by Cindy Sample
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I spent a sleepless night, and it wasn’t due to any cavorting with my husband. I was too upset about Sierra’s predicament to be in the mood for anything except the soothing massage Tom offered in hopes of getting me to relax.
The massage ended up soothing my masseur into a snore-filled bliss, while my head spun all night with varying scenarios concerning my cousin. None of them good.
Did the captain officially arrest Sierra for theft? Could he do that? I supposed if he could marry people on the ship, he could also jail them. Where would they have taken her? And why? Had Sanjay or someone else discovered new evidence?
At least my cousin was still alive as opposed to the person I’d seen fall overboard. Thinking of that evening made my head spin even faster. By the time I returned home, I would need a vacation to recover from my honeymoon.
In the middle of my meanderings, my stomach growled. I looked at the alarm clock. Almost seven. Tom remained blissfully asleep. I decided he could use the extra slumber time. His normal schedule rarely allowed him more than six hours a night.
I threw on a pair of shorts and a sleeveless top. As I recalled, the Lido Café buffet didn’t open until 8:00 a.m. so the only place to get breakfast this early was the main dining room. My stomach applauded as I wrote a quick note for Tom telling him my destination. Some pancake magic might add some extra pep to my step.
Once I reached the dining room, I followed the host past a multitude of empty tables, wondering if any of my family was up and eating this early. I finally saw a familiar couple and asked to be seated with them.
Rick and Claire were deep in conversation with the chief security officer. Sanjay seemed perturbed that I’d interrupted them. Tough. He was just the person I wanted to see.
“May I join you?” I asked the couple. They graciously said yes.
“Did you have jewelry stolen, too?” I asked Claire.
“A bracelet disappeared,” she said. “Sanjay told us they’d discovered the thief, but my bracelet wasn’t in her stash.”
Stash? My cousin had a stash?
I waved the server over and ordered an entire pot of coffee. I could already tell this day would require many cups of caffeinated fuel.
“Where is Sierra?” I asked Sanjay.
“She’s confined to her quarters.”
“For how long?”
“Until we’ve completed our investigation.” Sanjay turned to the couple. “Thank you for the information, Mr. and Mrs. Nerwinski. I’ll get back to you when I have an answer.” He stood to leave, but I jiggled his arm before he could disappear on me.
“Can I visit my cousin?”
“I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Are you afraid I’ll sneak her off the ship?”
Oh. Good idea, Laurel. Or maybe not. Tom might not mind me being confined to our cabin for the duration of the trip, but that didn’t tie in with my vacation plans. There were islands to see and souvenirs to purchase.
Sanjay sighed. “I’ll take you to her stateroom. You can spend ten minutes with her. Not a second more. We’ll be docking in St. Thomas in less than an hour, and I will have far more pressing things to deal with. Follow me.”
I waved goodbye to Rick and Claire and also to my coffee. My java jumpstart would have to wait.
I’d previously heard that the crew’s quarters were smaller than an office cubicle and normally located in the bowels of the ship. When it came to the entertainment staff, the ship ponied up.
Sanjay and I arrived at Sierra’s stateroom on deck four just as a room service attendant walked out the door. It was a relief to know that my cousin would be well-fed while she was confined. My stomach smiled at the thought she might even share some of her breakfast. Even a day-old donut would be welcome at this point.
Sierra’s initial scowl upon seeing Sanjay dissipated when she noticed me by his side. “Laurel, is everything okay?” she asked.
Sanjay graciously let me enter first before explaining. “Your cousin was concerned about your welfare. You can have a few minutes together while I attend to something.” The door closed behind him leaving Sierra and me staring at one another.
Sierra indicated I should sit on the sofa while she sat on the firm chair across from me. She saw me eyeing the coffee pot and asked if I wanted a cup.
I almost jumped with gratitude, but I restrained myself and merely poured a cup then added cream and sugar.
“Sanjay isn’t giving us much time to chat,” I said. “Is there anything I can do for you? Can Tom help in any way? He is a skilled detective.”
Sierra twirled a strand of her long hair, her expression a mix of fear and confusion. “I’m at a complete loss about what to do. The captain and Sanjay searched my room. They went through everything while I was hosting the show last night.”
“What did they find that convinced them to lock you up?” I sipped my coffee, curious about her response.
“They found nothing in my drawers or cabinets. Then Sanjay searched inside my beach bag, the one I carry when I go ashore.”
“And?” I asked, almost afraid of her answer.
“They found a small plastic bag from Sam’s Sun & Sports Shoppe.”
I crinkled my nose at her. “That doesn’t sound so suspicious.”
“It is when the bag contains a couple of the stolen items!”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
My hand shook and hot coffee sloshed onto the saucer. I set the cup down. “That’s not good. Do you have any idea how the stolen goods wound up in your bag?”
Sierra slumped against her chair, her eyes closed. “I’ve wracked my brain trying to think who could have committed these thefts.”
“And made the effort to implicate you,” I added.
“I don’t know what’s more depressing,” Sierra said, staring out the window. “Being imprisoned in my own stateroom or realizing someone hates me so much they’re trying to frame me.”
“Who had access to your tote?”
“I carry it whenever I leave the ship. Waiting for Mrs. Peabody’s jewelry made me late to board. Plus it took me a few minutes to get in and out of her stateroom. I barely made it to bingo in the Queen’s Lounge at three. The room was already packed so I just chucked my bag off to the side.”
“So anyone could have placed those items in it?”
“Sure. I only carry my ship card, one credit card, and a few incidentals when I go ashore, so I never worry about theft.” A wry look crossed her pale face. “Guess I’ll be changing my attitude from now on. Once bingo ended, I came back here, dropped my bag on the coffee table, changed to my fringed shirt and cowgirl hat for the line dancing class and took off again.”
“Who did the items belong to?”
She shook her head. “They took my bag to Sanjay’s office. He has records of everyone who’s filed a claim since we boarded the ship.”
“What’s next? Are you under arrest?”
“Not technically. Sanjay doesn’t have the authority to arrest me since he’s employed by the cruise line. I suppose he could turn me over to the local authorities if he wanted to.”
I shivered at the thought of my poor cousin trapped in a dank jail cell. Someone had to do something, and it was beginning to look more and more like that someone was me. With Tom’s help, of course.
We might even become desperate enough to bring in additional resources––like TWO OLD GALS DETECTIVE AGENCY.
A heavy hand pounded on the door so I gathered our time was up. Sierra opened the door, and Sanjay entered the room.
I picked up my purse and hugged my cousin. She clung to me like a drowning passenger clinging to a life raft.
I followed Sanjay out the door and asked, “What’s in store for Sierra?”
Sanjay remained quiet for so long I worried he wouldn’t respond. “Your cousin is well-respected by the staff and the cruise line. I admit I was very surprised when we discovered a few of the missing items in her bag.”
�
��So you don’t think she did it either?” I was so elated by his statement that I practically skipped along beside him.
“That is irrelevant. The evidence points to Sierra as the thief.”
“Are you handing her over to the St. Thomas authorities?”
“Good grief, no. She deserves better than that. I will continue my investigation while she remains confined in her cabin.”
“Tom and I would be more than happy to help you…” my voice trailed off as Sanjay stopped in his tracks.
“I appreciate your offer, but it will be easier for me to work alone. Without any outside interruptions. Why don’t you enjoy your honeymoon and let me do my job?”
A most reasonable request.
Unless you were a multi-tasking mother. Besides, how could I enjoy my honeymoon when my cousin’s freedom was at stake?
I was certain my husband would agree with me.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Absolutely not,” said Tom after I disclosed my plan to investigate the jewelry thefts.
“We can’t let them throw Sierra in a foreign jail for a crime she didn’t commit.” Surely he realized that. “Besides, you’re a brilliant detective. You’re the perfect person to investigate these robberies.”
Actually I wasn’t half-bad myself although my approach was more Inspector Clouseau than Miss Marple.
A frustrated look crossed Tom’s face. “You seem to have forgotten one important thing.”
“I have?”
“We’re supposed to be on our honeymoon.”
Oh, yeah.
I plopped down on the bed and squeezed close to my hubby, whose chest remained damp from his morning shower. He bent over and landed one sizzling kiss on my receptive lips. His firm pectorals crushed against my breasts, and I almost forgot the subject of our discussion. Tom finally rose from the bed and walked over to the closet.
“I suggest a compromise,” he said as he zipped up his khaki shorts, eliminating one thought-provoking view.
“What?” I asked, wary of Tom’s ability to distract me from my investigative leanings. It certainly didn’t take much to distract me. In fact, the less, the better.
“We have this tour planned for today. I paid upfront and arranged for us to see some of the island’s most spectacular sites. Plus I have an additional surprise in store.”
So far I’d encountered enough surprises on this ship, but I certainly wouldn’t turn down a spousal surprise.
“It sounds wonderful.”
Tom finished buttoning his shirt. He walked over and kissed me on the forehead. “I certainly hope you’ll enjoy it. Then when we return, we’ll attend to Sierra’s situation. Deal?”
Deal.
Our outing proved to be a wonderful almost stress-free day. Peter, our driver of an older Mercedes, provided a delightful although sporadic narrative on the best that St. Thomas, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, had to offer. Our journey would have been more enjoyable if Peter hadn’t spent the majority of it arguing with his wife, driving around hairpin turns and mountainous crests, with one hand on the steering wheel, the other gripping his cell phone. On the wrong side of the road no less.
Technically, it was the correct side. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, everyone is supposed to drive their western-style cars in the left lane. In Peter’s case, it was difficult to ascertain which lane he was in since he utilized both.
At one point, Tom commented on my green-tinted pallor, which matched beautifully with the lime-green shorts and top I’d chosen this morning. My original fashion statement did not involve my complexion matching my clothing. Just when I thought my stomach would rebel all over the car, Peter pulled into our first stop, the world famous Mountain Top restaurant and shopping center.
I practically leapt out of the car. In seconds, the fresh mountain air with its hints of jasmine and orange blossoms settled my stomach and invigorated me. The popular tourist venue claimed to be the birthplace of the banana daiquiri. Since my brother owned a daiquiri bar in Kona, I was no slouch when it came to assessing daiquiris. A few minutes later, with Tom holding on to one hand, and my other hand gripping an iced mango daiquiri, we walked over to the scenic overlook.
And I do mean SCENIC. The view far below was worth the twisty and tortuous drive up the mountain. The water in Magens Bay shimmered in so many shades of blue that it looked like the inside of my closet back home. We stayed for a few breathtaking minutes before Peter honked signaling it was time to move on. Our next stop was a stretch of sand with fewer bodies than most of the beaches we’d passed. We parked and Tom and Peter conferred while I visited the ladies room. Upon my return, I was whisked to a magical beachside picnic. Peter even played waiter, in between placating phone calls to his wife.
“This is lovely,” I said as I popped a grape into my mouth. We’d dined on cheeses, salamis, nuts, bread, fruit, and some kind of rum-based drink that Peter provided in a thermos. “How did you arrange it?”
“Your cousin set it up for me.” Tom’s face reddened when he mentioned Sierra. “I guess I owe her one, don’t I?”
“As the recipient of this lovely picnic, I’d say we both owe her.” I twirled the straw in my libation before meeting Tom’s eyes. “What on earth can we do to repay her?”
“Subtlety is not your forte, darling,” he said, but he accompanied it with a full-wattage grin.
I blew him a kiss across the picnic table. “Where should we begin?”
“Let me discuss her situation with Sanjay. As long as I don’t get in his way, he might appreciate some assistance from a professional. I can’t imagine he has the manpower to conduct any type of decent investigation.”
“I wonder if the culprit trolls the diamond stores checking out the ship passengers and their purchases.”
“That’s an excellent possibility,” Tom said. “What do you suggest?”
“Maybe it’s time you and I hit some shops. We might be able to lure the thief into our clutches.”
Tom stood, his tall, broad-shouldered silhouette highlighted against the bright sun. He walked around the table then dropped down on the wooden bench. He placed the tips of his fingers under my chin and turned me around to face him.
“Once we successfully lure this thief into our clutches, I fully intend to lure you back into mine.”
I could work with that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Our return trip down the mountain proved equally hair-raising. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Peter dropped us off in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Although cruise brochures advertised the downtown area as a diamond mecca, it wasn’t until I observed the wall-to-wall jewelry stores lining each side of the street that I realized diamonds truly are the St. Thomas merchants’ best friend.
Passengers from multiple cruise ships crowded the narrow sidewalks. Sales staff stood outside their individual stores, loudly hawking their wares and urging tourists to venture inside to take advantage of their stupendous sales. Available today only, of course. Based on the activity inside, their sales approach seemed to be working.
The expression on Tom’s face was priceless. He looked even more scared than when he’d faced down a killer not long ago.
I squeezed his hand as we maneuvered our way past throngs of tourists into one of the shops. “It’s okay, honey. I promise not to buy out the store.”
“I noticed a fudge shop down the street,” he suggested. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stop there?”
I shook my head. I was on a mission, and I wasn’t about to let chocolate distract me from detecting.
For now.
I scanned the interior of the elegant jewelry store looking for passengers from our ship. Since Crown Diamonds was one of the three companies promoted by the cruise line, it seemed a likely prospect.
I recognized Mrs. Peabody and the crone with her. I meant crony. Was she replenishing her stolen jewels already? I latched on to Tom’s hand and dragged him to the back of the store.
“Hello, Mrs. Pea
body,” I addressed the matron who was attired in an ivory linen pantsuit. Three strands of coral pearls adorned her fleshy neck with a matching bracelet on her wrist. “Do you remember me? Laurel McKay.”
She frowned, causing her beak-shaped nose to look even more hawkish.
“You’re the one who’s related to that thieving cruise director.”
“Uh, technically, yes,” I sputtered. “But I’m hoping to catch the real thief soon. I would appreciate it if you would stop impugning Sierra’s reputation.”
“And I would appreciate you moving your pilfering hands away from the counter,” she replied. “Watch out for this one,” she warned the sales clerk. His dark eyes opened wide and he discreetly slid some of the diamond bracelets she’d been eyeing away from my “pilfering” hands.
Mrs. Peabody addressed the older man standing beside her. “What do you think of the quality of these stones, Jimmy?”
Jimmy Bond held the gems up to the light and replied. “Very nice quality, my dear. As you know, a diamond is forever.” He winked at me as he laid the bracelet back in the jewelry tray.
Who knew Mr. Bond, Jimmy Bond that is, was a connoisseur of fine diamonds? Tom’s hip bumped against mine. Were the pricey gems making him nervous? I waved goodbye to Jimmy, grabbed Tom’s clammy hand and we walked out of the store. But not empty-handed. The sales clerk at the door made sure to give us a gift certificate for one hundred dollars off our purchase today.
That sounded like a great deal until I read the fine print. Minimum purchase of one thousand dollars required. I crinkled the coupon and shoved it in my purse.
“Back to the ship?” Tom sounded hopeful.
“Hey, shopping isn’t popping into a single store.” I rubbed my palm soothingly against his back. “Remember those times I’ve tagged along while you wandered the aisles at Home Depot?”
“Yeah, but one of those tiny stones costs more than ten table saws.”
I guess I could count diamonds out of my future if one short visit to a jewelry store made my spouse this uncomfortable.