by Ava Dunne
“Is that what you do on shore, when you’re not teaching yoga?” Sebastian chose his stencil and then surveyed the small jars of acrylic. “Paint?”
“Only when a friend needs a room freshened up,” I chuckled. “I’m not known for my artwork. I like to draw, but I’m not good at it. When I worked for an event planner, my boss was very careful not to ask me to do anything design-wise.”
“So what did you do?” Sebastian asked, dipping his brush in a jar of pale blue paint. “For fun?”
“One of my best friends is an artist — a real one, with gallery showings. He lives moving from one artist colony to another, in residencies. One of my housemates, Bianca, is a performance artist, and the other one, Fawn, is the communications director for a major family foundation that does philanthropic work. I was usually running around to one event or another. Or going to a play or a movie with friends. The last few months, I thought I was planning my wedding.” I gave a sour laugh. “Which didn’t quite happen.”
“Would that have been your first marriage?” Sebastian asked.
“First. Hopefully only. But what can I do but keep going, you know? He’s a good guy, a corporate marketing type, so it was definitely a case of ‘opposites attract.’ Besides, I was a detriment to his career.”
“You’re beautiful, intelligent, articulate, have a sense of humor; what else could he want?”
“Someone who doesn’t attend protest marches or sign petitions against major corporations.”
“And yet, you work for a cruise line.”
“Ironic, isn’t it?” I agreed. “I don’t think of cruise lines as corporations.”
“If you stay here long enough, you will.” Sebastian paused. “If they asked you to stay, would you?”
“Maybe,” I pondered. “I like the studio, and the nice people seem to outnumber the not-nice people. It probably goes in cycles, like it does in most places. It was fun to have a few hours off to see a place I’d never visited before. Diamond changes up their routes. It would be a good way to see the world.”
“Your corporate fiancé didn’t take you on lavish trips?” Sebastian gave me a sideways glance.
I sat back. “Now that I think about it, no. We went to the Hamptons, but that was always business. I’ve been to LA a few times with him. Miami. He came with me to visit my sister in England once, and we took a side trip to Paris, but that was my idea, not his. He had a big client in Japan, but wouldn’t take me. I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but now that you brought it up, it makes me wonder.” I shrugged. “How did you end up with a job on a cruise ship?”
“I married young, right out of high school,” Sebastian admitted. “Too young, and I don’t know if it would have lasted, but we never had the chance to find out. She was diagnosed with cancer while we were in college, and was gone before graduation.”
“I’m so sorry!” I gasped.
“I buried myself in work and was a workaholic for a few years. I married a second time, but that ended in divorce. Her career took off, and she wanted more than what I was. I worked until I burned out, had a major problem at the job, and decided to switch careers. I’d studied engineering in college, so I signed on the ship. Been here a little over a year. This is my second contract. I’m finding out what I like to do when I’m not working.”
“Snorkeling,” I suggested. “That’s what you did today, with your friends.”
“I just started, a few months ago,” said Sebastian. “I do like it. It’s a different world under there. Has its own set of rules.”
“Just like the ship. Do you think Geri’s murderer will get caught?”
“Cooke doesn’t strike me as an idiot, Bakshi knows what he’s doing, and two FBI agents boarded at Nassau.”
“Doesn’t mean they’ll solve it.”
Sebastian rubbed his chin with one hand. “They seem pretty competent. As long as they work together instead of working against each other. But none of them strike me as the type.” He looked at me. “Does it matter if they find the murderer?”
“Yeah,” I said. “And not just because of the misinformation that I’m stepping into Geri’s blackmailing shoes.”
Sebastian shook his head. “That rumor will blow over as long as you don’t feed it.”
“Or until someone kills me.”
He put down his brush. “Do you feel in danger?”
“Not usually. But I can’t help wondering.”
“If something specific happens, will you come to me? I’ll help you.”
“Sure.” I kept it noncommittal. I put down my brush and scooted over to Sebastian. “Fire engines! Little red fire engines on a pale blue background. That looks great!”
“Thank you.” He looked at me, smiling, for a moment shy and pleased. Then, he leaned forward and kissed me.
In spite of my misgivings, I met him halfway into the kiss. His arms came around me, and I pressed closer into his chest. The kiss was filled with desire, and promise, and something deeper. He’s a better kisser than Jack, I realized. Being with Jack never felt like this. Ever. And it’s different than kissing Duncan.
I pulled away and took a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
“It’s okay.” Sebastian leaned back and regarded me.
I stared at the floor and tried not to cry.
“Sophie?” His tone was gentle. “Has someone been hassling you in a way that makes you uncomfortable?”
His kindness nearly made me crumble. “It’s just — I haven’t been un-engaged — disengaged? — for even two weeks, and everything’s happening so fast.” I gulped for air again. “I know the rules are different on the ship, but I’ve never been a casual person. One night stands aren’t usually my thing.”
“I didn’t assume they were.”
“I hope I’m not sending out mixed signals—”
“You’re not,” he assured.
“—it’s just that I’m feeling kind of mixed myself.” I looked into his kind eyes. “It doesn’t help that I’m attracted to you.”
His lips twitched. “Does that mean you’re going to avoid me from now on?”
“No. I don’t want to do that.”
“Good. I’d hate that, too.” He took both my hands in his. “It’s okay not to rush, Sophie. I’m sorry you felt pressured.”
“Another ten seconds, and we’d be rolling around, naked except for the paint.”
“I could work with that,” Sebastian said, “although the paint would be hell to wash off.”
I giggled. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I wanted to let you know that I like you. Want you.” Sebastian smiled. “Taking your time is okay.”
“And, you know, if there’s something going on with Veronika, I don’t want to get in anybody’s way.”
Sebastian laughed. “I admit, I haven’t been completely immune to Veronika, but anything between us is past. She wants to marry an American and get a green card. I’m — I don’t want to say I don’t want to get married ever again, because I don’t know. I do know that I’m not marrying her. Besides, if I was serious about Veronika, I wouldn’t kiss you.”
“Well, that’s a change from my ex.” I clapped a hand over my mouth. “Sorry. Didn’t mean that to come out sounding so bitter. Didn’t mean it to come out at all.”
“It happens,” said Sebastian. “We good? Still friends? Make any decisions beyond that at some other point?”
“Yes.”
He smiled at me. “Let’s finish up these racks.”
The lack of tension in the room comforted me as we got back to work. Sebastian wasn’t feeding me a line; he was okay with being friends for the moment. I wondered what the physical and emotional consequences would have been if I hadn’t stopped the kiss, and if, by tomorrow or the next day, I’d regret not grabbing this opportunity.
…
I stood in front of Geri’s cabin. The crime scene tape was gone, but I knew, through the grapevine, no one
had been assigned to the cabin yet. It was empty.
Unless Geri left something behind.
I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t do this.
A discreet cough made me turn, and I found Stella Orsini in the corridor next to me. She wore dark blue slacks and a dark blue loose shirt, with tone-on-tone embroidery. It was a muted look for her. “You look deep in thought, darling.”
“What are you doing down here?” I asked. She wasn’t wearing her signature gardenia scent. Why?
“I like to break the rules,” said Stella. “I know there are sections of the ship I’m not supposed to visit. So those are the ones I sneak into.” She smiled. “You won’t give me away, will you?”
“No.” I promised.
“What’s so fascinating about this cabin?” Stella asked. “Boyfriend in there?”
“This was the previous yoga instructor’s cabin.”
“The one who was murdered?” At my surprised expression, Stella nodded. “Yes, I know. They’re trying to control the narrative, and most of the passengers are too self-involved to pay any attention, but Bartholomew and I heard a few things. The crew isn’t as subtle as they think, and we’re good listeners.” She shrugged. “Seems your predecessor was a conniving blackmailer. I wonder how many of her so-called friends were actually paying her off?”
“I’ve wondered that, too,” I said. “The detective found money in her room, but I wonder if she had a list.”
“You’re not taking over for her, are you?” Stella asked. “You’re not the type.”
“Seems most people on the ship think I am, but no, I’m not.” I caught up with Stella’s words. “What do you mean I’m not the type? Don’t you think I’m smart enough?”
“You’ve got the brains. Not the ice in your veins or the hard heart.” Stella looked around. “Someone’s going to come through any second. The staff spends half their time hoofing it from one end of the ship to the other. Do you want to go in and have a look around?”
“Yes. But I don’t have the key.”
“One doesn’t need a key.” Stella stepped forward. “Let me know if someone comes,” she said.
I kept watch as Stella leaned over the door. I heard the crew elevator rumble. “Someone’s coming.”
I heard a click, heard the door open. Stella stepped inside the room and yanked me with her. We closed the door as I glimpsed Viktor and Kiki step off the elevator. “What are they doing on this floor?” I puzzled.
Stella locked the door, moved to one side of it, and motioned me to get on the other side. Steps approached, echoing in the corridor, and the handle turned.
“Don’t you have the key?” Kiki asked.
“That cop took the only working key,” Viktor said. “The code was changed for the voyage and Bakshi confiscated the override keys.”
I looked over to Stella, even though I couldn’t see her in the dark.
“You’re the Second Officer!” Kiki’s voice fluttered with panic. “Can’t you open it?”
“Not even Captain Poulson can unlock it,” Viktor said. “The locks will change on the next voyage, Kiki, and you can talk your way inside and look. Or pay housekeeping to look for you.”
It didn’t sound like a bendy assignation with Viktor. It sounded more like a meeting born of desperation.
“It’s not something that would matter to anyone but me,” she said.
“Perhaps the police found it.”
“They wouldn’t know it was mine.”
“Talk to Chief Bakshi. He’s boring and trustworthy.”
“I can’t!”
“At least you don’t have to pay to get it back.”
“What if I never get it back?”
“You shouldn’t have tried to use it as collateral.”
“I didn’t have a choice!”
“Perhaps housekeeping found it and threw it away.”
Kiki was nearly in tears. I squashed the impulse to go out and try to comfort her. “You’re not helping.”
“Come away, now. If someone walks past, they will wonder why we gawp at a dead woman’s cabin.”
The footsteps receded. I started to move, but Stella touched my arm, indicating to stay put, for a minute or two of silence. Then, she whispered, “Do you have a flashlight?”
“No,” I whispered back. “I didn’t think I’d get in.”
“I have one.” Stella turned on a penlight. “What are we looking for?”
“I’m looking for a list,” I said. “I don’t know what she wanted.”
“The police must have searched,” Stella said, looking around.
“I know they found money; I don’t know about anything else. Maybe they found everything.”
“Doubt it. Not if this Geri woman was smart.” Stella flicked her light around. She stared at the rounded slats in the chair. “Hold this,” she said, handing me the light.
I trained the light on the rung. Stella ran her fingers over it until she found what she wanted. Exerting a gentle pressure, she snapped the rung out from between the two chair posts. “Hollow,” she said. She tilted it. A small locket and a rolled up piece of paper slid into her free hand. Stella handed the paper to me. “This what you wanted?”
I handed Stella the penlight and unrolled it. It contained names. “Yes.” I looked at Stella. “That locket looks old.”
Stella held it closer to the light. “Costume. Distressed to look antique. Worth about $12.95 on the market. It wouldn’t be useful as financial collateral.” She flicked it open with her fingernail. Inside was a faded picture of a woman wearing a high-necked blouse, her hair piled on top of her head on one side, and a small square of folded paper on the other. Stella snapped shut the locket and held it out to me. “But possibly emotional. Want it?”
“I’m going to find out who it belongs to and try to return it.” I swallowed. “Maybe it was Geri’s.”
“Doubt it,” said Stella. “More likely it was what that masseuse woman was looking for. Now that one, she definitely doesn’t have the brains to be a blackmailer.”
“How do you know all this stuff?” I asked. “How to pick a lock? Where to find something hidden so well the police missed it? How much the locket’s worth? Are you an undercover something?”
Stella smirked. “I’ll feed you the old ‘if I tell you I’ll have to kill you’ line and let’s leave it at that. Let’s get out of here.”
Before we could move, we heard laughter in the corridor. A loud thump indicated two bodies slammed against the door. I jumped at the vibration. We heard murmuring and giggling. Stella placed a finger to her lips.
The next door down the corridor clicked open. We heard two people enter the cabin on the other side of the bathroom, laughing, giggling, and talking in a language I didn’t understand. Stella snapped off the penlight. We could hear the two stumbling around in the far cabin, and the thunk as they hit the bed. As the unmistakable sounds of sex floated through the bathroom, Stella tapped me on the wrist, opened the door, and we fled.
…
I returned to the cabin I shared with Angie. I sat on my bunk, turned on the light, and looked at the locket again. The photo resembled Kiki. I was convinced it belonged to her. Why would Geri hold on to it? Collateral? But for what? I unfolded the square of pale blue paper in the other side of the locket. It was a fragment of a love letter, which started, “My dearest love, I am wretched without you. . .”
I carefully re-folded it, tucking it back in to the locket. I wrapped it in one of my scarves and placed it in one of the under-bed drawers, until I could ask Kiki about it, or find a safer place to stash it.
You should give it to Duncan, said that annoying voice in my head. Or the Chief. The voice I chose to ignore.
It was time to unroll the list. The writing was tiny; I wished I had a magnifying glass. I recognized some names, like Ewan Drummond, Ajeet, but most of them were unknown by name only. Kiki’s name was on it. Chief Bakshi’s was not. I let out a sigh of relief.
The reasons
for the payments weren’t listed. Another reason to feel relieved. I didn’t want that much information. Nicolette’s name was not on the list, which I found odd. If Nicolette was friends with Geri, but not one of her victims, why would she think I was a threat?
Another name on the list was crossed out with a single stroke, but I recognized it. Roz McIntyre.
…
The final show of the night was finished, and everyone dispersed by the time I reached the theatre. Frustrated, I headed for the crew bar, where Ewan hailed me. “Want a drink?” He asked.
“No, thanks,” I said. “I’m looking for Roz.”
Ewan crinkled his forehead, thinking. “She passed through here at some point. Don’t remember when.”
“Headed out for the pool?”
“Can’t tell ye.”
“Thanks, anyway.” I aimed for the pool area. I tried to peer through the unlit area, listen through the various accents to see if I could discern Roz’s shape or find her by her voice until my eyes adjusted. No luck. I didn’t want to do an intimate search of the area; I wasn’t interested in stumbling upon couples in flagrante delicto. I was about to go back inside when I saw a lump huddled off to the side, on the concrete. The wind shifted; I recognized Roz’s perfume.
I knelt by the figure. “Roz?”
Roz moaned.
“Roz! Shall I get help?”
“No.” Roz unrolled and forced herself to sit up. “Ow!”
“You’re bleeding. You must have hit your head. Did you fall?”
“I have no idea.”
“I know you drank a lot, but I didn’t think you were fall-down drunk.”
Roz glared at me. “I didn’t drink that much, no matter what Harmonia says. I don’t know why it affected me today.”
“Let me take you to the infirmary.”
“No!” Roz insisted. “Help me back to my cabin. I’ll be fine.” She sat up straighter, and patted her hair in place, wincing. “At least it’s dark; maybe no one will notice.”
I helped her stand, letting her lean on me. “Can you walk on your own or do you need help?”
“I’m walking on my own,” Roz insisted. She walked a tight circle, testing it out. “I can do this. Just don’t stray too far.”