Murder Takes a Vacation

After another day of touring historical sites without seeing Paul, Mrs. Blossom returns to the ship to find something “amiss.” She learns from Pat that a passenger, whose identity is unknown, was taken away in an ambulance. This person, she says, had a DO NOT DISTURB placard on their door, which is why the staff finally investigated. Mrs. Blossom suspects it was Paul and worries again about the oysters he ate. Pat also explains her use of a cane, saying a fall from a horse injured her spine.

Returning to her room, Mrs. Blossom learns from a rapturous Elinor that Marko has finally made love to her. “This is a woman who is falling in love,” (181) Mrs. Blossom thinks. Best of all, Elinor says, Marko is considering moving back to the US, giving her hope that the relationship may be long-term. She tells Mrs. Blossom that she’s always envied her long, happy marriage to Harold. Mrs. Blossom feels happy for her, but also fearful of being “left behind.” 

Later, at an onboard lecture about D-Day, Mrs. Blossom and Elinor find out that Pat Siemen’s brother, whom she shares her cabin with, is Emmanuel Markowitz, i.e., Marko. Pat tells them that she often travels with Marko and lives with him near Lake Como.