High Sea Murder

by Chuck Antone, Jr

  The three of us looked over at Inspector Rashan. He nodded his head.

  The Captain said, "Yes, I can arrange that. When and where to you want to meet James?"

  "We've nothing planned for the rest of the day, so whatever is convenient for you, is convenient for us. We'll wait for your call in our room."

  Kat and I went straight to our cabin and planned our questions. Again we agreed that I'd ask them, and Kat would be making notes.

  Within a half hour the Captain called to set up the time. Kat answered the phone. I put my head next to hers so I could hear his voice.

  "Four this afternoon is good for James. He'll be free until dinner time, so you'll have about two hours before the first dinner seating to talk. Is that okay with the two of you? I've told him to meet here in my office."

  I nodded my head vigorously.

  "That'll be fine," Kat answered him, and then asked, "Will you be there with us?"

  "No, I'll leave right after he arrives. I'm sure you both would like to talk to him without me being present."

  "Thanks, Captain. I think it'll make our interview with James a lot easier if it's with just the three of us. Thanks for being so understanding."

  "You're welcome, Kat. I'll see the two of you at four in my office."

  "We'll probably come a little earlier if that's okay with you. If you're busy we can wait in the reception area."

  "That's fine. I'll be free and it will give us a chance to get better acquainted."

  Kat hung up the phone and we prayed for guidance by the Holy Spirit, asking God for His mighty wisdom. We had over two hours before seeing James, so we decided to walk around the ship to see if we could find someone to talk to. We were especially looking for our fellow guests from table nine.

  The first people we saw were Maria and Jason. They both had smiles on their faces as we walked toward them. They invited us to sit at their table where they were sipping ice teas. Maria seemed so happy that her necklace had been found, but sorry about the two deaths. She was wondering if they were connected in some way with the robbery of her jewels. And she was hoping that we would all be able to go ashore when we arrived at our next destination.

  They said they'd been to many of these small quaint countries before, and knew of a great restaurant in Dubrovnik, Croatia, that they wanted to take us, if we were allowed off the ship.

  We thanked them, and Kat said, "We'd love to join you. It sounds like fun."

  By now it was three-thirty and time for us to go to the Captain's office. We were disappointed that we probably wouldn't have as much time with the Captain as we'd been hoping for, but it had been good spending a few minutes with Maria and Jason.

  When we arrived, the Captain welcomed us and right away began telling us about his wife and his teenage children. We told him about us knowing each other since we were young, and how we had always been best of friends. We also talked about Paul's Island, and how we fell in love there.

  He told us more about his life, and how he wanted to retire soon and spend more time with his wife of twenty-three years, and with his four children. Two of them were getting ready to go off to college, so it was important to be there with them before they left.

  We had a great time together. We told him of our faith in Christ. He said he also believed, but because of being gone so much, he wasn't active in a church or fellowship with other believers. But once he retired, he would definitely change that. We prayed for him, and when we had just finished we heard a very quiet knock on the office door.

  It was James.

  The Captain excused himself, saying he'd see us all later at dinner. I thought James looked a little nervous, but I could tell he was trying to be calm . . . perhaps trying a little too hard.

  Kat said, "James, we just want to ask you a few questions. Don't worry. We're going to ask others the same ones. Please sit down."

  She was trying to make our time with James look as casual as possible, so he wouldn't think he was a suspect. I could tell she was also attempting to put him at ease. We thought that if after talking to him, and we still weren't sure he was the one, we'd then ask Alex the same questions . . . he was the "others."

  "If it's all right with you, I have just three questions I'd like you to answer."

  James shrugged indifferently. "That's fine, fire away. It's not me you should be asking these questions to anyway. I'm the innocent one. You should be talking to Alex. He's the one who should be sitting here, not me."

  Chapter 36

  "James, our first question for you is why did you tell George King that we thought it was him who'd been murdered? Everyone had been told it was a suicide."

  "No, I didn't say that. You must have misunderstood me."

  "I don't think so." I turned to Kat. "Would you please read back the exact words James said?"

  "James, you said to George, 'I think everyone that is investigating this case thought it was you who was murdered last night.'"

  James shrugged again. "I must have heard it from somewhere. Everyone on the ship knows it was murder. What's your next question?"

  I thought his voice sounded a little shaky and uncertain. He was trying to act real calm, but it wasn't coming across as well as he no doubt wanted it to. His emotions were taking over, and from his body language he was becoming impatient and agitated.

  "My next question is why did you say that Berta told you that she and Barsha fought all of the time? Berta told us that the two of you had never had a conversation together, and your first night at dinner was the first time you both had ever worked together. Why would you say that, James?"

  "I don't remember any of this. You're making it up!" His voice had been getting louder which was a sure sign that he was lying. At least that's what one of our professors told us in our criminology class. He'd said it was a nervous condition and happens when people are either upset or lying. It's a way to cover up, to look innocent, by showing anger at a person or question. He reminded us to always be on the alert for different signs, no matter how small they might be. He also told us there would be times when a guilty person would repeat themselves.

  Kat was certainly managing to keep her cool. She sounded gentle but sharp. "It's okay, James, try to remain calm. Remember, we're not accusing you. We just have some questions we want to clear up."

  "I'm calm, I'm calm. Let's get on with the questions. I have to go back on duty, and they're probably waiting for me. I don't want anyone upset with me. What's your next question?"

  Both Kat and I looked at our watches. It was only 4:45. The Captain said James didn't have to report back to work until 6:00. We still had at least another hour.

  "My last question, James, is this. When we told you that the jewels had been found under table nine, and that they were checking for fingerprints, you said, 'Fingerprints? You mean from the manila envelope?'"

  I decided that it was time for me to put some pressure on, while James was still reeling. "Why did you say manila envelope? Only four of us knew about that, and none of us had told anyone else."

  I nodded to Kat to carry on. "James, how did you know it was a manila envelope? There's no way you would know that – unless you put it there."

  With that, he looked up at us with such hate in his eyes that Kat reached out and grabbed my hand. When he jumped up we thought he was going to attack us. But he must have changed his mind because at the last moment he ripped the phone away from the wall and darted out of the office, yelling at us.

  "You two have spoiled everything. My freedom was just around the corner. Don't turn your backs on me, because if you do it'll be your last time here on this earth. Then you can go and be with your God that you feel is so real. You're deceived. You're right about there being only one God . . . but that one god is me. I'll get you for this, you nosey snoopers."

  With that, he ran out of the office. I started to chase him but Kat held me back.

  "Wait, Kit." She glanced at the ripped phone wires. "Let's go find the Captain. He'll know be
tter how to take care of this. He has officers that can handle dangerous situations much better then we can. And they also know the ship better if James is hiding."

  "You're right again, Kat." I pointed to the useless phone. James certainly knew how to delay his capture. "Let's find the Captain, and Inspector Rashan. James was so angry that I'm afraid he might try to kill anyone who gets in his pathway. I'm not thinking only about us, but also Alex and Berta. He hates both of them with a passion. You can tell that, by the venom in his eyes and on his face each time we brought up their names."

  We found the Inspector first. Then the three of us hurried up to see the Captain who was on the bridge. We told both of them about our talk with James and his admission of guilt. We also told them about the hate in his eyes and his threats to both of us.

  Without hesitation the Captain called his men over and told them what had happened, and sent them out looking for James. "Be careful, men, he's mad and certainly very dangerous. He knows this ship well, but so do you. Look in every nook and cranny. Search out every room except the passengers' cabins. Make sure when you see a guest that you remain composed. At the moment there's no need to tell anyone what you're doing. If you look calm then our passengers will also be calm. There's another storm due later, and things will be difficult enough without them knowing that a crazed murderer is running around on board. We don't need any panic. Go in groups of two or three. No one, I repeat no one, go alone. Okay, men, go get him and bring him back to my office. We'll be waiting for you there."

  With that, the Captain motioned for us to follow him. He wanted us all to stay together, especially Kat and myself.

  Chapter 37

  What a mess I got myself into. How could I have made such a blunder and been so stupid. I was so sure I had made no mistakes. The worst was saying "manila envelope." I'm now their prime suspect. What am I to do? No way am I going to prison for the rest of my life. Before that happens, I'll go the same way George Talbot went. I'll take the knockout drug that I gave him, go up to the top deck, and when I feel it taking over I'll climb over the edge. About the time I hit the water and make my own big splash I'll be out. I'll go up there about three in the morning. But for now I have to find a place to hide. I know they'll be searching my room. I have to get out of here.

  I'm off. I have all that I need. I almost got away with it. I'll hide in the kitchen and also get something to eat. I know I'll be hungry in a few more hours. No use dying hungry. Won't they be surprised when they never find me. They'll surely be puzzled. Eventually, they might figure out that I jumped off the moving ship, but they'll never know for sure, as they'll never find my body. Just to make sure, I'll cut my arm and let the blood flow. And if I'm lucky, a shark will smell it and devour me so my body's never found. I'll be knocked out so I won't feel anything.

  I'll truly fool them. I'm so clever, even in my last breath. I'll still be a mystery to all of them. Yes, I should have been a movie star. I have all that it would take to have been successful. My shelves would have been lined up with awards. Too bad!

  At three this morning I ought to be safe. Everyone should be in bed. Another storm's due tonight, so the Captain will tell everyone to stay in their cabins. Another lucky break for me, if you want to call it lucky. I know they'll never find me here in the kitchen. No one ever uses these cabinets, and they're big enough for me to fit into. They're tucked far away from the working area, and no one ever comes back here.

  I must be very quiet, as I can hear commotion going on out there. I wonder how many people are actually looking for me. I guess I'm some kind of a celebrity by now. I wonder if they were told to bring me in dead or alive. . . Why am I laughing so hard? I have to control myself. What a crazy thought that was. I'll also have to be so careful when I leave here. They've probably been ordered to search for me around the clock.

  But knowing the Captain, he'll give them a break and tell them all to get some sleep and resume the search tomorrow morning. That'll give me the opportunity to come out of this cabinet and get up to the top deck, and go for my swim.

  The Captain is much, much too nice . . . but another lucky break for me.

  Chapter 38

  When we arrived at the Captain's office, he immediately made an announcement over the sound system for all to hear. "Another storm is heading our way. Not a severe one, but caution is a must. It will last for two to three hours. Please return to your rooms no later than one a.m. Take all small items off the counters and put them in drawers or in your suitcases. It will pass quickly and there will be no danger to you if you remain in your rooms as requested. Thank you for your cooperation. Have a nice sleep. Please don't worry, and we will see all of you at breakfast in the morning."

  After his announcement he turned to the two of us. "We don't expect the storm to hit us until nearer three. It won't last long, but I want everyone to be safe. I want to protect my guests from any danger from James Innacia."

  I said, "We know you do, Captain, and you're doing a fine job keeping them safe and happy. I was wondering, if it's okay with you, that after dinner Kat and I go back to our cabins to rest? We'll keep our door bolted. We feel perfectly safe. And besides, there are some things we too must put away to get ready for the storm."

  "That's alright with me. But please stay in your room and don't go wandering off. And if you must go somewhere, call me first and I'll send one of my men to escort you to where ever you want to go."

  "Don't worry, we'll be careful. I don't think we'll wander off too far, not with the storm coming in."

  We met our new friends for dinner at table nine. The main conversation of course was the finding of Maria's necklace. By now mostly everyone knew it had been found under our table.

  Nick said, "Can you believe I asked you if there was anything else under the table when you retrieved Kat's earring? To be honest, I have to confess to dropping a large black olive. That's what I was referring to. If we'd only known the necklace was there!" Looking at me he asked, "Am I a suspect?"

  Everyone gave out a nervous laugh at that, and agreed it must have been just a coincidence. Then they all turned to me for some kind of an explanation.

  "Relax, Nick, you're in the clear. We've found the thief, but at this time we aren't allowed to tell you who it is. You can be assured it's no one from this table."

  This time there was no holding back; the laughs were sincere and joyful. A sound of relief, as if we could all breathe much better knowing the thief and murderer was not one of us. They all applauded, looking at me as if they wanted me to say more.

  "Sorry, that's all I can tell you." I smiled and they all smiled back, curious but happy.

  It was good to see our table having fun again. It brought back memories of our second night on the ship, when Maria told us her story of Stannoba and the necklace, how we were all so spellbound.

  Everyone at the table had great hopes for the remaining days of our trip. No one realized that a killer was loose, but Kat and I wouldn't relax until he was found. After dinner we went to our room and put things away that we thought might fall off the counters and break in the coming storm.

  We again talked about our interview with James. We fell asleep around 11:00 and both woke up with a start a little after 1:00. We got up and I went into the bathroom. When I came out, we both said practically at the same time, "Let's go up on the top deck and look at the stars."

  Kat said, "What about James?"

  I shrugged. "He's not going to be running around out there in the middle of the night. He'll be hiding somewhere, and hoping to slip off the ship at our next stop. It still feels calm, and the Captain said the storm won't hit us until around three this morning. We have an hour or two."

  Kat nodded, perhaps a little reluctantly. "Okay. But just in case, wear something warm."

  We put on our sweats, got two big towels, and took the elevator to the top deck. No one was around, so we were all by ourselves. Everyone was in their rooms, just as the Captain had requested. We sat together on
one chase lounge, talked, prayed and looked up into the heavens at God's wonderful creations.

  We found the Milky Way, the Big and Little Dipper and Polaris, the North Star. It was so peaceful that we fell asleep again. At 2:45 the ship began to rock from side to side. We both woke up holding onto the lounge chair. Kat grabbed hold of me, thinking she was going to fall off.

  It started to rain and the wind was already blowing hard. The storm had hit us while we slept. We put our towels over our heads and started to walk back to the elevators. It was too dangerous to run, and in a matter of minutes the deck started to flood.

  Kat said, "Look, Kit, someone's coming up the back stairwell."

  All we could see was a figure in the storm. We could tell by the way the person was holding onto the railings and weaving back and forth that it was not just because of the storm. The figure was behaving more like a person who was drunk. We both looked at each other, wondering what he or she was doing out of their cabin.

  I said, "I can't think why someone is coming out here deliberately. They have no coat or hat, and wearing just a short sleeve shirt and short pants. Not really the outfit to wear in a storm."

  Kat said, "True, but that outfit looks familiar to me. I've seen someone wearing those exact clothes before. But who?" It didn't take her long to remember. "I got it. It's James in his off-duty clothes. That's him, I'm sure. Let's follow him."

  "Kat, you're crazy. We can hardly stand up in the storm. Remember, the Captain said it will last for two or three hours. This is just the beginning. It could get much worse."

  "I know, but aren't you curious to see where James is going, and why?"

  I had to admit I was curious. So we followed him. We felt safe at our distance, even though it was difficult to stand. And with the wind and rain blowing against our faces it was also very hard to keep our eyes open.