The South Pacific Murders

by Sylvia Massara

  Smythe looked dubious at this. “Let’s just hold off a bit and pursue the cheaters’ club angle.”

  “Meanwhile,” Chris reported, “I found nothing of interest on the net, but I’ll keep searching.”

  “Oh,” I exclaimed, “before I forget; can we get permission to search through Barry’s belongings?”

  Smythe nodded. “If the captain’s happy with it, why not? But what do you expect to find?”

  I reminded them about the inscription Chris and I found in van Horn’s address book. “It could be something trivial, but we think it might be some kind of website with the password; so it’s worth checking into.”

  Chris took up the conversation, his eyes animated. “If we find something similar in Barry’s belongings it could give me a clue as to where I should be looking next.”

  Chapter 10

  I managed to make contact with Dr Downes and he suggested we meet in his cabin after dinner as he would be working on a paper he had to give the following evening at a special function. He could only give me a few minutes of his time.

  During dinner with our group, I reported my progress. “He sounded quite busy, but a few minutes are better than nothing.”

  Chris nodded. “Let’s hope he can at least point us in the right direction about the cheaters’ club. I have a feeling they’ll have a website.”

  “You think so?” Dobbs remarked and spooned soup into his mouth.

  “It just seems strange that I couldn’t find anything in van Horn’s computer. It was clean as a whistle. Good thing we found the inscription in his little notebook.”

  Smythe said, “Yes, but that could be a password for online banking or something similar.”

  “True,” I responded. “But if Downes can shed some light about the club, he may even give me the name of the website, if they have one.”

  “And how do you propose to bring up the subject?” Smythe regarded me with something like doubt in his eyes. “Do you think he’s going to tell you freely about him being a cheater?”

  I raised my chin, not liking his tone. “There are ways to get a person to talk, Smythe. I don’t have to use the proverbial phonebook, you know.”

  Smythe was in the process of taking a sip of wine and he spluttered, almost choking on it. He glared at me as he wiped his chin with a serviette. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ferrari? I’d watch my mouth if I were you.”

  Dobbs intervened. “Mia, not all cops resort to forcible questioning. You’ve been watching too many police shows on TV.”

  I grinned. “It was only a bit of black humour. Sheesh! Take it easy, will you?” I directed this to Smythe.

  He shook his head as if dismissing me. “You really know how to piss people off, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but at least it got you and Dobbs talking.” I grinned.

  Chris and Dobbs laughed. Smythe frowned and muttered something unintelligible. I ignored him and went on to finish my soup in silence. I loved baiting Smythe, and he fell for it every time.

  After dinner, Dobbs and Smythe informed us that they were joining Jerry Garcia for another look at the CCTV footage just in case they’d missed something. Chris announced he was off to the bar for a drink. He hesitated when he said this with his eyes focused on the floor.

  I smiled knowingly. “So who’s the babe?” I teased.

  His face went beet red and he called out as he walked off, “No one.”

  Dobbs, Smythe and I looked at each other in amusement. “That boy’s hormones are playing havoc with him.” Dobbs gave one of his belly laughs.

  “Well, I’m glad I’m not a teenager anymore,” I declared. “Hormones can make you do the most stupid of things.” But then I thought back to the fling I’d had not so long ago. Of course, my raging hormones were being driven by perimenopause—yet another evil women suffered in this human condition we called “life”. At least, men were spared this most horrendous passage on the way to old age. Good thing we were the stronger sex when it came to suffering though; for if men had to go through menstrual periods, childbirth and menopause, the human race would’ve become extinct thousands of years ago.

  “I’m off to see Downes now, but before I go,” I addressed Smythe, “did you get permission for Chris and I to go through Barry’s things?”

  He nodded. “The captain’s quite happy for you to go ahead as long as you have Mrs Barry’s consent.”

  “Well, that does it then. When Chris finishes flirting with his newfound amour, we’ll go and see Martha.”

  The men left and I followed suit. Before I went to see Downes, however, I changed from my dinner dress and into black leggings and a white cotton blouse. I put on my red Nike sneakers and retouched my lipstick. I wasn’t one for dressy affairs and always felt more comfortable in casual wear.

  The doctor’s cabin was located on the deck above mine, so I went up the stairs to Deck 10 and when I reached cabin 10111, I knocked on the door. Downes opened it almost immediately.

  “You must be Mia Ferrari,” he said and motioned for me to enter.

  Downes was quite handsome in a dark, brooding sort of way. He reminded me of the actor Tyrone Power. He looked to be in his mid to late fifties, and had black hair peppered with grey and emerald-green eyes. For a man his age, his physique looked fit, and it was obvious he worked out. He wore jeans and a casual white shirt open at the collar. I couldn’t help thinking why such a good looking man would need to be in a cheaters’ club. But then, he was probably a bastard; just like all other good looking men I’d come across. I frowned at the thought and then pulled myself together. I wasn’t here to judge the guy but to get information from him.

  I shook his hand and his grip was firm. “Thank you for seeing me, Dr Downes.” I decided to keep it formal.

  “Please, call me Cliff,” he said in a sexy voice that, while attractive, made me feel inexplicably uneasy.

  “Cliff it is.” I nodded.

  He invited me to have a seat in one of the armchairs by a small coffee table, and he took the other. I blushed when I caught his eyes devouring me, and I became self-conscious. The leggings I wore hugged my figure from the waist down while the white flowing blouse made me look like a lady pirate, which at the same time complemented my breasts, courtesy of my Wonder Bra. I suddenly wished I’d worn something less revealing.

  “So how may I help you?” The doctor’s eyes appraised my breasts, making me feel even more edgy.

  I couldn’t believe I’d walked into this one. I should have asked to meet him in a public place. The guy reminded me of a wolf about to gobble down its prey. “Doctor, as I explained on the phone when I called you, I’m part of the investigation team looking into the two incidents involving Drs van Horn and Barry. I believe you were friends with Dr Barry and that you played golf together?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Jim and I were golf buddies. It’s a terrible thing that happened to him. I don’t understand how he could have fallen down the stairs.”

  Outside of Martha Barry and Joy Gerard, who had both been sworn to secrecy, we had decided to pronounce Barry’s death as accidental for the time being. The passengers didn’t need to know the ins and outs of what had really happened. Besides, we wanted the killer to think we believed the incident had been an unfortunate accident. The killer would never know we found a section of the fishing twine.

  “It is a tragedy,” I commiserated. “But who knows about these things. Perhaps, Dr Barry was distracted and missed his step.”

  Downes nodded but remained silent while his eyes did most of the talking. And they told me he wasn’t thinking about his friend’s death right now.

  I shifted in my seat, wanting to be gone from here. “Doctor... I mean... Cliff,” I smiled uneasily. “I have something rather personal to ask you and I hope you’ll be able to assist with this inquiry.”

  He shot me a look of curiosity. “What is it?”

  “Well...” I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, and I remembered how I’d made fun of Smythe abou
t having ways to make people talk. Downes, however, was creepy despite his good looks, and I didn’t want to play games with him. The best approach, therefore, was to be direct. “We learned Dr Barry was in some sort of cheaters’ club and we’d like to get more information on this if possible.”

  Downes’s gaze suddenly sharpened and he exclaimed in a defensive tone, “And what’s this got to do with me or with Dr Barry’s accident, for that matter?”

  I tried to reassure him without giving him any pertinent information about Barry’s true cause of death. “Please, Cliff; I don’t mean to be insensitive or judgemental in any way. I really wouldn’t be asking this question if I didn’t think it would be valuable in assisting us with the investigation. I do know for a fact that you and Dr Barry are members of this club.”

  Downes stood abruptly and I stood with him. He threw me a look of indignation when he responded, “How dare you! How dare you come in here asking inappropriate questions! I’m a married man, and I don’t know anything about a cheaters’ club. Whoever gave you this information is wrong!”

  “Is your wife travelling with you?” I could see some of his clothes strewn around the cabin, but there was nothing feminine in the place.

  Downes sighed with exasperation. “If you must know, my wife is with her sister right now. My sister-in-law’s undergoing some medical tests and my wife wanted to be with her. So no, Ms Ferrari, my wife is not travelling with me. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  I knew I wasn’t going to get anything out of him, not judging by his reaction. “Very well, Doctor. I’m sorry to have upset you, but please know I’m only doing this because of the investigation. This is nothing personal.”

  Before I could take a step toward the door to get out of there immediately, which was what I wanted to do, Downes zeroed in on me like an eagle spotting prey and pulled me into his arms with a hand going directly to my breast. His mouth was inches away from mine as he uttered, “You know, I think when you heard about this so-called club, you were curious and wanted a piece of the action. And while there is no such club, I’m happy to oblige; if only to teach you a lesson.”

  His mouth came down hard on mine and he pushed me against the wall, trapping my body with his. I tried to push him off me, but he was too strong. Both his hands went straight to the waistband of my leggings and he tried to pull them down. When he couldn’t, due to my squirming all over the place in an attempt to free myself, he simply slipped one hand inside the leggings. His fingers made their way into my panties and slipped between my legs. His other hand, meanwhile, wove its way inside my blouse and into my bra, his fingers finding one of my nipples and pinching it so hard, I yelped in pain despite his mouth still being attached to mine.

  I managed to turn my face away from his and broke the assault on my mouth, but he kept me pinned to the wall. He pinched my nipple once again, sending waves of pain through my breast. Then, before I could do anything, his other hand came away from the leggings, and he unzipped his jeans. He pulled out his erect penis and I felt like gagging. He was going to rape me while I was pinned to the wall.

  I closed my eyes and summoned up my strength through the anger I felt coursing through me at being violated in such a fashion. The bastard wasn’t going to get away with this. I suddenly went limp and allowed him to lower my leggings and panties. He breathed hard and fumbled to try and find the opening between my legs with his cock.

  I moaned as if excited and he glanced at me with triumph in his eyes. “I knew you’d want it,” he whispered harshly in my ear and eased the pressure of his body against mine so he could position himself to enter me.

  My arms were now free to move and I waited for my opportunity. Downes’s jeans were bunched up around his ankles along with his undershorts, while one of his hands held his penis and the other rested on my hip, trying to position me for his entry. I cringed with repulsion when I felt the tip of his cock between my legs. Then, I struck.

  My hand shot out from nowhere and grabbed hold of his dick so hard that Downes yelled in pain, a look of shock in his eyes. I pulled on his member with all my strength and he went down screaming, at the same time trying to get my hand off his organ.

  When he fell to the floor writhing in pain, I pulled up my panties and leggings and I kicked him in the balls for good measure. The good doctor wasn’t going anywhere for a while. I stood over him briefly and looked at him with contempt. “You fucking, hypocritical bastard!” I yelled. “Count yourself lucky I don’t cut your prick off with a knife.”

  Downes didn’t have the energy to respond. He simply stayed down; now lying in a fetal position and groaning. I kicked him in the ribs and made him scream again before I got out of the cabin, slamming the door shut behind me.

  I then ran down the passageway and headed for the lifts. And when I turned into the lift foyer, I collided with Mark Evans. He took one look at my dishevelled appearance and placed his hands on my shoulders to steady me.

  “Mia, are you all right?” He gazed at me with concern. “What happened?”

  “Oh, Mark...” This was all I managed to say before I collapsed against him. My legs went weak and I was sure I was going to fall. Mark picked me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing and when the lift arrived, he entered with me still in his arms. I hung onto him, still processing the shock of what had just happened, and kept my eyes closed.

  A few moments later, I felt myself being deposited on a bed with Mark leaning over me, softly checking parts of my body in case I was injured. I opened my eyes and realised I was not in my cabin but his.

  “I’m calling the doctor,” Mark said when he couldn’t find anything wrong.

  My hand shot out before he could turn away and I grabbed hold of his wrist. “No. No. I’m okay, really. Just give me a moment to catch my breath and I’ll tell you what happened.”

  He looked relieved. “Let me get you a drink. It’ll help to calm you. How about cognac?”

  I nodded and he came back with a small glass filled halfway with the golden liquid. I swallowed the contents down in one gulp, feeling the fiery drink make its way to my stomach and warming me up. Mark took a seat on the bed, eyeing me closely. “Can I get you anything else?”

  I shook my head and sat up, leaning back against some pillows. “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you. I just need a moment.” I ran my fingers through my hair.

  “Your lipstick’s smeared all over your face,” Mark said. “I’ll get you a damp towel.”

  He disappeared into the bathroom and returned momentarily with a face towel and shaving mirror. I took the mirror and looked at my face. It was a mess—red lipstick smeared all around my mouth and mascara running down my cheeks, making me look like a sad clown. I wiped away at the make-up until I removed all traces of it. Then, I handed back the items to a waiting Mark and asked for another cognac.

  When he gave me another glass, I sipped the liquid slowly. “Dr Cliff Downes just tried to rape me.”

  The look on Mark’s face was one of horror. “My God! Did he hurt you? I should call the doctor plus security. I’ll have the bastard thrown in the brig!”

  I placed a hand on his arm to reassure him. “I’m fine. Honestly. He didn’t hurt anything vital. I’m a little bruised because he pushed me against the wall, but I’m okay. He’s the one who’s going to need help, though.” I then related what I did to the guy and saw the growing amusement in Mark’s eyes.

  “He deserved it.”

  I agreed. “Let’s just say he won’t be using his pecker for a long time.”

  “Still, Mia, you took a big risk; and he did try to rape you. The captain has the power of arrest, you know. We can throw him in the brig until we reach Hawaii and then hand him over to the police.”

  “No, Mark. I think he’s been punished enough. Besides, it’ll be his word against mine. Plus he could try to press charges against me for kicking him in the balls. I’m sure he’s going to be more bruised than I am; and he won’t forget this for a long time to come.”r />
  Mark smiled and caressed the side of my face. “Very well. Whatever you say.” His eyes regarded me with admiration. “I see we’re all going to have to watch out for you.”

  I became momentarily lost in his gaze and knew if he made a pass at me I would respond, but now was not the appropriate time. “I... er... It’s late. I’d better get going. Thank you for helping out.” I went to stand up and he assisted by taking hold of my hands and pulling me gently to my feet.

  “I’m walking you to your cabin,” he offered.

  We made our way to my cabin and I glanced at my watch when we stopped outside the door. “It’s quite late. I’m sorry I took up so much of your time.”

  “Don’t be silly,” he assured me. “I’m doing the graveyard shift tonight in any case.”

  “Well, thank you once again, and good night.”

  I went to turn to open the door, but not before he took hold of my face between his hands and kissed my lips softly. “Sleep well,” he muttered against my mouth, and then he was gone.

  I stood outside the door for a moment, watching him walk away. It was when I turned to go inside that I noticed Smythe frowning at me from his open doorway.

  Chapter 11

  “So this is what you get up to when you’re supposed to be investigating a crime!” Smythe pushed my cabin door open just as I was about to close it. He stood in the small foyer of the room, glaring at me.

  I sighed tiredly. This was the last thing I needed after the episode with Downes. My body cried out for sleep, and the one thing I didn’t want to do was lock horns with my archenemy. “Can’t this wait till tomorrow? I’m beat.” I heard the exhaustion in my voice.