by Annie Seaton
It would.
The same girl was in the office of Crew Queensland and she smiled at Gracie when she pushed opened the door.
“Got all the paperwork sorted?”
“Yes, all done. Any news about the job on the Midas?” Gracie asked. “I really hope there is, I am so keen to get on that gorgeous boat.”
“Great.” The girl flicked through the forms and nodded with satisfaction. She pushed back her chair and crossed the room to a cupboard on the back wall. Turning to Gracie she gestured to her dress. “Size ten?”
“Yes.”Gracie nodded and held her breath.
She came back to the counter and handed Gracie a dark blue plastic bag with a gold insignia on it.
“The vacancy came back up on the computer after you left yesterday. Must have been some sort of glitch on the system. I knew they needed someone. So your uniform’s in there, love, and some information about your duties. They’re all listed but just read the housemaid leaflet.” A brief smile crossed her face and she lowered her voice. “A bit of advice. If you’re serious about the job on the boat, try to stay out of the party scene. That’s why they go through so many staff. The girls party at night and overstep the mark and then they are calling for new staff every week.”
“Thanks. I will.” A fleeting shot of confidence filled Gracie and for a moment, she considered asking the girl about Regan before she remembered her sister had been employed out of Cairns. It wouldn’t be long before she was on the boat and could find out everything firsthand.
“When do I start?” she asked.
“I’ll just make a quick call. Give me a minute.” She picked up the phone and had a brief conversation before turning back to Gracie whose heart was pending in slow heavy beats. She put her hand on her chest as if to slow it down while she waited for the girl to speak. This was about to become a reality.
“Head on down there now, they’ll meet you and give you a roster. The Midas is the big white boat at the end of B-4.
“Thanks, heaps.” She gave the girl a wave and held back her excitement as she walked calmly to the door.
“Enjoy,” the girl called after her as Gracie stepped outside. “It’s a magnificent vessel.”
…
Jake and Ben were standing at the back of Ben’s fishing boat tinkering with the engine, or at least they had the cover off it. The boat was moored at the end of the row where Jake had been staking out the Midas.
Nah, wrong phrase. He wasn’t staking it out; he was taking photos for an insurance company. Not a cop any more.
“So what’s the go, Jake?” Ben looked up at him as he wiped his brow with an old rag he pulled from his pocket. “What was the all-fired hurry to get down here all about? And why are we pretending to play with the engine?”
“Just keeping an eye out for a friend,” Jake said.
“Jesus, mate. If it’s got anything to do with the Midas, I warned you to stay away from that boat.” Ben pointed across at the luxury motor cruiser and Jake’s gaze followed. All was quiet over there this morning; there was no activity on the deck and the doors into the saloon were closed. There was no sign of any crew.
Jake turned to his ex-partner. “I’ll tell you what’s going on if you share with me. Come on, Ben. You know you can trust me. I’ve got a bit of info that might be of use to you.”
Ben looked back at him and screwed his face up in a grimace. “I know I can trust you, Jake, but it’s not worth my job if it gets out.”
“Look, mate, all I want to know is how bad it is. I’ve got a friend who’s trying to get work on the boat and I’ve seen the antics that they get up to every night. I’ve smelled the dope, and I’ve seen who visits the boat in the early hours.” He pointed to his leg. “If it wasn’t for this bloody thing, you know I’d still be right there with you. Is there something about to go down?”
“All right.” Ben shoved the rag back in his pocket and pointed to the deck. “Sit down. I can’t give you the details…but you’re on the right track. It’s all come to a head since that body turned up in Muddy Bay. He was a crewman from a Columbian container ship out in the passage. Since that happened the operation has been escalated.” He looked at Jake curiously. “Where were you last night anyway? How come you took the boat back to Woodwark Bay?”
“How do you know I wasn’t here last night?” Jake’s cop instincts jumped right in. “Were you on surveillance somewhere, too?”
“Just noticed your old tub was gone, that’s all I’m sayin’.” Ben turned away and wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“I had to take it out in the morning and then the storm blew up before I could come back, but I’ll be here tonight,” Jake explained. He glimpsed a flash of white between two boats across the channel and put his hand up to his eyes, peering across the narrow strip of water. As he watched, Gracie appeared and walked slowly along to the end of the dock to the Midas.
Shit. It’s started
Ben gave a low whistle. “Nice legs.”
He turned to Jake who was staring across the water.
“That your friend?”
“Yeah.”
Gracie stood waiting at the back of the Midas looking up at the deserted decks. Even with the distance between them, the tension in her body was obvious to Jake. She stood stiffly and her arms were straight down her sides.
“Relax,” Jake whispered. “I’m watching.”
“A close friend?”
“Jesus, Ben. Put a sock in it,” Jake snapped, keeping his eyes fixed on Gracie
Come on, Gracie, there’s no one there. Just turn around and go back.
He held his breath and silently begged her to walk away. His stomach was a mass of knots, and he had that itching feeling at the back of his neck he always got before something went wrong.
A movement on the top deck of the cruiser caught his attention, and he looked back down to Gracie as she waved up to a man who’d stepped out on to the observation deck. Their conversation didn’t carry across the water, and Jake groaned as she stepped across to the small platform at the back of the boat and climbed the steps to the lower deck.
“Fuck.”
“It’s all right, Jake. It’s broad daylight.”
He turned to Ben. “Yeah, and we both know crimes only happen at night.”
…
Gracie stood at the edge of the concrete ramp looking up at the luxury boat. Even though she’d wandered along this boardwalk yesterday, she’d been concentrating on the people out on the decks and hadn’t paid much attention to the boat itself. The Midas towered majestically over the smaller boats in the marina, its sleek, white lines contrasting with the aqua-blue water of the small harbor. The name was written in swirling gold letters at the back end of the side facing her and two small gold crowns were embellished either side of the word, the same as on the bag she was carrying with her work uniform in it. She’d glanced across and her nerves had settled a bit. Jake and another big guy were bending over the motor on the back of a boat in the berth where his sloop had been moored the other night. She was starting to feel right at home in the marina and was getting to know her way around, and trusted she’d be safe with Jake watching. Looking up at the Midas, she tried to decide what to do. There was no way she was leaving until she got on board and saw Regan.
All was quiet, there were no crew members out cleaning this morning and she walked the length of the boat searching for someone.
Two of the three decks were enclosed with a row of windows that circled around the front of the deck and a third deck was open to the weather. She walked to the end of the walkway and put her hand to her eyes, peering up to the top deck. A man appeared at the top of the stairs and hurried down two levels to where she waited.
“Are you looking for someone?” His voice was very cultured and his white uniform was immaculate.
“The girl from the crewing agency sent me down.” She swallowed, totally focused on keeping her voice calm.
“Sorry, you’re a bit early,” he replied.
“The housekeeper went into town with the chef to restock the galley. There’s a big party on board tomorrow night.” He stood back and gestured for her to step aboard. “I’m Clive. Are you the new housemaid? Sorry, I didn’t realize you were in the marina when she rang.”
Gracie stepped through the double glass doors and followed him up a set of internal stairs into a large brightly lit saloon. Paneled walls in a rosewood timber circled the room and a red velvet bench sofa hugged the wall on one side. A glistening chandelier hung over the center of a large dining table with twelve chairs around it.
“Don’t be put off by all this,” Clive said flicking a nonchalant hand around. “Did you read the job description? Housemaids only have to look after the cabins, make the beds and turn them down each night, launder the sheets and towels in the marina while we are berthed, and do all the interior floors.”
Gracie nodded and stammered. “Yes…yes…I read it.”
He walked across and she stepped back a little as he encroached into her personal space. The room was huge, but he was so close to her, his trousers brushed against her bare legs and unease filled her throat.
Plastering a huge smile on her face, she put her bag down. “Will I wait in here?” she asked. “Or outside?”
He crossed the saloon and pulled the double timber and glass doors shut and flicked the lock over with a loud click.
“Come down below with me, and I’ll show you the cabins.”
A prickle of fear ran down Gracie’s back. The boat was deserted and now that the doors were closed, no sound drifted in from outside. She racked her brain for a way to say she’d prefer to wait without showing him how nervous she was. Moving across to a narrow doorway above another set of steps leading downstairs, he paused and looked over his shoulder. Every instinct screamed at her not to follow him.
“Follow me.”
Looking down at her watch, she put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, is that the time. I’m sorry I don’t have time to look now. I’ll wait till I meet the housekeeper. Yes…I’ll come back later.”
For a moment, he didn’t move and she smiled at him and reached for her bag. He stood staring at her for a moment and then he stepped toward her.
Gracie turned and quickly crossed the room to the outside door and undid the lock. She stepped out onto the deck before he reached her and called over her shoulder. “So I’ll come back later, shall I?”
“Leave it till the morning. I had a quick look at the roster, and the new girl starts tomorrow.” He looked her up and down. “And I’m guessing that’s you. Eight in the morning. We’ll see you then?”
Gracie thanked him and slung her bag over her shoulder, disappointment at not seeing Regan warring with relief at getting out of this situation. Clive brushed past her, a little bit too close for comfort, and looked down. Now that they were out in full view of the marina and the people walking past, gazing up at the luxury boat, she breathed a little more easily.
“Make sure you wear the uniform they gave you.” Clive pointed to the bag she was clutching. Gracie looked down at her white knuckles and relaxed her grip.
“And a pair of white-soled shoes,” he said.
He gave her a tight smile and disappeared inside, closing the door behind him. Gracie stood at the top of the external stairway. A quick glance across the water to where Jake’s old boat had been moored the night before last, confirmed his presence. He leaned, bare-chested, against the side of the boat with his arms crossed and she didn’t like the warmth that shot through her one little bit.
Jake was staring across the narrow channel directly at her and she lifted her hand to wave to him and realized just in time she wasn’t supposed to know him. She moved her hand to her hair and flicked her fingers through her ponytail, before heading down the steps.
Maybe Jake was right; maybe Regan didn’t want to be found. All her nervousness of a moment ago seemed like an overreaction now she was out in the busy marina. What did she think the guy was going to do? Kidnap her in broad daylight? She shook her head. Jake had her seeing danger where none existed and now it all seemed above board.
The only thing she couldn’t figure out was why the crew had never heard of Regan yet Gracie knew she’d been on the boat when it had left Cairns. And she was in Jake’s photographs. At least there was no sign of the two guys who’d been there the other day.
Until she got to the lower deck.
The older guy and his offsider with the buzz cut had come aboard while she was in the saloon and were deep in conversation on the lower deck. They looked up in surprise as she stepped off the last step and crossed quickly to the side of the boat before jumping across to the dock. They both looked up and she followed the direction of their gazes. Her breath caught. Clive was standing on the top deck watching her, and the man with the dark hair was standing next to him.
He must have been somewhere else on the boat, she rationalized to herself. She was determined not to get sucked into Jake’s cloak-and-dagger games.
It was going to be all right.
It was.
Gracie tried to convince herself things were coming to a nice quick conclusion. She’d see Regan in the morning and find out why she hadn’t been in touch. Then she’d thank Jake for helping her out and move back to another hotel. Maybe a short holiday with no more worries and then she’d head back to Ashby Downs. The more boring life was over there, the better it would be. All this intrigue was messing with her head.
Yes…it would all work out very nicely…and she pushed away the doubt that tugged at the edge of her thoughts.
Chapter Eleven
“Do you know what an innocent you are, Gracie? Jake almost spat the words in her face after listening to her account of her visit to the Midas.
Anger filled her as she followed him into the house from the garage. “And do you know what a rude man you are, Jake?”
He’d picked her up at the bus stop after she’d sent him a text and listened to her account of her visit to the Midas without comment as they had driven back to the house. He hadn’t responded to her enthusiastic account of everything being okay and she would be leaving tomorrow. She had turned away from him and watched the hoop pines and coastal she-oaks flash past as they’d driven back along the road edging the mangrove swamp.
When they got to the end of the hallway, he stood and turned to face her.
“You’re in my way,” she said shortly. He stepped to the side as if to let her pass and when she moved, he put his hand out in front of her and touched the wall, totally blocking her way with his arm.
She pushed past him and went to duck beneath it, annoyed at the little flutter in her stomach at his proximity.
“What is your problem?” she said.
“You are, Gracie. If you keep on going the way you are, you are going to get yourself hurt.”
She eased forward and placed her hand on his chest, dropping her bag onto the floor. “Is that a threat, Jake?” She could feel his heart thudding beneath her splayed palm. “I’ve been here for two days now and all you’ve done is carry on about me getting hurt. Like I told you in the car, it’s okay and if you keep going on about it, I can only assume you’re the one who’s threatening me.” His eyes flickered before they narrowed and her breath hitched. She had the satisfaction of knowing she pushed his buttons.
Maybe I’ve gone a little too far.
Moving to step sideways, she didn’t anticipate his sudden twist and she stumbled and came up hard against his chest. Before she could move, his arm snaked around her back and held her close against him as he lowered his head. His voice became dangerously quiet and his lips were warm against her neck.
“And what if I decided to teach you a lesson, Gracie? How wise were you to trust me and sleep in the same house as me? Did you even lock your door last night after your little seduction scene?”
“Let go of me.” Her voice shook, but she clutched his arms as her legs trembled. “What are you doing, Jake? You’re frightening me.”
His lips slid up along her neck and up to her cheek and he left a trail of light, hot kisses along her cheek until he paused at the side of her mouth. Lifting her hands, he circled both of her wrists with one hand and held them firmly above her head against the wall.
“What I’m trying to show you is that nothing is ever as it seems.” He spoke against her mouth and the vibration of his deep voice shuddered through her chest. Even though her body was trembling, heat pooled between her thighs and her nipples tightened.
“Tell me again about the nice man on the boat? What was his name? Clive?”
“Jake, you’re scaring me.” The whimper in her voice filled her with anger. God, she was such a coward. She stiffened in his grip and tried to push him away.
He pressed his lips gently against hers before he pulled back and sighed. “Clive got out of jail about three months ago. He’s just done ten years for importing drugs.” He let go of her hands and she pulled back, folding her arms protectively across her chest.
“Keeping my eyes on you is certainly not a hardship,” he said. “But dealing with your innocence is. I don’t want to see you get yourself into trouble. And there is a lot of trouble brewing on that boat.”
“How do you know?”
“Think back, Gracie. Use that brain in your pretty little head. Didn’t they tell you there were no jobs on the boat just a couple of days ago? Then you go sniffing around looking for your sister who we know is on the boat. Isn’t it strange now that a job miraculously appears and they give it to you?” Jake put his hands on her shoulders and dropped his head to rest his forehead on hers. “And all this happens after you got that note warning you to leave?”
“I know she’s there.” But even as she spoke her voice didn’t sound convincing even to her. “I saw the photos. I’ve been thinking, if she lost her phone, she would have had no way of contacting me because she doesn’t know I’m here.”