Waves of Murder

by J B Raphael

  A shadow came across him, standing there was a steward, “Excuse me, sir, the lady on the other side of the pool would like you to join her for a drink.” Jon thanked him, and nodded in agreement. As he did, the girl was already standing to walk towards him, it was more comfortable at the table. ‘Am I going crazy, is this a dream?’ he thought, and pinched himself, no it was no dream.

  “Hello again,” he said as he stood and held out his hand.

  She took it and smiled, “No bump this time!” she laughed. Jon pulled a chair and held it for her to sit down. “I’m Katti,” she said, “that’s short for Kattinaya,” she said, introducing herself.

  “I’m Jon, short for Jonathan,” he laughed.

  “Are you cruising alone, Jon?” Katti asked.

  “Yes,” he replied, “are you?”

  “Yes,” she answered, “I’m celebrating my freedom, I’ve just divorced. I’ve already had a party at home in St Petersburg, now I want rest, sun and some fun,” she enthused. Her accent was extremely sexy, her body gorgeous and her diamond rings very, very desirable. “I hope you didn’t mind me sending the steward over to ask you for a drink, but I wanted to meet a friend so that I would enjoy the holiday to a greater extent, okay?”

  “Er, yes,” Jon agreed, “the same goes for me, but I’m not a divorcee.” The drinks arrived, a large vodka and tonic for Katti, and a pint of lager for Jon. He had been observing Katti’s rings, in total, nine good sized stones. He wondered what else she had, he had plenty of time to find out, ‘the party had just begun’ he thought. They sat talking in the warm sun for hours, her blonde hair catching the rays with a special light that framed her beautiful face. It was obvious that the attraction was very strong from both sides, and they arranged to meet and dine together, but first they would have cocktails in the Crows Nest bar at 7pm.

  He chose a ‘Boss’ pale beige suit and a black silk shirt, black slip-on shoes and his recent gift to himself, a Rolex gold Oyster Perpetual. He checked himself in the full length morror, ‘Wow’ he thought, ‘looking good, or what!’ he said out loud, winking and smiling at his reflection, ‘as I said young sir, the game is on’ he added.

  Katti arrived with a turn of heads from every red blooded male in the bar. Wearing a bright red trouser suit with split legs, showing enough thigh to be almost immoral, with the top button undone on the jacket at cleavage level. Jon gasped inwardly, especially when he saw the emerald and diamond necklace! The emerald settled neatly on her bosom, wow! he thought, a nice lump of cash there. He stood and took her hand, smiling, he kissed it. Now he had a problem, their togetherness had already become evident, he had to re-think how this would go. He would have some fun for a couple of weeks, then cool it so that she was seen with somebody else, after all there were plenty of men on board that would jump at the chance to escort the lovely Katti. Then wham! probably on the way back, about two or three days from home, yes he thought, that’ll do it. Then back to London with the diamonds.

  They managed to get a booth for two in the Bermuda restaurant, naturally it was shaped like a triangle as was the table and all the general decor, a sense of humour by the ship’s designers. After dinner, “How about we check out one of the nightclubs, or may be all three, have a look in at the casino, the night is young,” he spouted. They walked arm-in-arm along the inner promenade deck, past the chic shops. Heads turned to look at the attractive couple, Jon suddenly swerved to look in a shop window, a photographer was snapping couples as they walked along. This was a big no-no. He waited until the photographer went back into his shop, and then they walked quickly past.

  “Is anything wrong?” Katti asked.

  “No,” said Jon. nonchalantly, “just looking.” They arrived at the ‘Ocean Spot’, sort of nightclub, but it was not busy, so they turned around and walked on. Nowhere seemed to be busy, so they went to the casino, it was buzzing with would-be winners. Jon sidled over to the roulette table and watched, the house was doing well, Katti started talking to a be-jewelled middle aged woman in Russian. They were laughing, and the woman turned and looked Jon up and down and then smiled at him with a knowing smile. Jon wondered what Katti had said, he cast it aside as girl talk. A chair became vacant, so Jon took it, next to the Russian woman. He did this for two reasons, one of course, to play and the other, to take a closer look at her jewellery. Katti stood behind him with a hand on his shoulder, his first bet lost, but not much, he was mainly concentrating on his neighbour’s diamonds. They were magnificent, rings, two bracelets, a necklace and a diamond Cartier watch. This trip could be double bubble for him if he was clever, and very careful. The chair next to him became vacant, he moved along one so that Katti could converse with her new found Russian friend. He gave her £100 in chips. The lady had quite a pile in front of her, and was winning steadily, Katti also was having a lucky run and had quadrupled the £100 quite quickly. After about 2 hours they said goodnight to the Russian lady, Jon in English and Katti in their own tongue.

  The days rolled into one another, breakfast, sun-bathing if the weather permitted, a light lunch, more sun, pool-side drinks, an hours siesta, shower, change then meet for dinner. Sex had not yet reared itself, but on this particular night, halfway across the Atlantic, Jon felt Katti’s foot rubbing his leg, up until then it had just been a peck on the cheek at the door. He looked at her beautiful face smiling, with her sexy eyes smouldering. Tonight would be the night, but only for love-making, he had to stick to his plan. With dinner over they decided to walk around the promenade deck, on the outside. It was a warm evening with just a slight breeze generated by the ship’s speed, about 18 knots Jon guessed. Katti steered him through doors that led to the lifts, she pressed the button for deck B, her deck. Still holding his hand she opened the door of B77, a very nice suite, that Jon had not entered yet. The door was closed and she unhooked her little black dress, it fell to the floor, apart from a tiny thong. No bra, she didn’t need one. She then started to kiss Jon passionately while unzipping his flies, his penis was very erect as she started to stroke it slowly, then she knelt down and took it in her mouth, moving her lips gently to and fro. Jon had started to strip off his shirt, and then steered her into the bedroom after lifting her to her feet. They fell on to the bed by which time they were both naked, she then continued to take him into her mouth, moving her lips and tongue up and down. He reached an amazing climax. Katti went into the bathroom for only about a minute, “Now it’s my turn, yes?” she laughed, climbing on to the bed and on top of him. She began to ride slowly at first, but then gained momentum until she grabbed his shoulders and began to yelp, but not loudly, and let out a huge sigh, her breasts bouncing, her nipples protruding proudly as her orgasm was complete. She lowered her mouth on to his, their tongues inter-twining, Jon climaxed again with a groan that was almost animalistic. Laying side by side Jon wondered where the jewels were, then he saw them spilling out of a jewel box on the dressing table, she still wore the rings. Now could be his chance, but no, too soon and too much forensic on the bed! Bide your time Jon, and it will happen, he thought.

  “I’ll order room service breakfast.”

  “No,” said Jon, “I have to go back to my cabin to change,” he said. They had made love twice more during the night and fell asleep at 2am. “I’ll meet you at the coffee shop, let’s say in 45 minutes,” he said, looking at his watch, it was 9am.

  The large coffee shop was busy, there was a queue but they didn’t mind, they just stood talking very quietly about the night they had just spent together. They finally managed to find a table and started to enjoy their bagels and coffee. Katti looked fabulous in a see-through little flowered dress, but was wearing a blue bikini underneath. No jewels, just one single-stone ring on her marriage finger, the rest would be in the room safe in the jewel box, he guessed. After breakfast they walked towards the other pool area on top of the promenade deck, it was packed with children, their parents taking up all the sunbeds. “Oh no,” said Jon, “let’s find somwhere quieter, away from the
maddening crowd.” They climbed some steps to a small sundeck, through a little gate that had a sign saying ‘Crew only’. Katti stopped, but Jon said, “C’mon, what can they do, make us walk the plank?” he laughed. It was deserted, with quite a few sun-loungers, he pulled two together with one of those small white tables, on the artificial grass. The sun was high and hot, about 80f, in a clear blue sky. The sea rolled very gently, what a terrific time this yob from Camden Town is having! he had dragged himself up to big money, but at what cost? Two innocent lives.

  He cast the thoughts away and took Katti’s hand across the little table and squeezed it. She turned and looked at him, saying, “You were terrific last night,” she complimented.

  He turned his head, “You were fabulous,” he responded, then they both turned to the sun and dozed, it had been a hectic night!

  “I’m sorry, this area is for crew only,” the sun-blocking shadow said.

  “Oh,” said Jon, “it’s just that the pool area is completely packed and we couldn’t find anywhere to sit.”

  “Well, it does say so on the gate,” the young jobsworth added.

  “Well, why don’t you go and ask the Captain or First Officer if we can stay here for a couple of hours, there’s a good chap. As a special concession, please?” Jon laid down again as the shadow moved away. They had their 2+ hours before a tall, more senior person arrived and repeated what the first shadow had said. “Yes,” Jon said, “we’re just going.” They stood up, smiled and thanked him. As they walked away the officer watched Katti’s rear, and thought what a lucky bastard Jon was.

  Chapter 3 St Lucia

  The Carribean Star cruised slowly and majestically into the bay and headed towards the quay, it was lined with hundreds of brightly dressed locals selling souvenirs and home grown produce. A steel band played as streamers were thrown at the ship. The Russian woman suddenly joined them at the rail and started speaking in Russian. Jon noticed that she was wearing her rings, Cartier watch and a diamond bracelet. Jon took Katti aside and said, “I’d tell your friend to leave her jewellery on board, these islands are famous for their muggers and robbers, okay?”

  “Thank you,” she said, and related the words to the woman. Her face dropped and she put her hand to her neck, said something in Russian, and disappeared. Katti told Jon that ‘Anna’ said ‘thanks for the advice’.

  I don’t want any other bastard to get those beauties, he thought, she’ll be number 2 on this trip, he thought again. But where and when? mid-way on the way back should do it, yes, half way across the Atlantic on the return. The trouble was that he’d been seen with both of them. Well, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing inasmuch as he wouldn’t leave any evidence, after all he’d done that with Novak and got away with it.

  Katti suggested that Anna accompanied them on their excursion, “Yes, of course,” he said, smiling. This way he would make a friend of her and gain her confidence, and when the time came it would be that much easier. They walked through the throng of locals pushing their wares into the trio’s faces, fruit, clothing, even fake Rolex’s. Jon bought one.

  “$30,” the guy said, claiming that it was genuine, “contrabando you know, man!” and putting his fingers to his lips.

  “I’ll give you $20,” Jon said.

  “$25, and it’s yours,” the man said. Jon gave him the $25 from a very small wad, best not to show a big roll of notes, the watch might last until he got back to England, but it looked good and he wouldn’t lose much if he was robbed!

  That night, back on the ship, Anna invited Katti and Jon to join her for drinks at 7pm. It was a formal night, DJ’s and evening gowns. They met in the Kingston bar, which of course had the Jamaican theme, even the waiters and barman spoke with the lilt in their voices which Jon thought very attractive especially spoken by a woman. Anna had gone shopping-potty, and they had got back with gifts for her family and friends back in Moscow. Katti had done the haggling for her but she had still spent $500, she didn’t seem to care, and would probably do the same in every port of call. She was wealthy, very wealthy indeed. Jon was shocked when she spoke English, “I vood like to tank you for the kindness thet you hef given me today,” she said in her broken accent.

  “You’re very welcome,” Jon said, as they raised their glasses.

  “My English is bed,” she said.

  “No, no, it’s good, much better than my Russian,” Jon said. They all laughed.

  “You are very hensom, Kattinaya is a very lucky gel.”

  “Thank you,” Jon replied. They voted to go to the ‘Americano’ restaurant, which was advertised as having ‘the best steaks in the world’. There was a $50 surcharge, but it turned out to be well worth it, a sort of ‘a la carte’ menu. Jon signed the dockets for the extras and the wine as they left, “Okay ladies, let’s go to the roulette table.” The casino was packed, but there was another one aft of the mall. They were pleased to see spare seats at the table, they sat. Anna put a thousand dollar bill across to the croupier for chips in 100’s. Jon did the same and gave $500 to Katti. Anna was doing well and got a zero, twice, and at 35/1 that meant she raked in $7,000, but Jon and Katti were down to their last few chips.

  Katti spoke to Anna in Russian, Anna said,”Niecht,” with a smile.

  “What did you say to Anna?” Jon asked.

  “I told her that we were going to the night-club to dance and asked her if she wanted to come. She doesn’t, I think she is having too much fun, and luck,” Katti said.

  Good, Jon thought, don’t need to be too obvious. Katti suggested a walk on the promenade deck, that meant only one thing to Jon, sex. Once again she steered him to deck B, and to her stateroom. Was this another chance to do his ‘job’ as he called it? This time the seduction was different, she stripped naked and got into the shower, as she soaked herself she beckoned with her forefinger. A DJ etc had never been removed so quickly, when he saw her wet body shining and her breasts dripping water, his erection was complete. He joined her in the shower and she began rubbing soap over him, especially taking time around his erection and genitals, she even spread soap around his anus. This gave him a special sense of delight. He then did the same to her, and entered her, she moaned and said, “Please, don’t stop.” After their trip of ecstasy they rubbed each other down with large bath towels, then dropped on to the bed, laughing with their nakedness.

  Barbados

  More sophisticated, less crowded, the ship docked in Bridgetown in the small hours, after leaving St Lucia then a days cruising at sea, beautiful sun and sun-bathing together. Whilst doing so Jon made up his mind, Anna would be the first to go, he would check the itinerary and see which was the longest time at sea so that it would be a long time before her absence was noticed. He fixed on the days between Cuba and Miami, Florida. Gambling would be the key, Katti would get fed up with him going to the casino every night. Tonight in Bridgetown would be a good time to start. “How about going ashore and having dinner?” Jon suggested to Katti.

  “Yes, that would be lovely,” she said, “where is good food?”

  “I think the best place is the Sandy Lane Hotel.”

  “Taxi,” Jon shouted, and a white Mercedes cab stopped, “Sandy Lane Hotel, please driver.” They both looked fantastic, Katti in a silver knee-length dress with a low cut front that showed her cleavage, and above all, the necklace with the emerald. Fabulous, he thought. Jon himself wore a white silk suit with a royal blue silk shirt. The taxi pulled up outside the hotel, walking into the restaurant the maitre’d asked them, after the greetings, if they had a reservation. “No,” said Jon, “we’re off the Caribbean Star cruise.”

  “Well, I’m sorry,” he said, feasting his eyes on Katti’s frontage, “we are fully booked.”

  Jon passed a $100 bill to him and said, “Surely you can find us a table for two.”

  “If you wait five minutes, I will see what I can do, sir,” he said, pocketing the money.

  A table was magically found and the couple turned a lot of heads
as they were ushered to their table. Sandy Lane was well known to attract film stars, rock stars, and the famously rich. ‘Who are they?’ people were saying as they walked past.

  They wined and dined beautifully, the finest food in the region. After settling the huge bill Jon said, “Let’s dance!” when he saw the sign pointing to the night-club. Heads were still turning as they entered the room, the music was naturally West Indian but the band was good, and the female singer beautiful and had a very good voice. They danced until 2am, and then collapsed on to a long sofa, gasping and laughing at the same time. This would be the last time he would be cosying up to Katti, things would now be a lot cooler between them, but he would still be friendly towards Anna, probably in the casino, but at arms length. No drinks in the bar, just occasionally when playing at the roulette wheel. His plan was to follow her back to her suite, and do the deed, somewhere between Cuba and Florida.

  At Katti’s door he kissed her and said, “Tonight I must sleep. Until tomorrow then.”

  She smiled and said, “Yes, me too, goodnight,” and kissed him.

  He didn’t go to the coffee shop the next morning, he ordered a room service breakfast and decided to spend the day sun-bathing on the balcony and thinking, yes, thinking, about Anna’s diamonds, their value and exactly how he could get his hands on them. The next port of call was .......

  Martinique

  The ship docked at 3 o’clock the next day, not any real time to go ashore, so he took a walk through the shopping mall. In the men’s boutique he bought a pair of white slacks and a bright red shirt, silk of course. The sales girl had trouble keeping her eyes off of him, gorgeous! she thought. She was a pretty young Hispanic girl with an olive skin and deep brown, almost black, eyes. “What time do you finish today?” Jon heard himself say. Through her olive skin, he could see her blushing.