Killer Cruise

by Dawn Brookes

  “I’ve never noticed those cameras. I did suspect there would be cameras hidden around the ship, though,” said Rachel.

  “Most of them are around the shops, bars and in the casino. We also scan the periphery of the ship in case anyone goes overboard. The ones on the lido deck aren’t that well-hidden, to be honest, so anyone actively looking for them would be able to spot them. We’ve had more installed since the erm—” he coughed as per his habit “—events of your first cruise when Lady Snellthorpe was attacked. The cruise line is pretty anti surveillance on the whole, but we’ve had to move with the times – it was only a matter of time. We tread a fine line in relation to security versus privacy, but I can assure you there are no cameras in any private areas.”

  “I’m pleased about that,” said Marjorie. “I do sometimes look at those smoke alarms in the suite and wonder.”

  “Staterooms, suites and private balconies are completely off limits, I can assure you. We also tend to keep our cameras hidden so as not to alarm passengers. Anyway, I digress. Can I ask what you heard and anything you remember from this morning, Rachel?”

  “I didn’t hear anything other than Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.”

  Waverley looked perplexed.

  “Oh, do come on, Chief, get with the times,” said Marjorie. “They are two superb young English singer/songwriters and have huge followings.”

  Waverley coughed again. “I’m a classical fan myself, they must have passed me by.”

  Marjorie softened. “Me too, actually, but Rachel has introduced me to some of the more recent talents, many of whom I can’t tolerate. But even this old girl can listen to the two Rachel mentioned.”

  “I expect my daughter knows who they are, she’s about Rachel’s age.”

  “Hello, you two – I am still here!” Rachel laughed.

  “Oh yes, sorry – do continue,” said Waverley.

  “As I said, I had earphones in, so… hang on a minute, I did hear something just before I put my earphones in. I thought it was a muffled cry, but couldn’t be certain so I dismissed it. In retrospect, it could have been Gordon.”

  “What time was that?”

  “I guess it would have been around five-thirty. I’d done about fifteen minutes of stretching and gazing out to sea. After that, I ran a couple of times around deck fourteen, and on my third round the sun broke through the mist and I caught sight of two men in the pool, one being held under. I yelled something and ran down the steps.

  “By the time I got to the pool, I saw a man I now know was Gordon Venables face down. The next thing, someone walloped me from behind and I found myself underwater. When I realised what had happened, I was more concerned about Gordon and just about managed to drag him towards the side of the pool and call some passers-by to help.”

  Waverley took notes. “It was definitely a man?”

  “Ninety per cent certain, but I did only get a fleeting glance and they were both in the water. I didn’t see him get out of the pool because there’s a blind spot when you reach the top of the steps.”

  “I suppose it’s too much to hope that you could give a description?”

  “Sorry, it was misty, and the person wore a black hoody and a balaclava like a cat burglar. When I yelled, he turned to look at me, but the sun had disappeared and I only saw a profile. All I can tell you is it looked like a male, six foot tall, average build, wearing black. I didn’t even recognise Gordon until I pulled him out of the water.”

  “I don’t understand why he would be out there,” said Marjorie. “Surely he wasn’t going to swim for it.”

  Waverley put his notebook in his uniform pocket. “That’s what I’m going to find out,” he said. “By the way, what were you talking about when I came into the infirmary?”

  “He was thanking Rachel for saving his life,” said Marjorie.

  “Mm.” Waverley looked sceptical. “Well if you remember anything else, you know where to find me. I realise I was going to take a statement from you today with regards to the fight you broke up, Rachel, but under the circumstances that won’t be necessary. I suspect the cruise line will be contacting you concerning compensation again.”

  Marjorie, giggling, nudged her. “At this rate, you’ll be able to buy your own flat in London.”

  Waverley trudged off, muttering to himself.

  “You are awful to him,” Rachel scolded.

  “Oh, really? I do quite like the man, and he did seem remarkably happy today, did you notice?”

  “Yes, I did think that. I wondered if he had someone in custody for the murder, but obviously not.”

  “He looks like a man in love to me.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.” Rachel hoped so – she had grown fond of the security chief, in spite of his mood swings. She knew he wanted her on his security team, and once again she pondered whether that might actually be a safer way to cruise.

  “At least I’d get my own taser.” She uttered her thoughts out loud, much to Marjorie’s amusement.

  “Come on, young lady. I imagine that blow to the head has addled your brain if you’re considering joining cruise ship security.”

  They walked arm in arm towards the rear of the ship, taking the lift up to their suites.

  Chapter 20

  Sarah took over from Bernard in the infirmary so that he could help with morning surgery. Gordon had fallen asleep, so she took the opportunity to chat to Jason who was on guard outside to ensure he didn’t slip away again. They hadn’t been able to meet up for the past few nights due to opposing shifts.

  Jason stood as she opened the door and smiled at her affectionately. They knew better than to embrace while on duty, so she settled for the sparkle in his eye.

  “I’m glad it’s you.”

  “I volunteered,” he answered smugly. “How’s our man?”

  “Sleeping. What happened? How did he get away?”

  “He gave Ravanos the slip, that’s all I know. The chief’s interviewing your friend, Rachel, to find out if she saw anything. She’s brave, that girl, I’ll give her that.”

  Sarah frowned. “Too brave sometimes. I worry about her, but it’s in her nature to investigate. I just wish she didn’t feel the need to do it on board this ship. It’s fine when she’s in uniform and armed with radio, whistle, stab vest, truncheon and the like, but here, she’s completely unarmed and vulnerable.”

  He laughed. “The police don’t carry whistles anymore, Sarah.”

  She poked him in the ribs. “You know what I mean.”

  “The chief still suspects we’ve got our murderer in there.” He nodded towards the infirmary, behind the door.

  “Is he right?”

  “I guess so. It’s not my investigation – he’s put me in charge of the stag group and cheerleaders. What a handful they are.”

  “Lucky you… what do you mean, the cheerleaders?” A stab of jealousy momentarily caused Sarah alarm, but Jason seemed oblivious.

  “I’m tasked with making sure the guys in the stag party don’t cause them any bother. It’s hard when they all seem to be pairing up – I can’t tell them not to flirt with each other, much to the chief’s disgust.”

  “How do you find Dave Hughes?”

  “Haven’t seen a great deal of him. He’s quite brawny underneath that weak facade – I did notice him boxing a punch bag in the gym. I don’t know how he let Gordon Venables get the better of him – seems like a complete mismatch to me.”

  “Perhaps he’s trying to build up some muscle.”

  “Maybe, but he’s got quite a six pack already.”

  “Kettle and pot!”

  “Yeah, but I spent years in the army having mine drilled into me.” He smirked flirtatiously.

  Sarah recognised the footsteps coming towards them as Waverley headed their way.

  “He looks happy,” she whispered.

  Jason stood to attention.

  “Anything to report?”

  “No, sir, he’s sleeping. Nurse Bradshaw was just
asking about the Welshman, Dave Hughes.”

  “Hm, I’m sure.” Waverley’s knowing smile told her their relationship had been rumbled, but then it was his job to be aware of what went on aboard the vessel. “I take it I’m allowed to wake him now?” he asked Sarah.

  “Yes, come on through.”

  Waverley nodded to Jason to follow them and they walked towards the bed where Gordon Venables was out for the count.

  Sarah approached him and gently touched his shoulder. “Mr Venables? Gordon?”

  He woke, startled momentarily with the appearance of a rabbit in headlights, but calmed when he saw Sarah smiling at him. He looked behind her towards Waverley and Jason and resignation filled his eyes. He sat up slowly.

  “Could I have a drink, please?”

  “Yes, of course.” Sarah handed him a glass of water. “Would you like a hot drink?”

  “Tea, please.”

  “Gentlemen?”

  “Tea as well,” said Waverley.

  “Coffee for me, please.” Jason winked at her.

  Sarah picked up a phone on the wall and dialled through to Raggie with drinks requests.

  “Glad to find you looking better,” said Waverley, taking a seat by Gordon’s bed and removing a notepad from his pocket. Jason remained standing.

  “I suppose you want to know how I got away.”

  “I know the how, but I don’t understand the why.”

  “I received a phone call from someone saying they needed to meet me urgently about Shirley. They said she was in danger. You wouldn’t have listened to me,” he said bitterly, “so I called a couple of guys and asked them to distract the security guard from outside my room.”

  “Very enterprising,” answered Waverley caustically.

  “Anyway, the guy on the phone told me to meet him on the lido deck by the main pool. He must have been waiting for me in the shadows. As soon as I arrived, he jumped me and pushed me in the pool. I panicked – I can’t swim.”

  Waverley rolled his eyes, disdain evident. “The pool isn’t that deep.”

  “And I’m not that tall,” Gordon snapped back. “I was scared; the man had me in the pool before I realised what was happening and he pushed my head underwater. I’m terrified of drowning. I don’t remember any more.”

  “Who was he? Did you see his face?”

  “No, it was dull and misty. I heard him say something – it sounded like ‘That’s for Mam’, but it didn’t make any sense.”

  Waverley sighed, frustrated. “Did you recognise the voice? Did he give a name? Anything?”

  “I thought I recognised the voice on the phone, but I can’t remember where from. He didn’t give a name. He wore a balaclava and he was strong, that’s all I remember. I didn’t get a chance to see anything else. He didn’t attack me to converse.”

  Ignoring the sarcasm, Waverley persevered. “Do you have any idea who it was?”

  “No, unless it was one of Dom’s mates.”

  “On that note, are you ready to confess to the murder of your brother?”

  Sarah noticed panic fill Gordon’s eyes.

  They were interrupted by the arrival of drinks and Jason poured them and passed them around, winking at Sarah again.

  “I didn’t kill my brother. You can’t still think I did! Surely, whoever tried to kill me also killed my brother.”

  “Unless they tried to kill you because you killed your brother,” retorted Waverley.

  Gordon took a deep breath and the panic in his eyes turned to anger – the anger Sarah had witnessed by the crew pool when he’d spoken about his brother.

  “You have no evidence I killed him and yet you insist on locking me up. You’ve no right, and now you’ve caused my wife to leave me. Where is she?”

  “Oh no, Mr Venables, you managed to cause your wife to leave you all by yourself. Fits of jealously, rage, controlling and abusive behaviour. You’re a disgrace to our sex.” Waverley’s face had reddened, a witness to the strain he was under, but he quickly regained control. “Your wife is quite safe now.”

  “Well I want to see her.” Gordon looked desperately to Sarah for help, but she had no inclination to assist in this matter. She shrugged her shoulders.

  “That is quite out of the question. Your wife does not wish to be near you. Your employment has been discontinued as of yesterday – the sooner you confess to killing your brother, the sooner I can hand you over to the authorities. We’re in Russia presently – I’m sure they will know how to deal with you. Your wife, of course, will remain an employee on board ship.”

  Gordon’s fists clenched. He threw his tea at Waverley, who ducked and the tea hit Jason, soaking his pristine white uniform.

  “Really, Chief? Is this necessary?” Sarah snapped as Waverley quickly cuffed Gordon to the bed rail.

  “Sorry. Perhaps you’d better go and change,” he said to Jason. “I’ll take up your post until you get back.”

  Sarah accompanied Jason outside, handing him a roll of paper towelling used for covering the examination beds, and he thankfully wiped himself down.

  “What’s got into Waverley?”

  Jason laughed. “At least it was only lukewarm tea.”

  Sarah loved Jason’s ability to look on the funny side of life, one of the reasons they got on so well. She also recognised the fierce loyalty to his boss – something he’d learned in the army.

  “You have to trust the man next to you has got your back,” he’d told her when recounting some of his experiences. Some traumas he wouldn’t share and she knew better than to ask – those conversations he reserved for his ex-army friends. Perhaps one day he would tell her.

  Sarah returned to the infirmary, finding Waverley and Gordon chatting away like old friends. Bad cop had disappeared for now and good cop was in full flow. As she got closer, she heard them talking about football of all things.

  Men! She would never understand them.

  While Sarah and Jason were outside the infirmary, Waverley had recognised the funny side of what had happened and, thankful for his own lucky escape, had burst out laughing. Surprisingly, the petulant Gordon had joined in, and before long they were belly laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.

  “I don’t mean to hit where it hurts, but you are going to have to come to terms with the fact that your wife wants a break from you,” Waverley said as the laughter subsided.

  Gordon looked down at his bed sheet. “I’ve made a right mess of things, haven’t I?” Waverley didn’t answer, but the look on his face showed concurrence. “How much trouble am I really in?”

  “It’s not looking good, and now someone wants you dead too.”

  “I really didn’t kill my brother. You’ve got to believe me. I hated him, yes, and I feared he had got to Shirley. He’s always hated me having anything he couldn’t take away. Dalton told me they were having an affair. Yes, I could have killed him. I tracked him down that night and told him I’d found out about the affair. He laughed at me and said, ‘Not yet’!”

  “Did you believe him?”

  “I wanted to, and now I do because he would have bragged about it as another conquest. Ironic, isn’t it? For once, he’d failed, but I’d already had a go at Shirley.”

  “So believing your wife was having an affair, you killed him,” Waverley persisted.

  “No. I felt like it, but I didn’t. I decided to tell Rosa he was upsetting passengers – which was true – and get him the sack. I found out after his death she already planned to sack them all.”

  “Didn’t you get him the job in the first place? Why would you want him fired?”

  “I thought it would be fun – we could leave the past behind us. He’d called me, begging me to get him a contract, told me he needed the work, convinced me he’d changed and we could make up, have a fresh start. Stupidly, I agreed. Secretly, I was always his biggest fan, lived in his shadow. Pathetic, isn’t it? I just wanted us to be friends, but he had played me like he always did.

  “As s
oon as I saw his smug face coming on board, I realised he hadn’t changed one iota. I wanted to punch him in the mouth, but he’s always been stronger than me. I’d gone down to greet him, but I turned around and went the other way. He was a bully and a misogynist, but I didn’t kill him.”

  Waverley frowned. Either this man was a brilliant liar, or he was telling the truth, but that would cause huge problems.

  Now what?

  Gordon continued talking, looking a lot more relaxed. “He was the world’s worst brother. He even supported an English football team, for goodness’ sake.”

  “What’s wrong with English football teams? I’m a lifelong Chelsea supporter.”

  “I’m a Cardiff City fan through and through. We didn’t do so well in our last match with you guys, though.”

  Sarah entered the infirmary and raised her eyebrows at Waverley, who smiled back at her.

  “No real harm done. It was only tea,” he said sheepishly.

  Sarah scowled at him, but didn’t say anything.

  Waverley rose from his chair and unlocked the handcuffs. “I don’t think we’ll be needing these.”

  “Thanks.” Gordon brightened.

  Waverley marched through the doors and took a seat outside, waiting for Jason Goodridge to return.

  Chapter 21

  Rachel and Marjorie were sitting on the balcony, enjoying watching the activity dockside in the port of St Petersburg, Russia.

  “I’m so sorry to have ruined your day out.” Rachel apologised for the fourth time.

  “You really don’t have to be. I’ve visited the city quite a few times, and at least it’s an overnight stopover so perhaps Dr Bentley will clear you for going out tomorrow.”

  “Oh, no! That’s not happening. We’re not cancelling the ballet tonight. I know how much you are looking forward to it, and so am I. Sarah and Jason are coming too so we finally get to meet him properly. We’re going and that’s that.”