“So who put them in William’s room? That leaves the suspect as Odessa.” John came around from the temporary wall.
“I was wondering when you’d show yourself,” I said. “Or it’s Lucinda, who’s been hiding out most of the cruise. From what I’ve heard, William has been taking care of her. The only way to prove Odessa is guilty is to see if she has the bracelet.” It was time to take Odessa off the culprit list once and for all. Odessa had been with her family when Ronnie died, surrounded by us. There was no way she had taken the bracelet, and the only way to solve the case and make sure no one else was killed was to get John onboard with the rest of us. We needed him to help find the real murderer, not chase after a phantom.
“And just how are we going to do that?” Worry shone on Garrison’s face.
“With this.” John held up a keycard. “With Odessa occupied, now’s the perfect time to take a quick look in her suite.”
There was an itch in my gut. Call it woman’s intuition or bad memories taking root, but I didn’t trust John Roget for one second. There was a reason he wanted us with him. Witnesses. I had a feeling we were being set up to find the evidence.
And I’d make sure John paid for the deception.
TWENTY-SIX
The Presidential suite was like a mini apartment at sea. There were two separate bedrooms, a mini kitchen minus a stove, and a large living room with a small dining table tucked in the corner. No wonder John suspected his ex-wife. The room had to have cost the amount of a small car, and this was only one of the rooms Odessa booked for the week. I bet Garrison and Bob’s room was about the same size with identical amenities.
“We’ll have to split up,” John said. “This is a large space. We don’t know how long Odessa will be gone. I’ll take her room, Faith the main living area, and Garrison can handle the other bedroom where Elizabeth and Claire are staying.”
“Okay,” I said, almost a little too eagerly. I held my breath, waiting for the guys’ reaction. Either my ears heard a tone no one else did, or they weren’t concerned about my joy in rifling through Ted’s belongings and the main area. I had a strong hunch John was finding incriminating evidence in Odessa’s space.
I got busy in the main room, putting on a good act of really believing I’d find something in there. I wanted John to think I wanted Odessa pegged as the guilty party so his guard was down. It was the only way to stop him.
“My goodness, these girls travel with a lot of stuff. How many outfits does one child need?” Garrison’s voice carried from the other room. “I don’t see any jewelry in here.”
“Look for a safe,” I said. “There might be one in every room. Ted is living out of his suitcase.” I unzipped the suitcase quickly. The teeth made a loud whizzing sound. It was really quiet in Odessa’s room. After a few seconds, I slowly zipped it back up, taking care so there was no sound. “I need to make sure I don’t move things around too much. Ted will notice. Everything is in a particular order.”
“Fortunately, I don’t have that problem. Claire and Elizabeth like things haphazard.”
I snuck over to the door to Odessa’s bedroom. It was cracked open. I touched it with my fingertip, creating a little more space. I peered in. John was on the floor, the upper part of his body under the bed. The large honeycomb quilt hung to the floor on all sides. Quietly, I tiptoed over to the opposite side of the bed and flattened myself on the floor.
Grabbing the end of the quilt, I yanked it up. John’s eyes widened. His right arm was outstretched toward the corner of the bed. An object glittered at his fingertips. Was he shoving it in the small spot between the bed and nightstand or had he found it?
I felt sick. “What are you doing?” I practically yelled.
“Finding evidence.” He seized the item, yanking it out.
I scrambled to my feet and ran over to him. In his haste, John dropped the item. I grabbed for it. John leaned down at the same time. We clunked heads together. I blinked away the pain and closed my fingers around the bracelet. My bracelet. I was right. The delicious feeling of vindication didn’t last long. I was furious.
“How can you do this to your ex-wife? Your sons’ mother. You loved her at one time.” The bracelet shook in my hand. If I was any angrier, I’d crush the diamonds into dust.
“Why are you yelling at me?” John fired back. “Odessa is the one that took your bracelet.”
“That’s a lie. You planted it here.”
John backed away from me, surprise and hurt splashed across his face. “That’s where I found it.”
“She never had an opportunity to take it,” I said. “It was in my purse. I dropped it in Ronnie’s room. There was no way she was able to make it to Ronnie’s room before Garrison retrieved it.”
“The captain spotted your purse on Ronnie’s veranda, Faith. That’s why he decided to get Ted and have him help search the room and collect the evidence. He knew Ted had experience with criminal investigations and was still in law enforcement. Captain Henderson wanted everything done by the book.”
“So, you’re saying…”
“No one went into the room before you and Garrison returned. I was watching,” John said. “I told Captain Henderson that I knew it was your purse so I grabbed it and gave it back to you. It wasn’t evidence.”
“And he was okay with that?”
“No, but it was too late. I didn’t want you or Garrison getting in trouble for going into the room.”
“The bracelet was stolen before I dropped my purse.”
John nodded. “Odessa made you take it off.”
I scowled, not sure who I was angry with at the moment. “You sure do know a lot of things you weren’t around to witness.”
“The captain witnessed Odessa’s tantrum and relayed it to me.”
“What’s with all the yelling?” Garrison entered into the room.
I pointed at the bracelet. “John found it under the bed.” I let the sarcasm flow when I said found.
“Someone put it there.” Garrison reached for the bracelet. “It wasn’t Odessa.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“I sure didn’t place it under her bed.” John wrapped it in a handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket.
“I’d believe that before I’d believe Odessa stole Faith’s bracelet.”
So would I.
“She was the one who threw a fit and had Faith take it off for the pictures.” John pulled out his cell phone and texted a message. “We’ll just let the captain decide.”
An idea took root. “The captain gave you a copy of Odessa’s key. Right?”
John’s expression answered the question for me—affirmative.
“The captain heard Odessa asking me to put the bracelet in the purse. So…” I trailed off. John’s complexion worried me a little. Was the man about ready to have a heart attack? I tilted my head toward John, hoping Garrison understood what I was trying to say with the spastic movement of my neck.
“Are you all right, John?” Garrison asked begrudgingly.
“Are you kidding me?” John pushed out the words. “You’re accusing the captain? Have you lost your mind?”
“All the pieces of the puzzle point to him.”
“Except he hired me. The fact was the bracelet wasn’t found in Ronnie, William, or Lucinda’s room. The other person the captain suspected of being involved was Odessa.”
He had a point. Scrap it all.
There was a gasp by the door. We turned. We’d been so involved in blaming, we hadn’t heard the door open.
Claire stood in the doorway, her eyes wide. “Grandma. Daddy. Faith is in Grandma’s bedroom.”
“Faith, what…” Ted stopped talking. His gaze traveled over us a few times, like he’d run us over and was backing up and repeating the drive-over a few times.
John, Garrison, and I closed ranks, picking the plan of “safety in numbers” as our defense.
“What in the world? Why are the three of you in my room? I’m
calling the captain on you.” Odessa pointed her middle finger at John.
“Don’t bother.” John smiled. “I’ve alerted him to the situation.”
“What situation?” Ted side-eyed his father.
“The stolen bracelet being in Odessa’s room.” John pulled my bracelet from his pocket and held it up.
“Stolen bracelet?” Odessa’s brows drew down. “Why in the world would I take someone’s bracelet? I have enough jewelry of my own.”
“Not someone’s. Faith’s bracelet. The one you didn’t want her wearing.”
Slowly, Odessa turned and faced me. She crossed her arms, raising one hand to cup her chin.
Ted, Garrison, and John backed away. I was in trouble. Huge.
“You think I took your bracelet.” Odessa paused, holding up her index finger. “Excuse me, you think I stole your bracelet, so you had John and Garrison come help you search for it?”
Claire bit her lip, sliding behind her father.
“No.” Denial squeaked out of me. “The bracelet was stolen the night Ronnie went overboard. John told me he was coming to look in your room because the bracelet wasn’t found in the other rooms searched. I was afraid he had it and was trying to plant evidence against you. I was here to stop him. I just didn’t do a very good job.”
“I didn’t plant it.” John’s face purpled. “It was here.”
There was a loud rap on the door.
“We’ll see what the captain has to say.”
Odessa walked out of the bedroom. We trailed behind her, like a gaggle of paparazzi following the next big story.
John brought up the rear. “Go right ahead. The captain hired me. He’s been trying to find out who’s been stealing jewelry from passengers and replacing them with high-quality costume pieces.”
Trembling, Odessa turned. “Captain thinks I’m involved?”
“Your name came up.”
Tears shone in Claire’s eyes.
“We should discuss this later,” I said, hitting my foot into John’s shin.
“We don’t have a choice.” John opened the door. “Come on in, Captain Henderson.”
Odessa hustled over to Ted, standing slightly behind her son.
The captain placed one foot into the room.
“I did it,” Claire whispered. Her scared voice sounded like a gunshot. “I took Faith’s bracelet. She didn’t deserve to have it.”
Claire had been standing by the photographer that night while our group played “move Faith around to get the proper portrait.”
“This seems more like a family matter. I’ll take my leave.” Captain Henderson reversed out of the room.
“Why would you say Faith didn’t deserve her bracelet?” Garrison asked.
“Because she cheated.”
“I didn’t cheat.” Once again, I found myself explaining the situation to Ted’s daughter.
“That guy did this with his head when we were going to sit.” Claire tilted her head to the side. “You moved over and the seat you were in was the one to get the prize.”
“I see,” Odessa said. “Claire had been very distraught the day Faith watched her. Claire mentioned something about not winning a bracelet and I told her we’d pick out something at one of the ports.”
“Is that why you didn’t want me to wear it?” I asked. I wasn’t sure how to take the men’s silence, but decided not to inquire about it.
“Yes. I didn’t want Claire to have a sour expression on her face for the portraits. It was hurtful enough that she couldn’t stand by her father and mother. Since my arrangement for the picture was vetoed, the least I could do was have Faith take off the bracelet.”
“I didn’t ask for anyone to move,” I said.
“Mother, you’re not being fair to Faith.” Ted looked at his daughter. “And neither are you, Claire. I’m sorry your mother and I didn’t veto this room arrangement immediately. It’s given you hope for us getting back together. We aren’t.”
“Here you all are.” Bob and Elizabeth walked into the room. “We were wondering where everyone ran off to hide.”
Claire burst into tears and threw herself at her mom.
“What is going on?” Elizabeth gathered her child into her arms.
“It’s not true. Tell Daddy you changed your mind.” Claire lifted her tearstained face to stare into her mother’s eyes. “Please? I want you with Daddy. Not anyone else.”
“Oh dear. This again.” Elizabeth sent a look of pure pleading at Ted. “Can you take care of this for me?”
“I’ve tried and this is the result.”
“Claire being worried about the captain also brought out some of the dramatics,” Garrison said.
“The captain? Why in the world is she worried about the captain?”
“I found Faith’s stolen—”
“Lost,” I interrupted. “Refer to it as lost.”
“No,” Ted said. “Let’s keep to the truth and call it what it is. Someone stole Faith’s bracelet from her purse and it was found in Odessa’s room.”
Elizabeth held Claire’s chin firmly in her hand. “Did you take it?”
“Yes. I was going to give it to the captain.” The tears had left Claire’s voice. Now it was full of defiance. “She shouldn’t have it.”
“Claire thinks the guy who was helping at the seminar cheated by telling me where the bracelet was. He was nodding hello to someone else and I thought he was hinting I should move a chair over. I did and won the diamond bracelet.”
“Why would he do that?” Elizabeth asked.
Good question. “Better view for both of us if I moved over.” Okay, I did think the guy was up to something, but letting Elizabeth and Claire know about the jewel thievery going on wasn’t a good idea. There was no reason to bring a child into this mess, not more so than we had unwittingly done.
“But what about Faith fighting with Grandpa? She broke into our room.” Claire crinkled up her nose. She thought she had me.
“Actually, I invited Faith and Garrison into the room. I have a key.”
“That won’t be happening again.” Odessa shot out her hand. John handed over the keycard.
“Is there anything else I should be aware of?” Elizabeth asked.
“No. Whatever else needs to be discussed is between my mother, father, and me,” Ted said.
“I should probably be involved,” I said.
“You are too involved in this already,” Ted said. “That’s the problem.”
“I think this is where Garrison and I take our leave.” Bob wrapped an arm around Garrison’s waist. “We’ll leave you guys to your argument. I sure am glad we got married before this cruise.”
“What?” Odessa screeched.
“You’re married? Already?” Hurt wound through Ted’s voice.
Claire’s lip trembled.
“You said we weren’t going to say anything.” Garrison swatted his husband in the arm.
“It seemed the time,” Bob said. “Too much bad has happened on this ship. I don’t want my mom trying to plan anything else.”
“I can’t believe you got married without inviting your own mother.” Odessa’s lips quivered.
“I warned you, Mom. If you started controlling all the decisions, Garrison and I would do our own thing. You kept it up and I was tired of talking to you about it.”
“Did your parents attend?” Odessa fixed a hurt look on Garrison.
Garrison started to speak.
Bob shook his head. “You don’t have to answer her question, love. Garrison and I made the decision together, Mom. We went to the courthouse. It was the wedding we wanted. Simple. Beautiful. No fanfare. We made this decision because of your behavior.”
“I’m not really a bridesmaid?” Claire’s expression was a mix of pout and rage. I wasn’t sure which would win out and would rather not stick around to find out.
“You are,” Garrison said. “We’re still having a second wedding with attendants and a party, but not on the cruise. It
hasn’t been a happy time, so Uncle Bob and I would rather wait.”
“Everyone will be there?” Claire flicked her gaze in my direction.
Silently, I walked to the door, head held high. The last thing I wanted to do was show Claire her attitude was hurting my feelings.
“If you keep acting ugly, Claire, you won’t be coming,” Bob said.
Elizabeth and Claire gasped.
“You can’t be serious.” Odessa wrapped her arms around Claire. “What a horrible thing to say to your niece.”
“Garrison and I want to share the moment with everyone we love. That includes Faith.”
“And Neal,” Garrison chimed.
Claire stomped her feet, one foot after each word. “My family is Daddy, Mommy, my uncles, and my grandparents. No one else. Ever. I don’t like her. I don’t like Neal. Stop trying to make me.” Claire fled to the bedroom and slammed the door.
“You’re going to have a heck of a road ahead of you, Elizabeth.” Garrison said.
“I know.” Elizabeth tenderly rubbed her slightly rounded stomach.
“Honey, waiting isn’t going to help the situation. You should tell her tonight,” Odessa said.
I left the room. My plan for the evening was room service for one.
TWENTY-SEVEN
I sat sideways on the small couch in my stateroom, looking out the open balcony door while I ate dinner. While I missed ordering from the fancier choices in the main dining room, I was enjoying the peace and quiet in my room. There was a cool breeze coming off the ocean tonight joined by a light mist, so I decided against the veranda. I had enough of getting wet yesterday.
I wanted to watch the aerial performance and had already fixed myself up. There was still an hour before the show, and I wanted to go down before all the good seats were taken in the atrium. From the pictures in the activity guide, I surmised the large chandelier was replaced with swings and a bar.
There was a knock at the door.
Leaving the security chain on, I opened the door. It was Ted. A not-very-happy-looking Ted.
“Can I help you?” I asked through the small space.
“I need to ask you a question.” Ted smiled at me, the emotion not making it into his eyes.
Masked to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Book 5) Page 23