Chapter Ten
Jack ran David Bennett to earth in one of the bars, toying with the olive in a martini. Catching the steward's eye, he ordered a cold beer, and sat down next to the young man.
Bennett looked at him vaguely, then recognition dawned.
"Robinson. How are you?"
"I'm fine, but – forgive me – I need to ask you a few questions, Mr Bennett."
Bennett furrowed his brow. "Me? About what?"
"I take it you will have heard that Mr Duval died last night?" Jack asked.
"Angie told me," Bennett said. "I hope you're not going to ask whether I'm mourning him. Believe me, if my purse ran to it, this would be champagne."
"We've discovered that he was murdered."
At this, he had Bennett's undivided attention.
"What? How?"
"Electrocuted. Caused heart failure," replied Jack succinctly. "So, tell me about you and Miss Duval?"
At that, he was the recipient of a very angry look.
"By what right do you get to ask that kind of prurient nonsense?" he growled.
"By the right specifically granted me by the Captain of this ship to find out everything I can. And I don't think it's nonsense at all, is it? You haven't exactly been avoiding one another. Mrs Robinson and I particularly admired your talent in the waltz yesterday evening," Jack commented.
Bennett fumed for a few moments, then clearly came to a decision.
"All right, damn you. Yes. I've asked Angie to marry me and she's accepted."
"Are you lovers?" Jack shot back. He caught Bennett by surprise, and knew the answer instantly. "That's a yes, then. So, when's the happy day?"
"I should rearrange your face, Robinson."
"Bennett, your fiancee's father has been murdered. I would have thought you would be interested in finding out who did it."
Bennett looked at him consideringly. And clearly came to a decision.
"I know who did it. Me."