Brian and Laura walked together to the main dining room. They found an easy stride together, despite their height difference. He was tall and lean. A group of people ahead started to filter out of the wide hallway and through large double doors to the dining room.

Brian looked at Laura and smiled. “I get the feeling you aren’t the typical guest here. What brought you on to this cruise?”

Laura bristled slightly. She had been fighting feelings of being out of place since she stepped aboard. She had pushed them aside, preferring a mask of professionalism. After all, the FBI and her new business had put her in plenty of uncomfortable places. Places she didn’t belong. Why should this be any different? Her brain told her that, but the message clearly wasn’t making it through. “Well that’s a thing to say. Why do you think so?”

Brian paused. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. You’re just younger than the usual passenger. We both are. You’re traveling alone, as far as I can tell. I don’t see a wedding ring.”

Laura blushed slightly. She hadn’t been in many relationships, at least any that were long term. She had joked that she was married to the FBI. With the hours and travel it took, it wasn’t far from the truth. Her current job wasn’t much better. She had about enough time most nights to settle into the couch for an episode of Eligible and a glass of wine before bed. Well, when she wasn’t in a mixed martial arts class. “True. I’d pin the average are here in, what, the high fifties? Low sixties?”

Brian laughed. It was an easy, comfortable laugh. The corners of his eyes crinkled. “That might be charitable. Retirement age for sure. But after decades of being a surgeon, or a top shelf divorce lawyer.”

Brian paused by the door for Laura to step through first. Laura inclined her head. “Are you speaking from experience with divorce lawyers, Brian? I didn’t see a ring either.”

It was Brian’s turn to color slightly. He looked embarrassed. Laura was worried she had struck a nerve. He said “Sadly, you’re right. My wife and I divorced about a year ago. My company went public, and there was a huge storm of attention and press. There was a lot of money being thrown around. She didn’t like it. She said it changed things. I guess, truthfully, it probably did.”

They approached a large dining table together. Laura hadn’t even looked at the dining room. She had been engrossed in conversation. She looked around as a waiter pulled a chair out for her. The room was large, but felt dim and intimate. The walls were covered in mahogany and flagstone. The kitchen was open, and framed by an impressive wall of burnished copper. Double story windows showed the Puget Sound, but let in little of the noise. Instead, she could hear the soft gentle tinkle of stemware and glassware. Hushed conversations were beginning.

Brian sat down and continued. “My daughter, thankfully, is with me on the cruise. Moving her between two households has been a tough adjustment. But, we have the full cruise together. Minus a few nights where I can socialize, granted. She loves bears, and she’s hoping to see some in Alaska.” There was an excited glimmer in his eyes.

Laura was surprised. The cruise looked so formal and expensive that she hadn’t even considered there would be children on board. “How old is she?”

“She’s seven, turning eight.”

“What grade is that? First?”

“Second. We found a great private school a bit north of Seattle that she loves. The tuition is about the same as a college. But, that’s what you start to expect.”

“Where is she now? Did you stash Grandma in a suitcase to watch her?”

Brian laughed again. “She’s in the kids’ club. They call it the ‘Junior Wayfarers.’ They’re learning about Alaskan wildlife. My nanny is there with her.”

Laura nodded. Truthfully, she didn’t know a lot about kids. She assumed parenting was difficult, given the responsibility involved. But, it hadn’t been forefront for her.

A couple sat down to their right at the table. Laura thought she vaguely recognized the man, who smiled and nodded politely. He extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Dave Stevens.” He was middle aged, wearing a band t-shirt and a page boy cap. The hair on his sides was salt and pepper gray.

Laura made the connection. “Oh! I thought I recognized you. DSB, right? The jam-rock band?”

He smiled again, and drummed an excited small beat on the table. “One and the same! We just finished up our big summer show at the Gorge. Before that, we were on a world tour. We had a new album, Stroll Around Mars, not too long ago.” His date was a tall, gorgeous blonde woman in a black dress who looked politely bored. She had clearly heard a lot of his shop talk.

Laura leaned forward. “How big was the crowd at the Gorge?”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Massive. It is every year! I’m not trying to sound complacent or anything. I love that it’s still popular, and that we still have a following. It makes life fun. It’s a lot harder to make music when no one wants to listen to it. I did that for a few years, wouldn’t want to do it again!”

Another couple sat down across the table. The man was large, broad shouldered, and athletic. Brian perked up instantly. It was his turn to be excited. A wide smile spread across his face “Jamal Bradford?”

The man smiled back, and did a small wave. “That’s me.” He was wearing an impeccable suit, and a rolex submariner watch poked out of his cuff, around a fading tattoo. His hair was in perfect dreadlocks.

“I’m excited to meet you. I’m Brian. I’m a huge Seahawks fan. You probably won’t believe me, but I have one of your jerseys at home. Number 28!”

Jamal shook his head with a playful smirk. “Shame on you, man. You didn’t bring it on the cruise? You could’ve worn it to dinner!” He laughed. It was a loud, deep laugh. The rest of the table joined in.

A waiter circled the table and asked for drink orders. Jamal brightened. “I love a good aperitif.” He scanned the drink menu. “Ooh! How about a bottle of Barbadillo Reliquia Amontillado for the table? My treat” The rest of the table nodded. Laura’s eyes widened when she saw that it was a $600 bottle.

The last seats were filled by two women. They were both tall and glamorous, in an understated way. They were middle aged, and wearing similar outfits of natural linen hues. They looked like they had just stepped out of Napa Valley. Maybe by helicopter. One woman waved to the table. “Pleased to meet you all. I’m Jeannette. This is Patrice. She’s my hot trophy wife.”

Patrice suppressed a laugh. She had chestnut colored hair in a short bob, and sharp eyes. “I told you to stop doing that, Jeannie!” She swatted her on the arm, playfully.

A waitress appeared with the bottle of Amontillado. Laura had only heard about Amontillado in the context of Edgar Allen Poe. But here it was, in the flesh. Or the bottle. “The sherry for the table.” With the other hand, she laid down a plate of olives, nuts, cheese, and something Laura didn’t recognize. “Some accompaniment for your sherry, from the chef. With a lovely seared foie gras. Enjoy!” She slipped away soundlessly.

Laura couldn’t help herself. “Wait, isn’t that force fed duck? Is that still legal?”

Brian shrugged. “It’s goose, usually. And yes. But not everyone’s cup of tea.”

Patrice scanned the table. “So, what does everyone here do for a living? I love finding that out in a group like this. Always an interesting mix.”

Jamal nodded. “I’m a running back for the Seattle Seahawks.”

His date smiled modestly. “I run our charitable foundation. We send books to elementary school children.”

Brian tilted his head. “I’m the founder and CEO of Dynamica.”

Laura nodded, “Security consultant.”

Dave put up a hand. “Musician.”

Dave’s date smiled. “I’m a partner in a communications firm.”

Jeannette leaned forward. “I’m a freeloader. I’m here on Patrice’s dime.” She pointed to her date. “I’m here to be arm candy and make her laugh.”

Patrice laughed. “I guess that leaves me. I’m the Senior Vice President of e-commerce at Abra.”

Laura said, “Oh! I love their two day shipping. And their e-readers. Honestly, half of my house is from Abra.” There was a scattered laugh from the table.

“Mine is too, honestly. Everyone there works too much to shop anywhere else.” Patrice leaned back with a handful of nuts. “That’s what makes it great to be on a cruise. I finally get a break! When I’m at home it’s video conferences with Tokyo over dinner, late nights with India, and straight into early mornings with New York and London. It doesn’t stop.”

The table started to settle in, as everyone nursed their sherry. Small conversations started, and Laura turned back to Brian.

He looked at her quizzically. “A security consultant, huh? I had a small hunch you were a cop. Something about your outfit.”

She shot him a glance. “It’s a perfectly fine outfit, thank you very much. It’s my personal uniform. I don’t have to think about it much.” She shrugged. “But yes, I was in the FBI for about ten years. I got out and started a security company.”

Brian nodded. “Makes sense. I was an MP for about two years in the Korean army. Everyone has to do their mandatory service. It’s probably not like the FBI, but I did some time investigating too.”

“I didn’t realize you’re a Korean citizen. You’re mysterious. Are you really even a Brian? What else don’t I know about you?”

Brian leaned in close to the space between them. “You’ve only begun to peel the onion. You don’t know the half of my secrets.” He straightened and shrugged. “But seriously, no. I’m not a Brian. I’m Joon-Woo Park. When I went to grad school at Cal Poly I started going by Brian. It was easier on some of the TAs, and it felt easier with some of the other students. It wound up sticking. When I was there, I invented a programming language and platform for databases called Bongo. It got a lot of attention. A classmate and I turned it into a company. Now we sell cloud services, database software, and analytics to pretty much everyone.” He leaned in close again. “Between us, but Patrice probably isn’t a fan. We won out for a major contract about a year ago.”

A group of waiters assembled around the table in synchrony and set down a small plate in front of each diner. “Here we have sablefish, with hazelnut, corn, and kombu. Paired with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc.” Another waiter circled with a glass of wine.

Dave glanced over. “He’s leaving out the part where his company made him a billionaire. He’s being modest. Probably the richest guy on the ship.” He shrugged.

Brian nodded. “It’s true. I got lucky. A lot of entrepreneurs don’t.” He turned back to Laura. “So, you never answered my question earlier. What really brought you on the cruise? Are you here on official business?”

“I am. The captain is an old friend of mine. She comped my suite and gave me a stipend to give her my security assessment of the ship.”

“Reassuring, I guess. That she cares, I mean. Also that you’re here. You’re not a bad dinner companion either.” He smiled.

Laura had a reassuring feeling talking to Brian. It was an ease, like she had known him for a long time. “You’re not too bad either. I was worried I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to.”