Murder for Glacier Blue (High Seas Mystery Series Book 3)

by Diane Rapp

  Julia pointed toward the front. “See that Texan? He’s bought two of the paintings auctioned and I wonder if he’ll get this one.”

  “I wonder why he quit bidding on the glacier painting,” Patricia said. “You’d think he has enough money to outbid most buyers.”

  Kayla chewed her lip. She scrutinized Carson Allbright and his boisterous group of golf buddies. Did Allbright quit bidding because he knew the painting would be stolen? She noticed Sir Cedric enter the theater, his wheelchair pushed by Timothy. The young man maintained a blank public expression, but Kayla saw his fists tighten on the wheelchair handles as he endured another verbal assault.

  The auction proceeded calmly and Carson Allbright bought the Genuine Fakes painting again. The crowd applauded politely, and he stood to take a smiling bow.

  As the crowd disbursed, Julia leaned into Kayla and asked, “Are you planning to join us tomorrow?”

  Kayla smiled and nodded, knowing that Julia and Clint had their tour schedule mapped out. “What’s the itinerary?”

  “We’re taking a ride up the Mt. Roberts Tram in the morning, visiting the Red Dog Saloon, and then whale watching in the afternoon.”

  “Sounds wonderful!” Patricia said. “Jonathan and I will join your group, and I hope Steven can take time off.”

  Kayla shrugged. “He might be too busy, but I can go. Tally said she’s eager to take the whale watching trip. I feel really tired, so I think I’ll go to bed early.”

  Julia said, “We’ll see you in Juneau, sweetheart.”

  *****

  Natalia found Kayla sitting in their cabin alone in the dark. “What’s wrong, honey?” She stroked Kayla’s hair soothingly. “Did you have a fight with Steven?”

  Kayla shook her head but fat tears rolled down her cheek. “This whole wedding trip is turning into a nightmare. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed about a fairytale wedding but nothing seems to be going like I planned. I never expected to fall in love with a man who had an ex-wife. When Patrick broke my heart, I swore I’d never trust another man, but I fell head-over-heels the minute Steven gazed into my eyes. Cynthia has thrown me for a loop. After meeting her, I doubted my relationship with Steven, although I realize she’s manipulating me. I think she’s having fun causing me pain. Today, Steven sounded like he’s determined to protect her, and I wonder if he still has unresolved feelings that he’s denying. Will we get married? Or will that woman steal him from me?”

  “He’s a guy! Men always protect whimpering women, but that doesn’t mean he still loves her. It’s his job, and he’s good at his job.” Natalia pulled Kayla’s head onto her shoulder. “You know, I saw a vision. You and Steven are watching a little girl run around a cozy living room. There’s a huge Christmas tree with loads of presents underneath and a turkey dinner in the oven. I’m convinced it will happen.”

  Kayla sniffled into a tissue. “You glimpsed our future? I didn’t think you believed the visions you saw, Tally. You said they are never perfect …”

  “Hush, now!” Squeezing Kayla’s shoulder, Tally said, “I believe this vision. I saw it the first time I saw the two of you together, when we were in the Caribbean and you weren’t even a couple. I knew you’d get together. Every so often I see the vision again, and it becomes more real each time.”

  Kayla laughed. “You’re a real softie, you know that?”

  “I believe in romance, so don’t try to make me change my mind. The Russian mystic has spoken!” Tally used her stage accent and a dramatic gesture to emphasize the pronouncement. “Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

  “I won’t. Thanks, Tally. I’m so lucky to have friends like you and Shannon. This whole wedding trip is making me crazy.” She stood and headed into the bathroom. “I’m going to take a nice hot shower and wash smudged mascara off my face.”

  “Cynthia won’t even finish this cruise,” Natalia whispered. She leaned back against the sofa cushions and fingered the ends of her hair. “The mystic strikes again. I hope I’m right, now that I’ve actually said it aloud. Grandmother always warned me to keep quiet about the future of people I love.”

  Chapter 12

  Juneau—Drama on the Mountain

  Early in the morning the ship docked at Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Kayla looked out their cabin window to see the small city nestled among the emerald green foothills. She could see a few multi-storied buildings, but the main part of the city spread across the flat valley filling up all buildable land. Not far from the dock, Kayla could see the towers of the tramway and cables stretching up the steep mountain. Two red gondolas traveled up and down the mountain, passing each other during the trip.

  “What’s the weather like today?” Natalia asked. “Should I wear rain gear or break out the shorts and T-shirt?”

  Kayla laughed. “It looks like shorts and T-shirt weather today, but you know that can change within minutes. Better stick a rain poncho into your bag just in case.”

  Natalia nodded and grabbed a yellow bag that contained a thin plastic poncho for emergencies. The girls headed to the buffet and found a table full of friends waiting. Kayla slid next to Steven and peered at his plate. "Eggs Benedict again?” she asked and stole a bite.

  “I’m a creature of habit, Luv. You want coffee with that?” He poured a fresh cup from the thermos of coffee on the table and added cream and sugar.

  “Thanks! It’s just the way I like it.” She pecked him on the cheek before she cut another chunk of the English muffin, ham, and egg. “You guys think you can join us on the whale watching trip this afternoon?”

  Steven nodded. “We’ve got some work to do this morning, but we should be able to get away after one o’clock. You want to meet at the tour boat?”

  Kayla wiped hollandaise sauce from her lips and said, “I’ll get Emily to reserve tickets for everyone. It’s a popular excursion.”

  “Too right,” Jason said. “So I already purchased tickets. The shore excursion officer recommended it highly, and I felt we should all go together.” He passed out tickets and received a warm hug from Natalia as a reward. “Nice! Maybe I should join the tour department and get more hugs from pretty girls.”

  She cuffed him on the shoulder. “You’d better not!” She checked her watch and signaled Kayla to leave. “Let’s get our first tour group moving. The tram is waiting for us.”

  Kayla and Natalia followed the group of four parents, who walked leisurely toward the tramway building after breakfast. It was a pleasant walk from the dock using the bustling main street. Julia pointed at shops she wanted to visit, and Clint playfully grabbed her purse. “I’d better keep your wallet if you plan to do that much shopping,” he said.

  The women stood in line to enter the gondola as Clint bought the tickets.

  Patricia tilted her head to study the steep mountainside. “Do those cables look strong enough, Jonathan?”

  He laughed and nodded. “They’ll get us up and back, I promise.” Patricia leaned against his side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Kayla felt glad to see them behave in such an affectionate manner, but a pang of loneliness made her chest ache. Kayla craned her neck to watch the gondola descend the mountain, missing Steven and trying to keep tears at bay. I hope he’ll make it on the whale watching cruise this afternoon.

  Clint arrived and distributed the tickets. “Here’s your change, Jonathan.”

  “Thanks, mate.” Jonathan opened his billfold and carefully stowed the money inside. He then tucked the wallet into a zippered pouch inside his waistband. The group watched the process with rapt attention. He shrugged and said, “Having a pickpocket for a son makes me fastidious. You can’t believe how fast his nimble fingers extract dosh from my pockets, just like his mother.”

  Patricia nodded. “I taught Steven everything he knows.”

  The gondola arrived and passengers climbed aboard, standing shoulder-to-shoulder around the perimeter. Clint leaned close to the window and snapped photos.

  A Native American guide
politely steered people into place before the operator slid the door closed.

  Click, click, click.

  Gears grabbed hold of the cable and the tram moved up the mountain. The guide introduced himself by his Tlingit name and said, “Welcome to the Mount Roberts Tramway, one of Southeast Alaska’s most popular tourist attractions. We get two hundred thousand visitors each summer and haven’t lost a single passenger.” The crowd tittered nervously as ground dropped away from the red gondola.

  “The tram takes six minutes to climb 3,819 feet up Mount Roberts to a height of about 1,800 feet, making it one of the most vertical tramways in the world. During our ride I’ll describe the tramway’s history and tell you about my people.

  “Goldbelt, a corporation owned by thirty-three hundred Alaskan Natives, owns and operates this attraction since it opened in 1997. Most people who work on the mountain belong to the Tlingit or Haida clans. Be sure to watch a free eighteen-minute film about our culture in the modern theater.”

  Clint took video of the ride as the guide continued, “We call this great land Aani. Southeast Alaska is the ancestral home of the Tlingit and Haida nations. In ancient times people from the Haida Nation migrated here from the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia.

  “The Haida legend of ‘The Raven and the First People’ tells how Raven discovered mankind and is responsible for the present order in our universe. Likewise, the Tlingit legend of ‘Raven and the Creation Story’ tells us how Raven created the world.

  “Tlingit and Haida societies are a matrilineal clan system, so a person’s identity is established through the mother's clan. All Haida and Tlingit clans are organized into two major moieties: Eagle and Raven. Children are born as part of their mother’s clan which gets its individual name and totem from the story of the clan’s beginning. Children get status within their mother’s family, including hereditary rights and leadership positions. We must marry members from different moieties. I am a Raven, so I married a woman who is an Eagle. Our children will be Eagle clan members. Children are born from the father, but he has a lesser role in their rearing than their mother’s brothers. We brothers take responsibility to help raise our sister’s children and help them learn our clan traditions. Discover more about our indigenous way of life that has existed for centuries by watching the film in the theater.”

  The gondola rocked as it arrived at the top of the mountain.

  “Please wait until the operator gives us an all-clear signal before exiting the tram. Inside this building you’ll find Raven Eagle Gifts which isn’t your typical gift shop. It looks more like a museum and art gallery, and many of the products come from local artisans. Watch native artists carve Alaskan jade, red and yellow cedar, fossilized ivory, or bead authentic Tlingit artwork, dolls and garments. If you get hungry, try the Timberline Bar and Grill. They serve a full menu of Alaskan seafood specialties as well as hamburgers and fries. Outside enjoy breathtaking views or hike the trails on the mountain. Exit carefully and enjoy your day.”

  Julia and Patricia eagerly shopped for souvenirs as Clint and Jonathan asked a local craftsman about his wood carvings. Kayla noticed Sir Cedric Sinclair arrive with Timothy pushing his chair. Sir Cedric was introduced to a distinguished woman at the theater’s entrance and ushered inside.

  Kayla noticed that the next presentation was scheduled to begin soon. “Let’s go watch the film,” she said to Natalia. “I’d like to learn what’s happening with Sir Cedric.”

  Natalia nodded. “I’ll go fetch our wandering companions and meet you inside.”

  Kayla entered the modern theater and found a row of comfortable seats at the front of the auditorium. The distinguished woman disappeared through a stage door and returned a moment later with an older gentleman, who wore a red cape with black ravens woven into the fabric. Kayla heard the woman tell Sir Cedric, “Let me introduce you to our clan chief.”

  Timothy pushed the wheelchair forward, and the clan chief shook hands with Sir Cedric. “We heard about your generous offer,” the Clan Chief said, “We assume there is no hope that the painting will be recovered.”

  Sir Cedric growled, “Those incompetent detectives let the thief abscond with my original. The insurance appraiser says they’ll issue a check within the month, but I signed documents to assign my payment directly to the museum fund.” He stared at the ceiling and said, “I won’t live long enough to deliver the money in person, so I decided to visit the site today.”

  The chief nodded. “We mourn the loss of the masterpiece, but two million pounds will help build a beautiful facility. Thank you, Sir Cedric.”

  Timothy’s lips narrowed into a grimace as he watched his inheritance dwindle. Kayla felt sorry for the young man but hoped he’d get something from his uncle’s estate.

  “We have a special presentation before the film starts,” the Chief said as tribal council members entered the theater carrying a table-sized totem that featured a raven and eagle hovering over a blue glacier. The Chief raised his voice and the theater hushed. “Sir Cedric, we wish to offer you this Totem to show our thanks for your support of our new museum. May your family Totem grow for generations as our clans sing praises to you.”

  Timothy pushed Sir Cedric’s wheelchair, and the old man cradled the totem like a baby, his eyes watering. “It’s my pleasure to help build a grand museum for this beautiful country. My ancestor loved this land. Thank you.”

  After the film Timothy pushed Sir Cedric out of the theater and waited on the outside deck for the crowd to clear. The Clan Chief approached, driving an electric scooter. He climbed off the scooter and gestured to Sir Cedric. “We thought you might want to see where we plan to build the museum. It will be easier for you to ride up the steep trail on this fine scooter.”

  Sir Cedric nodded as he scrutinized the three-wheeled vehicle. “It’s a fine contraption, but I don’t know how to use it.”

  The Chief grinned. “Let me show you the controls.” Timothy helped Sir Cedric move onto the scooter. Once seated the Chief pointed out the lever to shift from forward to reverse, the speed mechanism, and the hand controls. “It’s easy to use and the wide tires can climb the path. Follow me.” He started climbing the path, and Sir Cedric slowly followed with the scooter.

  “This is marvelous!” Sir Cedric exclaimed. “I can’t believe we didn’t buy one of these years ago. Timothy, you must secure a device like this immediately.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Kayla and party followed at a discrete distance, eager to see the building site for the museum themselves. Julia whispered to Clint, “The views from up here are staggering! I can see the dock, the city, and there’s a glacier in the distance.”

  Clint nodded. “I think that’s Mendenhall Glacier. It’s near enough to drive close to the face, and there’s a visitor’s center too.”

  The Clan Chief stopped on a knoll and Sir Cedric joined him. “This is a marvelous site for the museum, I’m just sorry I won’t see the final building myself.”

  “May the gods bless you with more time due to your generosity.”

  Sir Cedric tilted his head and gazed at Timothy, holding the prized Totem. “Perhaps, but my nephew will be glad to attend the opening of the museum on my behalf.” His piercing gaze caught Timothy’s glance, and the young man nodded. “Good, that’s decided.”

  Sir Cedric shifted the gears on the scooter and pressed the hand control to start moving. Suddenly the scooter raced backwards at a startling speed.

  Beep, beep, beep.

  The scooter’s beeps warned onlookers, and people dived out of its path. Sir Cedric screamed in terror as the scooter plunged backwards down the path.

  Timothy dropped the Totem carving and loped down the path after his uncle. Below, Kayla watched frozen in place as the scooter barreled toward her group. A rear wheel hit an exposed tree root and the scooter toppled toward a steep drop off, throwing Sir Cedric onto the handrail barricade. He soon dangled from the handrail as the scooter plunged down the mountai
n.

  Clint and Jonathan reached Sir Cedric just as Timothy wrapped his arms around his uncle’s torso. “Help me get him to safety,” Timothy gasped. The three men dragged their charge back up the path and set him on a nearby bench made of polished wood. Above the bench a totem had been carved from the bark of a living tree, looking like a guardian in the forest.

  Sir Cedric panted and wiped his brow with a trembling hand. “Thank you! I’ve never been more frightened.” He turned to Timothy and said, “Don’t you ever put me onto one of those contraptions again. I trusted you to keep me safe and now look what’s happened!”

  “Yes, sir. It was a grievous error.” Timothy craned his neck to gaze down the mountainside but failed to see the scooter hanging from a broken pine branch. “That was quite a drop. Can you gentlemen help carry my uncle back to the safety of his wheelchair?”

  “Glad to help a fellow countryman,” Jonathan said. A moment later they were swarmed with people offering help. The Clan Chief arrived, carrying the totem and gushing apologies. He ordered his men to carry Sir Cedric down the trail.

  Noticing Sir Cedric’s hands fly up to ward the strangers off, Jonathan said, “We’ve got him secure. You might send your men to fetch that scooter, if it can be saved.”

  The Clan Chief looked forlorn as Sir Cedric scowled and said, “I’d prefer to go with my rescuers.” The women followed their heroes down the mountain as Jonathan and Clint formed a human chair to carry their passenger.

  Patricia asked, “Did you see how Sir Cedric grabbed that handrail and levered his body out of the scooter? How could a man who can’t push his own wheelchair have such strong arms?”

  “I’ve heard that paraplegics gain upper body strength when they lose power in their legs. Perhaps he uses his arms to lift himself out of bed or into the bathtub.”

  Kayla cringed as she looked down the mountainside. “I’m glad he managed to hang on until Dad and Jonathan reached him. He’s a lucky man.”