ta our room," Festus said slowly entering the room.
"What do you suppose they were looking for?" Abelia said putting a hand on Kitty's arm.
"Information probably," Matt said looking at Kitty.
"That man," Kitty said. "The one I told you about earlier."
"The one you said, looked familiar to you," Matt asked gently.
Kitty nodded before she spoke. "I think I saw him in Dodge before we left."
"Festus," Matt said evenly. "Stay here with them. I'm going to see if this boat has a security officer onboard."
"Will do, Matthew," Festus said with a nod as Matt left the room.
"I just don't know what to say," Kitty said softly.
Matt stopped the steward in the hall outside their rooms. "This boat have security?" he asked as the man that Kitty had seen on deck walked towards them.
Matt clinched his hands into fists as the stranger stopped just behind the steward.
"You may go, steward," he said as the young man quickly scurried away.
"Who are you?" Matt asked as the man handed him a business card.
"Edward Ashton," the man replied as Matt looked at the card. "Private investigator. I was hired by Mr. Gautier to keep an eye on your wife."
"Are you the one that went though our cabins?" Matt said curtly.
"Hardly," Ashton said with a wiry grin. "That man has already been dealt with. When we arrive in New Orleans, he'll be turned over to the proper authorities."
"Who was he?" Matt said slipping the card into his pocket.
"He was hired by a rival owner of your wife's gambling house," Ashton said evenly. "Word has gotten out about who she is and I'm afraid when we get to New Orleans, you'll have a lot of unwanted publicity."
Kitty sighed as Matt and the private investigator explained the situation to her.
"My suggestion would be for you all to disembark early and ride into the city. Mr. Gautier has arranged a private house for you all to stay in until Mrs. Dillon can take over the operation of the establishment."
"Wait," Kitty said cutting the man off. "I haven't said, if I want to do that."
"I'm afraid it doesn't matter," Ashton said sincerely. "You are the heiress of a very successful gambling house. That makes you the talk of the town! Sooner or later you're going to have to make an appearance and settle this matter or it's going to end up in court and possibly betaken over by someone else."
"And Panacea wouldn't want that," Kitty said quietly.