psychic crystal 03 - killer cruise

by Marilyn Baron

  The seafood dish she’d ordered was delicious, lighter and flakier and more tender than anything she’d ever tasted. She studied Kate and Jack. Both had ordered the sea bass. They couldn’t keep their eyes or their hands off each other. They existed in perfect harmony on every plane. Kate fairly glowed. Well, some of that had to do with her delicate condition. A condition Kate herself was not yet aware of. Juliette was going to be a grandmother.

  Jack took a drink of water before he spoke.

  “I’m glad the captain had to cancel on dinner. It gives us a chance to talk privately. From what the girls said, there’s something fishy going on with this art auction business. We have to consider that the cruise line could be aware of it or at worst could be involved. We have no idea how these auctions work. They could be another way for the cruise line to make money, like their gambling concession. But we weren’t brought on board to catch an art thief or muddy up the works of the ship. Our purpose is to protect the members of the European Union central bank conference while they negotiate a treaty. There’s where the threat lies. The captain received a threat to the lives of the representatives. Now whether that will be a bomb or an assassin, we’re not sure. But there’s where we need to focus our efforts.”

  “I’m getting a bad feeling about that man in the gallery,” Juliette objected. “I’m not so sure stealing art is all he’s about.”

  “Okay. I’ll have a talk with the captain and have him look into this person. Did you get his name?”

  “He said his name was Wade Randall, but he didn’t look like a Wade.”

  “Honey, just what does a Wade look like?” Will wondered.

  “I don’t know. Just not like him. For some reason, he seems familiar to me.”

  “There’s something off about him that bears investigating,” Kate agreed.

  Jack threw up his hands. “Far be it from me to disagree with the two most talented and beautiful psychics I know.”

  “How many other psychics do you know, Jack?” Kate teased.

  Jack gave her a smile. “I’ll have the captain look at the passenger list and the employee roster. And I’ll contact a friend of mine at the Art Loss Register or the Commission for Looted Art in Europe and some of the Lost Art Database websites that recover plundered art, to see if they have any record of stolen art of the type you saw at the gallery. I’ll check with the FBI’s arts crime unit and run it by Interpol to see if we get any hits. Kate, how do you think these paintings, if they’re not forgeries, got onto the ship?”

  “They could have been stolen right off the wall at a museum, or at an exhibition or showing of works by the artist, on loan from another museum or a private collector. Some of the paintings in the gallery are quite small, like 8 by 10 inches in size, or only centimeters. And then, too, the man could have smuggled a stolen painting on board hidden behind another painting. I’ll bet if I took a closer look at one of those paintings from the artist in Prague, who knows what I would find? I think whoever reserved those paintings will have them shipped home and end up with one or more masterpieces, free and clear, undetected and unpunished.”

  “How do they get away with it?” Jack asked his wife.

  “Most times they are stolen right out from under large crowds, during celebrations, say, for example, the Olympics, or a Millennium celebration. The thieves are brazen. If the painting is large enough, they’ll cut the art right out of the frame, roll it up, and disappear, which is a crime against culture in itself. Sometimes they will steal only a panel of an altarpiece. And there are private collectors who would pay dearly for the privilege of owning and hoarding such paintings or works of art, and the world would never have the joy of looking at them again.”

  “How much do you think these paintings are worth?” Will asked.

  “Millions,” Kate stated. “The auctioneer estimated $100,000 for just one piece, but collectively they are easily worth ten times that amount. The reward for information leading to their return can run into the millions. Stolen paintings in art heists are not uncommon, and even though they discount the price, the thieves walk away with a fortune, if they can unload them.”

  “Why would anyone do such a thing?” Juliette asked.

  “For any number of reasons. Politics. Often there are ransom notes associated with a theft. Not to mention the thousands of paintings plundered, confiscated, or destroyed by the Nazis—650,000 works of art looted from Europe alone—only a fraction of which have been recovered or restored to their rightful owners or their descendants and heirs after the Holocaust.”

  Juliette fixed her eyes on Kate and took in her pallor. “Honey, is there something wrong?”

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Kate gasped, getting up from her chair.

  “Kate, sweetheart—” Jack said. ”Are you seasick?”

  “I’ll tend to her, Jack,” Juliette said. “This is a typical reaction she has. It’s her sensitivity to evil.”

  Jack looked helpless.

  “She’ll be fine,” Juliette assured.

  Juliette helped Kate out of the restaurant and to the nearest restroom, where Kate flew into the stall, threw up, and flushed the toilet. When she walked out, her face was still an unearthly white.

  “I-I don’t know what happened,” Kate said. “I must be seasick.”

  “You’re sick, all right, but it has nothing to do with the sea. When was your last menstrual cycle?”

  Kate flashed Juliette a puzzled look. “I know I’ve had a, I mean, I think I had one, at least I thought I’d had—” Kate paused and did the calculation. “I haven’t had my cycle since before our honeymoon.”

  Juliette smiled. “Katherine Crystal Hale, you’ve just made me the happiest grandmother-to-be on earth.”

  “You mean I’m—”

  “For a psychic, you are not doing such a good job of seeing into the future.”

  “But it’s so soon.”

  “It only takes once, and the way you and Jack are together, I imagine you’ve had quite a bit of opportunity.”

  Kate blushed. “But how can I be sure?”

  “I’m as sure as I can be,” Juliette said. “I’ve known for a long time. In fact, I saw it the first time I saw you and Jack together in my shop. But let’s see if we can find a pregnancy test somewhere aboard this ship, if you need less ethereal proof.”

  Kate and Juliette strolled hand in hand toward a sundry shop.

  “Won’t Jack worry?” Kate said.

  “Yes, and a little concern now and then won’t hurt him. We’ll just pick up the test and you can perform it at the first opportunity in your cabin.”

  “Jack and I are just getting to know each other.”

  “I had you when I was no more than seventeen. You’re almost twice that. It’s time. It’s the right time.”

  Chapter Eight

  When Jack, Kate, Juliette, and Will dropped by the gallery after dinner, the room was dark and the doors were locked.

  “That’s strange, for a place to be locked up when they should be encouraging people to browse the gallery for art,” Juliette said. “I think we should find the captain.”

  “Don’t we have reservations for the show tonight?” Will asked. “I was looking forward to hearing those singers.”

  “The only thing you’re looking forward to is seeing the skimpy costumes of the girls in the show.”

  “Now, Juliette, honey,” Will protested. “You don’t know that. And they have nothing on you.”

  “Stuff it, Chief. I know your type. You’re only interested in one thing.”

  “I’m only interested in one person, and that’s you,” Will objected.

  “Just cut out the bull. No one can hear us. You’re not impressing anyone but yourself.”

  “Now, kids, behave yourselves,” Jack said. “Maybe that’s just what we need, a little diversion. Starting tomorrow, we’re going to have to be diligent and keep an eye on the monetary meeting. And we’re at the theater already. Kate, you sure you feel up to a
show?”

  “I’m fine, Jack. Let’s go in.”

  The four flashed their shipboard IDs and were waved through the line of people heading for the theater.

  “Let’s sit in the front,” said Will.

  “So you can see the breasts in the burlesque show better?” Juliette said.

  Will put his arm around Juliette’s shoulders.

  “You know yours are the only breasts I’m interested in, darlin’.”

  Juliette blew out a breath. “That’s crude. You’re impossible, Will Bradley. I’m sure you’re on the lookout for that cute Caroline Garrison we met on the behind-the-scenes tour.”

  Will stared into Juliette’s eyes. “You’re the only one I’m looking at. I’m not interested in the stage manager.”

  Juliette crossed her arms and tried to maneuver out of Will’s arms.

  “Trying to make your escape?” Will tightened his grip.

  “I like to sit in the back so I can make my escape,” Jack said, in an attempt to stop the sparring between Will and his mother-in-law.

  “Let’s compromise and sit in the middle,” Kate reasoned.

  The four took their seats halfway back from the stage and enjoyed the dancing, singing, flash, and fanfare.

  Juliette was entranced. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I can’t believe I’m here on a cruise, with all the delicious food and classy entertainment and the beautiful scenery. And earlier this evening, when I looked up at the stars, the constellations were so vibrant against the midnight sky. It’s just magical.”

  Kate reached out to squeeze Juliette’s hand. “I’m so glad you could come along. I’ve been looking forward to this time for us to really get to know each other better.”

  Tears slid from Juliette’s eyes. She had been thinking the same thing. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so happy. She couldn’t believe she was sitting here, right next to the daughter she thought she’d lost forever.

  “Don’t cry,” whispered Kate. “This is a happy occasion.”

  “I know. It just means a lot to hear you say that. This has been a dream come true. I’ve been waiting so long just to see you again, and this, well, it’s beyond anything I could ever have imagined. Everything you’ve given me—the clothes, a home, a job, and you, my new family—it’s just—”

  “Juliette, Mom, it’s nothing more than you deserve. All those years of separation? Well, they’re over now. And we’re together. I know you didn’t give me up. I know you wanted me. Let’s don’t think about the past. Let’s enjoy today and whatever the future has in store for us. I predict only good things.”

  “And soon we’ll have something really important to celebrate,” Juliette added.

  “Ssshh,” Kate signaled with a finger to her lips.

  “What kind of plans are you two ladies hatching?” Jack wondered.

  “Nothing, nothing at all,” Juliette said, sitting back to enjoy the show.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning while Jack and Will worked with the security people on protection duty at the banking meeting, Kate asked Juliette to meet her in her cabin and revealed she had made reservations at the spa.

  “What will we do there?” Juliette asked.

  “Get pampered.”

  “This is a week of firsts. My first cruise. My first visit to a spa. I feel like a queen. Did you run the test yet?”

  “No. I wanted to wait until Jack was gone. And I wanted you here for moral support.”

  “Okay, but you don’t need a test. I’m certain you’re pregnant.”

  “Just humor me. I need scientific proof, not psychic suspicions.”

  Juliette sat on the bed while Kate removed the pregnancy test from the box before she disappeared into the bathroom.

  Jack and Kate’s suite was huge. It was magnificent, similar to the suite she and Will occupied. This was luxury she’d never before known.

  “Everything okay in there?”

  “So far,” Kate called out.

  Juliette opened the door to the balcony and looked out at the ocean. Everything was so calm and peaceful. She’d never seen such beauty. She wrapped her arms around herself and smiled. She’d never been this happy.

  “Mom,” Kate cried. “Come back in here.”

  Juliette turned toward her daughter. “Well?”

  “Congratulations, Grandma! It’s positive.”

  Hugging Kate, Juliette exulted, “I’m so happy for you. Jack will be over the moon. When are you going to tell him?”

  “I don’t think I should tell him on the trip. He’ll be worried about me and he’ll insist that I fly home.”

  “He just might. You’ll know when the time is right.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about it, though. Everything is happening so fast.”

  “Kate, you and Jack are going to make great parents. I’m so excited for you.”

  Kate sat back on the bed, her expression deflated.

  “I know how you’re feeling. You miss your mother. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. She was your mother your entire life. She was the woman who raised you when I wasn’t there. And this is something you would have wanted to share with her. It’s not fair that she’s gone, but I’m here, and I’ll be here every step of the way.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Kate, I feel what you’re feeling. There’s a strong bond between us, and with the baby on the way, our bond will only get stronger. I felt a bond with you even though I didn’t know you. When Carter took you from me, stole you from my arms while I was still nursing you, I was frantic, hysterical, and he promised if I stayed with him he would tell me where you were. But he never did, and it was years, years before I found you again. All those lost years.”

  “And none of it was your fault,” Kate said. “My father—the reverend—bears all the blame.”

  Juliette took Kate’s hand.

  “You’re not alone anymore.”

  “We’d better get going or we’ll be late for our appointment,” Kate said, wiping away her tears. “And I’d better get rid of this box before Jack finds it.”

  Kate grabbed the test and the package and stuffed it into her purse. She closed the door to the suite, and she and Juliette took the elevator to the spa level. Before she checked in at the spa, she tossed the evidence into a wastebasket.

  “We’re here for our eleven o’clock appointment for manicures and pedicures,” Kate announced.

  “Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Bradley, Suites 1001 and 1002,” said the woman at the receptionist area. “I have you down. Just go through that door, change into your robes, and someone will take you in for your treatments.”

  Kate smiled. “Thank you. Come on, Mom, let’s go.” They changed into robes and were led into the spa treatment area.

  “Please select the polish color you want,” the attendant said. “You two look so much alike. You must be sisters.”

  “We get that a lot,” said Kate. “I’ll take this shrimp color for my toes and this pearl shade for my nails.”

  Juliette was tempted to try a vibrant purple but instead she copied Kate. “I’ll choose the same colors as my daughter.”

  Juliette dipped her feet into the warm, bubbling water. She’d never been more relaxed in her life. “This is marvelous, just amazing,” she cooed.

  “You’re down for a sugar-and-honey scrub,” the attendant said.

  “Sounds wonderful,” Juliette answered dreamily, as the attendant switched on the massage feature in the chair. Next to her Kate was receiving the same pampering.

  “Thank you again, Kate. If had known how great this felt, I would have done it a long time ago.” After a few moments, Juliette asked, “So has Jack found out anything yet from the captain about the mysterious man in the art gallery?”

  “He left a message for the captain, and I think he should have some news soon.”

  “Do you hear bells?” Juliette asked.

  Kate listened. “Yes, it sounds like church bells. I think it�
��s on the sound system we have in here.”

  “Church bells heard at sea mean someone on the ship will die,” Juliette said.

  The women chatted about other matters while an attendant worked on their nails.

  After their nails were dried, they went into the salon for a shampoo and blowout.

  Kate looked at her mother. “Juliette, look in the mirror. You look absolutely amazing. Will is going to be drooling all over himself.”

  “I’m not doing this for Will. I’m doing this for myself.” Juliette smiled when she saw her image reflected in the mirror.

  “Well, whatever the reason, you look great. You’ll be fighting off the men.”

  Kate wound her arm through Juliette’s, and they went to the Lido deck to sit in the sun.

  As they lay there, Juliette commented, “This is so restful. I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “I’m so happy we could be here together,” Kate replied.

  Jack and Will strode by, and Will did a double-take.

  “Holy smokes, Juliette! You look—you look like a movie star.”

  Juliette smiled and waited for the smart remarks, but they didn’t come.

  “Seriously, you look great. Would you like to take a stroll around the deck with me?”

  “I don’t think I can move from this spot. I am so relaxed.”

  “Then I’ll join you.”

  “Kate, you look beautiful,” Jack said, sliding a chair next to her lounge. “You must have had a good morning.”

  “We did. We treated ourselves to manicures and pedicures, had a shampoo and blowout, and now we’re sunning ourselves like seals. I feel boneless. How about you?”

  “We spent the day in boring meetings where absolutely nothing happened and nothing got resolved, and there are more security people in that room than conferees. I think that warning must have been a hoax. We searched everywhere for bombs, for signs of anything suspicious, and couldn’t find a thing.”