by J B Raphael
“Sorry, sir,” said the room cleaner, “I’ll come back.”
Without a word, Jon shut the door quietly, but it still sounded like a canon being fired in his head. I must get myself together, he thought as he stepped into the shower. He stayed there for at least 20 minutes, not even thinking, just wishing his head would stop throbbing. It did, but quite a long time after. He had walked around the promenade, he passed the bow, scene of the killing. He checked to see if there was any blood on the deck, there wasn’t, the bodyguard’s clothes must have soaked it up. By dinner time he was his old self again, no formal night, just smart casual, not even a tie. Just a silk blouson in navy, and a pair of white linen slacks, he walked into the aft ‘Archipelago’ restaurant. Good he thought, no one he knew. He sat alone just studying the menu, when he suddenly heard, “Hello Jon.” He was surprised to see Katti standing there, looking fabulous. He stood and asked her to sit down, and offered her a drink, “Thank you,” she said, and sat down.
“No bodyguard tonight?” Jon asked.
“Bodyguard?”
“Yes, the greying man with the Russian accent.”
“Bodyguard! he’s my father, after all I am only 23 and he is 44, my mother went off with a very wealthy ogliarch last year and he is still grieving his loss. She sends me $200,000 a month so we both live very well.”
Jon’s blood turned to ice water, what have I done? he thought, killed a man who was just looking after his beautiful daughter and had no real interest in Anna, it’s just that she was always there with them. Oh my Lord, he thought again, and he’s at the bottom of the Carribean Sea. He composed himself, and smiled at Katti saying, “Oh, I see, shall we eat? I’m starving,” he added. He thought again, what will the poor girl do when she hears that her beloved father is missing, believed overboard? He ordered a small dinner as his appetite had diminished, and even then he just picked at it. All through an almost silent dinner he wished he could turn back the clock, just 24 hours. After dinner they went for a walk around the promenade deck, it was very busy, a warm balmy evening, moon shining on the water. With another frame of mind and a beautiful woman on his arm, he would feel good, but as they walked past the bow he shivered even though it was warm. Suddenly he saw himself plunging the knife into the man’s back.
Katti felt that there was something wrong, and said, “You are not very happy, tell Katti what is wrong.”
Jon shuddered again, and said, “I must have some sort of bug, I think I’ll go to my cabin and go to bed.”
“Would you like me to come with you, to keep you warm?” she asked.
He thought for a while, perhaps she would help to take things off of his mind, “Yes,” he said, “but I don’t think I’ll be very good for sex,” he admitted.
“That’s okay, we just cuddle, yes ?”
“Yes,” Jon said, “I’d like that.” His stateroom wasn’t quite Katti’s suite, but it had a kingsize bed and was comfortable. They were soon in bed, naked but without passion. She didn’t wear a lot of jewellery on casual nights, only two rings and the Cartier watch. Without the emerald necklace she was safe, that was the piece he really wanted.
In the morning they ordered a room service breakfast, Jon felt a lot better, and surprisingly, had slept well. Perhaps he was mentally exhausted or it was Katti’s presence, or both. Anyway, he must still continue with his quest. Anna would be first, he began to plan her demise.
Normally 48 hours would have to pass before anybody was considered ‘missing’, but Katti, after knocking at her father’s door, started to worry. She had the reception desk put a call out for him, ‘Will Mr Viktor Kalenko please contact the main reception desk as soon as possible’. The call went all over the ship, Katti waited, but there was no call from him. So she asked for an officer to open his stateroom to check if he hadn’t been taken ill and was unconscious, he didn’t drink so it wouldn’t be that. The second officer opened the door with a pass key card, the room was empty, and the bed hadn’t been slept in. The bathroom was tidy, but had been used, probably the previous night. Katti was now panicking, Jon put his arm around her shoulder, “I’m sure he’ll turn up soon, after all he’s still young and could be fast asleep in Anna’s bed or some other woman he’s met. there’s plenty to choose from, and he is a handsome man,” he said, comforting her. But his evil deeds were there and he felt worse being with Katti, his victim’s daughter.
St Kitts
One of the smallest ports of call, tenders were lowered to transport passengers to the shore. The large liner had got as close as it could because of the lack of depth. Katti stayed in her suite, mainly crying and waiting for news of her father, sitting by the telephone. News of her father never came. Anna and Katti were questioned by the police as the islands were a British Protectorate. The Inspector was English and very thorough and, luckily, Jon wasn’t approached. Done it again, you lucky bastard! he thought. Then he thought again, he had become two different men, easy going Jon, and an evil cold-blooded murderer, he shuddered at the thought, but it was too late now to save his soul.
The ship left St.Kitts after dinner so that the serving was easier for the stewards. At 9.30pm the Carribean Star pulled away from the quay amid the usual noise of locals shouting ‘Come back soon’ and the obligatory steel band. Obviously there had been no sign of Viktor. Katti stayed in her suite, Jon thought he would not contact her for a day or two, in which case he would concentrate on Anna. Yes, her diamonds are magnificent, unfortunately she would be next, but when? She undoubtedly would be in the casino, she was. Sitting with a high pile of chips on the table, he sat next to her. Her face lit up, “Ello hensom, it is beautiful to see you,” her accent said, “are you playing tonight, yes?” she asked.
“Er, yes, I’ll put a few dollars down,” he said.
“Goot, then ve can hef some fun later,” she added.
She looked fabulous with the collection on show, bloody hell he thought, there would be at least a thousand male suspects on board, beautiful woman, loaded and loved a fuck! The poor lady didn’t know what was in store, Jon thought, this woman was really asking for it in more ways than one. Jon noticed an addition, the most exquisite diamond and ruby necklace. Was this woman crazy or just so rich she didn’t care? he mused. But then he wondered if other passengers would think of them as being costume jewellery, but he knew the sparkle and therefore the difference between fake and genuine. He laughed inwardly as he put $100 on the red 23 block. ‘21 rouge’ declared the croupier, whoops he thought, is Anna going to be lucky for me? After all the ups and downs of roulette they were breaking even at about midnight when they left to go to the Crow’s Nest bar.
They sat in a booth and talked about Viktor, “It is a terrible mystery, yes?” Anna said.
Jon just shook his head looking sad. They chatted until 2am when Anna reached across the table and started to play with Jon’s fingers, “We go to bed now?” she said.
“Yes, I think we should,” he said. They reached Anna’s suite, but Jon made the good old ‘tired’ excuse, kissed her on the cheek and said goodnight. She didn’t show it, but she was very disappointed, and stood in the doorway watching him walk down the corridor.
Jon only had coffee and a croissant for breakfast, then went for a walk around the promenade deck. Wandering into the shopping mall his blood ran cold, walking towards him were the two St Kitts policemen, one in uniform. They nodded at him and he smiled nervously and nodded back at them. Of course, he thought, the Carribean Star was a British registered ship, they were on British territory they could stay on board until the mystery of Viktor was solved, until they got back to Southampton perhaps. But if he kept his cool he could ride the storm. People that had had contact or associated with Viktor were interviewed. Jon was called to reception and met Inspector Collins, “Thank you for your time sir,” Collins said, “now we understand that you were with Mr Viktor Kalenko, in a group, is that correct?”
“Yes, for one evening, with two Russian ladies. I was escorting his daug
hter. Kattinaya. He was with Anna, I’m sorry I’ve forgotten her surname if I ever knew it, but he didn’t speak much English and didn’t say much. He was very dour, and obviously wasn’t enjoying himself,” he answered, “I’m sorry that’s all I know, apart from the fact that I thought he was a Russian bodyguard for the ladies. But then Kattinaya told me that he was her father. That’s it,” he added.
“Thank you Mr Weston, you’ve been very helpful,” Collins said.
Jon walked back to the prom deck with the words ‘you’ve been very helpful’ ringing in his ears, what did he mean by that? I said very little, he wouldn’t have got much out of it. He cast the interview out of his mind, but the longer the cops were on board he would have to put everything on the back burner. His whole plan would now depend on the return journey, six days across the Atlantic at least, but was that enough distance and time to commit two gorgeous women to their watery graves? He hoped that the investigation team would have left the ship, but what would happen when the cruise finished at Southampton? Fucking police all over the place! Unless he killed them on the last day, yes, that was the answer, and they wouldn’t be missed until disembarkation. The rest of the holiday until then, would be, well, just sunbathing and generally enjoying himself but not spending too much time with Katti or Anna, play it cool. Be a bit of a loner, or spend more time with Anita, after all she was good company and fantastic in bed. The next two days he spent sunbathing and some gentle drinking alone, and not going ashore. He had seen what he wanted to see of the West Indies, seen one island and you’ve seen them all! Anyway, the diamonds completely ruled his thoughts and needs. On the third day he had a full English breakfast, his batteries were now fully charged, he had cast previous self-damning thoughts out of his mind. He sauntered through the shopping mall and went into the men’s boutique. Anita was serving, of all people, Anna, “Ello Jon,” she said, “are you liking these silk ties for my brudder, yes?”
“Er, yes,” replied Jon, “they are beautiful.”
“Goot, I buy zem,” she said. As she left she stroked his chest and said, winking, “See you later, yes?”
“Er, well, perhaps,” Jon replied.
Anita said, “You have had sex with her, no? She is beautiful lady and very rich, no?”
“The answer to your very personal question is, no,” he lied, “but we do meet sometimes on rare occasions, at the casino, she has brought me luck once or twice,” he added.
“Will we be seeing each other tonight?” Anita asked
“Yes, that would be very nice, shall we say 7 o’clock in the Crow’s Nest bar?” he responded.
“Fantastico,” she almost shouted, and leaned forward and kissed his cheek, “later!” she said and brushed where she had caressed with the palm of her hand.
At 7 o’clock Jon entered the Crow’s Nest bar and sat on the end stool, “A small scotch and lots of ice please, with a small jigger of water,” he asked the young West Indian barman, whose name badge announced, Marlon. About ten minutes went by and Anita crept up behind him and put her hands over his eyes, “I wonder who that could be?” he said.
“It’s me, you naughty boy !” Anita said.
“Who’s me?” he asked.
“The best fuck on the ship!” she whispered into his ear. They laughed as she hitched up her skirt to sit on the bar stool. I don’t know about the best fuck, but you’ve definitely got the best legs, Jon thought. “Pina colada for me, please,” Anita asked, as she put her hand between Jon’s thighs.
“That’s naughty!” he said.
“I know,” she replied, rubbing her tongue around her lips, “you want fuck with Anita tonight?” she said, very quietly.
“Oh yes,” Jon said, “but first we eat. By the way, where’s your wig?”
“Oi corrumba!” she said loudly, putting both hands to her head, “I will be back in ten minutes.”
Jon laughed as she ran out of the bar. Twenty minutes passed and a completely different girl came back into the bar, she had even changed her outfit, which was just as sexy with a longer skirt that had a slit up to the hip. Jon hoped that she was wearing knickers! He found out later that a thong was the only thing covering her modesty! Luckily the barman didn’t notice, he was too busy serving a rowdy group at the other end of the bar, but when he did return he had a slightly puzzled look on his face and must have thought that Jon had changed companions. They left the bar, smart-casual was accepted in the restaurants, Jon had only eaten in three of them and there were four large ones and numerous other eateries, like the Jamaican Deli. Anita saw it at the other end of the shopping mall, “The food is fantastic,” she said, as they walked past her place of work shielding her face with her hand, even though she was also hidden by Jon. They sat in a booth and ordered, ribs and sweet potatoes with yams and spiced peppers. They both had rib sauce on their faces and looked like young children when they were being fed! But it was all delicious, they agreed. “I’ve never had the chance to stand right at the bow,” Anita said, “can we go now, you can be Leonardo de Caprio and I will be Kate Winslett, oh please?” she almost begged.
“Er, no,” Jon said, “I suffer from slight sea-sickness and after that meal it could make me throw up, I’m sorry,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder.
“Oh, I am sorry,” she said, “I didn’t know.” They walked past her boutique again, and this time Jon shielded his face as the boy who had sold him the knife was standing in the doorway of his shop next door. “Why did you do that?” Anita asked.
“He is trying to sell me some souvenirs that I don’t want,” he said.
“That’s unusual, he’s a nice guy, never pushy.”
“Oh, I don’t know!” Jon said, changing the subject he suggested they go for another drink, this time at one of the other bars.
“No,” said Anita, “let’s go back to your stateroom for some fun!”
“Okay, yes,” said Jon, hoping that her neighbour didn’t mention the knife. No, he thought, he must have had dozens of customers since then, after all, it was a week ago.
His mind wasn’t on sex, he found it difficult to retain an erection. “What’s wrong?” Anita asked, “you don’t want me tonight?”
“Yes,” Jon said, “but I feel a little sick, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, my darling, let’s just cuddle and be together tonight,” she said as she kissed him. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.
The sun burst through the balcony window and woke them both at the same time, it was 7.30am. Jon got out of bed and went into the bathroom and showered. Anita joined him after a minute, and started to fondle his genitals and soon his erection was complete. They went to the bed dripping wet but didn’t care, passion had taken over. their love-making was ferocious, with Anita being the dominant partner. They dressed in silence, Jon looked at her and laughed, “You can’t walk through the ship like that!” he exclaimed. Anita looked at herself in the wardrobe mirror, she too started laughing. “Don’t worry,” he said, “I’ve got something here,” and produced a pair of skimpy shorts and a t-shirt, “these should see you back to your cabin, you’ll look like an early morning jogger, oh, and the stiletto heels will have to go, just carry them wrapped inside your dress, and go barefoot!” he added. They kissed goodbye, and she ran down the hallway back to her room.
Jon knew he wouldn’t be able to ‘do away’ with Katti, oh well he thought, Anna’s diamonds must be worth $200,000 at least, but not in London, there must be other towns and cities he could go to where he could sell them. As far as Katti was concerned perhaps he had found the last vestage of decency deep down inside himself. He may find another way of getting his hands on her jewellery without killing her. Perhaps he could get her drunk and feign a robbery with attempted murder, no, perhaps, perhaps. He cast the ideas out of his mind, Katti was safe, to live and keep her diamonds. Fuck, they are beautiful, he thought, regrettably. He showered again to get rid of the love-making sweat and aroma. Now wearing a pair of knee-length shorts and a t-shirt t
hat was tight cut so as to show off his tanned arms, no socks and white deck shoes, he sought out a sunbed by the aft deck pool. It was quieter, no children screaming and peeing in the water. He saw Anna on a relaxer, and luckily there was a vacant sunbed next to her. His shadow made her look up from her fashion mag, “Ello hensom Jon,” she said, “ow nice to see you, will you sit with Anna?” she said, patting the adjacent sunbed, “you hef seen Kattinaya, yes?” she asked.
“No,” Jon said, “I thought I’d contact her tomorrow when we reach Jamaica.”
“I hef telephoned her today, but she did not want to speak much to me,” she said.
“I’ll try tonight,” Jon said.
Kingston, Jamaica
Jon had always wanted to visit Jamaica, he liked the laid-back way of life that the people enjoy. If needs must, in the future, the thought ran quickly through his mind to come here and stay. I’ll go ashore alone, he thought, don’t want to be seen with Anna too many times. As the ship sidled up to the quay the same welcome confronted them, he wondered if it was the same steel band that covered all the ports of call! he laughed at his silly thought. The bus into Kingston town looked too busy and clapped out, so he walked over to the taxi rank, “Yes, sir-r?” the young driver said, “cheapest taxi to Kingston town, only $20 yankee,” he almost shouted. Jon got in the back of the ageing Ford, it smelled of stale food so he opened the window. “If you want air-r-r conditioning it’s $5 yankee mor-r-r,” he laughed, showing a set of brown teeth, which were probably caused by chewing sugar cane. After about 200 yards Jon wished he’d got the bus, this driver was a maniac! They must have broken all records for the journey, Jon gave him the exact fare. The only fast car he wanted to be in was one driven by himself!
