by Debby Mayne
Chapter 10
Now I was nervous. How on earth could Betty possibly know I was having dinner with the doctor, unless she was right there with us? Or unless the doctor had called and told her. That pretty much creeped me out.
I took a step back. “I wouldn’t call it a date. We’re just having dinner.”
“Call it what you want, Autumn, but in my day, when a woman had dinner with a man, it was called a date.”
I wasn’t sure what to say about having dinner with Doc Healey, so I changed the subject. “How are you feeling?”
Betty scrunched her nose. “It’s none of your business how I’m feeling. Why would you ask such a silly question?”
“I’m …” There was no point in explaining or apologizing, so I let my voice trail off. “I’d better go. If you don’t need anything …”
“I do need something.”
Dread washed over me as I tried to imagine what this woman could possibly want from me. And it made me feel guilty that I had no desire to do whatever it was she was about to ask me to do.
“Can you run to the store and pick up a few things for me?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.” She placed a hand on her hip and bobbed her head. “You don’t think I would have summoned you if I didn’t want you to do it now, do you?” She pulled her head back and gave me a long look. “Don’t tell me you thought I just wanted to chat.”
Was she completely unaware of how rude she was being? What was up with these bossy passengers?
She pulled a slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to me. “Here’s my list. Just tell them to put it on my account.”
I glanced at it and saw a list of various types of candy bars, a digestive aid, and a bottle of pain relievers. “Can it wait just a little while? I can let you borrow some of my Advil if you have a headache.”
“No, I want that stuff now … or at least as quickly as you can get it for me.”
The tone of her voice sounded desperate, and I wasn’t in the mood to argue or even talk with her any longer than I had to. Running down to the ship’s store would at least get me away for a little while. So I finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll go get it now.”
“Good girl. Hurry.”
Instead of heading back to my cabin first, I made an about-face and went straight toward the store. I couldn’t find a couple of the candy bars, so I went to the clerk and asked about them.
“You wouldn’t, by any chance, be picking up these items for Betty Farber, would you?”
I hadn’t yet told her to charge the purchase to Betty’s account, and that made me wonder how she knew. “I am. Why?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “She does this on every single cruise.”
“Does what?”
“She picks someone—typically a young woman traveling alone—and has them run errands for her.” The clerk put the items in a bag. “And she always asks for the same candy bars, even though she knows we don’t carry all of them. I don’t know why she keeps doing the same thing but expecting something different.” A grin formed on the clerk’s face. “And you realize that’s the definition of insanity, right?”
“Maybe she’s hoping you’ll get them in if she keeps asking.”
“Maybe, or—” She pressed her lips together.
“Maybe what?”
“Never mind. Is there anything else you need while you’re here? We have a special on sun visors and sunscreen.”
“No, that’s okay, but thanks. I really need to get moving.”
“If you don’t want to keep running down here, remind Ms. Farber that we deliver.”
“I’m surprised she doesn’t already know that.”
“Oh, she does.” The clerk smiled again. “But for some reason she seems to enjoy having other passengers do this for her.”
I felt my shoulders sag as I gave in to my thoughts and feelings. “That’s rather strange, don’t you think?”
“It is, but if you know Betty …” She shrugged. “She’s different. After a while, you come to expect odd behavior. Just be careful, and if you can do it without being obvious, you might want to avoid her.”
“Really? I don’t want to be mean to her.”
“I’m not saying you have to be mean, but there is usually more than one way to go where you need to be.”
I smiled at the woman who I suspected was on the same page as me. But that still didn’t negate the fact that I wasn’t getting what I needed out of this cruise.
When I arrived at Betty’s cabin door, she flung it open before I had a chance to knock. “Did you get everything on my list?”
“Unfortunately, no. They didn’t have some of the candy bars you wanted.”
She scowled as she grabbed the bag from me, opened it, and glanced inside. “And why didn’t they?”
“I have no idea. The clerk said—”
“I don’t know why on earth they don’t carry stuff people keep asking for.” She turned around and tossed the sack onto the dresser before facing me again. “Want to come in? I have some of my homemade cherry brandy. I don’t drink it myself, but people tell me it’s good. Harvey Bailey can’t seem to get enough, so I usually make a couple of bottles just for him. The captain likes it too. And my late husband, rest his soul—”
“I appreciate the offer, but no, I really need to start getting ready.”
She looked me up and down. “What’s wrong with the way you look now?”
“I don’t think anything’s wrong with how I look, but I need to freshen my makeup and put on something a little dressier.”
“Oh, so now you care how you’re dressed?” Betty shook her head. “You didn’t seem to be concerned when I told you to put on something a little nicer.”
“But I—”
“Oh, never mind. Go do whatever it is you have to do. Never mind that this little old lady …” She tilted her head and gave me a pitiful look. “This lonely little old lady has something to say.”
She sure did know how to pull my strings. “I can stick around for a few minutes.”
“No, you said it yourself. You need to get ready.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that …” My voice trailed off as I realized I didn’t have anything else to add.
She leaned forward and placed her hand on my arm. “Seriously, Autumn, you might want to consider staying closer to home for your next vacation. I don’t think you’re cut out for cruising.”
I was sure that made sense to her, but she obviously didn’t know anything about me. Besides, who was she to talk since she spent all her time on the ship? “How about you, Betty? Why do you cruise?”
She shrugged. “Got nothing better to do.”
“Do you have a home?” I cleared my throat. “I mean on land?”
“What business is that of yours?”
“Sorry.” I lowered my gaze. She was right. It was absolutely none of my business.
“Don’t get all worked up, Autumn. You’re way too sensitive for your own good.” She paused. “If it makes you feel any better, yes, I do have a house on land.”
“That’s nice.”
“No, it’s terrible. My children—my grown children—have already started fighting over who gets it when I’m gone. That’s why I hate going home. They stick me right in the middle of their stupid squabbles. I kept hoping they’d grow up and move far away, but every stinkin’ one of them bought a house within a mile from where they grew up. Why couldn’t they be like most kids?” I thought she was finished until she opened her mouth and continued her rant. “That’s not all. When I’m home, they expect me to drop everything and babysit when they want to go out.”
Now I had way more information than I asked for or even wanted, so I took a step back, hoping to get away before this conversation got any more personal. But she reached out and yanked me back before I could make a break for it.
“But I’ve got news for them. I’ve already set up my will, and not a one of them will get the house or an
ything of value.”
“I’m sure everything will work out.”
She cackled. “I just wish I could be there for the reading of my will. I tried to talk my attorney into staging my death so I could see the looks on their faces when they find out the only thing they’ll be left with is each other ...” She lifted her hands. “And then I’d pop out of the closet and shock them.”
This conversation was getting on my nerves. “Betty, I really need to go now.”
“Suit yourself. I don’t know why I thought you’d be any different from the others.”
“The others?”
“Yeah, all the other young people who try to get favors from me. They make nice with me, but when I ask for one thing, they want to turn and run.” She made an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose that’s how kids are today. There’s no telling what’ll happen to society after my generation is gone.”
As tempting as it was to defend myself—and my generation—I resisted the urge. All she was doing was getting me worked up over something that didn’t really matter in my life and had absolutely nothing to do with me. Based on the look on her face, I was pretty sure she knew what she was doing, and I could tell she enjoyed every minute of it too.
I finally managed to get away from her and into my cabin. After closing the door, I locked it and threw myself across the bed. If I’d known earlier in the year what I knew now, I either would have booked my vacation somewhere in the mountains or at the beach. But it was too late for that, so I planned to make the most of what I had.
I was excited about wearing one of the gowns I’d purchased when Dillard’s had their end-of-season sale. It had a black background, an empire waistline, and teal sparkles on the bodice.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror and did my slightly wavy hair in the up-do I’d been practicing for weeks. Then I topped off my makeup and added some coral lipstick for that extra pop of color. I hoped I was dressed appropriately for dinner with Doc Healey.
Since I didn’t feel like running into Betty again, I quietly slipped out of my cabin and went in the other direction. Even though it was a longer route to the infirmary, I wasn’t in the mood for another lecture.
I was about to make my last turn toward where I was supposed to meet Doc Healey when I heard a couple of people talking. I slowed down right before I recognized Harvey Bailey’s voice. “Do you think Autumn knows about Charlie?”
“Oh, I’m sure she doesn’t,” Judith replied. “Because if she did, she’d never agree to have dinner with him. From what I’ve seen, she’s not one to take risks like that.”
“Yeah, she does seem a bit stodgy for someone her age.”
“Not only that, she doesn’t seem to know much about human nature, let alone the signs of a man who’s desperate.”
I stopped in my tracks and caught my breath. What had I gotten myself into?
Harvey belted out a laugh. “I’m sure she’ll find out, though. That’s not an easy secret to keep, and he’s never been good with a poker face.”
Chapter 11
Okay, now I was confused. I wasn’t sure whether I should continue on as though I hadn’t heard anything or if I should go to my cabin, lock the door, and not come back out until I could leave the ship … or something else.
I leaned against the wall, chewed on my bottom lip as I took a couple of breaths, and tried to make some sense of their conversation. But it was impossible, considering the fact that I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. My next thought was What would Summer do?
They changed the subject, as their voices grew faint, indicating they were heading in the other direction. I let out a breath, squared my shoulders, and lifted my chin. I needed to follow through with my plans since I’d committed, but I now knew I needed to watch for signs of some secret that I needed to know.
Unfortunately, Harvey and Judith were probably right about the fact that I didn’t understand human nature. I’d been fooled and hurt by people so many times throughout my life I’d sworn off dating for a while or getting close to new people I met. For some reason, I thought having dinner with Doc Healey would be harmless, but apparently, even that could be dangerous.
After I thought the Baileys were no longer in the corridor, I peeked around the corner to make sure. Good. They were gone.
In spite of what they’d said, I was disappointed that Doc Healey wasn’t in front of the infirmary waiting for me. Maybe he said he’d be inside. I saw that the OPEN sign hung on the door.
So I grabbed the knob and slowly turned it. As I pushed it open, I gasped. Doc Healey was nowhere in sight, but there was a woman sprawled out on the floor, clearly unconscious.
I leaned over, lifted her arm, and checked her pulse. She barely had one, so I rushed out into the hallway and hollered for help.
The first person who appeared was a man on his way to the dining room. He was dressed in a tux, so I didn’t expect him to come running, but he did. He checked the woman’s pulse and agreed with me—that she needed immediate medical care.
“Where’s the ship’s doctor?” he asked.
“I have no idea. I was supposed to meet him here five minutes ago.”
He took a step back, looked me up and down, and slowly shook his head. “Looks to me like the two of you won’t be going anywhere—that is, if he ever shows up.”
The sound of more footsteps coming toward us grabbed our attention. The first person to walk in was the captain, looking frazzled and annoyed. He narrowed his eyes and glared at me. “Where’s Doc Healey?”
“We were supposed to—”
“What’s going on here?”
The sound of Doc Healey’s voice gave me a momentary surge of relief, until he knelt down, felt the woman’s pulse, and shook his head. “It doesn’t look good.”
He looked past me and started barking orders at someone behind me. I turned around and saw Andrea standing by the door, her face scrunched in concern. She nodded and left.
Doc and a couple of the men lifted her to a gurney, and he sprang into action with needles and tubes. I had to look the other way, but I didn’t want to leave.
There was so much commotion I figured I was in the way where I stood. So I took a few steps back until Doc Healey managed to eventually get the woman stabilized.
“It’s easy to treat someone when you know what happened.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the deep masculine voice. I’d seen this man on the ship, but I had no idea who he was.
He shook his head, as he looked me in the eyes. “Everyone knows the doctor on this ship is bored, so he does things to liven it up a bit.”
“What are you talking about?” I tilted my head but managed to hold his gaze.
He pulled me off to the side. “I’ve been watching the crew, and something seems mighty fishy with a couple of them—mostly the doctor.”
“Really?” Goosebumps ran down my spine and arms. “You think he’s guilty of something?”
“I can’t say that I know anything for sure, but look at him.” He gestured toward the doctor. “He appears to be enjoying himself a tad more than he should.”
I looked at Doc Healey and saw what the man was talking about. But I didn’t want to think he might do something unethical … or illegal.
“You don’t think he …” I grimaced. “I mean, you’re not saying he …” I couldn’t get the words out.
“Are you trying to ask if I think he might have murdered those people?”
That was exactly what I was thinking but didn’t want to say. Not only did I not know this man, I wasn’t sure what he knew. “I’m not sure what I’m trying to ask.”
He gave me a half smile. “Let me just put it this way. I wanted to leave the ship, but my wife insisted we stay until the end. After this experience, I won’t go with this cruise line ever again.”
I doubted I’d ever cruise on any ship again, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I simply nodded.
“My wife asked me to come down here and see wh
at all the hullabaloo was about. After I tell her, she might finally agree with me.”
I smiled. “I was supposed to have dinner with the doctor, but it looks like that won’t be happening … at least not tonight.”
He gave me a stern but caring look. “You and I obviously don’t know each other, but you look to be close to my daughter’s age, so I’m going to give you the same advice I’d give her.” He paused, as his look grew even more serious. “Don’t get involved with any of the crew on this ship, or any other cruise line for that matter. They have a job to do, and nothing good will ever come of a relationship with any of them.”
“I appreciate your advice.” And I did, although I probably wouldn’t have listened to him if he’d said the same thing a few hours ago.
“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you join the wife and me for dinner, since your date is obviously occupied with something else?”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You won’t be imposing. We signed up to be at a big table to meet other people, but since this ship is no longer full, we have plenty of room.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“You must be from the South.”
I nodded. “Did my accent give me away?”
“Well …” He grinned. “That and the fact that you’re so concerned about not imposing. The only other person I ever knew who did that was my mother who was from Mississippi.”
“I’m from Nashville.”
“There ya go. That explains it.” He gestured toward the hallway. “Let’s go get my wife and head on over to the dining room.”
We were a few feet away from his cabin when the door opened and a beautiful woman about the age of my mother walked out. She smiled at her husband and then looked at me. “Bringing home strays again, George?”
The twinkle in her eyes let me know this was some sort of private joke between them. He laughed.
“She had a date with the ship’s doctor, who is tending to the commotion we heard earlier.”
The woman lifted her hands. “Say no more.” She leaned toward me and cupped her hands for a whisper. “My husband doesn’t trust this ship’s crew.”