Maggie looked at the bright yellow boat hanging from the side of the ship in front of them, and then she considered the crowd standing around her. There was not enough space on that boat for all of the passengers. She decided not to worry about it, because the likelihood of an event requiring everyone to abandon ship was almost infinitesimal.
The ship wasn’t the Titanic, and even if it was, Maggie knew that out here in the Caribbean, there were usually two or three cruise ships practically in sight of each other—and she could swim. She decided she would rather face a few hungry sharks than get on that boat with all of her fellow passengers.
She again turned toward the group to her left. She noted the sliding glass door between the two groups. She would head straight for the door as soon as possible.
She had a solid plan, and she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Just as she was about to turn back toward the sea, she noticed one of the passengers in the group assembled on the other side of the door: was he waving to her? She waited a moment.
Then the passenger waved again—and it was definitely meant for her. She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, but when she slowly reopened them, she saw him. Silas. Waving at her.
Maggie turned to her group; all of them were distracted. So she motioned a small wave back. Then she realized who was standing right next to Silas.
Jay.
What the heck are these guys doing on this cruise ship? she asked herself.
The last time she had seen these two was when they climbed aboard a private jet after rescuing her from the trunk of a murderer’s car. She had never told Mike Marker about Silas or Jay because she didn’t know how to explain the whole relationship, and she needed to protect her friend Alex from further suspicion. It was complicated. But now, how was she going to keep her identity secret from the group? She smiled to Silas and motioned to the door. Silas nodded his head in understanding.
“This thing is almost over, and I have to go to the bathroom,” Maggie told Mike, leaning into him. “I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Absolutely.”
She smiled tightly then moved slowly to the bulkhead. She slid down, dipping out of sight, just as the groups were released. When Mike turned back, Maggie had already disappeared through the large sliding doors into the ship.
Chapter 6
Atrium
Maggie rushed through the breezeway and hurried to the center of the ship, where she stopped in amazement. She was in the ship’s atrium. Four grand staircases—one on each side—curved gracefully down from three decks above. Each staircase was decorated by intricate golden banners. The staircases lead to a central floor, as stunning as a ballroom in a castle. A chandelier of Chihuly glass hung above the center. A grand piano stood at one end, and two classic Rolls Royce cruisers were parked on the opposite side. The cars seemed to be guarding the entrance to Kensington Gardens: the London park had been authentically reproduced just behind the cars.
Maggie spotted Silas and Jay coming through the passageway. They were followed by the masses, who were already starting to enter the space. She made her way to the park entrance and motioned for Silas and Jay to follow her.
She walked quickly until she reached a small alcove off the main path. She found two park benches facing each other near the center of the faux park. Silas and Jay casually walked down the path and sat on the park bench directly in front of the bench where Maggie sat.
Maggie’s face was red. She was breathing hard from both the panic caused by the crowd and the shock of seeing Jay and Silas on the ship.
“No offense, Maggie, but I think you need to hit the gym,” Silas said.
“Seriously?” She looked at the two. “What the hell are you guys doing on this ship?”
“A little R-and-R, of course,” Jay said.
“Did Alex send you?” Maggie asked. Alexandra was one of Maggie’s best friends at Banyan Tree Country Club. She was a fierce businesswoman and once known as the Mistress of the Mob.
“Why would you think that?” Silas said with a wink. “What if I just missed you?”
“Because I called both Alex and Britney last night and told them I was coming on this cruise to investigate something, and you two just happen to show up.” Britney was Maggie’s other best friend at Banyan Tree Country Club.
“What are you investigating?” Jay asked.
“It’s a bank thing, and I happen to be undercover,” she said proudly.
“I noticed you’re with that detective,” Silas said with a smirk. “But I’m pretty sure it was me who pulled you out of that trunk last time you and your buddies decided to investigate something.”
“I thank you for that, but really, this isn’t dangerous, so I won’t be requiring your services. Feel free to enjoy your vacation.”
“Even though we aren’t your body guards, this time, and since we will be onboard anyway, feel free to call on us if you need us to save your butt again.” Silas put on that Cheshire cat smile of his.
“Don’t worry, we’ll stay out of your way,” Jay said.
“Unless you want something in your way,” Silas said.
Maggie blushed. She remembered a few steamy nights with this handsome Latin Casanova. Even though he had been on the job, she had enjoyed herself; but now was a different time, and she hadn’t figured out her feelings for Mike.
“Just know we have your back. If you need anything, we’re in cabin 8-2-2-0,” Silas said, standing.
Maggie nodded her head.
“By the way, Maggie”—Jay tilted his head toward her—“do you happen to have the notebook with you?”
“What notebook?” she asked, attempting to hide her shock.
“The notebook from Marco’s. Someone took it from his home the night you three ladies were there.”
“I don’t have any idea what you are talking about.” But she knew precisely where the notebook was. Britney took it. She saw her put it under her shirt at Marco’s and again when she handed it over to her uncle.
“Okay, no problem,” Jay said with a wry smile, He was standing now directly in front of her.
Silas stood and moved between the two. “I’ll be in touch,” he said, moving Jay aside. He held out his hand to Maggie, who accepted the help to her feet.
The two men walked away, leaving Maggie standing in the center of the path. Silas looked back and waved just before he and Jay disappeared around the corner.
Maggie let out her breath. She hadn’t even realized she had been holding it. She knew Alex could be a useful resource to get in touch with, because she knew more about the banking industry than most accountants. Alex might look like a retired kindergarten teacher—she was barely five feet tall—but they didn’t call her Mistress to the Mob for nothing. She had a particular influence that extended beyond the borders of the United States.
Maggie pulled her phone out of her back pocket and dialed Britney’s number, but her call went directly to voice mail. The ship was still relatively close to the port in Fort Lauderdale, so she should have a signal.
She tried several more times before finally leaving a voice mail. “Hey Brit, this is Maggie. You’ll never guess who showed up on this ship—Silas and Jay. I have no idea why they are here or why Alex would have sent them. The weird thing is that they were asking if I had a notebook from Marco’s house. Call me as soon as you get this message.”
Maggie hung up then called Alex.
Alex picked up on the first ring. “Hey girl, what’s going on? I thought you were solving mysteries on a cruise ship.”
“I am,” Maggie said, “but I was wondering why you sent Silas and Jay?”
“What do you mean?”
“It not that I don’t appreciate it, but I doubt very much I’m in any danger,” Maggie said.
“What are you saying?” Alex sounded confused.
“Silas and Jay are on the ship.”
“What?” Alex’s voice increased in volum
e.
“You didn’t send them?” Maggie was worried.
“What did they say?” Alex asked in her business voice. “Exactly.”
Maggie considered how much to tell Alex. “They asked if I had some notebook.”
“What notebook?”
“I’m not sure. Jay said he thought one of us took it from Marco’s desk. I didn’t know what they were talking about.” Maggie was feeling a little guilty, not telling Alex that she knew Britney had it. “Do you know what they are talking about?”
“No,” Alex said.
Alex’s answer caused Maggie to doubt her friend, but she was glad she hadn’t exposed Britney.
“Has the ship left the dock?” Alex asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll call you back.”
Alex hung up, not even saying goodbye.
Maggie thought for a moment. Did her friend not know the guys were on board?. Could they be doing a little freelancing without Alex’s knowledge…or was Alex hiding something?
Maggie jumped as her phone vibrated in her hand. She looked at the screen, expecting to see it was Alex calling back, but it was Britney.
“So what the heck is going on, woman?” Britney said without any worry in her voice.
“Did you listen to my message?” Maggie asked.
“That’s why I’m calling you back,” Britney said. “Don’t worry about anything. There is nothing in the notebook that’s worth hurting someone over.”
“What do you mean ‘hurting someone’?” Maggie’s voice had risen an octave.
“Did you talk to Alex?”
“I just got off the phone with her?”
“Did you say anything about the notebook?”.
“I didn’t because I wasn’t sure if I should.”
“Yeah, please don’t say anything. I’m meeting with Alex tomorrow, and I’ll bring it to her. But I need to explain some things before I hand it over. And Maggie…” Britney paused so long Maggie thought she might have lost the connection. “Don’t say anything to Silas and Jay. Stay away from them if at all possible.”
“O-kaaaay,” Maggie said, drawing the word out. “Do I need to know something you’re not telling me?”
“Of course not,” Brittney said. “I’m just shocked they are there. Just keep playing the dumb blonde.”
Maggie took offense. “I wasn’t playing the dumb blonde.”
“You know what I mean,” Britney said playfully. “I’ll text you later. Love you, have fun with Mikey.”
“Bye,” Maggie said. She rolled her eyes as she hung up. She put her phone in her back pocket before starting down the path leading out of the park. Just as she rounded the first bend, she practically ran into Mike.
“Hey,” she said nervously.
“I was worried and came looking for you.”
Was it Maggie’s imagination, or was Mike trying too hard not to give away the fact that he had been standing there for a long while?
“Well, you found me,” Maggie said.
“Last minute calls?” Mike said with a tilt of his head.
“I was just checking in with Alex and Britney before we set out to sea.”
“You three stick together.”
“It’s that country club where we live. We’re three misfits who found each other, and yeah, we stick together.”
“If there were anything I needed to know, you would tell me…right, Maggie?”
“Of course,” Maggie said, crossing her fingers in her mind. “We’re partners.”
“Exactly.” Mike smiled. “We’re partners-and partners don’t lie to each other.”
Maggie swallowed hard.
“Or keep important information from each other,” he added.
“Agree,” Maggie said. But who determines what is important?
“This park is unbelievable,” Mike said, looking around. He reached out and touched a tree.
“It’s all real,” Maggie said, thankful for a new subject. “Even the grass. You could get a blanket and have a picnic.”
“These ships just amaze me,” Mike replied. “Did you see there’s a full-size waterslide, a professional rock wall, and an ice skating ring?”
Maggie smiled. “All lost on me, I’m afraid.”
As soon as they reached the end of the path, they stepped back into reality, transported from an idyllic park setting into the magic of the atrium.
“Do you think someone in our group took your aunt’s money?” Maggie asked as they walked through the atrium’s center. She stopped and looked up.
“I honestly don’t know,” Mike said. He followed Maggie’s gaze. “Wow!”
“Yeah,” Maggie said, amazed at the painted ceiling.
“It’s the Raising of Lazarus by Domenico Tintoretto,” Mike said confidently.
“Do you seriously know that?” Maggie asked.
“It happens that I love art almost as much as you enjoy wine. The original painting is hanging in Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum of Art.”
“Well, I’m again impressed, Mike Marker,” Maggie said.
“I think we are getting underway,” he said. “Let’s go change for the reception.”
“Perfect.”
Maggie looked around for any trace of Silas and Jay. She considered telling Mike about the two men but felt like it wasn’t the right time. How could she spoil the magic that seemed hidden around every corner of the Silence of the Seas?
Chapter 7
Bon Voyage Reception
Six identical blue shirts arrived at the reception line together. The slogan Blame It On The Drink Package inspired a few chuckles along the way. Maggie rolled her eyes. She looked around the room at some of the other groups’ matching shirts: Benjamin Family Reunion in bright yellow, Terry’s 50’th Birthday in fluorescent green, and the Bride and all her Bride’s Maids in fuchsia pink.
It could be worse, Maggie thought.
Captain Dillard was a tall blonde Nordic type with a broad smile and straight nose. Maggie imagined his ancestors were the captains of the great Viking ships conquering the world and somehow planted his DNA.
“Velcome to the ship,” Captain Dillard said, greeting each guest with a smile and a solid handshake. When it was Maggie’s turn, she smiled and noticed the captain wore no wedding ring…and he was about the right age. If her friends, Britney and Alex, were with her, she might have had the courage to say something flirty; instead she moved awkwardly down the line to meet the next crew representative.
Jules Gilbert was the cruise director. She took Maggie’s hand in both of hers. “Welcome aboard Silence of the Seas.” She looked between Mike and Maggie as she took Mike’s hand.
A slightly taller but thinner man stood next to her. “May I introduce my assistant Santos. If either of you has any questions regarding fun activities to do while you are a guest, please feel free to ask either of us.”
“Thank you both.” Maggie smiled at the handsome six-foot man.
“So, what are your passions, Ms. Maggie?” Santos asked with a robust Caribbean accent. His brown eyes were soft but intense. The way he stood looking at her was as if he could see into her soul.
A candlelight dinner, a nice bottle of wine, and a long walk on the beach, Maggie thought to herself. Noticing the faraway look in her eyes, Santos started rattling off a few activities available on board the ship: “We offer rock climbing, surfing, zip-lining, or how about volleyball?”
Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Seriously, do I look like I would enjoy anything that physical. I’m more of a Bingo player,” she said.
“Aw, now I see…you like to use your mind and not your muscles,” Santos said, winking. “We have a fabulous slot tournament, you can win ten thousand dollars and a free cruise—and, of course, we do have Bingo for your enjoyment. Please let me know if you have any questions this week. I will be available to you.” He nodded as she walked away, feeling her face turn hot. As she headed toward the small bar—obviously a temporary setup for the eve
nt—she heard Mike discussing the volleyball tournament. Jules, she thought, smiling to herself.
“What are you smiling about?”
Joanie walked up to the bar with Maggie.
“Jules is the cruise director,” Maggie said. Joanie tilted her head and shook it slightly. “Julie, from Love Boat,” Maggie explained, smiling. She turned to the bartender. “I’ll take Merlot.”
“You’re showing your age,” Joanie said. “I’ll also take the Merlot,” she told the bartender.
The bartender set the two glasses of wine in front of the ladies. “Nice shirts.” He smiled broadly.
“Clever, isn’t it?” Maggie smiled at Joanie as they took their glasses and walked to an empty seating area. Maggie sat on the couch, and Joanie took the overstuffed chair next to her.
They each took a sip of their wine before setting their glass on a long table in front of them. The room, designed for quiet conversation and relaxation, was decorated with overstuffed furniture, heavy curtains, and thick plush carpet.
“Speaking of Love Boat…” Joanie said. She pointed to Kimberly and David, who were sitting at a two-person high top in the back corner of the room. Their faces were close to one another, as if they were sharing intimate secrets.
“Do you think they have something going on?”
“I’m not sure,” Joanie said. “I honestly never really notice them interact that much at the bank. Whenever David was at the branch, he was under a desk or in the room with the servers. Kimberly was always busy at one of the teller stations or in her office with a client.”
“Do you think this is a new thing?”
“I don’t know.” Joanie shook her head and again lifted her glass of wine. “It seems a little fishy.”
Maggie noticed John sitting at a table set up with staff to sign up excursions. He had several pamphlets in his hand.
Mike took a seat next to Maggie on the couch.
“I signed up for the volleyball tournament with Jules,” Mike said.
Undercover Cruise (A Maggie McFarlin Mystery Book 2) Page 5
