Death on the Bella Constance (A Jesse Watson Mystery Series Book 6)

by Ann Mullen

  “He’s a bad person,” I said, looking over at the doctor. “I can’t believe I was so wrong about the two of them.” I looked back at Billy and then Teresa. She lay there so quietly, as if she were in a deep sleep. And if we hadn’t come along when we did, she might be dead from a drug overdose. I conveyed my thoughts to the doctor as he inserted a needle into her arm and then started an IV drip.

  “She was on the verge of an overdose,” Dr. Whitley said. “She’s lucky you found her when you did. Another hour or so, and she most likely wouldn’t have made it. I suspect she was injected with a strong narcotic. A heavy-duty sedative would do the trick. It would stop her heart for sure. See, she has a needle mark on her upper arm.” He pointed to the spot. “He jabbed her so hard, it left a bruise. All I can do right now is give her fluids and try to flush the drug out of her system. As soon as she comes around, we’ll get her up and walking. The sooner she’s up and about, the better it’ll be for her.”

  “What about him?” I asked, looking at Billy and then to the doctor. “What are we going to do with him? He can’t be allowed to roam the ship. He’s a danger to all of us. Who knows what else he has up his sleeve. He’s stolen from passengers, tampered with the ship’s computer system, drugged Teresa, and he might also be linked to the tainted champagne glasses. We’re also quite sure that Maggie Anderson is on some kind of medication, and that someone might’ve tampered with it. All of a sudden, she started acting crazy. If Peter Dawson can hack into a secure computer, he can do something as simple as switching someone’s medication.”

  “He’s not going anywhere for a while.”

  “But we still have five days left on this cruise. No matter where we lock him up, he’ll get loose. I know he will.”

  “I’m sure that the captain has plans to contact the authorities,” Dr. Whitley said. “If he hasn’t already. They’ll take him off the ship as soon as we dock. He has a restraining order against him. Don’t worry about him. Let me put your mind at ease. He’s down for the count.”

  “I hope you’re right, doctor, because I have a feeling he isn’t done. Two days into the cruise, and he’s already committed at least four or five felonies. The best place for him is jail.”

  “I get your drift.”

  The minute the words were out of the doctor’s mouth, another wave… or something… hit the ship. The room rocked, glass rattled, and metal instruments on a tray fell to the floor. The lights flickered, and then the phone rang, startling everyone in the room… except Peter and Teresa.

  The doctor reached over and picked up the phone as I said nervously, “I sure hope we’re close to shore. I don’t think I can handle much more of this. Too much in such a short period of time.”

  “Hang in there, `ge ya.” Billy wrapped his arms around me. “We have other things to do before this day is over.”

  “I still think we should go to Maggie’s room and check her pill stash.”

  “We are,” Billy replied. “Let’s see who’s on the phone with the doctor. Maybe it’s the captain with more news for us.”

  The doctor replaced the phone back in its holder and said, “Captain O’Riley has called the authorities, and he also said that we should be docking by tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? What time tomorrow?” I asked, with fear in my voice.

  “I don’t have a timeframe. I’m sorry. He just said tomorrow.”

  “Did he say if he found anything else in the room, like drugs or needles?”

  “I asked him about that, and he said the place was clean, not so much as an aspirin lying around. They searched every inch, and the best they could come up with was a half-empty pack of Rolaids. Assuming that he was the one who drugged Miss Anderson, he probably threw the syringe overboard. That’s what I would’ve done.”

  “I think we can lay the blame at his feet,” Billy stated. “She was tied up, drugged, and left in his closet. That says it all to me.”

  Chapter 13

  Billy and I thanked the doctor for his help and started to leave to meet up with the captain when Dr. Whitley said, “Wait a second. The captain said to give him a few minutes to go back to his quarters to retrieve his phone, and then meet him at Maggie Anderson’s room.”

  The storm had worsened making it difficult to maintain our balance as we made our way down the hall back to the elevator.

  “Is it safe to get in this elevator?” I asked Billy. “The storm seems to be getting pretty bad. What happens if…”

  “We’re better off staying inside than trying to fight the wind and rain. I’d take my chances in an elevator over Mother Nature anytime.”

  I held on tightly to the handrail and Billy as we rode the elevator down to deck five. To take my mind off how scared I was, I started talking. I mentioned the ugly remark the captain had made to the person he called, and that I found his words out of character considering how polite he always seemed to be. “He called someone on the other end of the phone an idiot, and he wasn’t joking. He sounded mean and hateful. Does that sound like the captain to you? It sure doesn’t to me. He could be hiding something. Maybe he’s part of the plot. He could be covering up…”

  “Take it easy, `ge ya. I know you’re frightened being in an elevator, but I promise you nothing is going to happen. You’re safe with me.”

  The elevator came to a stop at deck five, and the door opened.

  “See, it wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “Elevators don’t scare me—being stuck in one does.” I hurried out.

  We both looked down the hallway at the same time and saw Captain O’Riley standing by the door of room 525—Maggie and Teresa Anderson’s room—waiting for us. We rushed to join him.

  The captain swiped his master keycard and opened the door while Billy pulled out a wad of latex gloves and started passing them around.

  “We don’t want to leave any fingerprints.”

  “You think of everything,” I said. “I forgot one of the first lessons you taught me—always carry a pair of latex gloves in your pocket.”

  Billy just smiled.

  The room was a mess as if someone had trashed it. Clothes were scattered about, and trash and food littered every table top and counter. There wasn’t a clean spot in the room. We walked in and waded through the sty. Something squished under my shoe, and when I looked to see what it was, I almost gagged. I had stepped in what smelled and looked like vomit.

  “What happened here?” I asked. “I’d never guess that Maggie and Teresa were such pigs. This is disgusting! How gross!”

  “You can not judge people by what you see,” Billy commented. “Things are not always what they appear to be.” He looked around. “Start looking, folks. Let’s see what we can come up with.”

  We spread out and started our search. It didn’t take long to find what we were looking for. I saw a handbag sitting on a table near the window, so I headed straight to it. I found a little red bag inside that read, I see your lips moving but all I hear is blah… blah… blah. I laughed out loud.

  “Did you find something?” the captain asked.

  “Yes, I did. I found a little make-up bag with a funny inscription on it.” I held up the bag for both of them to read. Neither one of them laughed. “Oh, y’all just don’t get it, I suppose.” I chuckled as I emptied the little red bag on the table and watched as three pill bottles tumbled out. I picked them up, examined each label, and then said, “I couldn’t tell you whether these bottles contain the pills they’re supposed to, or not. I recognize the name of one of them. Atenolol—Mom takes that. It’s for high blood pressure.” I looked at the other bottles, and then said, “I’m sure the doctor could help us out on the rest.”

  “Let me see,” Billy said, walking over to me. He took the bottles, and looked at each one of the labels carefully. “Their names sound familiar, but I couldn’t tell you what they’re supposed to look like either. We need to get them to the doctor. I’m sure he’ll know. Look around for a plastic bag to put these in.”

&n
bsp; I looked over at the top of the dresser and saw a small J.C. Penney bag. I went over, picked up the bag, and looked inside. A receipt was the only thing in the bag, so I dumped out the receipt, and held out the bag for Billy. He dropped the three pill bottles in it. We searched the room for more prescription drugs, but found none. We did, however, find something unusual. Billy found a photo stashed in a compartment of a piece of luggage that he held up for us to see. Someone had taken a picture of Teresa and Peter, smiling, with their arms around each other, showing a clear shot of a very large diamond ring on Teresa’s hand.

  “What do you make of this?” Billy asked, looking at me. “I found this hidden in a secret compartment.”

  “Evidence talks. Now that I have a clear idea of the truth, I think they were dating, got engaged, but then something went wrong. If I were a betting person, I’d bet that Teresa found out something about him she didn’t like. She broke up with him, but he didn’t take it well. When Maggie found out he was stalking her daughter, she stepped in and tried to put a stop to it. Didn’t she say he was out on bail? So, he must’ve gotten caught in the act and was arrested. He’s waiting to go to trial. He’s even got a restraining order out on him.”

  “If Maggie was out of the way, Teresa would never testify,” Billy added. “She’d be too scared without her mother’s support.”

  “If he’s out on bail, he’s not supposed to leave the state, is he? I’d say he’s violated that order. What I don’t understand is why Teresa would voluntarily go to his room and stay there for over an hour. I saw her on the surveillance camera when Bella, Savannah, and I visited your deck this morning. You have a very elaborate system. Impenetrable—up until now. I was surprised considering the size and age of the ship. I guess I didn’t expect the ship to have all this modern technology.”

  “Loukas and Bella insist upon the best, and they have the finances to make it happen. For that I am grateful. It makes my job easier. And, I can assure you that my crew will find out how Peter Dawson managed to hack into our system. It won’t happen again. Bella will see to that. She’ll be upgrading everything.”

  “She is a terrific person, isn’t she? They both are.”

  “Yes, they are.”

  His harsh words spoken earlier came back to me. I no longer fully trusted the man. Deep down, I knew he had another side to him, and I was determined to find out in my own way.

  “I imagine you must have your hands full running this ship.”

  “We must go,” Billy demanded, interrupting our conversation. “Bella and Loukas are waiting for us, and we need to take these pill bottles to the doctor.”

  “I’ll take them,” the captain said. “You two go on. We don’t want to keep them waiting any longer.”

  “I have a better idea,” I said, taking the bag from Billy’s hand. “Why don’t I take them to the doctor, and then meet y’all back at Bella’s stateroom?” The captain started to say something, but I didn’t give him a chance. “I’m sure Bella and Loukas have important things to talk about, and who better than you two to fill them in on what’s been happening? It’ll only take me a few minutes, and then I’ll join you.”

  Billy looked at me funny, and then said, “But I thought you hated riding in the elevator after what happened this morning.”

  I could tell from the changed look on his face that he was beginning to see that I had something going on in my head, and he was going to let me run with it.

  “I’ll be fine. I’m over it now.” I lied.

  “That’s a good idea,” he replied. “Thanks, `ge ya.” He winked at me. “As soon as you find out what these pills are, hurry back and let us know.”

  “I will,” I said.

  The three of us left the room, closing the door behind us, and then slipped off the latex gloves. We stuffed the gloves in our pockets as we headed to the elevator.

  Billy and the captain got off on deck six while I stayed and rode up to deck seven. I didn’t like riding in the ship’s elevator, and the fact that the sea was tossing us around like a wet rag, made the jaunt even more frightening. But I held my breath and kept it together, gladly exiting when the door opened. I walked briskly as I made my way to the Med Center. By the time I got there and handed over the bottles, my insides were shaking.

  “You appear to be a little frightened, Mrs. Blackhawk. Would you like something to calm your nerves? I could give you a Valium. Nothing strong, just the lowest dose.”

  “I don’t think so, doc.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No, I’ll be okay. Thanks anyway. And please call me Jesse.”

  His eagerness to give me a sedative for my nerves only made me more nervous. Right now, I didn’t trust too many people. Was I going to have to add him to the list? He seemed satisfied with my last refusal, and went about as if nothing was wrong. Me and my doubts—what was I going to do with myself?

  “Okay, Jesse,” he replied as he, too, slipped on a pair of latex gloves. “Let’s see what you have here.” He looked at the label on the first bottle, opened it up, and then said, “Atenolol… 50 mg… white pill… twice a day. Yep, that’s correct. That’s quite a bit. Her blood pressure must be hard to control if she has to take that much every day.” He closed the bottle, set it down on the counter, and then looked at the second bottle. “Clonazepam…0.5 mg… yellow pills, twice a day. Yep, that’s right. Let’s look at the last one here.” He looked at the label and said, “Nabumetone 500 mg… twice a day. Hmm, I take these for arthritis myself.” He opened the bottle, shook a few pills out into his hand, and said, “I don’t think so. No, these aren’t Nabumetone.” He looked up at me. “I need to check my PDR to be absolutely certain, but I’m quite sure this is Adderall… 30 mg…”

  “What’s Adderall?”

  He reached up, pulled down a book, and started flipping through the pages. The book was almost three inches thick and was filled with pictures of pills of all shapes, sizes, and colors. I was lost when it came to keeping up with the good doc. He scanned the pages, finally coming to a stop in the middle of the book where he found something of interest.

  “Here it is,” he said, pointing to a pill. “Adderall is an amphetamine used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. My daughter takes these pills.” He thumbed through the pages, stopped and pointed at the picture of pills. “See, right here… Adderall… 30 mg.”

  I looked at the picture and then at the pill on the counter. “They look the same. You were right.”

  Dr. Whitley hesitated for a minute, thinking, and then said, “If she was combining these pills according to directions on the bottle, she was on a roller coaster ride. No wonder she acted so strangely. It explains everything. I’m not surprised she was so unruly. She’s lucky she didn’t kill herself.”

  “I think that was the whole point, doctor.”

  Teresa moaned, opened her eyes, and tried to speak. She was beginning to come out of her drug-induced state. It only took her a few seconds to realize where she was.

  “Where’s my mother?” she asked in a panic. “Is she all right?” She tried to sit up, but had to lie back down. “My head’s killing me.”

  “That’s a side effect from the drug,” Dr. Whitley said as he slipped off the latex gloves and walked over to her. “It should go away soon.”

  I followed and added, “You’re going to be fine.” I reached over and took her hand in mine. “Do you remember what happened?”

  She started to cry. “He… he… he demanded that I come to his room. He said we had to talk, so I went to his room. He started saying all kinds of crazy stuff… and when I tried to leave, he stabbed me with a needle. He injected me with something. I don’t remember much after that.”

  I wanted to hurry up and tell Billy what I had just learned, so I didn’t waste time. I blurted out everything we knew about her and Peter—the hour they spent together yesterday, and their meeting last night—and then I asked her to fill in the blanks.

  “We dated, I broke it off,
and then he started harassing me. He followed me here and forced me to see him. He threatened my mother. He said he would kill her if I didn’t do what he wanted. He even said that it was in the works. I didn’t know what he meant. When I asked him to explain, he did this to me.”

  “I see,” I responded.

  There was more to this story, but it was clear to me that she wasn’t ready to tell all. So, I threw her a bone. “Did you know that your mother’s medication has been tampered with? She could’ve died. Sad to say, she had a psychotic episode and stabbed Peter in the chest with a fork.”

  “What? What did you say?” She coughed. “May I have some water, please?”

  “Sure,” the doctor said. He walked over to the counter, got her a cup of water, and brought it back to her. “Hold on a minute.” He handed the cup to me, and then raised the head of the gurney so that she was sitting in a slightly elevated position. He took the cup from me, and when he handed it to her, he told her to drink slowly.

  She drank from the cup, and then asked for more.

  “That’s a good sign,” Dr. Whitley said as he retrieved another cup of water. “You’ll probably feel a little out of it until the drug leaves your system. It might not be too pretty.”

  “I don’t care about me,” she said as if she really didn’t. “All I care about is my mother. Is she going to be all right? Will she face charges? She doesn’t deserve to be punished. He drove her over the edge. I know he did! It was all his fault!”

  My heart went out to her. Until I moved to the mountains and found myself a new life, I had similar feelings. I never felt as if my life meant nothing, but I did feel as if my life had no direction. It’s ironic how life can change in an instant. Perhaps hers would, too.

  “Now that we know about her medication, she can get back on her regular regime with the correct pills,” the doctor continued. “She’ll be back to her old self in no time. As far as the legal end of it, I don’t know what will happen.”