by Ann Mullen
“Room 608! That’s the room next to us! We should leave,” I said, my heart pounding. “It was very nice to meet all of you, but I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.” I looked at Billy and gave him the eye. “Billy? Are you coming?” I wanted to get out of there and go back to our room. Having someone die the minute we left port wasn’t what I had planned for our vacation.
Billy looked at me and said, “Don’t be alarmed, `ge ya. People have heart attacks all the time. We can’t let this ruin our cruise. It has nothing to do with us, and we can’t do anything about it. Right, Loukas?”
I looked at Loukas from the corner of my eye.
“Billy’s right,” Loukas said to me. “We have no control over a person’s health. Things like this happen. Please don’t let this upset you, Jesse. Please stay. Captain O’Riley has everything under control.”
“Yes, please stay,” Bella begged. “Please…”
With that said, the captain left to attend to his duties, and we stayed. I wasn’t thrilled, but if Billy thought we should continue with our discussion, I would go along with him. Mr. Carlson’s death had nothing to do with what we had been talking about. Or, did it? Being the skeptic that I am, I had my reservations. One thing always links to another.
“Have another drink,” Bella said. “You look as if you could use it.”
“To be honest, I’m not much of a drinker,” I replied. “I get a couple of drinks in me and I start acting like a complete idiot. I just ramble on and on about nothing.”
“Don’t we all?” she said. “Come sit down beside me and let’s chat about what we’re going to do on the cruise. That is, if you want to spend a little of your time with us.”
Billy smiled at me, so I relented. One more drink wouldn’t hurt. After the captain’s announcement, my nerves were shot anyway. “If I sit back down now, I have a feeling I’ll be spending quite a bit of time with you.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“That little pity face you put on won’t work with me,” I joked. “You can’t monopolize all my time. I do have a husband that I’d like to see occasionally.” I winked at Billy.
The ship’s horn blew, signaling that it was time for the lifejacket drill.
“I guess more drinks will have to wait,” Bella said. “If you decide not to come back for another drink, I do hope you’ll join us at the captain’s table for dinner. We have reserved a place for you and Billy across from us. We’ll be at the head of the table with Captain O’Riley.”
“You have everything planned out, don’t you?” I asked with a grin.
“Of course, I do, my dear.”
The lifejacket drill lasted twenty minutes, and then we were free to go enjoy our cruise.
“I sure hope we don’t ever have to use those,” Bella said as we walked back to their stateroom.
I would have preferred to go our separate ways. I had wanted to meet Bella and Loukas Constance, maybe have a nice conversation with them, but that was about as far as I had envisioned our encounter to go. I had no expectations of carrying the relationship any further, and after the captain’s announcement, I wanted less and less to do with the whole situation. But within the short time it took to learn how to put on a lifejacket, Billy had convinced me that this might be an adventure we didn’t want to miss—he was talking about the part where we snoop around on Bella and Loukas’ adult children and their no-good husbands.
“It’s right up our alley, `ge ya,” Billy whispered to me. “The death of that young man was sad, but that has nothing to do with the job.”
“Oh, so it’s a job now?” I whispered back.
“It might be a job in the scheme of things, but we can treat it as an adventure. You love a good adventure, don’t you?”
I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. “I’ve seen where some of our adventures have gotten us. I had to tell my mother a lie because of one of our adventures. And you know what happened? Of course, you do. She found out the truth anyway! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!”
“You’re talking about that time you got shot in the shoulder with birdshot by that crazy kid. You were just trying to spare her from the truth.”
“See where it got me? I still feel bad about it even to this day.”
“But you’ve never lied to her since.”
“That’s true. Why bother? She’s going to find out anyway.” I glanced back up at Billy. “That didn’t sound too good. I didn’t mean it like that. It makes me sound like I’d lie if I knew I could get away with it, but I wouldn’t.”
“You have good heart,” Billy said in his Cherokee accent. “You heap good squaw.”
I laughed. I know Billy pretty well, and I could tell that he was trying to win me over. I love it when he says some of the things he says, especially when he says it in Cherokee. Most of the time I don’t know what he’s saying, but that doesn’t matter. I get the gist.
“All right,” I said. “But I don’t want to be shot at, kidnapped, or beat up. I want to have a good time. Of course, if a little snooping has to be done, we’re the ones to do it.”
“That’s my girl!”
Chapter 3
Billy looked over at Loukas and smiled. I knew the deal was sealed. We would do a little detective work and still enjoy ourselves. That’s what I kept telling myself as we made it back to Room 600. As soon as we entered the room, I turned to Loukas and jokingly said, “I think we should get a refund on our cruise, since we’re going to be working.”
“Already done,” he replied. “The money has been credited to your Visa Card.”
“You really are sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
He laughed. “I didn’t get to where I am today by being wishy-washy. I make plans and I carry them out. That’s how big-business operates.”
“I assume you’re going to offer us a fee.”
He looked at Billy and said, “She’s one smart lady.”
“Yes, she is. That’s just one of the things I love about her.” Billy reached over and put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close in a joking manner. “She’s a great private investigator, too. I taught her everything she knows.”
Bella and Loukas laughed.
“Don’t let him fool you,” I said, bouncing back with my quick wit. “I’ve taught him a thing or two, also.”
“I’m sure you have,” Loukas responded. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you two are a good team, in marriage and in business.”
“I think we should get down to business,” I said. “Just what do you want us to do? We don’t have any of our equipment, so I don’t know how much we can accomplish.”
“I’ve already had a bug and a camera placed in the girls’ rooms, and I had one of my people set up some equipment in your stateroom. I think you’ll find everything you need. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Snooping is so much fun!” I said. Then a thought hit me. “You mean someone has been in our room?”
“Don’t worry, Jesse. They’re not going to steal your diamond bracelet.”
“What? How did you know about…” I looked over at Bella.
“As I said before, I had a nice conversation with Savannah. She told me about your bracelet. If you’re concerned that the safe in your room isn’t secure, you’re more than welcome to put it in mine.”
“You guys don’t need us,” I replied. “You seem to be able to find out anything you want to about anyone.”
“Oh, dear,” Bella came back. “I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“No… no, you haven’t. I’m just surprised that you know so much about us, yet you want us to find out what your kids are up to. I would think you’d already have all the dirt you need.”
“They’re not going to talk with us about their plans, and you can bet that some of our loyal employees and friends have crossed over to their side. I’m not really sure the girls know what their spouses have up their sleeves.”
“I see. Can I assume that you want us to get friendly wit
h them?”
“That’s exactly what we want,” Loukas said as the drinks were served. “You’re very likable people. You shouldn’t have any problem at all. Let’s have a toast.”
We raised our glasses and Loukas made the toast.
“Here’s to a long, friendly relationship between the four of us.”
“To us,” Bella added as Billy and I chimed in.
Bella and I sat on the settee across from the two Queen Anne chairs where Billy and Loukas sat, and discussed our plans.
“Let me begin,” Loukas said. “We have three daughters. Ruby, who is forty-eight, is married to Jeff Reed. Jeff’s a computer specialist, so he knows everything there is to know about my holdings, bank account—you name it. I think he’s the one with the real influence over the other two.”
“Our youngest daughter, Jena, is forty-four,” Bella spoke up with obvious pride in her voice. “She wanted us to sell the cruise line, but I told her we wouldn’t get rid of the Bella Constance, no matter what. She’s slowly coming around to the idea. I guess. Anyway... she seems to be. Her husband, Steven Nelson, will go along with anything she wants him to. He adores her.”
“Why should they even care?” Billy asked. “I’m sure they’re going to profit immensely from the sale.”
“How true!” Bella agreed. “It’s as if they…”
“Have an agenda of their own,” I said, finishing her sentence.
“Greed, that’s what it’s all about!” Loukas raised his voice.
“Now calm down, Loukas,” Bella said softly. “You said you weren’t going to let this get your blood pressure up.”
“I can’t help it,” he said. “I get so mad when I think about how I brought my girls’ husbands into my company, and now they want to take over.” Loukas finally calmed down and then continued. “Nell, our middle daughter, is forty-six and married to the demon from Hell.”
“Utah Hawks.” Bella said, making a face, looking as if she was going to gag.
“From the look on your face, I take it you don’t like him,” Billy said.
“I despise the man.”
“He might not have the power or influence,” Loukas added, “but he has the cold heart it takes to do whatever dirty deed needs to be done, if you know what I mean.”
“In other words,” I said. “Beware of this one.”
“Most definitely!” Bella added. “He’s dangerous.”
“What about grandchildren?” I asked. “May I assume that they are not on this trip?”
“We have nine,” Bella said, proudly. “Each one of our daughters gave us three—one boy and two girls. They’re almost at the marrying age now.”
“Each one of your daughters has a boy and two girls?” I asked, thinking how odd that was. “That’s kind of ironic.” I looked at Billy and then Loukas and said, “We now know the people and we know what to do, so I guess the next question is how much are you going to pay us?”
Everyone chuckled.
Loukas stood up and walked over to a beautiful hand-carved credenza. He pulled open a drawer, removed a thick envelope, and then walked back over to us. He handed the envelope to me as he smiled at Billy. “We know where all the money goes eventually.”
They both had a good laugh.
I was surprised at the bulky envelope, but even more surprised when I looked in it. My mouth dropped open. I looked up at Billy and then at Loukas. “There must be…”
“Fifty thousand dollars. That’s a down payment. You’ll get the rest when the cruise is over… if I’m still alive.”
Billy and I both stared at him.
“You didn’t tell us your life was in danger,” I said.
“It is. So, if they kill me off, you don’t get any more money.”
“Do you think they’re going to try something like that?” Billy asked.
“I think Utah and Jeff already have a plan in mind. I just don’t know what it is.”
“You’re not worried about Steven?” I asked.
“No,” Loukas replied. “I trust him. He’s a good man. I think he’d come tell me if he found out they’re up to something.”
“I sure hope so,” Bella said. “I hope he’s the man we think he is. You just never know.”
“That’s for sure,” I agreed. “People can fool you.” I handed the money to Billy.
He stuck the envelope into the back pocket of his cargo shorts, looked at Loukas and said, “Maybe we should go. We don’t want your family to see us here, do we?”
“That’s part of the plan,” Loukas remarked. “I fully intend to tell them who you are and what you do for a living. Let them figure out the rest. They’ll be dining with us tonight, so you’ll get to meet them.”
“What rooms are they staying in?” I asked.
“They’re on the deck below us,” Bella said.
“You don’t think I want them on the same deck with me, do you?” Loukas asked, sarcasm oozing from his lips. “No way! I don’t want them that close. Besides, the deck we’re on is for special people.”
“You mean, like people with real money?”
“Exactly.”
“Then why are we on this level?” I questioned, with a little of my own sarcasm and a smile. “We’re not rich.”
“You are special in your own way,” he said. “I can trust you. I know we’re going to become good friends, and I take care of my friends. The room you’re in now, Room 610, is yours. It will be available for you or any member of your family anytime you want to go on a cruise on the Bella Constance.”
“You’re way too generous,” Billy said. “We can’t accept that.”
“You can and you will,” Bella said. “I must insist.”
Billy and I just looked at each other as I replied, “I don’t know what to say except thank you so much! I guess we just got ourselves a lifetime invitation to cruise on the finest cruise ship there is.”
Bella smiled and said, “And you’ll have your own stateroom. I suggest that you take more cruises.”
“Sounds good to me.”
She turned to Loukas and said, “I think we need to let these two go. We’ve taken up a bit of their time already.” She then turned to us and said, “Go have some fun. When you’re ready, call Captain O’Riley and tell him you want to take the tour. He’ll take care of you. He’ll show you places no one is allowed to go.”
“It’s important that you get the lay of the ship,” Loukas added. “All good investigators check out their surroundings. I’m sure that was the first thing on your mind.”
“It might have been,” I said. “But right now, all I want to do is have a look at the equipment back in our room. Our room. How about that?”
“I have to go along with Jesse,” Billy said. “I’m curious, too.”
“Go ahead and do what you want to do,” Loukas said. “We’ll see you at eight for dinner.”
As we were about to leave, Bella said, “If you need anything else that we didn’t get for you, please let us know. I think you’ll find that we’ve pretty much supplied you with everything you’ll need to do what you have to do, and then some.”
“I’m sure you’ve thought of everything,” Billy said. “Both of you are quite special people. I think we’re really going to enjoy our cruise.”
“Meeting you was the highlight of my day,” I added.
“I hope you don’t regret it,” Bella said, cautiously.
“Why would they regret meeting us, Bella?” Loukas asked.
“There can be no secrets,” Billy said with a troubled look on his face.
“Tell them, Loukas.”
“Rumors are already floating around that I was going to get bumped off, and that this would be my last cruise. I guess it’s no secret that someone plans to kill me.”
“When the crew talks, something is up.”
“Are you hiring us to be your bodyguards?’ I asked. “Because if you are, tell us now. I don’t like getting shot at. I’ve been there.”
“Of
course I’m not, Jesse. We have bodyguards. Jacob and Allison aren’t just staff members who serve us drinks. They’re highly qualified to protect us physically.”
Billy and I turned our sights to the man and woman across the room.
Jacob was probably close to thirty, tall and well-built. Allison was my height, stern looking, with a toned body to match. They both were dressed in shorts and polo shirts. It would have been hard not to miss their physiques if we had been paying attention.
When Billy and I walked out of Bella and Loukas’ stateroom, we didn’t speak until we were sure we were out of earshot.
“I never paid a bit of attention to Jacob and Allison. I was too enthralled with Bella and Loukas.”
“We slipped. That’s not good. We won’t let that happen again.”
“We can’t. Our lives could depend on it.”
As the saying goes—never could a truer statement have been made.
Billy and I returned to our room in a hurry. We were both anxious to see what Bella and Loukas had in store for us. Considering the fact that they have more money than we’ll ever see, we were sure we’d get top of the line stuff. And we were right. When we entered the room, our attention went immediately to the large desk that had been set up against the left wall. An electronic empire sat on the desk, with other gadgets sitting on the floor on either side. A note was left by the keyboard.
Billy quickly closed the door behind us.
When we looked around the room, I pointed out that the two chairs and small table that had been where the desk was now had been moved to the other side of the room in front of the port window. A bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice sat on the table. Those were the only things that had been changed… so far.
“Look, Billy,” I said, pointing to the bottle. “Champagne! Compliments of Bella and Loukas, I’m sure.”
“I must pass,” he said as he walked over to the desk and started punching keys on the keyboard. “Come, `ge ya. Let us investigate.”
His Cherokee accent was coming into play again, so that only meant one thing—he was going into the hunt/detective mode. Billy does that when he’s deep in thought about a case. He’s probably already planned out his strategy, and will let me know all about it shortly.
