by Diane Rapp
Decks on Constellation Cruise Lines’ ships were named after gemstones, which allowed personnel transferring between ships to find their way with ease. The Emerald Deck was second from the top of the vertical floor plan, Diamond being the prime deck. As employees it was unusual for Kayla and Steven to occupy rooms on upper levels, so they enjoyed the view.
Nestled along the shores of Puget Sound, Seattle was protected from Pacific storms by the land mass that formed Olympic National Park. Teeming boat and seaplane traffic on the sparkling cobalt bay provided entertainment for passengers as the captain navigated the waters heading north. Ferries, sailboats, fisherman, and tour boats crossed the ship’s path without danger of collision, while brightly colored float planes buzzed overhead before swooping to land. Sun gleamed off the crisp white paint, mahogany handrails, and shiny brass detailing of the Aurora, framing the picturesque scene like the broad window of a million dollar mansion.
Steven checked his watch. “I must report to the showroom for the first auction. Jason is waiting for me.”
Julia clapped her hands. “I’m so excited to see the auction! Kayla, let’s get there early to find a good seat.” She rushed back inside, and Clint frowned at Steven.
“I hope she doesn’t think we’re buying any of that expensive art,” he said. “We don’t have room in the RV to hang anything larger than a calendar.”
Kayla patted his shoulder. “Don’t spoil Mom’s fun. Are you joining us at the auction?”
Clint shook his head. “I trust you to keep her under control. I’d rather check out the ship, see what’s happening. You girls have fun.”
*****
The Starlight Theater was located near the bow of the Topaz Deck. Shaped like a planetarium dome, the ceiling portrayed a seascape scene dotted with islands on the horizon. Wispy clouds floated overhead in a brilliant blue sky. Kayla knew that the sky could darken and the sky-scape change into a sunset scene when used as a theater. Today the auction lighting remained bright with strategic spot lights illuminating the paintings on display.
Guests wandered through a maze of easels that held paintings on the main floor while more valuable art was guarded on the upper section of the stage. Serious bidders, who registered for the auction, were allowed to approach the expensive paintings two at a time.
“Isn’t this exciting,” Julia whispered to Kayla. “I’ve never attended a real art auction.”
“Most shipboard auctions are smaller than this one and take place in one of the lounges,” Kayla said. “Looks like these bidders have deep pockets. You see the sable coat that woman’s wearing?”
“Yes, she brushed past me as she entered. I got a chance to touch it without her noticing…she’s also wearing very expensive jewelry.”
Kayla cast the woman in the sable coat as Dolly Parton with big hair and boobs to match. The woman joined the rich Texan, who was surrounded by a boisterous group of men in matching shirts. The men, who were obviously golf buddies, sipped mugs of beer, rather than the free champagne offered by Genuine Fakes, while they traded ribald jokes. Their wives drank champagne and sat together, ignoring their rowdy husbands.
“Let’s grab a seat,” Kayla suggested. “This is a large crowd.”
“Welcome to our first auction ladies and gentlemen,” Robert Long said. He looked tall and thin, towering above the crowd from the stage. “If any of you missed our launch party at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, let me introduce myself. I’m Robert Long with Genuine Fakes, your art forger for this evening.” The crowd laughed politely. “I’ve been advised that forging a famous painting is illegal, unless you have the written permission of the owner. I hope gentlemen with handcuffs won’t spirit me away tonight.” He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief as late guests meandered down the aisles, searching for empty seats. “You folks just missed the raffle where we awarded a million dollars to the winner, too bad.” The crowd laughed louder this time, and he said in a stage whisper, “I’m sure they’ll arrive on schedule for the next auction.
“Let me describe the famous painting I copied for this auction. It was painted by Lawren Harris, the founder of The Group of Seven, a group of Canadian landscape painters, who exhibited together between 1920 and 1933. The group’s unique painting style broke with traditional English landscape art. They endeavored to illustrate the mystery and splendor unique to wild northern territories using bold contrasts.
“At the 2008 Toronto art auction, two paintings by Lawren Harris sold for the highest prices in the Canadian art world. They each topped the $1-million mark. Nerke, Greenland, the painting displayed here, was estimated to sell for $500,000, but it finally cost the buyer $2,072,500.” The crowd gasped and applauded his declaration.
Robert executed a bow. “I wish I’d collected that check. Harris painted Nerke, Greenland around 1930, after he completed a life-changing voyage through the High Arctic. From that time on, he filled his canvasses with massive glaciers, steep cliffs, and turbulent water.
“See for yourselves! The art world praised the stark contrast between white rivers of ice flowing over grey-black mountains and the aqua water filled with vivid blue icebergs. Although Lawren Harris died in 1970, he experienced success during his lifetime, and twelve of his pieces have since fetched auction prices higher than $1 million.
“You’ll have the pleasure of seeing a total of six million-dollar paintings on this cruise and enjoy the opportunity to own an authorized copy of each masterpiece. I wish everyone luck during our auctions!”
Julia beamed with delight and fanned herself with the program. “Thanks for coming with me, Kayla. It’s so much fun to share this experience with my little girl.”
Kayla wondered how much fun it would be to sit through the tedious bidding process.
The master of ceremonies, who looked like George Hamilton, took over at the microphone and flashed a megawatt smile. “We’ve published the list of paintings that bidders wish to see tonight and will start with item #163.” Groans filled the audience. “Don’t fret, we’ll get to the main attraction soon.”
Kayla felt surprised at how quickly the auction progressed. Featured items came to the front easel and the auctioneer rattled prices until he banged the gavel. “Sold!” The crowd politely applauded, waiting to bid on the main painting.
Two glasses of champagne later, the copy of Nerke, Greenland went under the hammer. Kayla heard a British voice bid from behind her and turned to see Phillip Portsmouth. “That bidder is Steven’s friend,” she whispered to her mother. “He’s trying to buy pieces for his antique shop.”
Phillip seemed to be alone, and there was an empty chair at his side. Soon Cynthia slithered down the aisle to join him.
Kayla grimaced. “Who is that?” Julia asked.
“I’ll tell you later, Mom.”
Cynthia’s cloying perfume spread like a miasma, making Kayla cough. She heard the woman giggle each time Phillip increased his bid and cringed. The rich Texan bid on the painting and a flurry of bids bounced back and forth. In the end the Texan won out and waved as the crowd applauded. Phillip grumbled under his breath and demanded that Cynthia leave with him.
“Oh, I want to talk with Steven before we leave. Do you see him?” Cynthia asked.
“Good Lord, woman,” Phillip growled. “His fiancé is sitting right there. Can’t you leave them alone for a minute? I’m almost sorry I brought you along.”
Cynthia hissed, “Don’t start being so jealous. I’m just trying to act cordial to my ex-husband.”
The crowd spread into the aisles as Phillip steered Cynthia toward the exit. Kayla felt grateful that her mother took time to gather her purse and brochure before standing to leave. Finally Julia said, “I think it’s safe for us to find Steven.” She winked at Kayla’s astonished expression.
“Thanks, Mom. You’re a treasure!”
“Be sure to remind your father just before our next anniversary.” The two women skirted around cocktail tables and chairs, making their way toward t
he stage.
Suddenly a man in a wheelchair shouted, “I won’t be jostled about like this! Find us private exit at once, Timothy.”
Steven rushed forward. “Sir Cedric! I’m so sorry to be detained. We arranged for a private VIP entrance just this way.” Timothy mouthed a silent thank you behind his uncle’s back as he pushed the wheelchair toward the side door.
“See that you remember to bring me this way for my auction!” The old grump tossed his champagne glass to the floor. “Tell them to serve a better vintage! This stuff is swill.” Timothy reached down to retrieve the glass and his gold cufflink snagged on the spoke of the wheelchair tire. Kayla worried it might pop off his shirt sleeve but Timothy managed to disentangle the jewelry before it was damaged.
Julia and Kayla waited until Steven returned. “That man is a grouser,” Steven said as he kissed Kayla’s cheek. “He treats Timothy like a servant instead of his heir.”
“You sure Timothy is his heir?” Julia asked. “Maybe the old guy will leave everything to his pet museum project.”
“Too right. Poor Timothy could be left in the cold.” Steven grinned. “Makes me feel lucky to come from a working class family where there’s no inheritance to fight over.”
“Can we leave by a side entrance? Cynthia is on the prowl and I’d rather not face her,” Kayla said.
“Thanks for the warning, Luv. Let’s go out through the back. I’m supposed to make sure the art vault is locked properly.” Steven guided them through the stage exit.
Natalia stood talking with Jason near the art vault. Kayla peered inside. Paintings stood upright, neatly lined up in specially built racks on both sides of the room. There was a narrow corridor between the racks, leaving enough room to maneuver. “Whew! Lots of money is tied up in this room,” she said. “Is it secure?”
Jason pointed toward cameras overhead. “We’ve got eyes on everything, plus motion and temperature sensors that activate when we lock the room. Barring a master cracksman disabling multiple layers of protection, the art is safe.”
Natalia nudged Steven. “Your little mind is already working out ways to bypass the safeguards.”
Steven’s deep blue eyes twinkled as he shook his head. “I helped Jason design the system, so I’m admiring our handicraft.”
Julia’s eyes grew round as she peered into the room. “I wish I had walls in the fifth wheel to hang a few of these beauties. Our wall space is minimal.”
Kayla placed both hands on her mother’s shoulders and turned her away from the tempting sight. “Dad warned me to keep you under control. Why don’t we all go enjoy a drink? We’ve got time before dinner.”
Natalia said, “Shannon wants us to meet in the Sea Breeze Lounge.”
Kayla glanced at Steven and he asked, “Is this part of her wedding schedule?”
Natalia nodded. “You better not cross her. She’s like a general organizing an army, and her schedule is not to be ignored.” She pushed a strand of silky black hair over her ear. “Shannon is really enjoying herself.”
Kayla remembered spending time with Shannon’s family, loads of brothers with wives and kids. “She has imagined the perfect wedding all her life, so who am I to interfere with her dream wedding?” Kayla grinned and slid her arm through Steven’s. “We’re all part of Shannon’s family now, so let’s go.”
Chapter 7
A Not So Surprising Party
Soft piano music filtered through the door as Kayla followed Natalia and Jason into the Sea Breeze Lounge. This was her favorite place on the ship. The lounge overlooked the observation deck at the bow, one flight below the bridge. Floor to ceiling picture windows provided spectacular vistas of the scenery stretching ahead of the ship, while a mahogany bar and parquet floor created a rich, warm ambience. Today buffet tables were loaded with food, and icy blue decorations hung from the ceilings.
Glasses clinked and voices murmured until someone spotted them. Shannon tapped on the side of her glass and said, “Our guests have arrived!” Friendly faces grinned in welcome as Shannon rushed forward and swept both Kayla and Steven into her arms.
Steven roared with excitement as he greeted George Nesbitt and Jeremy Greene, special friends from the islands. When they first met, Kayla cast George Nesbitt as a mature Bill Cosby. He had retired from working as a master chef on the cruise ships and built a small hotel complex in St. Kitts. A stocky dark-skinned man of about sixty with short black hair streaked with gray, he always dressed in a loose batik shirt over crisp linen slacks. Steven owned a share of his hotel, so they were business partners.
At George Nesbitt’s side stood Jeremy Greene dressed in a pin-stripe suit, vest, and red tie. He looked like a refined elderly black gentleman who spoke with a British accent. Kayla cast him as a mature Sidney Poitier but his accent sounded more like Michael Caine. His refined appearance allowed Jeremy to work undercover for the inter-island police force, and Steven valued his intuition, investigative skill, and friendship.
Kayla spotted a few of her own shipboard friends. Andy still worked in the purser’s office. His unruly red hair constantly spilled over horn-rimmed glasses and he blushed easily. Kayla thought he resembled a young Ron Howard, grinning and pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose.
She noticed Sean O’Reilly tending bar. Seannie was an Irishman in his late twenties with velvety black hair and mischievous glint in his light blue eyes. He moved forward and said, “You want one of them frothy girlie concoctions that gum up my clean blender, lassie?”
“No, I’ll take white wine, Seannie.” She watched him move behind the bar, still limping but without apparent pain. “You look like you’re recovering from your accident.”
“If you call nearly being blown to kingdom come an accident, I’m doing well enough. Glad you discovered how our old friend, Patrick met his untimely end.” He handed her a tall glass of wine and winked. “But then, I was always sayin’ what a bright lassie y’are, and you proved it right enough.” He turned to Steven. “See here boyo, you treat my girl the way she deserves or you’ll answer to me. Still can’t believe she picked an Englishman.”
Steven grinned. “Too right. She’s the love of my life and I won’t let you down. Care to pour a fellow Brit a pint of ale?” Seannie shrugged and slid a mug across the mahogany bar. He offered a mock salute and resumed polishing glasses.
“Kayla!” A leggy six-foot brunette grabbed her in a friendly bear hug.
“I’m so glad to see you, Paula.” Kayla kissed the dancer’s cheek. When they first met, Paula was a redhead who looked like Rita Hayworth but sounded more like Liza Doolittle. During their last cruise together, Paula sported blond hair and resembled a sexy Betty Grable.
Paula said, “I see you snagged that sexy Brit and plan to walk down the aisle soon?” She ended her sentences with a question mark, although she wasn’t always asking a question. Her cockney accent sounded as thick as ever, but Kayla enjoyed hearing the sing-song rhythm of the dialect.
“You still dancing with the troupe?”
“Nope, got me a well-deserved promotion, didn’t I?” Paula held up her glass and clinked against Kayla’s. “Them promoters realized I’m a talented choreographer and signed me to a five-year contract. I’m a VIP, if you know what I mean?”
“I’m so glad to hear it. You look wonderful with your thick dark hair.”
Paula batted a long set of black false lashes. “Thought I’d best go back to me own color, seein’ as how I’m engaged and all?” She wiggled her fingers to flash a large diamond. “You might be gettin’ an invite pretty soon, so make sure you come, hear?”
“Of course!” Kayla kissed Paula’s cheek. “Who’s the lucky man?”
“He’s the Aussie piano player over there, see? Whilst we work together on the ships, I’ll keep a sharp eye on him, right?” Paula waved at her beau and he nodded. “Best be off.”
Shannon joined Kayla as Paula moved to stand by the piano. “Enjoying yourself, sis?”
Kayla and Shannon roo
med together when they worked as junior pursers, and became closer than real sisters. Kayla said, “This is fabulous! You’ve outdone yourself.”
They clinked glasses and sipped the bubbly wine. “This is your special cruise, and it’s just starting tonight. I’ve got loads of plans in the works so sit back, relax, and enjoy.”
The ship’s photographer pointed his camera, and the girls grinned into the flash. Kayla noticed when Phillip and Cynthia walked in the door. She grimaced. “Wish we didn’t have her hanging around.”
Shannon glanced toward the couple and shrugged. “Nothing I can do about her, except seat the woman at the other end of the room. You know she can’t snag Steven away! He’s in love with you.”
“I know, but she’s just like a mosquito buzzing around my head, threatening to bite.”
“Female mosquitos are the true blood suckers. You know, Alaskans claim the mosquito is the state bird.” Shannon took a long sip of her wine and set the empty glass onto the bar. “Wish we had a giant can of repellant.” Seannie handed Shannon a full glass of champagne, and she nodded her thanks. “If we drink enough of this, we won’t care so much.”
“If I drink too much, I might punch her in the face.” Kayla curled a piece of honey-colored hair around her finger. Steven headed her way and bent to kiss her cheek.
He whispered, “Saw you glaring at Cynthia, and I decided to put a smile back on your face.”
“Am I that obvious?”
Steven cast a side-long glance at his friend, Phillip. “Wish I’d never invited that turncoat.”
Jonathan and Patricia glided across the floor, dancing a fox trot. Patricia cast a stern glance at Steven, who nodded.
“Mum signaled that we should dance.” Steven set Kayla’s glass on the bar. “Care to join me, Luv?”
Shannon pushed Kayla into Steven’s arms. “I have plenty to do so go have some fun.”
Kayla beamed as Steven twirled her out onto the smooth wooden floor. Soon other couples drifted out to dance, and Kayla felt like a princess at a royal ball.