Terror at Sea: Three mysteries aboard a cruise ship

by Debby Mayne

  It did turn out to be a pretty enchanted evening, just as Sheila had predicted. We showed up right on time for dinner and I let out a little whistle when I saw the luxurious three-story dining hall with the glittering chandelier in the center. “W-wow.”

  “Wow is right.” Sheila’s eyes practically bugged out of her head. “This place beats anything I’ve ever seen.”

  “Fancy- schmaltzy,” I added.

  “But the men aren’t dressed in suits like you said,” Warren grumbled.

  “Yeah, we’re the only ones in suits and ties, Sheila,” Orin loosened his tie a bit.

  “No you’re not,” she argued. “Look around you. I see a lot of men dressed up nice and quite a few ladies in their Sunday best.”

  Orin rolled his eyes and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  The host seated us at a table—a large table, actually—near the center of the room. Turned out, we had assigned dinner guests: the bride and groom-to-be, along with another young woman and young man, who looked to be about the same age.

  “Ooo, I remember you!” Sheila gave a little wave as she took her seat. “The bride and groom-to-be!”

  “Yes, I’m Meredith.” The gorgeous blonde bride gave us a warm smile from the opposite side of the table.

  “And I’m Jake,” the fiancé chimed in, his smile equally as contagious. “This is my best man, Kevin.” He gestured to the guy nibbling on a piece of bread who glanced our way with a nod.

  “And my maid of honor, Natalie.” Meredith gestured to a young woman on her left who fidgeted with her napkin and then mumbled a quiet “Hello.”

  We did our best to engage the maid of honor as we ate our dinner, but she didn’t seem terribly social. My gaze shifted to the best man, who greeted me with a welcoming smile. He reminded me of my son, Devin. My newly married son who rarely called his mama anymore. Tears sprang to my eyes at once.

  Kevin turned out to be the life of the party, another thing he had in common with my Devin. He kept us entertained throughout the meal with stories about the bride and groom—especially the groom, who, it turned out, had a colorful past. Interesting. Still, we all found Kevin endearing.

  “Kevin’s the reason we were able to take this cruise,” Jake explained when the best man finally paused for breath. “His cousin Kenzie Jamison is one of the main performers in the 50s musical.”

  “And the other shows, too,” Kevin explained. “She’s a soloist. Studied at Julliard.”

  “Wow.” Sheila gave him an admiring nod.

  “She’s also a great actress,” Kevin added. “She did a show on Broadway last year. She’s also a judge at the karaoke finals on Friday night, too.”

  “No joke?” I gave Kevin an admiring look. “Sounds like fun.”

  “You’ll see her all over the ship. She performs on the top deck in the afternoons sometimes. She’s in the Calypso band. She’s always in some costume or another.”

  “Sounds like a great job.”

  “She loves it,” Kevin said.

  Jake nodded. “Thanks to Kenzie we all got a great price on the rooms. We really owe her.”

  Kevin puffed his shoulders in obvious pride. “She didn’t mind. Just a gift for the bride and groom.” His smile faded for a moment and then he shrugged. “I don’t really get to see her much, anyway. She’s always busy with rehearsals. But that’s okay. My focus needs to be on my best friend.” His gaze shifted—not to Jake, but to Meredith, who seemed oblivious. Interesting.

  The bride lit into a conversation about her wedding gown, and kept all of us glued to her every word. Talk about a delightful young woman. Whatever concern I’d seen on her face back at the hotel was gone now.

  Well, until her parents appeared at our table.

  The mother of the bride approached with a pensive expression on her face. “I hate that we’ve been placed so far away.” She pursed her lips as she glanced back and forth between their two tables. “Doesn’t seem fair.” She gave me an imploring look. “Maybe we could switch places with you folks? Would you mind? I’d love to spend these next few days with my daughter.” Her jaw clenched a bit. “Before she gets married, I mean.”

  “Oh, well, I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t know about the others.” I glanced at Warren, who shrugged.

  “Mama!” Meredith looked put off by her mother’s suggestion. “It’s fine. We have all day together. It won’t hurt us one little bit to share our mealtime with people outside of the wedding party.” She smiled at me. “In fact, let’s just remedy that right now by inviting you to the wedding. What do you think? Tuesday night. Eight o’clock, in the chapel on the top deck. What do you say, Annie?”

  “Well, I don’t know. I. . .” My gaze shifted to her mother, who didn’t look terribly happy that we’d been included.

  “I’d love to have you there, Mrs. Peterson.” Meredith reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.

  At this point, Meredith’s mother huffed away. Jealous, perhaps? She had no reason to be, but how could I reassure her of that fact?

  “I’m sorry about Mama,” Meredith said. “I think it’s the empty nest thing getting to her.”

  “I understand.” And I did.

  The bride’s smile brightened. “Well, I still want you to come. The fact that you’ve been a mother of the bride so many times now convinces me we’re going to get through this just fine.”

  “Well of course you’ll get through it just fine.” I offered what I hoped would be a convincing smile. “Just stay calm, cool and collected. And pray, honey. God’s got this.”

  She nodded, but I saw a hint of disbelief in her eyes. Strange. Stranger still, the cool expression from the maid of honor. What in the world was up with that girl? If I had to judge from outward appearances, something I tried not to do, I’d have to guess she wasn’t happy about the impending nuptials. In fact, as I caught her stealing a gaze at the groom-to-be, the strangest thought crossed my mind: Do you have the hots for your BFF’s sweetie, perhaps? Hmm. Maybe.

  I asked Sheila about it later as we strolled the top deck. Orin and Warren tagged along behind us, but were deeply engaged in conversation about our upcoming excursion to Cozumel.

  “I picked up on it too.” Sheila sighed. “It’s a shame, you know? Those two girls are supposed to be best friends. Natalie should be happy for Meredith.”

  “Like you were happy for me when I solved that last case back in Clarksborough?”

  “Well, sure.” Sheila slipped her arm through mine just as a gust of wind threatened to topple us over onto the deck floor. “Whoa, there!” After calming down a bit she looked my way. “Just for the record, Annie, even if you didn’t get it right every time I’d still stand by you. I don’t love you because you jump through hoops.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at that one. “Well, that’s good, because my hoop-jumping skills aren’t what they used to be.”

  “I’m being serious.” My friend’s eyes filled with tears. “You’ve been the best friend I’ve ever had. I really mean that. You’ve been there for me, and for Orin, and I’m so grateful. This trip is just the icing on the cake.”

  I reached to give her a warm hug and whispered, “I agree.”

  Just then the fellas walked up behind us. “What’s going on here?” Orin asked. “Some sort of a hug-in?”

  “Yep, and you’re invited.” Sheila opened her arms and gestured for the guys to join us. Before long we were enmeshed in a group hug. Just about the time I felt emotions spill over me Warren muttered the word, “Awkward.”

  “Okay, okay.” I released my hold. “But one of these days you’ll appreciate a warm hug from a friend, Warren Peterson.”

  “She’s right you know.” Orin sniffled theatrically, then threw his arms around my husband’s neck. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Warren Peterson!”

  “No, you’re the best,” Warren countered, volume rising.

  “No, you’re the best. I just adore you, Warren Peterson!” Orin’s voice rang out, giddy and l
oud.

  At that very moment an elderly couple happened by. “I’ve see this sort of thing on television, Bob,” the woman said to her husband as she gave Warren and Orin a curious look, “but never in person. My goodness.”

  My husband released his hold on Orin in a hurry and before long we were all laughing so hard we could barely contain ourselves.

  “C’mon, Annie,” Warren said. “Let’s go back to the cabin. I’m starting to feel woozy.”

  I was starting to feel woozy, myself. Might have a little something to do with seasickness, or it might have more to do with the odd scene now going on to my right. Was that the infamous maid of honor standing in the moonlight with the groom-to-be? Before I could tell for sure, they both disappeared through the doors into the interior of the ship. Very, very odd.

  Not that it was any of my business, of course. Still, as a former mother-of-the-bride, I had to keep an eye on things… didn’t I? Well, of course I did!

  Chapter Four

  Sea of Love

  The alternative to a vacation is to stay home and tip every third person you see.

  —Author Unknown

  O ur first full day at sea was crammed full of on-board adventures. We ate breakfast at the Windjammer Café at 8:30 a.m., played music trivia in the lounge on deck four at 10:00 a.m., watched a Bingo game in the theater at 11:15, ate lunch on the top deck by the pool at noon, played cards in the library at 1:30 p.m., napped from 2:00 to 4:00 and sat out on our balcony watching the waters beneath the ship as the colors changed to the most majestic shade of deep blue I’d ever seen.

  Around four-thirty we headed up to the top deck. Off in the distance the band played a reggae tune, something with a lot of action and pizazz. I couldn’t help but notice the singer, a gorgeous girl with jet-black hair and tanned skin. She looked like a cover model. Well, except for the over-the-top calypso outfit she wore. That looked a little more like Carmen Miranda. I turned my attention to the belly flop competition. I had no idea what to expect, but apparently it involved several highly intoxicated overweight men seeing who could create the biggest splash in the pool. Ugh. Not my cup of tea.

  Speaking of tea, I needed something to drink, so left hubby and friends to refill my soda bottle with my favorite diet drink. Seated at a nearby bar with a soda in hand, I found the best man. He smiled as I approached.

  “Mrs. Peterson.”

  “Kevin, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “What? You weren’t in the belly flop contest?” I teased as I handed my drink bottle to the bartender and gave him my order.

  “Um, no.” Kevin rubbed his stomach. “Though, if I keep eating like this I’ll be more than qualified.” The laughter that followed caught the attention of a man to his left who rolled his eyes.

  “Hardly,” I said. “So, are you alone? Where’s the rest of the bridal party?”

  “They’re in the hot tub. Or the pool. Not sure. I wanted to sneak away to hear Kenzie sing.”

  “Kenzie?”

  “My cousin. She’s a singer.” He gestured to the young woman in the band, the one with the Carmen Miranda dress.”

  “Oh, wow. She’s your cousin?”

  “Yes. She was also in the show last night. Did you see it?”

  “We did. No wonder she looks familiar. Very talented girl.”

  Kevin laughed. “Yeah, well. . .she’s the only one in the family who got the talent, trust me. I’m an accountant, not a singer or actor.”

  “You’re an accountant?” That really piqued my interest. “Then you’ll have a lot in common with my husband. He’s a banker.” This led to a lengthy chat about investment portfolios, which apparently bored the guy sitting next to Kevin. When he left, I took his seat and we kept talking. . .until Warren showed up.

  “Annie?” My husband gave me a curious look. No doubt. He’d never seen his wife bellied up to a bar before. “We thought we lost you.”

  “Sorry.” I laughed. “Got to talking. Did you know Kevin here is an accountant?”

  Well, that was all she wrote. Warren ended up taking my seat at the bar and after a minute or two I’d lost him to the conversation with Kevin. I turned my attention back to Kenzie and the band. They wrapped up their set and she headed our way. As she drew near, I noticed the most unusual tattoo on her upper right arm. Angel wings. Beautifully done.

  Kevin made introductions. Before long we were all laughing and talking. Kenzie couldn’t stay long because she had a rehearsal in the theater, but I gushed over her acting and singing abilities before she left.

  “Wow.” I turned back to Kevin and gave him an admiring smile. “She’s great.”

  “I know. She had a lot of training. Graduated from Julliard.”

  “Oh, I agree her singing is great, but I just meant as a person. She seems really sweet.”

  Kevin rose from the bar stool and stretched. “Well, what do you expect? She’s originally from Texas. We’re all friendly in Texas, you know.”

  This got a chuckle out of all of us. Kevin said his goodbyes and headed off to find the others at the pool.

  Warren grabbed my bottle and took a sip of my diet drink, then wrinkled his nose. “Ugh.”

  “I know, I know. But I like it. And besides, I’ve got to watch my girlish figure.”

  “I’ll watch your girlish figure.” He gave me a little wink. “Just let me do it with a real soda in hand.”

  “Okay, okay.” I passed the bottle back to the bartender and exchanged the diet soda for a ‘real’ one.

  Warren took a big sip. “Ah, that’s more like it.” He shifted his attention to the now-empty stage where the Calypso band had been.

  Just then, Sheila and Orin appeared, plates in hand.

  “You should taste this cheesecake, Annie,” Sheila said. “It’s delish.”

  “Aren’t we going to dinner in an hour?” I asked. My gaze shifted to the yummy looking cheesecake on her plate.

  “Well, yes, but this is just an appetizer.” She poked her fork in the cheesecake and then passed it my way. “Here, try this.”

  I did. And then I took another bite. And another. Best appetizer ever.

  “If you think that was good, you should’ve seen the pastries. Who serves pastries in the middle of the day? The Navigator of the Seas, that’s who!” She laughed and took her fork back.

  “What are you guys doing out here?” Orin asked.

  “Listening to the band.” I gestured to the stage. “We were, anyway. They just ended their set.”

  “Ah. Did we miss much?” Sheila tossed her plate in a trashcan and then leaned against the bar.

  “Actually, yes. Kevin was here. We had a long talk.”

  “Kevin?” Creases formed in-between Orin’s eyes.

  “The best man,” Sheila said. “Remember? We met him last night.”

  “Oh, right.” Orin shrugged. “I wasn’t taking notes.”

  “Remember he told us his cousin works on-board the ship?” I said. “Well, I just met her. She was the singer in the Calypso band and she was that gal who impressed us all so much in the show last night.”

  “Oh, wow.” Sheila looked impressed by this news. “I remember her. Talented gal.”

  “Very.” I nodded. “We met her in person just now. Sorry you missed her. She seems like a real sweetie, just like Kevin.”

  “Nice guy,” Warren added. “An accountant.”

  “Well, that explains why you like him.” Sheila gave Warren a nudge with her elbow. “But what’s your fascination, Annie?”

  My eyes welled with tears. “He just reminds me so much of Devin. I mean, his hair color is different. And his eyes aren’t the same shade. And he’s a lot taller and thinner than Devin, but other than that. . .”

  “Annie, they have nothing in common.” Sheila rolled her eyes.

  “Well, of course they do,” I argued. “They’re both sweet young men.”

  “I’d be willing to bet he’s sweet on Meredith.”

  I couldn’t help bu
t gasp. “You noticed it, too?”

  “C’mon, Annie. I might be old, but I’m not blind. I have eyes in my head. I saw how he was looking at her last night.”

  “Yeah.” I sighed. “I noticed it, too.” Of course, I’d also noticed the groom-to-be hanging out in the moonlight with the maid of honor, but I didn’t bother to mention that.

  “Don’t you two have anything else to talk about?” Warren shook his head.

  “Yeah, like dinner?” Orin added. “I’m hungry.”

  We all turned to stare at him.

  He rubbed his stomach. “What?”

  “Oh, nothing.” I laughed. “I guess it is time to head back to our cabins to dress for dinner.”

  I led the way across the deck to the elevators. Off in the distance I caught a glimpse of the bridal party getting out of the hot tub. The groom seemed in a great mood but the maid of honor still looked a bit sullen. I’d love to know her story.

  “Annie?” Warren nudged me and I startled to attention.

  “Hmm?”

  “Stay focused, girl. You almost walked into a pole.”

  “Oh?”

  “Eyes on the road, Annie.” Sheila laughed. “We want to make it to dinner in one piece.”

  Less than an hour later, after returning to our cabins and dressing for the evening, we did make it to dinner in one piece. Well, unless you counted the part where Sheila’s slip was hanging out from the back of her skirt. She fixed it right there in the dining room with everyone looking surrounding us, but no one seemed to notice.

  Except the mother-of-the-bride, who stood watch over our table like a queen over her subjects. She gave Sheila a ‘You’re so inappropriate’ look and then walked over to her own table.

  “Don’t mind my mama,” Meredith said and then sighed. “She’s a little out of sorts.”

  She seemed a l-o-t out of sorts to me, but I didn’t say so. Instead, I took my seat, ordered the finest meal on the menu, and stuffed myself silly. With the bridal party in good spirits, we had a lovely evening, all the way down to dessert, where I ordered the key lime pie.