Shattered at Sea

by Cheryl Hollon

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Have you noticed that sometimes the cleaning is not done right away?”

  “Yes!” She placed her hands on both hips in a Superman pose. “We thought it was the new girl not doing her job.”

  Edward spoke. “That smarty, Jacob, got this one right. This is where Ian has been cleaning up.”

  “Where do we try next?” Rachel asked.

  “Let me see.” Savannah consulted the list. “The next probable quiet public place is the adults-only solarium on the port side of the deck.”

  They took off and they stood looking at the packed tables.

  “This doesn’t seem right,” said Faith. “There are lots of people here.”

  Edward took Savannah by the elbow. “What’s next? He could have been here earlier, but there’s no sign of him now.”

  “The next most probable place is down in the crew area,” said Savannah. “I could check it out and meet you down at the pub. If I find him, he’s going to want a drink.”

  Savannah entered the crew stairway and followed Jacob’s directions down to the recommended level to search. This deck served as the ship’s internal freeway to move items from the docks to the ship’s stores. It was also the main portal for passenger luggage. She went to the bow of the ship where the merchandise cages were kept.

  Good thinking. These cages are used to store the shopping merchandise that is displayed on the promenade each evening throughout the cruise.

  She was careful to make no noise and crept her way to the bulkhead wall. When she examined the wall, she found a gap behind one of the cages that had a nest made out of jackets, T-shirts, and cabana towels.

  She heard a sound along the wall.

  “Ian. Come out now!” She waited.

  Nothing.

  “Ian, your parents are on board. They’re desperately worried. The security chief told them that you committed suicide.”

  After hearing about his parents’ being on board, Ian showed himself around the edge of the cage. “They told them what?”

  “They’re worried sick. You can’t keep hiding and keeping them so upset. Come on out.”

  Savannah stood between him and any chance of escape.

  Ian slowly walked around the cage and stood by Savannah. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for anyone to be upset. I meant to leave you a note where my pillbox was, but Sally didn’t have time. Then after I hid for the first day, I couldn’t risk being seen.”

  “That’s weak, Ian.” She grabbed him by the upper arm. “Anyway, we caught Albert so there’s no need to hide.”

  “You caught Albert?” The relief rippled down his face.

  “Not just me. The whole shipboard posse caught him.”

  Savannah continued. “He confessed under Security Chief LuAnn’s surprisingly effective interrogation. He was responsible for tattling on us to her as well as the power outages. Let’s go and meet your folks at the pub. You have some serious apologizing to do.”

  When Ian walked into the pub in front of Savannah, Ian’s parents jumped up and grabbed him. Uncle Howard was pumping his hand up and down like a lever, and Aunt Kate had both hands clutching his arm while she wept.

  It took quite a little while for everyone to settle, order drinks, and begin to behave like normal passengers on a sea cruise.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ian said for the hundredth time. “I couldn’t think of anything else to do. When I saw Bert, I knew he wouldn’t stop hunting me.”

  “Bert?” said Rachel.

  “Our butler,” said Faith.

  Ian clasped his pint of Guinness with both hands and took a trembling drink. “Yes, he was part of the counterfeiting ring in London.” He nodded over to Edward. “Your lot had already left for St. Albans, but I was caught up in the thrill of it. He knew about you, though.”

  “Why did he want to kill Edward?” asked Savannah.

  Ian furrowed his brow. “Apparently, he was thrown out of the family business because he couldn’t keep boys in the ring long enough to make his cash quota. After you left, he was more hands-on with the rest of us.”

  “So, I made things worse for everyone?” said Edward.

  “Way worse.” Ian shuddered. “He was the poster child for bullying small boys. But in the end, the family recognized that he would never fit into the organization and cut him off. I would guess the cruise industry wouldn’t really want a counterfeiting ringleader as one of its elite concierges.”

  Aunt Kate and Uncle Howard looked at each other. “Why didn’t you tell us? We could have moved sooner.”

  “It was easier to play along and just wait for the move. If I ratted on him—he would have hurt you.”

  Edward pounded his fist on the table, causing everyone to grab at their bouncing glasses. “You could have said something when we arrived on board. You’ve terrified everyone. Why?”

  “I didn’t want him to know about you and Savannah. He was aboard for some reason and I couldn’t risk leading him to you.”

  Savannah put a hand on Edward’s arm. “Calm yourself. We have him now and Chief Dalessio is going to turn him over to the local police department tomorrow morning at our last port in Barcelona.”

  “Are you finished with your glass demonstrations?” asked Edward.

  Savannah nodded. “I’m rather sad that they’re over. I need to be at the auction this evening. Poor Eric will be embarrassed to speak much with his broken teeth, so I said I would do all the description banter for the auction.”

  “What time does the auction start?” asked Rachel.

  “We’re going to buy something,” said Faith.

  “But you ladies already have some of my pieces.” Savannah was again amazed at how down to earth these wealthy little ladies behaved.

  “Well, we have some of your stained-glass panels and a few fused glass platters,” said Rachel.

  “But this is the first opportunity we’ve had to purchase your glassblowing pieces,” said Faith.

  The group broke up with promises to attend the auction.

  Savannah opened her e-mail icon and sent a message to Amanda and Jacob about the successful outcome of the capture of Alan’s killer and their successful search for Ian. She pushed send and changed into her little black dress for the auction. She was just about to leave when she heard the ping for a new e-mail message.

  Dear Savannah, I am happy to know that my ship’s search analysis was successful. I don’t understand why you changed the search order.

  Savannah shook her head. Of course, he would have had her start with the most probable site, but it wasn’t a public area. She smiled. Some things would forever be a mystery to him. At least he was more relaxed about those incomprehensible social puzzles.

  Miss Amanda says to tell you that the accounting system is working perfectly.

  The new analyst is training her to use all the new features. His name is Kurt. Kurt is good at customer relations. He checks on the accounting system at least twice a day. Miss Amanda says Kurt is not her boyfriend. Miss Amanda also says that Rooney and Snowy aren’t playing Lion King anymore. They are playing tag.

  I have good news. I have passed the written test to apply for a driver’s license with 100%. Miss Amanda helped me practice taking the test in difficult locations. The test was not hard. Concentrating was hard. Suzy was permitted to be with me and she sat in my lap while I took the test.

  When I become a good driver, I can help Webb’s Glass Shop pick up and deliver commissions.

  Jacob

  P.S. Suzy misses you very much.

  Savannah had never been to a cruise ship auction, but most everyone there behaved as if this were their natural environment. She was stunned to see how many glass pieces were up for bid. It hadn’t seemed like they were making that many each day, but there they were—she counted twenty-two. She had to admit that she enjoyed seeing them on raised pedestals under dramatic spot lighting. It made her question her choice to leave glassblowing to run her dad’s glass shop.


  I must find a way to get the practice of glassblowing back in my life.

  “Beautiful, aren’t they?” Eric sidled up to her and rubbed his palms together. “Wanna guess on how much we make? The winner is who guesses closest without going over. Winner pays loser a hundred bucks.”

  Savannah laughed. “No, loser buys the winner a drink. Besides, you’ve done this many times.”

  “Okay, I’ll guess first. Let’s see, there are twenty-two pieces at about an average of four hundred dollars each. I’ll guess eighty-eight hundred dollars.”

  Savannah pursed her lips. She knew that Alan’s pieces would draw a large sympathy bidding war among some of his grieving fans. “I’ll guess thirteen thousand. That’s my final answer.”

  “What’s a final answer?” Edward joined them along with both sets of twins.

  “Savannah and I are betting on the final auction value.”

  He turned to see Rachel, Faith, Richard, and Rickard all with bidding paddles. “You have no idea what will happen with these four in the auction. Better get out now.”

  The auction began with the smallest glass pieces first. Either Eric or Savannah would explain the features and the bidding would begin. It was clear right away that even Savannah had grossly underestimated the enthusiasm that the glass collectors would spend to take home a cruise memory.

  At the end, each of the twins had a piece, sometimes outbidding each other. The auctioneer turned to one of his assistants and she handed him a slip of paper. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached a new record for the glass auction. The amount raised for United Way, Make-A-Wish of America, and City Year is twenty-four thousand, six hundred and seventy-five dollars!”

  Wild applause exploded in the small space.

  Savannah could feel the color rise up her neck with the excitement of seeing her creations bring in so much money. “Drinks are on Eric!”

  Chapter 25

  Monday, sunrise near Barcelona

  Savannah folded her arms on the deck railing and reveled in the beauty of a sunrise view of Barcelona. This was her favorite time of day—before passengers were strolling about—before the bustling of the breakfast buffet—before the crowds frantic to meet their departure flights. She held a mug of cappuccino and leaned against Edward, who was holding a cup of English breakfast tea with milk.

  Edward couldn’t be still. He kept looking at his watch and she was sure he gulped his tea without even tasting it.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just a little edgy after everything that has happened on this cruise.” He drained his cup and sat it on one of the deck tables behind them. “This was supposed to be a relaxing time. It wasn’t.”

  “We’re going to have a great day! This is Barcelona. We’re going to visit every museum in town.” Savannah frowned. “This is an incredible opportunity. Why are you so nervous?”

  “Me?” Edward checked his watch and slipped his hand in his front pocket for a moment.

  “What’s with checking the time every five seconds?”

  “I asked everyone to be here and they’re a little late.” He turned Savannah back toward the view of the dock the cruise ship was approaching with sedate speed. “I’ll wait just a few more minutes and then . . .”

  “Then what?” asked Rachel.

  Edward grinned. “Ladies! Thank goodness. I was afraid my message was lost.”

  “We got a new butler,” said Faith. “He’s adorable. He looks about fifteen, but I’m sure he’s nearly thirty. Such a wonderful opportunity for him.”

  Behind them were the VanGilden brothers, who each stood behind one of the Rosenberg sisters. “Thanks for including us,” said one of the sisters. Savannah didn’t see which one.

  “Good show,” said Rickard.

  “Hey, cuz!” Ian poked Edward in the arm. “Is it done?”

  Savannah frowned and looked around at all of them. “What’s going on here?”

  Aunt Kate and Uncle Howard arrived last. “We aren’t too late, are we?”

  “No,” said Edward. He laughed. “I’ve been worrying myself silly here that I would be alone.”

  Savannah crossed her arms and began to tap a foot. “What is going on here? Are you all keeping secrets from me?”

  Edward grabbed her arms with both of his hands. “It’s not going to be a secret in a moment. Stand still, please.” He reached into the pocket he had been checking and pulled out a small black box. Then he dropped to one knee and opened the box to reveal a ruby ring.

  “Savannah,” he started, but had to clear his throat. “Savannah, one of the reasons I needed to visit my hometown was to get this family heirloom.”

  Savannah put both hands to her face to keep from squealing.

  Edward raised the ring up to Savannah. “Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

  Everyone held their breath. Savannah was an independent strong-minded woman. This wasn’t a sure thing.

  Savannah lowered her hands. She could feel the seep of tears filling her heart and the surge of emotion in her chest. She pulled Edward up so that they stood eye to eye.

  “Edward.” She paused. “Love of my life.” Another long pause. “Champion of my dreams.” The silence around them deepened. “My partner forever.” She smiled. “I would be delighted to marry you.”

  Everyone cheered. Edward removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto Savannah’s finger.

  She held out her hand for everyone to admire.

  On cue, a waiter arrived with glasses of champagne.

  “Pretty sure of the outcome, were you?” Savannah teased.

  “I marshalled every weapon in my arsenal. I knew there would be only one chance.”

  Ian raised his glass. “To the newly engaged couple.”

  After she sipped from her flute, Savannah looked Edward straight into those green eyes. “This is going to be a fantastic adventure.”

  They embraced into a passionate kiss.

  COMMON GLASSBLOWING TERMS

  annealing—Cooling the formed glass product at a controlled rate of temperature change for the purpose of relieving thermal stress. The appropriate cooling curve varies with glass type and formed shape, especially thickness. Directly related to glass cut-ability.

  battledore—A glassworker’s tool in the form of a square wooden paddle with a handle. Battledores are used to smooth the bottoms of vessels and other objects.

  bench—The bench is the center of the hot shop. It is where the artist works a piece and is where all the tools are kept. The bench has two rails spaced on either side going perpendicular to the seat; these rails are used to roll the glass pipes on.

  bit—A mass of molten glass, usually small and freshly gathered from the furnace. In a team of glassworkers, the bit gatherer removes bits from the furnace, using a bit iron. Bits are also known as gobs.

  blank—Any cooled glass object that requires further forming or decoration to be finished.

  block—A tool made from a block of wood hollowed out to form a hemispherical recess. After it has been dipped in water to reduce charring and to create a “cushion” of steam, the block is used to form the gather into a sphere before it is inflated.

  blow pipe—An iron or steel tube, usually four to five feet long, for blowing glass. Blowpipes have a mouthpiece at one end and are usually fitted at the other end with a metal ring that helps to retain the gather.

  blowing—The technique of forming an object by inflating a gather or gob of molten glass on the end of a blowpipe. Traditionally and in modern furnace working, the gaffer blows through the tube, slightly inflating the gob, which is then manipulated into the required form by swinging it, rolling it on a marver, or shaping it with tools or in a mold. It is then inflated to the desired size. In flame working, one end of the glass tube is heated and closed immediately, after which the worker blows into the other end and manipulates the hot glass.

  blown glass—The shaping of glass by blowin
g air through a hollow rod into the center of a molten glass gather.

  casting—The generic name for a wide variety of techniques used to form glass in a mold.

  frit—Ground glass, ranging in particle size from gravel-like to a fine powder. Frit is sometimes used as a raw material in glass manufacture, and sometimes as a coloring agent or for decorative effect in hot glass crafts like blowing and fusing.

  gaffer (corruption of “grandfather”)—The master craftsman in charge of a chair, or team, of hot-glass workers.

  gather—A mass of molten glass (sometimes called a gob) collected on the end of a blowpipe, pontil, or gathering iron; (verb) to collect molten glass on the end of a tool.

  marver—A marver is a large flat table. The glass piece is rolled across its surface. It is used to not only shape the glass, but to remove heat as well. The rapid absorption of heat by the marver creates a stronger skin (surface tension) than the use of a wooden tool. Marver is derived from the word marble. Marble was originally used in the construction of this specialized table. Modern marvers are made of steel, typically stainless steel. Lamp workers use small graphite marvers mounted on or near their torches.

  milli/millefiori—The Italian term, thousand flowers, used to describe mosaic glass objects.

  noodle—A fettuccini-like glass shape used as a decorative element in the hot glass arts.

  punty/pontil—A solid metal rod, around five feet long, used to hold an object being blown or hot-worked after it is removed from the blowpipe.

  stringer—A spaghetti-like glass shape used as a decorative element in the creation of vessels in glassblowing.

  GLASSBLOWING INSTRUCTION

  Making gifts of glass is my favorite hobby. My husband and I have a large kiln in the small studio behind our house that we use to fuse glass. In addition, we have been creating a series of etched glass books with the covers of each book in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. They are simply gorgeous and I always have one with me when I have an event at a library or festival. To see the process we use in making these books, go to the website sponsored by Kensington Books, www.Hobbyreads.com.