by Diane Rapp
“We kept your gang on our radar from the first day of the voyage.” Steven held up a print out. “Interpol describes your tactics to steal artwork, but we couldn’t make an arrest—until we caught you with the goods.” He pulled the original of Totem Walk out of the secret pocket in the fur coat and set it on the coffee table.
Jason said, “We need to know who painted the forgery you used for the switch.”
Ernie leaned back in his chair and smirked. “You coppers is all alike, who did the painting and who’s your buyer? You think we’ll cop a plea and hang our mates out to dry? Not likely.”
Steven paced as the criminal spoke but stopped abruptly. “Guess we’ve got our killer, Jason.”
“Killer? What killer? You can’t pin no murder on me! All we did was lift a painting, so you got no reason to accuse us of murder.” Ernie’s face reddened and he squirmed in his chair. “Who’s the victim I ask you?”
“Your accomplice, Jeffrey Miller was found dead early this morning. We know he painted the forgery, but you didn’t want to pay the full price for his services.”
“That’s a bloody lie! We paid up front for the goods, just like always. Sure, I was surprised to see Jeffrey workin’ for them Genuine Fakes people at the auction, but it was none of my never mind. He already done our work right proper and wouldn’t say nothin’ to the coppers.” Ernie leaned his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands.
“Sheila do you have anything to add?” Jason asked Ernie’s companion.
“Yeah. Can I have me a smoke?” she asked batting her eyelashes at Jason. Ernie cast her a beseeching glance and she smiled. “Ernie told you the straight of it. We paid Jeffrey for the goods and he delivered. We was quit of the lad before we ever got on board. That handsome lad always flashed his dimpled smile at me, so Ernie didn’t want him hangin’ around, if you get my meaning. He was right good at his craft, always produced a good forgery, and he’d already installed the gear on the picture frame. So why should we kill the goose that laid the golden egg, right?”
“Because you wanted the Glacier Blue painting but didn’t plan to pay for it,” Steven said.
Their other accomplice finally spoke up. “Officers, we’ve got a team that works smoothly together, and we never use violence on the job. The three of us work the room and get the goods.” He pointed at the Interpol sheet. “Does it show on your list there that we ever done anyone harm? We’re right good thieves not killers.”
“Peter’s telling you the truth,” Sheila said. “We don’t hold with violence, it’s not worth the price. Kill someone and we’d spend the rest of our lives in lockup. That’s a sucker bet.”
Jason piped in, “Perhaps until now you’ve been smart but things change. You saw a whopping payoff and took the chance.”
Peter shook his head. “No. That glacier painting is too hard to sell unless a client asked us to grab it. This totem painting is small and easy to transport. In Europe we could’ve sold it quick and easy.”
“So the glacier painting had an advance customer? Who do you think might be willing to commission a snatch like that?” Jason asked.
“We heard that a couple of rich buyers took an interest, but it looked too risky. How’d we get a painting that size off the ship and into the buyer’s hands? Stealing might be easy, but you still need to get away with the goods,” Ernie stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
*****
Natalia and Kayla arrived as the guard took the prisoners to a secure cabin, where they’d wait until the police picked them up at the next port. The security team sat in Emily’s cabin to discuss the case. Steven said, “Unfortunately I believe their story. They paid Miller to paint a fake, but why risk stealing the totem painting if they already got the glacier canvas?”
“Who do you think commissioned Miller to steal the painting?” Emily asked.
“It wasn’t Phillip,” Steven said. “As the legitimate buyer, he could walk off the ship with the real picture before any of us knew about the switch.”
Jason shook his head. “Once we discovered the fake, the police would come knocking at his door to retrieve the real canvas.”
“If he’d already sold it, he could claim ignorance.” Steven paced the room and rubbed the back of his neck with frustration. “I can’t believe Phillip was involved. He once tracked down a customer who got short changed by a dodgy clerk and issued a full refund.”
“Maybe the pressure of keeping his new girlfriend happy proved too much,” Kayla grumbled. “She wears pretty expensive clothes for an assistant manager.”
“Cynthia admitted she knew Miller and she’s scared,” Steven rolled his eyes, “but Phillip is a straight arrow. He’s the dupe in their plan.”
Jason interrupted, “We’ve got more evidence to check out. We need to find out who owned this pirate cufflink?” He held out the piece of jewelry.
Kayla’s eyes widened. “I saw Timothy Sinclair wearing a cufflink like that as he helped his uncle in the theater. It snagged on the wheelchair tire, and I worried it might pop off his sleeve.”
“Good! I’ll go fetch him and see if we can make some progress.” Jason popped up from his chair, eager to get moving.
Natalia grabbed Jason’s arm and pulled him back into his chair. “Take it easy. Rich people tend to get testy and call in a legal team if you round them up like criminals. Let’s figure out a way to get the information without alarming them. I could use the cufflink during my mind-reading act and see how they react.”
Steven nodded. “We found no prints on the cufflink, so Tally’s idea sounds good to me.”
*****
That evening people sipped cocktails in the Starlight Theater, waiting for the entertainment. Soft music and dramatic lighting created a hush as smoke swirled across the stage. Natalia appeared, like an apparition out of the smoke. A shimmering gown draped her slender body and long black hair flowed over narrow shoulders. She moved like a jungle cat that looked dangerous but exotic.
Kayla loved watching her stunning friend perform. Her hypnotic black eyes seized attention as Natalia manipulated the audience with the expertise of a seasoned professional. By the end of the evening almost everyone believed she was a Russian mystic, a descendant of Rasputin, who could read minds and predict the future. She could “cold read” a person instantly, but she also used a network of spies to supply her with pertinent information. Her family did emigrate from Russia, but Natalia was an all-American girl with a talent for the dramatic. Curiously, Natalia experienced real flashes of clairvoyance, during direct contact with a person, but she hated using her gift.
Tonight Natalia’s pickpocket accomplices delivered a velvet bag full of trinkets to the stage. She rummaged through the bag, holding up items, seemingly at random, and returned them to the owners with uncanny accuracy. Laughter erupted as Carson Allbright received a salt-encrusted golf ball marked with his initials.
Natalia said, “A local sea otter dropped this on the deck with a message. He said, ‘Don’t mess with my abalone or I’ll send a pod of killer whales to visit you.’ I guess he’s not happy about your golf games.”
A few minutes later Natalia produced a shiny gold cufflink. “Evidently there’s a pirate aboard the ship.” She walked toward Timothy Sinclair and held out the piece of jewelry. “Does this belong to you, young man?” she asked.
Timothy slid his jacket up the sleeves of his shirt and displayed two gold cufflinks. “I’ve still got both of mine.”
His uncle frowned and Natalia turned to the old man. “Did you lose a cufflink, sir?”
Sir Cedric grumbled, “Someone on my staff must have dropped it. My ancestor was a privateer, commissioned by the queen to raid enemy ships. The family had those made in his honor, at least eight pair, and my employees wear them as part of their uniform.”
Steven groaned and whispered to Kayla, “Lot of good that clue does us. One of his people dropped it when they stowed the coffin.”
On stage Natalia said, “Guess we can�
��t make a pirate walk the plank tonight.” The audience laughed as she moved on to the next item in her bag.
Chapter 11
Eagles and Bears at Sitka
Kayla read the description of Sitka to Natalia as she waited for her friend to finish dressing. “Nestled on the west side of Baranof Island, Sitka has been the home of Tlingit and Haida natives for over 10,000 years. The town is flanked on the east by impressive snow-capped mountains, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The name Sitka, derived from the native word Shee At'iká, means ‘people on the outside of Shee.’ The island was the site of conflict between natives and Russian settlers.”
Natalia asked, “What do we plan to see today?”
Kayla checked her mother’s schedule. “Our tour will visit the Alaska Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear, and the Aquarium. Mom loves animals.”
Natalia emerged from the bathroom, dressed in snug Levis and sweatshirt, but managed to look like a Vogue model. She held up two jackets. “Should I wear the rain jacket or the fleece?”
“I’m taking a rain jacket, but I keep gloves and scarf in the pockets for warmth. These islands get their fair share of ‘liquid sunshine’ to keep the trees green.”
Natalia slung the rain coat over one shoulder and her tote bag over the other. “I’m ready. Where do we meet the group?”
“Steven and Jason said they’d hold places in the tender line but we’d better get moving.”
It appeared that everyone in the wedding party stood in line today, and Kayla felt grateful for the warm cup of coffee Steven handed her. “No investigating today?” she asked after sipping the hot brew.
Steven arched one eyebrow and nodded toward the x-ray equipment. “We’re delegating. No need to keep everyone on duty.”
Jason helped Natalia shrug into her jacket and kissed her cheek. Natalia usually avoided romantic contact as her “gift” often supplied her with too much information. Jason was different. When Natalia touched him, she couldn’t see a thing. Kayla thought it was the result of Jason’s years of undercover work, hiding his identity from prying eyes, a lucky thing in Natalia’s case.
Julia greeted her daughter with a smile, handing both girls a warm croissant. “Thought you might be hungry when we didn’t see you at breakfast.”
Kayla sank her teeth into the roll and nodded. “Tally had a late night on stage, so we slept in.”
“Wish Patricia would let me have a lie in. She’s so eager to see those eagles and bears that she was up before dawn,” Jonathan said as he squeezed his wife’s shoulder.
Clint grinned at Julia. “I’m usually the one who issues the wake-up call. Julia could sleep until ten every morning.” He cringed as Julia narrowed her green eyes but was saved from reprisal when the tender line moved forward.
The boats bobbed against the ramp but crewmen helped passengers navigate the slippery passage. Soon everyone sat snuggly in rows gazing out at the lush green mountains against the cozy town. School buses waited near the dock and guides held up signs to direct traffic. The locals were used to dealing with confused tourists and efficiently handled the transition.
“Welcome to our birds, bears, and barnacles tour. My name is Betty and our driver is my husband, Chuck. We’re both school teachers during the winter and guides during the summer. We understand this group is celebrating a wedding on the cruise. Who are the happy bride and groom?”
Steven and Kayla held up their hands, blushing.
“Congratulations. Chuck and I celebrated our fiftieth last month, so we hope our luck rubs off. Today you will tour the best sites on the island. We’re small but unique. As we drive I’ll point out sites of interest so sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Kayla smiled as Steven took her hand. The small town atmosphere suited her taste as drivers seemed courteous and the distances short.
Betty narrated Sitka’s history during the drive. “The Vitus Bering expedition recorded the location of the Tlingit settlement at Sitka in 1741. The Russians recognized the value of the location and resources, and returned in 1799 to build a fort and trading post. They named the site "New Archangel." This did not sit well with the native Tlingit clan, who destroyed the Russian outpost in 1802. Hostilities continued and Sitka became the capital of Russian-America in 1808. They claimed a vast territory that extended from Northern Alaska to California and built the first boatyard, lighthouse, sawmill, iron, brass and bronze foundries, and flour mill on the island.
“When the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, Sitka became the capital of the Alaska Territory until Juneau took the honors in 1906. During World War II, the town was fortified against the Japanese and thirty thousand U.S. military personnel and over seven thousand civilians lived on the island. A secret radar tower was constructed and gun installations protected the coastline.”
The bus pulled into a driveway and rumbled down a gravel road toward round concrete industrial buildings. A small gift shop stood near a sign that read “Fortress of the Bear.”
The driver parked and Betty explained, “This preserve was developed by a man who once worked for the wildlife department. He felt unhappy about state wildlife regulations that required orphan cubs to be put to sleep. He hoped to develop a sanctuary where the cubs could grow up safely.
After years of groundbreaking efforts, this facility was converted from an abandoned lumber site to a bear habitat. They retrofitted two abandoned clarifier tanks, fourteen to seventeen feet high, to provide the bears three-quarters of an acre of controlled habitat. The enclosures allow for safe public viewing of wild creatures, so take your time and climb the observation tower to see our six bears.”
Julia and Clint rushed up the stairs and stood clicking photos. Kayla reached the top and marveled at the tall concrete tanks transformed into a forest habitat. Trickling streams drained into inviting pools surrounded by rocky enclosures and greenery. Huge bears lumbered through the habitat, some playing with tires while others waived at the keeper, hoping for a meal of salmon.
The keeper introduced the bears and signaled each one to perform. “These bears can’t be released into the wild, so we teach behaviors to make them valuable for zoos and other nature centers. The aquarium donates salmon to feed the bears but a growing bear eats plenty. None of these animals has reached their full size, so you can imagine how big they’ll get. Your gift shop purchases and donations go straight into animal upkeep.”
Clint acted like a kid, running back and forth between the enclosures to capture special pictures. Julia said, “He’s eager to see bear in the wild but this is my idea of sightseeing. Patricia, stand next to Jonathan so Clint can get us all in the picture.”
Figure 2 Pray for Salmon
The keeper shouted to an enormous bear, “Pray for salmon!” The bear sat up and put its paws together in a praying motion. “Good girl!” The keeper tossed a salmon and the bear quickly tore into the succulent offering. “I think we have a budding model at the far side of the enclosure!” Another bear lay on its side and grabbed its rear foot in a cute pose. Cameras clicked until the bear got its own salmon treat.
Figure 3 Budding Model
The crowd reluctantly climbed down from the observation platform after the bus honked a five-minute warning. Patricia rushed into the shop to buy a teddy for her niece, but no one complained about the delay. Betty said, “Our next stop will be the aquarium. You’ll see salmon processing and examples of local wildlife on display, and you’ll have time to sample a cup of chowder in the gift shop.”
Kayla and Steven opted for chowder while the rest of the group toured the hatchery. Kayla crumbled saltines into the hot soup and moaned with delight as she slurped the hot liquid. “Now that we’re alone, fill me in on the investigation,” she said.
Steven stirred his chowder, melancholy filling his dark blue eyes. “Apparently, Cynthia and Jeffrey Miller had an affair in St. Lucia. He’s the reason she bolted and filed for divorce.”
Kayla’s stomach clenched. “How does that make
you feel?”
Steven sighed and wiped chowder off his mouth with a napkin. “Relieved actually. I always blamed myself for the divorce, felt inadequate. Now I know a bored housewife simply opted for a lover. It nettles me that she couldn’t be honest and ran away without a word of warning.”
“It makes me furious! How could she treat you that way and then turn up engaged to one of your friends. Does Phillip know?”
Steven shook his head. “He’s in the dark, and I’m not sure how to break the news.”
“You must tell him! He can’t find out like you did.”
Fellow passengers meandered into the shop, chatting about the delicious smells filtering through the chilly air. “I’ll find a gentle way to break the story. Cynthia demands protection from Miller’s killer. I doubt she’ll keep up the charade for long.”
“So she knows who killed him?”
Steven shrugged. “She claims he kept the buyer’s identity secret, but she’s afraid nonetheless. If we offer protection and immunity in writing, she’ll fess up to everything.”
George Nesbitt and Jeremy Greene approached their table carrying bowls of chowder and packets of crackers. “Mind if we join you?” George asked. They sat down and George tasted the chowder. “This is excellent! I wonder if they’d give another cook the recipe.”
Jeremy said, “Ask them to trade for your conch fritters recipe. I’ve always wondered how you made them taste so delicious.”
“Do they get much conch around here?” George asked.
“These waters produce abundant abalone,” Kayla said.
George pointed. “There’s the cook! We should go ask him while we have a chance.” The two friends took their bowls to the counter and chatted with the cook.
Kayla said, “It looks like they’ve made a friend.” Smiles and handshakes were exchanged as well as business cards.