by Ann Mullen
“I can see,” he said, looking at me with that charming smile of his.
Billy is a Cherokee Indian. He’s over six feet tall, dark, handsome, well-built, and has the personality every woman wants in a man. Sometimes, I wonder what he sees in me. I’m 5’5", skinny, and I used to have long, dyed red hair until I had it cut to shoulder length—having long hair and trying to keep it out of the fingers of babies was too much work. Besides, shorter hair seems to suit my face, and I am fairly decent looking, if I do say so myself. As you can see, I’m still working on my insecurities.
We were going to be like newlyweds on their honeymoon. We promised each other before we left Charlottesville that we would spend the whole time concentrating on each other, leaving all our concerns back home. Life would continue without us for seven days. No computers and no spy gadgets, only our cell phones for emergency, and the digital camera we brought along for our personal use. This vacation was about us… Billy and me.
The Bella Constance was one of the older cruise ships. It had been built in the sixties by a Greek named Loukas Constance, a young man who started out with nothing but his wit and skill, and was fortunate enough to hire on the right men for the job. His goal was to build a fleet of ships, eventually. Loukas built the Bella Constance, named after his southern wife with an Italian name, Bella, and as time went by, he added five more ships to his line. After he retired, he made a point of taking a cruise on the Bella Constance with his wife at least once a year—the ship that started it all, and the woman he shared it with.
Even though the Bella Constance was a small ship compared to most, the information on the web stated that the service and ambiance were beyond belief. Sounded good to me. The last thing I wanted was to spend seven days at a place resembling a shopping mall. When there are fifteen-hundred people in one place, it’s too much for me. This ship had a total of seven hundred souls on board, including the captain.
We found out after boarding as the porter showed us to our room on deck six—there were only seven—that Bella and Loukas Constance would be joining us on the cruise. That announcement just added to my excitement. We would get to meet the man who actually built the ship.
“How lucky can we get?” I asked as Billy and I walked into our room.
“We will put to sea at precisely nine o’clock. The ship’s horn will sound our departure. The first one is a warning, and the second one means we’re leaving dock. Then we’ll be off,” our porter announced. “The horn will sound again at eleven o’clock, and we’ll assemble on deck for the lifejacket drill. We like to give everyone a little time to settle in, but regulations require us to have a drill, and the sooner the better.”
Billy went to tip the young man, but the man refused.
“Gratuity was included in your package. There will be no need for you to tip the crew,” he replied. He handed Billy the keycard. “My name is Justin. If you need anything, just pick up the phone and call.” The porter closed the door as he exited the room.
I gave Billy a hug and said, “Alone at last!”
He kissed me and replied, “We’ll have plenty of time for this later. We need to hurry up and go to the deck so we can wave at everyone as we leave.”
“But we don’t know any of those people.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s all about the adventure.”
“Okay. Let’s hurry up then.”
I walked over to the bed and started to unpack my suitcase. As I put my clothes in the drawers and hung up the two evening gowns—a simple black one, and a peach-colored one brought just for when we were to dress up—I looked around the room. Even though this was one of the oldest cruise ships at sea, it had been updated with modern conveniences—that’s what it said on the net. We even had a keycard for the room. When I looked around at the antique furniture, I couldn’t help but think of the ship, Titanic. I said so to Billy.
“That’s a pleasant thought,” he replied.
Oh, if only…
Chapter 2
Billy walked over to the bed, opened a suitcase and started taking out clothes. “Let me help. The quicker we finish this, the sooner we can check out the ship.”
“I want to leave my bracelet in the suitcase and lock it,” I said. “Not that I don’t trust the crew, but…”
“I agree. We don’t know these people. Yes, I think it’s a good idea to keep our valuables under lock and key.”
“I’m just so glad we’re taking this vacation,” I said. “I really need a break away from the criminal elements of society. I’m tired of guns, killers, and low-lifes.”
“I have news for you, `ge ya. If you think everyone on this cruise ship is good people, you might be in for a surprise. Just because we’re on vacation doesn’t mean everyone around us has only pure thoughts in their hearts.”
“Oh, you’re being silly, Billy. These people are here to have a good time, not commit crimes.”
Billy laughed. “You can be so naive, young lady.” He reached into his suitcase and pulled out his snub-nosed .38. Then he put the gun back into the suitcase. “I won’t need this just yet. I don’t think.”
I was shocked. “I thought you weren’t allowed to bring weapons on the ship. What’ll happen if we get caught? Will we get arrested?” I was getting a little frantic at the idea of being locked up in a jail in Bermuda.
“Remember the envelope I slipped to the captain as we boarded?”
“Yes.”
“Captain O’Riley knows who we are and what we do for a living. When I made the arrangements for this cruise, I made it a point to talk with him. He said that as long as I brought proper documentation, I would be allowed to carry a concealed weapon. I can assure you that I’m not the only one. We have a retired U.S. Marshall aboard.”
“Why would they have a U.S. Marshall aboard?”
“All ships have some sort of crime fighters on call at all times.” He snickered.
“Oh, you’re pulling my leg.”
“Not yet.”
“I thought we agreed not to tell people what we do for a living.”
“I had to tell the captain.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the gun? I could’ve brought mine.”
“It’s not necessary for you to be armed. I’ll take care of us. Besides, people are here to have fun, right? Heck, we probably won’t have to shoot anyone the whole time we’re on vacation.”
Someone knocked on the door as the ship’s horn blew. “We’re getting ready to put to sea,” the person said through the closed door.
I walked over, opened the door, and peeked out. I saw Justin walking down the hall knocking on doors, and repeating the same thing as he continued.
“Guess we’d better hurry up,” Billy said. “We don’t want to miss leaving port.”
I locked my suitcase containing my diamond bracelet, and then put it in the closet.
“Hey, wait a minute,” I said, looking around the room. “There’s supposed to be a safe in each room. It’s behind a picture.” I looked straight to the only picture on the wall. “There it is.”
Billy walked over to the picture and pulled it back to reveal a small safe. He turned and looked at me. “There’s a slot on the side for a keycard. Let me try ours.”
Billy slipped the keycard in and then pulled it out, turned the handle, and the safe opened. “Here you go. You can put your bracelet in here. It will be safe.”
“Forget it! I think I trust my suitcase more than I do a safe that anyone could have a keycard to. No thanks.”
Billy closed the safe and said, “Okay. It’s up to you.”
“I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
Billy locked the door and then slipped the keycard in his pocket as we walked down the hall, following everyone else.
For a second, I wondered why the doors to the rooms didn’t open out onto the deck instead of the hall. Maybe Loukas Constance didn’t want to make it easy for anyone to walk out of their room in the middle of the night and fall off th
e ship. I also noticed that all the rooms had silver numbers on them, but the room at the end of the hall had gold numbers. The room was at a dead end. We had to turn left or right to exit. What did that mean? Perhaps room six-hundred was a special room. Silly thoughts like that went through my head as Billy and I made our way to the deck.
As I was standing beside Billy, holding his hand, I took a deep breath and inhaled the salty air. It had been a long time since I had been to the beach, or on a boat. And then I remembered why. I can’t swim, and I’d never been fond of boats. I’d only been boating a few times, and that was a few times too many. I got seasick each time, and the whole time I was scared I was going to fall overboard and drown. But this was different. We were on a large, safe ship, and I wasn’t going to drown. I had Billy by my side. Everything would be great. I squeezed Billy’s hand and leaned closer to him.
“I love you,” I whispered.”
“I love you, too,” he replied. He leaned down and kissed me.
My heart fluttered… just like a school girl.
“Aw…” a woman standing beside me said. “Isn’t that sweet?”
Slightly embarrassed, I turned to look at her and smiled as I did. “We’re celebrating our first year of marriage,” I remarked.
The woman was probably around seventy years old, less than five feet tall, thin, and had short, white hair. Her alabaster skin was smooth, and she didn’t have the heavy wrinkles one would expect to see on someone her age. The man beside her, who most likely was her husband, was the same height, a little heavy, and his skin was tanned as if he had spent most of his life on the water. They might have taken a lot of cruises.
“Hello,” I said as I held out my hand to her. “I’m Jesse, and this is my husband, Billy.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she replied as she gently took my hand in hers. “My name is Bella, and this is my husband Loukas.”
“I’m honored,” I gushed. I looked at Billy. “This is…”
“I know, Jesse.” He held his hand out. “How do you do, Mrs. Constance… Mr. Constance? Jesse’s right. It’s a real honor to meet you.” Billy shook the man’s hand, and then leaned over, took Bella’s hand in his, and kissed it. “A real honor, Mrs. Constance.”
“Oh, you can call me, Bella,” she said, softly. “Everyone does.”
“And you can call me, Loukas,” her husband replied with a chuckle.
I was a little humbled by their presence and was at a loss for the proper words to say to folks who had accomplished so much in their lives. Then I caught myself. What was I thinking? I’ve come a long way, baby… as the saying goes. Memories came flooding back. I had accomplished a bit myself. I shouldn’t treat these folks any differently than I would anyone else.
We watched as Norfolk and the surrounding cities became a blur on the horizon. All we could see was the blue of the open sea. It was breathtaking.
I looked up at Billy and winked. He knew something was coming as soon as I smiled. I turned to Bella and Loukas and said, “We would love to invite you to our room for a drink, if you’re so inclined.”
Now, where did that word come from? Inclined? Who says that?
Bella smiled and looked at her husband. Loukas had a grin on his face when he said, “Actually, Mrs. Blackhawk, we planned to invite you and Mr. Blackhawk back to our stateroom for a drink, and a proposition I have to offer.”
Surprised that Bella and Loukas Constance not only knew who we were, but they also had a matter to discuss with us. Billy and I just stared at each other for a second.
“I don’t know,” Billy said, hesitantly as he turned to look back at Loukas. “I promised my wife that this trip would be about us. We could use the time off from work. I don’t know what you have to offer, but I have a feeling it’s going to be something we promised we wouldn’t do. This is a pleasure trip, not a working trip. So, if…”
Standing next to Billy, Loukas looked like a child—he was so small, and Billy was… so Billy… a man every woman would love to call her own.
Loukas reached up, patted Billy on the back and asked, “What can it hurt to spend a few minutes with two beautiful women and one old man, and listen to what I have to offer?”
I smiled and looked at Bella. “I’m sold already.”
“That’s the Greek in him, Jesse,” she replied. “Flatter the women and manipulate the men.”
“It takes a lot to manipulate Billy. Trust me. I know. I have to work so hard at it. It’s so tiresome.”
We both laughed and discovered that we had something in common: we don’t really know men at all, but we can get our way with them anyway. Bella and I stood together as she reached in and locked her arms in mine. “Let’s go, Jesse,” she said. “We have so much scheming to do.”
“I think I’m going to like you… even more than I did when I read about you.”
Billy and Loukas talked for a minute before they turned and followed behind us.
“I’ve heard about you, too, my dear.”
“You have?” I asked, curious. “Where could you have possibly heard anything about me?”
“Savannah Kelley. She has very high praises for you and your family. She particularly adores your mother, Minnie. I hear your mother’s getting married.”
I stopped walking and turned to Bella. “You must be kidding. How…”
“It’s a small world and I have many friends all over the globe,” Bella responded. “She’s one of my favorite authors, and a close friend. I also visit her website. Have you been to her site?”
I was impressed with Bella’s knowledge of the internet and the fact that she knew Savannah Kelley personally… and that they were friends. “You’re starting to freak me out, Bella. I have a feeling this meeting wasn’t accidental.”
“Of course, it wasn’t, Jesse. Who suggested that you choose the Bella Constance when you were trying to make up your mind?”
I thought for a minute, and then realized that it had been Savannah. I smiled and said, “That sneaky devil! She set this whole thing up!”
“Listen. I want you and Billy to enjoy yourselves. If you’re not interested in Loukas’ proposition, then so be it.”
I was a little overwhelmed by Bella’s confession, but so what? I wanted to meet these folks and I had. I’ll settle for that, even if Billy says no to whatever the offer is. Yet, I had a feeling that we’d be spending much of our time with Bella and Loukas Constance. And to be honest, that was fine by me. I let Billy know my feelings as he looked at me when we entered their stateroom. I smiled and whispered, “I’m game if you are.” I let it go at that.
Room six-hundred was massive for a ship. It was the size of four staterooms—if all the other staterooms were the size of ours. The antique furniture was lavish, and vases of fresh flowers sat on every table. The scent of jasmine filled the air.
“Is that jasmine?” I asked Bella.
“Yes, it is. I love that fragrance.”
“I do, too. It’s my favorite.”
“We like the same things. Just think. I’m over twice your age, but there’s no generation gap here.”
We both smiled.
Drinks were served by Bella and Loukas’ private staff members, and a short while later, food covered the dining table. During our informal meal, Billy and Loukas discussed the deal while Bella and I talked about our family, especially the antics of our children. Yet, the whole time we were in separate conversations from our husbands, Bella and I never missed a word said between them.
It seems that Bella and Loukas had three adult daughters, married to men who were given jobs in the company, moved up, and were now trying to get the head honcho—Loukas—out. Loukas had been retired for some time, but he still had the final say. He was considering selling the company business, which would have provided plenty of money for all three of his girls. The only thing he would keep for himself and Bella was the Bella Constance—the ship he had built and named after her. Even the mention of the idea set off an explosive reac
tion from his girls and their husbands. This trip was to smooth things over, and maybe come to an understanding. Loukas would get his way, and everyone involved knew it. That’s what concerned him. He didn’t trust his daughters’ husbands. He wanted someone to watch his back and find out what they had planned to do.
“But why us?” I slipped into their conversation. “I’m sure you must have competent private detectives on your payroll.”
“Yes, I do. But I think they’re under the thumbs of my sons-in-law. I want new blood—someone I can trust. Bella said that Savannah Kelley told her all about the two of you and how you saved her life. Savannah said that we could put our lives in your hands and I guess that’s what I’m doing.”
Loukas looked at Billy and then back at me. “It’s almost time for lifejacket drills,” he remarked. “So, what do you say, Billy? Are you going to help me?”
A soft tap at the door interrupted our conversation. A staff member opened the door.
Captain O’Riley entered and said, “We have a situation, sir.” The captain then looked at Billy and me.
“It’s all right,” Loukas said. “You may speak freely.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but we’ve had a death on the ship.”
Bella and I both gasped when we heard the news. Surprisingly, Billy and Loukas remained undisturbed as if this was an every day occurrence. I guess men deal with drama better than women.
It was a little unsettling that we had been at sea barely two hours, and already there had been a death on board. What did that say about the next six days and twenty-two hours? People weren’t supposed to die on a cruise. This was a time for fun and relaxation, not death and sadness.
“Mr. Carlson in Room 608 had an apparent heart attack,” Captain O’Riley said. “Dr. Whitley was called in when Mrs. Carlson discovered her husband unresponsive. She said he hadn’t been feeling well for about an hour. She thought he might be seasick, so she suggested he lie down and rest. She went to one of the shops on the ship, and when she got back, she found him lying on the bed with his eyes open. When she couldn’t roust him, she called for help. It’s a shame. Mr. Carlson is only thirty-two. That’s quite young to be having a heart attack. I’ve called the Coast Guard for a chopper. We need to transport the body off the ship.”
