Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 07 - High Seas Honeymoon

by Madison Johns

  “So he did speak to you about it already?”

  “Yes, and he was told in a nice way to let me do my job, my way.” She winked.

  I really loved Tasha’s spunk and she seemed very nice.

  “Which way is the billiard room?”

  “You know that’s a man’s domain, right?”

  “I like to play pool, too. Plus, I heard you can even smoke cigars in there.”

  “Oh, I don’t see you as a cigar smoker,” Tasha said suspiciously. “But I’m not one to judge. My grandmother used to smoke a pipe until she became too sick. She passed away just last year and I can’t smell tobacco without thinking of her.”

  “I’m so sorry for your loss,” Eleanor said.

  “What a great story,” I added. “I bet she was a real character.”

  “You have that one right, but she always kept a pack of Camels close by in case company came over.”

  I laughed. “She sounds like my kind of woman. Could you please lead the way, now?”

  “Oh, of course. And here I was blabbering on like a magpie.”

  “Don’t you dare worry about that. We’re just trying to sneak off while our men are busy trying to get someone out of the casino.”

  “I see. Well, come along, then.”

  Tasha walked down a hallway that led to the back as Eleanor and I followed. It made me feel like we were going into some kind of seedy club. Like she read my thoughts, Tasha said, “I don’t know why, but they built the billiard room like it was a man cave, complete with a secret entrance.” She pulled a loose stone and the door slid open. When we strode inside, all the men glanced up from whatever they were doing like we were infiltrators; perhaps we were. I did see Ricky and Leo playing pool, but they didn’t give us much more than a passing glance before going back to their game. Either they didn’t remember who I was, or didn’t care all that much.

  Eleanor and I took a seat in the extra large backed bar stools that swiveled. When the bartender came over, I had to smile. He had slicked-back black hair and a waxed mustache. He rubbed a hand over his ruffled white shirt as he asked, “What can I get you?”

  “I’d love a bourbon.” That sounded like a manly drink.

  “No, I mean what type of cigar would you like?”

  “Cuban,” Eleanor said. “Unless you’re too much of wimp asses around here to have them.”

  “They’re illegal to have in the United States,” said a man next to me.

  “Oh, but I thought we were in international waters by now.”

  The bartender reached under the bar, coming back with a wooden box and opening it. “Cuban cigar as you requested, ma’am.”

  “We’d rather not be called ma’am, if you don’t mind,” Eleanor said. “We just want to be one of the boys tonight.”

  “Oh, do you, now? Like a couple?”

  I smiled. “No, but plenty of people sure have said that. We’re married to men and on our honeymoons.”

  “So why are you in here?”

  “Because I wanted to smoke a cigar and drink bourbon.”

  “And play a game of pool,” Eleanor said.

  “Take a cigar and I’ll light it for you,” the bartender said. “If you can handle that, I’ll get you the bourbon, but I wonder if you can even handle that.”

  I took a cigar, as did Eleanor. “Do you have a cutter for the end?” I asked. “It burns better that way.” I knew this to be true since I’d actually smoked a cigar before. Okay, I was much younger and really drunk at the time, but I did remember a few useful tips.

  The bartender cut the ends with a cutter and used a silver lighter to light them for us. I drew in nicely, since if I didn’t it might not stay lit. I then held it between my index and middle fingers as I exhaled. My throat tickled a little, but I tried to hold back a cough since if I did that, I’d not only never get my bourbon, but might just be asked to leave. Eleanor puffed her cigar like a pro, blowing the smoke in the bartender’s face. “Two bourbons coming up,” he said.

  “I’m impressed, little ladies,” said a man with a cowboy hat who was sitting next to us. “I’ve never seen a woman smoke a cigar before.”

  “Oh, really? I’m sure there are plenty of women who might. We’re not all Barbie dolls, you know.”

  “Never would say that. I have too much respect for women. If my mama ever heard me speak out of line to one, she’s tan my hide but good.”

  Our bourbons were set down now, and I took a swallow of mine, breathing deeply as it burned a pathway down my throat.

  “Women were put on the earth to serve us,” Ricky said, as he joined us at the bar.

  I pretty much wanted to give him a kick, but Eleanor was nearer to him.

  “Is that right, now? In my experience, if you treat a woman bad, she won’t stay around that long.”

  “I don’t need them around that long, just long enough to keep my clients happy.”

  “Oh, and what business are you in?”

  “Distribution. Hey, aren’t you the woman who was with Leah in the infirmary?”

  “Yes, and I was under the impression that Leah really likes you. Why, she even defied her mother just to be with you.”

  “That’s good to know. It makes it easier that way.”

  “Her mother?” Leo said, joining his friend. “Is that what Leah told you? I suppose she forgot to mention that her mother and Ricky used to be involved. It’s no wonder she doesn’t want Leah around Ricky, since she’s already been there herself, if you catch my drift.” He laughed.

  I didn’t like what either of them was saying. “So, you dated Leah’s mother and then her?”

  “Yes, I’m not into older women anymore, no offense.”

  “You mean your own age?”

  “Whatever. Did Leah say anything about me when you had lunch today?”

  “Nope. She just had horrible circles under her eyes. I suspect you kept her up too late last night.”

  Ricky’s eyes narrowed now. “That must be it. Nice speaking to you, what was your name again?”

  Oh drat. That’s the last thing I wanted to tell someone the likes of him, but I could see no other way out of it. “Agnes, and this is—”

  “Maggie,” Eleanor said.

  Ricky and Leo left the billiard room now and I heard the man next to me say, “What a jerk. Give me ten minutes with the two of them and I’ll teach them how to treat the fairer sex.”

  “Not worth it,” I said. “Men like him aren’t worth your time and they won’t change, anyhow. It would teach him if his gal turns on him one day. You can only push somebody so far.”

  Eleanor and I put out our cigars, drinking the last of our bourbons before my cell rang. It was Andrew and I told him I’d meet him back in our room.

  As we left the billiard room, Eleanor whined, “So that’s it for the night?”

  “Yes, I can barely make it to my room. I think that cigar made me feel sick.”

  “But we sure smoked them like a pro, eh, Agnes?”

  “You have that right. I’ve smoked a few in my days and always when I was tipsy.”

  “Me, too. Also, I used to sneak my dad’s cigars when I was just a kid, until I got caught and got a licking. He didn’t spank me much, but when he did, I sure paid attention.”

  Once we were in the elevator, I felt even more lightheaded. “So, Ricky dated Leah’s mother, too? Did she tell you that in the infirmary, Agnes?”

  “No, but I’ll certainly ask her at some point, but tomorrow, I’m more focused on checking out the engine room and figuring out just where that closet might have been where Kacey was found locked in.”

  “If she was locked in,” Eleanor corrected me.

  “I’m not ready to start jumping to conclusions about that and we shouldn’t. We need to focus on facts and until we can prove that she’s been deceptive, we need to keep our minds open.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way, exactly.”

  I rubbed my forehead. “I meant no harm. I just feel so tipsy right
now.”

  The elevator dinged on our floor and Eleanor took ahold of my arm and waited until I slipped into my room before she crossed the hall, entering her room. It was then that I began to yank off my clothes as Andrew came out of the bathroom.

  “If I knew you were going to do that, I’d have called you sooner.”

  I ignored his question as I pulled on my nightgown. Once it moved into place, I asked, “So, how did it go with Frank?”

  “Dorothy really is a worry wart. I had no problem getting Frank to leave the casino. Unless he just didn’t want to do it for her?”

  “Or, maybe he had his hearing aide turned down and he just didn’t hear her.”

  “Probably a little of both.”

  I brushed my teeth and came out of the bathroom, slipping between the covers. The last thing I remembered was kissing Andrew goodnight and him asking why I tasted like a Cuban cigar.

  Chapter Ten

  I was enjoying my shower, until Andrew hopped in. I shrieked and hopped out. I just wasn’t into this so early. As it was, my stomach was summersaulting.

  “What’s the matter? You used to love it when I did that.”

  “I don’t remember ever saying I loved it. You just take it upon yourself to hop on in and disrupt my shower.” I laughed then. “I’m not trying to be mean, but I’m just not feeling so good this morning.”

  “It might have been the cigar and bourbon I tasted on your breath.”

  “I brushed my teeth,” I said in my defense.

  “It has a way of sticking to your mouth like that. Where did you find a Cuban cigar, anyway?”

  “In the billiard room. Eleanor and I were the only women in there. It’s like a man cave. If we didn’t smoke a cigar, I had a feeling that we’d have been asked to leave. The bartender wouldn’t even give us our bourbons until we took a hit off the cigar.”

  “Why did you drink bourbon? You know you can’t handle strong drinks.”

  “I wanted to fit in is why.”

  “And you went there, why?”

  “Just checking it out, why?”

  “And you weren’t investigating?”

  “No. I already told you there wasn’t a missing person.”

  “What about your scenarios?”

  “I think too much. All I want to do is tour the engine room today. Is it okay if just Eleanor and I go?”

  “Sure, somebody has to keep a watch over Mr. Wilson. Especially since that Ruby acted the way she did last night. I swear yesterday she was following us, even.”

  “So you think Mr. Wilson has a stalker on his hands?”

  “Yes. I also think you need to keep an eye on Eleanor, since Ruby tried to trip her up just last night.”

  “Good point. Enjoy your shower. I probably should get ready. I think I’ll feel better after I have breakfast.”

  I walked back into the bedroom, closing the bathroom door behind me. That was close. If I had stayed in that shower too long, I’d never be able to put the map and key into my purse without him seeing it. I just wished I could let Andrew in on everything I did, but I didn’t want to worry him. He might even put his foot down, since this was our honeymoon.

  I pulled the map and key out from under the mattress and tucked them into my purse right before Andrew appeared next to me in the room.

  “Are we getting dressed, or … ?”

  I set down my purse and said, “If only I felt a little better, Andrew.”

  “I understand. You do look a little green. Are you sure you’ll be able to handle breakfast this morning?”

  “I’m not sure, but if I was going to get sick I think I’d have done it already.”

  “Good point. I suppose we should get dressed unless nudist day is on the program for today.”

  I smiled, since I really would rather have just fallen into his arms right now. And also, I was feeling guilty about keeping the map and key from him, but I just knew he’d really insist I turn over the bag or alert the authorities. If I thought this ship or the passengers were in danger, I’d have contacted the captain at the very least. Since I had the map and they didn’t, I felt safer about it.

  Once we were dressed, we knocked on Eleanor and Wilson’s door, with no response. I knocked a little harder and a young man poked his head out of the room that was next to theirs. “Would you stop that racket? It’s only seven.”

  “I know. I didn’t ask you to stay up all night and I can smell the alcohol all the way over here.”

  “I think that’s you, dear,” Andrew said.

  “Oh, it’s probably leaking out of my pours.”

  The man slammed his door and I shrugged. “Perhaps we ought to go down for breakfast without Eleanor and Wilson. They might be sleeping in today.” Although that made no sense, since Eleanor always seemed to be up and about earlier than me more times than not.

  I didn’t even fidget when the glass elevator took us down. Was it possible I was getting used to it? When we arrived at the Breakfast Nook, there was quite a crowd and we were standing in the line outside the door when a face smeared against the glass from the inside. It was Eleanor who then waved us inside.

  I moved to the front of the line, informing the hostess that our party was already inside, waiting for us.

  “What are their names?”

  “Eleanor and Mr. Wilson.”

  “I don’t have anyone with that name down.”

  “I just saw her on the inside,” I insisted.

  “Hmm, we do have Cat Woman and Batman.” She put up a hand and whispered, “They told us they were on the low down.”

  The hostess then cracked a smiled and said, “Come along this way.”

  We were led to Eleanor and Wilson’s table and Andrew held out my chair. I asked the hostess before she left, “So, how would you remember everyone that come through here?”

  “You have to give your names at the door. We like to keep track of the meals our passengers have. It doesn’t take long to remember faces for me. I’ve always been like that. My mother used to say, ‘Ginny, you never forget anything,’ which is right, but I try to downplay it.”

  “If that’s true, has a Ricky come through here? He’s with a younger woman, Leah. There’s another man that’s been with them, too. Leo?”

  The hostesses’ face stiffened. “Oh, yeah. I try not saying anything bad about the passengers so I should take my leave. If my boss catches wind of it, I’ll be in big trouble.”

  “How about later, somewhere else?”

  The hostess looked around and began to shuffle back. “On the second deck at six. I’ll be waiting by the hot tub.”

  I felt a chill run through my bones just now, like somebody had just walked over my grave, but I couldn’t explain it. “I wonder if Ginny knows more about Ricky and Leo then we do?”

  “Could be. There was something about that look in her eyes that was unsettling,” Eleanor said.

  “I suppose we’ll find out at six what she has to say.”

  Andrew raised a brow. “No case, eh?”

  “Nope, just checking out a few things. I don’t have the best impression of Ricky and we found out last night that he dated Leah’s mother and now her. I’d sure love to ask her about that, but I don’t want to cause her any problems with Ricky. She has a black eye.”

  “Black eye? Did she report it to the captain?”

  “Probably not. She told us Leo tried something on her and when she refused his advance, he hit her, but I personally think either of them capable of abusing Leah.”

  “Stay away from them. If they are capable of hitting Leah, what would they do to you if you poke too close?”

  “You’re right. Today’s activities revolve around taking a tour of the engine room.”

  “Good. Perhaps that will keep you out of trouble, then.”

  “Give it up, old man. There’s no telling these two anything. They think they have it all figured out.”

  “I do not, Batman. I have plenty of questions that don’t have answers. I�
��d like to know what happened to Kacey that time she disappeared. I’m not sure yet if it was real or staged. I just hoped to get some closure. She could very well have just passed out somewhere on the ship. I’m still not sure about her memory loss.”

  “Go ahead and check that out. It sounds safer,” Andrew said.

  “Be careful, anyway,” Mr. Wilson said. “I left my Batmobile home.”

  I practically devoured my pancakes when we finally got around to ordering and our food arrived. I even slammed down an orange juice to replace any electrolytes I might have lost from the drinks last night. I wouldn’t do that again. I didn’t mind a glass of wine, but I draw the line with anything stronger, now for sure. It did give me some insight about Ricky and Leo. From the sound of it, Leah was here for more than his pleasure.

  When we got up and headed to the door, I was shocked to see Ricky and Leo, who stared over at me. Had they heard what I had said about them? Now every nerve in my body was at attention. Eleanor looked over at them now, since I stopped dead in my tracks. She tried saving the day by giving them a friendly wave of her hand and I followed suit, forcing a smile on my face. Their faces softened then and they gave us a curt nod.

  I kissed Andrew when we were back on the deck and he was once again chasing after Mr. Wilson on his scooter.

  “I’m so excited,” I said.

  “To see the engine room?” Eleanor asked.

  “No, that I’m investigating with Cat Woman. What are the odds?” I chuckled.

  “We were in a funny mood this morning. Mr. Wilson always puts me in a good mood and never complains about me investigating.”

  “Andrew is just concerned is all.”

  “I wasn’t trying to say anything, really. I-I just was making conversation, I guess.”

  We made way over to the bridge, where Captain Hamilton waved us over.

  “This is officer Matterhorn. He’s second in charge in the engine room.”

  “You can call me, Ben. I’m not much into formalities.”

  Ben was a larger man, but not in an overweight kind of way, he was just constructed of solid muscle. I imagined a body builder’s body beneath his clothes.