Undercover Cruise (A Maggie McFarlin Mystery Book 2)

by Charisse Peeler

  Mike continued to walk silently down two corridors, almost as if he was lost.

  “Where was that computer room?” Mike asked her.

  “Deck Seven,” she said.

  “I need to check on something. I’ll meet up with you later.”

  “Are you sure?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m sure,” Mike said as he punched the button on the elevator door. They both rode silently. The door opened at Deck 7, and Mike stepped out. He didn’t look back. Maggie continued back to the suite, where she spent the rest of the day relaxing. Eventually, when she grew hungry and Mike had still not returned, she decided to try to find him.

  She found him. He was still in the business center, eyes glued to a computer screen.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” He sat back, stretching his back, raising his arms above his head.

  “Have you eaten anything today?”

  “Randolph brought me lunch earlier.”

  “Randolph?”

  “Yeah, he’s helping me sort out a few things.” He pressed a few buttons on the keyboard then stood up.

  “Are you ready to go to dinner?” Maggie asked.

  “What I really need is a drink,” Mike said, tucking his little spiral notebook into his front pocket.

  Maggie followed Mike, who was once again lost in his thoughts until they reached Keys. It was a piano bar and the first place they came across that served food.

  “This looks nice and quiet,” he said, motioning Maggie to follow. Several couples were enjoying drinks at small tables covered in red linens. The music was soft, muted by heavy curtains and large paintings that covered the walls. The pianist smiled as his fingers marched across the keys while Mike and Maggie walked by. A tip jar held just a few bills, indicating the start of the pianist’s shift.

  Candles on the tables flickered, affording the bar a romantic atmosphere, but they weren’t there for romance. They sat at the table farthest from the entrance, near a large window. The ship was still at a standstill while the search for John’s body continued in full force. Earlier announcements indicated they would remain stationary for a while, but the passengers should continue to go about their activities.

  Mike ordered two martinis, not even bothering to ask Maggie her preference. His face was slack, without emotion.

  Maggie picked up the small candle from the center of the table. She turned it in her hand, fascinated. “This is real wax but it’s a fake flame. It looks so real from afar.”

  No reaction from Mike. He still just stared straight ahead.

  Maggie looked around for another distraction but found none. She wanted to say something but couldn’t. The awkwardness continued until the drinks arrived. Mike drank his down in one long swallow, emptying the glass before the server even left the table. He signaled the server for two more, not even noticing Maggie’s tentative sip; she gave a one-eyed wince in response to Mike’s order. She wasn’t a drinker of traditional martinis.

  Maggie preferred to mask the alcohol with some food. She slid her glass to Mike, who, without questioning her, drank it down. When the server delivered the next set of martinis, Maggie asked for a Cosmopolitan. She also ordered the first few appetizers from the small menu in front of her. The waiter reached for the drink he’d set in front of her, but Mike waved him away. After the second drink, he slowed down, and Maggie could see his shoulders relax.

  “I’m sorry about my sister,” he finally spoke.

  “You don’t have to apologize. Every family has issues.”

  Maggie considered whether to tell Mike about Kimberly’s suspicions about Joanie but decided it still wasn’t the right time. She chose to focus on the internal conflicts he was trying to deal with at the moment.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she said, putting her hand on his arm. He looked up, meeting her eyes. She could see sadness but recognized the strength still there.

  “Joanie has had a hard life,” he started, “and she was right about our parents. Our mother didn’t want children, but my father insisted. ‘Need to continue the family name,’ he said—and sure enough, I was born.”

  “I’m surprised you aren’t a ‘junior,’ ” she said.

  “I am. I just don’t use the designation.” Mike took another sip from the martini. “My parents were almost forty when they had me, and when my mother was pregnant with Joanie, I was already in kindergarten. My mother was so distraught she barely got out of bed her whole pregnancy; when Joanie was born, my mother hardly took care of her. It was Aunt Millie, my father’s sister, who took over. She even bought the house next door so she could be there for Joanie. Honestly, I look back on the whole ordeal and wonder why they didn’t give her up for adoption. I guess they might have if not for Aunt Millie.”

  “That’s horrible,” Maggie said.

  “Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds. My father did a great job providing for his family, but in my parents’ eyes, I could do no wrong, and they blamed Joanie for everything that went wrong. You would think that I would be okay with that, but I wasn’t. I carried the guilt for my sister; that, and the pressure to achieve and keep my parents happy, was intense. The one person who understood was, again, Aunt Millie.”

  “She seems like a wonderful woman,” Maggie said.

  “I think her childhood was much like ours, but she doesn’t seem to hold the resentment like Joanie,” Mike said. The alcohol was doing its job, and Mike was now sufficiently relaxed.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Maggie, she’s a great girl with a good heart. She just can’t help herself sometimes. I think she’s just looking for that unconditional love that just doesn’t exist.”

  “You don’t believe in love?” Maggie asked.

  “My definition of love is probably much different than yours,” he said.

  “Go ahead, now I’m curious. What is your definition of love?”

  “First of all, the word ‘love’ is just that. It’s just a word. When people say they are in love, they’re describing the chemical phenylethylamine, which causes dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin to be released into their brain; that stimulates the need to procreate.”

  “Seriously, Mike? Is that your belief?”

  “That is exactly my belief. Love is just a word. Have you ever been in love?”

  “I believe I was once,” Maggie said softly.

  “But where is he now?” Mike asked. “It was a temporary feeling, and it’s over now, right?”

  No, it’s not right, Maggie thought but stopped short before feeling sorry for herself.

  Mike finally told her what he had found in his research that day. Maggie listened closely. They now had a new suspect, one who wasn’t on the cruise. Joanie’s old boyfriend was out of jail, and Joanie had been in touch with him.

  “But how would he have the kind of access he’d need to pull off the scam?” Maggie asked.

  “He’s a very resourceful guy,” Mike said.

  Maggie yawned and looked at her watch. It was a little past midnight.

  “Do you ‘love’ chocolate?” she asked Mike.

  “I do,” he said, tilting his head. “You know, phenylethylamine is also stimulated by chocolate.”

  “Well, follow me, Alex Trebek.”

  She stood, holding out her hand.

  Chapter 19

  The Chocolate Fountain

  Every night at midnight, the ship provided the most spectacular dessert stations, complete with a five foot tall chocolate fountain. The elevator opened at Deck 10. The first station was a table of chocolate martinis and a variety of other cordials. The night sky was clear; a soft breeze carried the fragrances of freshly baked goods. Tables had been set up with every imaginable dessert surrounding the giant fountain.

  “I think that’s a lot of feminine—or whatever chemical you were talking about,” Maggie said, smiling.

  “Phenylethylamine,” Mike said.

  “Whatever,” she said, “let’s get happy,”

/>   They both filled their small plates to the brink, piling up a variety of sweets before settling at a small table overlooking the water. Their conversation took on a less severe tone as they argued over what the best dessert was.

  “When we get back, I’m going to make you a Cheerwine float,” Mike said. “It’s the best thing you ever tasted. The key is the old-fashioned vanilla ice—”

  He stopped midsentence and pointed. David and Kimberly had their arms around each other.

  Maggie leaned back. “Not as big of a deal as you think.”

  “I admit, I didn’t see that coming,” Mike said. “I guess this is the Love Boat, after all. First Joanie and John, and now David and Kimberly. We’re the only ones sharing a room, and there’s nothing between us.”

  Maggie swallowed hard, putting her plate down. “So, there is nothing between us?”

  Mike’s face changed as he looked at her. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I like you…”

  “Please stop, Mike. I am not asking for something to be there. I just felt a little something, but I didn’t want—”

  Mike leaned forward and put his lips on Maggie’s. He kissed her softly at first, and when she responded, he kissed her harder, putting his hand behind her head.

  “I knew it!”

  Kimberly stood above them, her hands on her hips. David was beside her.

  Thanks a lot, Maggie thought.

  “You two are ridiculous.” Kimberly narrowed her eyes.

  “It’s none of your business, Kimberly. Maggie stood and then added, “How’s Silas?”

  “If you want to know, ask him. He’s standing right over there.”

  Kimberly pointed behind Maggie. Maggie turned slowly and saw Silas and Jay leaning against the bulkhead. Silas held his beer up and nodded his head in acknowledgment. She was suddenly humiliated. He had evidently watched the entire interaction between her and Mike, including the kiss.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Maggie marched over to where the two men stood. Kimberly watched her. “This ought to be good,” she said, sitting in one of the empty chairs at the table. She motioned for David, who was confused. He took a seat next to her.

  “Who is that?” Mike asked Kimberly.

  “You know, I’m not exactly sure, but what I do know is those two have history.”

  Maggie faced Silas and whispered loudly: “What are you guys doing here? Are you spying on me?”

  “We aren’t spying on you,” Jay said. “We were just as surprised to see you on this ship as you were surprised to see us.”

  “Just a lucky coincidence,” Silas said with a wink of his eye.

  “We’re actually on the job,” Jay said. “Remember?”

  “Alex said she didn’t know you were here,” Maggie said.

  “We have more than one client, Maggie,” Silas reminded her, “and according to your friend over there, you might need some help on your big case.”

  “We don’t need your help, but thanks for the offer,” Maggie said, looking back toward her table. Mike was at full attention, watching her.

  “How much did Kimberly tell you?”

  “She thinks she’s the object of a setup and that her boy toy over there is going to help her prove it.”

  “David?”

  “If he’s the I-T guy, then yeah, David,” Silas said.

  “I can’t believe she told you all that.”

  “What can I say, Maggie, I have a way with women.” Silas reached out, but Maggie took a step back, out of his reach. She was uncomfortable with how he was looking at her. She turned and saw that Mike, Kimberly, and David were watching them.

  Silas smiled. “Oh, sorry, I don’t want to upset the apple cart?”

  “What the heck does that mean?” Maggie said.

  “It looks like you got something going on over there, I don’t want to make the guy jealous.”

  “Oh, brother.” Maggie shook her head, “Maybe it’s not a good idea that you guys interact with Kimberly. She could be the one who took the money.”

  “I think the boss lady did it,” Silas said. He finished his beer and tossed it into a nearby garbage can. He motioned to an attendant, who almost instantly brought him a new one.

  “Why would Joanie steal from her aunt and her bank?” Maggie asked not expecting an answer.

  “Hmm, she hired her brother and his girlfriend. I’m pretty sure she’s smarter than you’re giving her credit for,” Silas said. “Don’t be so naïve, Maggie, money does strange things to people. It negates things like decency and breaks family ties. Haven’t you ever seen what happens when grandma dies. The family goes to war over a Hummel figurine because it’s worth a hundred bucks.”

  “I guess you’re right. But I just don’t see it being Joanie,” Maggie said.

  “You know I will always have your back, Maggie.”

  “Thanks, Silas, I appreciate it.”

  A Beach Boys tribute band called the Sandy Sons started to play across the deck from the chocolate fountain. The loud music made it a bit more challenging to carry on a conversation, but the band sounded good.

  “I’ve got to go,” Maggie said. Turning, she almost ran into Mike, who had left his chair.

  “Let’s dance,” he said, checking out Silas and Jay up close.

  “Okay.”

  Maggie took his hand, sensing the testosterone pulsing through Mike’s veins. She pulled him to the center of the deck where the crowd had started to dance.

  Mike was a little wobbly on his feet. He had consumed a lot of alcohol, and it was starting to show. He took Maggie by the hand and slow danced to “Good Vibrations” while the rest of the dance floor was doing the twist, the grasshopper, or whatever dance they were doing. A few crashes into other couples encouraged Maggie to get Mike back in his seat. He seemed perfectly content with letting her lead him around, so she slowly danced to the edge of the dance floor, guiding him toward their table.

  “Have you ever been to a North Carolina beach?” Mike asked Maggie. She shook her head no. “I want to take you to a place where they play shag music. It’s the only music you can dance to.”

  “Honestly, I have never heard of shag, but it sounds interesting,” Maggie said, sitting him in the chair.

  “You never heard of beach music?”

  “I didn’t know that it was a category, but it does sound fun. You ready for bed?” Maggie asked the next moment.

  “Sure, let’s go,” Mike said, standing.

  Maggie put her arm through his, leading him past the two men still standing against the bulkhead.

  “Who were those meatheads?” Mike asked a little too loudly. He drew the attention of the other passengers around them—including Silas and Jay, who just smiled.

  “Just guys from the neighborhood.”

  “ ‘The neighborhood’ ”—his words slurred a bit—“as if you live in a neighborhood. You live in a country club, a gated community, the safest place in the whole world.”

  “They are associates of Alexandra.”

  “Aw, so they’re from the neighborhood.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Maggie narrowed her eyes, waiting to defend her friend.

  “I was the lead investigator on the Marco murder, if you don’t remember.”

  “I won’t ever forget. By the way, there was a murder behind those gates.”

  “I know all about Ms. Alex’s associations—and her history. Just saying.”

  “We need to sit down.”

  Maggie led him to a chair near the door.

  Mike sat leaning to the side. Maggie tried to hold him up. Kimberly and David saw her dilemma and came over.

  “He’s okay,” Kimberly asked.

  “I’m fine!” Mike said loud and defensively.

  “How is Joanie holding up?” David asked to distract Mike.

  “Surprisingly well,” Maggie said.

  “It helps that she didn’t do anything wrong,” Mike added, now hanging his head.

  “I�
�m sorry, Mike, but we had to tell the truth,” Kimberly said.

  “I’m not blaming you, but you didn’t see anything. You assumed what happened. There is no real evidence, and we need to find the body.”

  “I’m sure she did it, Mike,” Kimberly said, looking at David, who nodded his head in agreement. “If you had heard her voice… She was super pissed.”

  “Joanie swears John jumped from the balcony,” Maggie said.

  “Why would he jump?” David asked.

  “That’s what we need to find out,” Mike said, slurring his words. “I think we should all get together tomorrow and figure it out.” Mike was fading. “She didn’t push him over, you know.”

  “I know we have a lot to figure out,” Maggie said, patting his hand.

  “Who is Silas?” he asked.

  “We had a long day, sleep might clear all our heads,” Maggie said, noticing how quickly Mike was fading.

  David tilted his head toward Mike. “Do you need help?” he asked.

  Maggie considered for a moment and then decided: “Yeah, I think I do.”

  She stood and held her hand out to Mike. He rose from his chair, not resisting. David took the other side, and Kimberly followed close behind.

  Mike took carefully measured steps, letting Maggie and David lead him to the elevator and then straight to their suite.

  Kimberly opened the door as Mike leaned against the wall. David and Maggie kept his body upright until they got him to his bed. He fell flat on his back. Before they could pull off his shoes and socks, he began to snore.

  David laughed. “Sleep well.”

  “Thanks for the help,” Maggie said, struggling to remove Mike’s jacket and shirt. Unsure whether to remove his pants, she settled on taking off his belt and loosening the top button.

  “Can you get me some headache powder?” Mike said, lying prone, his eyes shut tightly; but before Maggie could tell him she had no clue what “headache powder” was he was snoring again.

  Maggie slipped into a pair of workout shorts and a T-shirt and got into bed, locating Mike’s earbuds before settling in for the night. She pulled the covers up to her chin as she had as a child. She closed her eyes, feeling a little lost but a lot confused. Even with the earbuds, she could hear the rhythmic pattern of Mike snoring only a few feet away.