I walked past the dark mahogany host stand to our usual window table, but the two high-backed chairs across from my place were empty.

Arnel Ramos stepped forward from the service cabinet, holding a folded square of white note paper on his silver tray.

“Mrs.

Kessler asked me to give you this when you arrived, Mrs.

Whitman.”

“Is everything all right?” I asked, taking the paper from the tray.

“Mr.

Kessler was feeling quite tired after their long excursion in port today,” Arnel said, holding his tray with both hands against his vest.