Swamped

Well, for now it may be best to let her think the derailment is working. Then mention the sailor again when she seems comfortable, and she might let something slip.

"Might be hard to catch him if everyone's leaving the party at once," you muse. "Maybe I can keep an eye out for him in case you don't get a chance... well, then again I'm not really sure what he looks like."

"He's got a pretty plain face, to be honest," Colleen replies. "The thing that stands out most is that he's always shaved, which ain't sayin' much. Easier to recognize him by his clothes. Every time I see him, he's wearing a light blue bandanna and a sleeveless shirt of the same shade."

"I guess that's recognizable enough, unless he dressed up for his party."

Colleen laughs, but it sounds a little off. You've heard her laugh plenty of times before and it's always more enthusiastic. Something's making her nervous.

Could Lou be dressed up? But if she knew he had, why would that be something to hide?

You feel like you have a lot of little pieces, but you don't have any clue how they fit together. The party is invitation only, and includes a top officer. They're only serving stew at the party instead of anything special. The cook is working with a printing press, and seems to be handing out notes that say "In the name of Goan", whoever that is. There was a sailor in the kitchen holding a sack and trying to conceal it, and Colleen seems a bit on edge about discussing that sailor. And she seems a little nervous at the mention of "dressing up".

Also, there were burnt onions in the trash, Lex hasn't come back yet, and someone rang the navigator's bell to lead the cook out. You can't tell if any of those are related to the party, but the rest almost certainly is.

Perhaps you can get something out of all that. If not an explanation, at least an idea of what you're still trying to learn.