Masked to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Book 5)

by Christina Freeburn

  Ted’s green eyes darkened and he frowned. “Veronica. Yes, I’m aware of her.”

  Apparently there was no love lost between Ronnie and Ted. Why didn’t he like her? Never mind, I had a good guess. Ronnie was headstrong, opinionated, and willing to risk life and limb for a thrill. Just the kind of person Ted found trying beyond reason.

  “We have to keep my dad away from the wedding. I’ll warn my brother and mom. You watch for my father and stall him. I don’t care how. Trip him. Play damsel in distress—”

  A loud, enraged screech shattered the air.

  FOUR

  Ted and I ran toward the scream, which was also the place designated for the wedding. We rounded the corner at the stern and stumbled to a stop before we crashed into Quinn or an awning decorated with purple and green streamers. He turned, scanned me from head to toe, and heaved out a sigh before heading over for a table set up with champagne glasses. A sommelier hovered protectively around the flutes and bottles of champagne, an open bottle in one hand.

  “What is he doing here?” Ronnie pointed at Quinn. Her body practically vibrated with hostility.

  “I invited him.” An older woman wearing a matching fairy dress and tiara held her head regally. Odessa.

  “How dare you.” Ronnie stamped her foot. “He’s the reason I can’t perform.”

  “My wedding, my choice on guests,” Odessa said.

  “It’s our—” Bob was silenced by a scalding look from his mom.

  Garrison wrapped an arm around Ronnie. “Honey, take it easy. Just ignore him.”

  “But Odessa knew. She knows what he’s said about me.” Tears filled her voice. “He did it on purpose.”

  “Oh please, you did it to yourself.” Quinn snagged a glass of champagne from the table and downed it.

  “At least it’s not my dad,” Ted whispered to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and nudging me into the middle of the fray. “Let’s defuse this.”

  “Your mother seems content to let this to play out,” I said.

  “That’s why we have to stop it.”

  “You were afraid I’d get your job.” Ronnie made a drinking motion. “Glub. Glub. Glub.”

  “You wench!” Quinn tossed the glass and went for Ronnie’s throat.

  Ronnie squealed and scampered behind Garrison. Bob blocked Quinn from getting any closer to Garrison and Ronnie. Behind the couple was the officiant, clutching the Bible tightly in her hands. Claire huddled against her mother.

  Ted positioned me near his mom and wedged himself between the grooms and Quinn. “Mom, this is Faith.”

  Odessa looked me over. Quick. “Nice meeting you. As you can see, Ted, we’re in the middle of something.”

  “I’m seeing it, along with half the people on the ship. This is a wedding, not a battle of the cruise ship stars. So how about we focus on the purpose of this cruise and get on with it.” A nerve in Ted’s jaw twitched.

  “Why in such a rush, Ted?” Bob eyed his brother suspiciously.

  “It’s the quickest way to stop Mom from antagonizing everyone.”

  “Me?” Odessa fluttered her hand near her throat, hurt flashing on her face.

  “You did invite Quinn to the wedding knowing what he did to Ronnie,” Garrison said.

  “Ronnie’s behavior made her unemployed, not me reporting it.” Quinn pointed at me. “If it’s anyone’s fault I’m at the wedding, it’s hers. Odessa had wanted me to make sure Faith’s dress fit correctly, and she wouldn’t cooperate when I stopped by her stateroom to complete the alterations. That’s why I’m here. I also wanted to check the tiara. I heard there was a mishap.” Quinn’s eyes gleamed as he focused on Ronnie.

  “And you blamed me, Ted.” Odessa gave me another once-over. “All I want is a perfect wedding for Garrison and Bob. Is that so horrible?”

  “Faith’s dress is fine.” Anger seeped into Garrison’s voice.

  “Wanting, no,” Ted said. “Controlling, yes.”

  Odessa drew in a sharp breath. Her tight expression said to me fireworks were about to commence. Way to go on defusing the situation, Ted. It was my turn.

  I slipped off the borrowed jacket. “Dress is perfect. Nothing needs done on it.”

  Quinn gasped. “Dirt. I see dirt.”

  There were smudges near my knees. Scrap it all. I brushed it.

  “Stop it. Stop it.” Quinn hit my hands. “You’re setting it in.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s almost gone,” I said.

  “It’s fine, Quinn. Tell him, Bob.”

  Bob repeated Garrison’s statement.

  “If that’s the way you want it.” Quinn spun on his heels, grabbed a bottle of champagne, and strolled off.

  Ronnie whirled around, her gaze containing a small amount of craziness. She scooped a handful of trinkets from her purse. “I’m the better jewelry designer. Look at the bracelets I made for the wedding party.” She held them out. “I’m Garrison’s best friend. Odessa should’ve let me make the tiaras. But no, Quinn said either he designed the dresses and tiaras or he’d do neither, so Odessa let him have his way. I wanted to create something special for Garrison’s day.”

  “In your alternate world, you’re better,” Odessa said.

  “Mother,” Ted said. At least my name wasn’t the only one he turned into a warning.

  Bob remained uncharacteristically silent.

  Garrison fixed a hard stare on his soon-to-be spouse, then switched to offering sympathy to Ronnie. “Honey, I didn’t know you wanted to make the tiaras. I thought you were still perfecting your designs. You should’ve asked me.”

  Ronnie sniffed. “I wanted it to be a surprise for you. But Odessa wouldn’t give me a chance.”

  Another hard stare floated from Garrison to Bob, who drew in a deep breath and shook his head.

  “When I get married,” I said, trying to soothe Ronnie’s feelings, “you can make my headpiece.”

  Ronnie grinned. “Really? You mean that? Any way I want?”

  A shiver worked its way up my spine. I ignored it, not wanting to know who was throwing invisible daggers into my back. “Absolutely.”

  “We should get back to this wedding,” Odessa said, “not some fictional one that someone’s dreaming will take place in the future.”

  Ouch.

  Claire giggled.

  “Let’s not blame this on Faith and be rude to her.” Ted spoke at such a rapid pace, I almost didn’t understand him. “Everyone’s here, so let’s get to the I do’s.”

  “You’re acting real nervous.” Bob narrowed his eyes on Ted. “Have you been—”

  “No,” Ted cut off his brother. “I’m fine.”

  “Now that Bob’s mentioned it…” Odessa crossed her arms. “You are acting out of sorts. Why is that?”

  “Her,” Claire grumbled.

  Everyone’s gaze shifted toward me. My high hopes for a lovely time with Ted and his family plummeted.

  “Dad’s on the cruise,” Ted blurted out.

  “John? John is on this cruise?” Odessa wringed her hands. “He wants to ruin the wedding.”

  “We have no idea what he’s doing,” Ted said, his voice tight.

  “Who told him?” Odessa took menacing steps in my direction. “Who tried to ruin my son’s wedding?”

  I backed up and stopped when the railing prevented me from going any farther. I wasn’t sure if that was fortunate or not. A tumble might hurt less than the pain Odessa wanted to unleash on me. “How would I know how to contact your ex-husband?”

  “Maybe Ted?” Garrison wiggled between me and his future mother-in-law. “Faith had nothing to do with John finding out.”

  “I just found out awhile ago,” Ted said.

  “Ted wouldn’t do that to me,” Odessa said. “But someone else would. Isn’t that right, Ronnie? You wanted to make the tiaras and couldn’t, so you ruined this day.”

  “I did no such thing.” Ronnie drew herself to her full height and planted herself, readying for a battle. “I’
d never hurt Garrison. There is no way I’d do anything to ruin this day for him. Maybe you contacted John to prove to your sons how much better you are than their father. That’s what you’ve always done.”

  Odessa gasped, her face paling then turning fire engine red. “I want—”

  Ted maneuvered his mother to stand near the decorative awning. “Everyone who should be here is. Let’s start the ceremony.”

  “Where’s your father?” Odessa’s gaze swept the deck. “I’m sick and tired of that man believing he has a right to say anything. Bob and Garrison love each other and have a right to legally share their life together. John needs to butt out of what isn’t his business. How dare he ruin this wedding?”

  Ted sighed. “Mom, he’s not here.”

  “He’s on this ship.”

  “But he’s not here. Dad isn’t doing anything,” Ted said. “He’s not going to jeopardize the consulting he does for the FBI by creating a disturbance on this ship.”

  Sadness washed over me. I wished Ted believed his dad would behave because he didn’t want to break his son’s heart.

  “He crashed this wedding,” Odessa screeched. “I want to know who told him. Who deliberately tried to destroy this day for Bob? It’s someone here. When I find out, they won’t be attending this wedding. Or staying on this ship, if I have my way.”

  Elizabeth made a small moaning sound. I turned to her. Her face was chalk white. “Odessa, no. Please, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding.”

  “I don’t care. Ted, if you told—” Odessa began.

  Claire burst into tears and yanked the tiara from her head. “I told Grandpa. I ruined everything!” She hurled her tiara over the rail and ran.

  Without making an appearance, John Roget stopped the wedding ceremony.

  FIVE

  “Claire!” Ted chased after his fleeing daughter.

  A shaken Elizabeth sat on a deck chair, eyes focused straight ahead.

  “Way to go, Mom,” Bob said.

  Odessa chugged down a glass of champagne and snagged the open bottle. “I’ll be in my room.”

  “That won’t end well,” Garrison said.

  “I’ll deal with it.” Bob started after his mother.

  Elizabeth reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “I’ll go see to her.”

  “I should handle it.”

  Using Bob as leverage, Elizabeth pulled herself up. “It’s best if I speak with her. You should figure out what your father is up to.”

  “I can’t be civil to that man,” Bob said.

  “Try.” Elizabeth headed for the elevators.

  “I’ll go with you.” Ronnie linked one arm through Bob’s and the other with Garrison. “I’m good at being the peacekeeper.”

  Bob appeared ready to argue when Garrison caught his gaze over Ronnie’s head and tilted his head back. Two security guards were approaching. Bob nodded, and the trio walked away.

  That left me alone. I’d make myself useful, and score some points with Claire, by finding her tiara. I was sure she’d regret her hasty decision. Hopefully, I’d spot the tiara on the ground. If someone had picked it up, I’d explain that my boyfriend’s daughter accidentally dropped it over the railing.

  Resettling the tiara on my head, I went down the stairs to the deck where the sail away party was happening. There was a large group of people dancing and drinking. Crew members were at the railings on the upper decks throwing down beads and other goodies for the passengers. Great. Someone was going to think Claire’s tiara was a gift rained down from above.

  I walked on the outskirts of the dance party, alternating my gaze from the ground to my surroundings. So far, all I spotted was abandoned heels, empty glasses, and beer cans. No tiara. I reached the end of the deck and rounded the corner. I’d check out the perimeter first. I didn’t think Claire’s throw was hard enough to send it into the middle of the crowd.

  Off in a corner, an item glittered from under a deck chair that was right against the railing. I walked over to the chair and peered under it. The item was way in the back. I had two options: crawl on the ground or move the heavy deck chair. I took hold of the back of the chair, scooting it over a few inches. The metal frame made a squealing sound. I cringed.

  I looked down. Still couldn’t see the object. I grabbed the deck chair again, lifting it higher to drag it away from the railing. As I leaned over to place the chair down, the strap of my dress caught on a sliver of rough metal and ripped.

  Scrap it all. The strap was now hanging by a couple of threads. Wonderful. How was I going to fix it? I should’ve bought one of those traveling sewing kits. I heaved out a sigh. Worse. It was all for nothing. The object I saw was a pair of children’s sunglasses bedazzled on the sides with crystals shaped like four-leaf clovers.

  Someone sidled up into my personal space. I startled, nearly smacking them from an instinct of self-preservation kicking into high gear. William, Ronnie’s brother. Possible suspect. I edged back.

  “I was hoping to see you again. I wanted to apologize for knocking your tiara overboard.”

  “Things happen.” I checked out the makeshift dance floor for Claire’s tiara.

  Giving me an eye-appraisal, William’s smile slowly stretched. “The princess look is right for you.”

  A blush crept along my cheeks even as annoyance skittered around in my brain. I was more perturbed over the fact Ted hadn’t noticed my outfit than over William’s flirting. “Thanks. I think.”

  William chuckled and bowed. “Again, my apologies. I should introduce myself first. I’m William Hastings.”

  “Faith Hunter.”

  “You do look lovely. I have to say I especially love your crown. Mind if I take a look?” He reached for it.

  I placed my hand over it. “Actually, I do. I almost lost it once today and rather not have it happen again.”

  “I won’t lose it standing here beside you.”

  “Last time you were near me, it got knocked off my head and took a nose dive off the deck. I’d rather not repeat that performance.”

  “I doubt it would happen again.” William tried to touch the tiara.

  I blocked his hand. “Of course it won’t because I’m wearing it. Why are you so interested in seeing it?”

  “I have a friend who does jewelry design and I wanted to see the clasps Quinn used. I want to get her some hobby stuff for her birthday and have no idea what to buy.”

  Right. I wasn’t naive enough to fall for the excuse. Something else was going on. Like gem stealing. Though how he’d covertly steal it in my presence taxed even my imagination. “Maybe Ronnie can help you. She designs jewelry.”

  The cruise director announced it was time for the conga. Passengers excused themselves around me and William.

  “She’s who I’m buying them for.”

  Why did he refer to her as a friend instead of sister? Before I asked, William threw a question at me. “Can I help you look for whatever you lost?”

  “I’m about to give up. I don’t think I’ll find it now. Too many people on the dance floor.”

  The conga line stretched halfway across the deck. The leader was snaking it through the deck chairs and around the pool.

  “Then the best thing to do is join the conga line. We’ll be able to cover the whole deck.”

  The guy actually had a great suggestion. The line would weave through the deck and I’d be able to check out all the passengers as we walked by to see if anyone was wearing an almost-matching tiara. I took a risk and filled William in. “I’m looking for a tiara similar to mine.”

  “How about if I look to the left, and you the right?”

  “Sounds good.”

  When the line reached us, we joined at the end. I lightly placed my hands on the waist of the woman in front of me, while William’s grip was a little tighter and familiar on mine. I was starting to think this was a very bad idea.

  We walked-walked-kicked our way through the area. No tiara in sight. When the line headed up the s
tairs to the deck above, and William’s hands inched up higher, I escaped by making an excuse about needing to meet my police detective boyfriend.

  SIX

  The seas rocked the ship to and fro. I grabbed the handrails, stumbling my way down the hallway toward the main dining room. I should’ve gone with my first choice of attire: pants, long-sleeve blouse, and flats. The maroon dress I chose, while sexier, best matched the almost three-inch beige heels I brought along, but didn’t help me maintain balance with the unpredictable movements of the ship. I had also opted for the more formal attire in case Odessa had kept the reservation for the private room where we were to have dinner tonight to celebrate Bob and Garrison’s marriage. The actual reception was scheduled for Mardi Gras to take advantage of the costume ball. I hadn’t heard from anyone since we split up, not even Ted.

  Maybe tonight I could charm Ted’s daughter. Or at least move her attitude away from dislike to tolerance. Odessa had linked all of our reservations so we’d share a large table at dinner. The only chance I had of spending alone time with Ted at meals was arranging some private breakfasts or lunches.

  The end of the line crept toward me. As I was about to join the end of the line, I spotted William’s elderly companion Ruth navigating through the sea of people. The boat listed to the left and she stumbled into the wall. Her cane slipped from her hand. I hurried over.

  “Are you okay?” I picked up her cane then handed it to her.

  “Thank you, honey. I’m fine. The boat is rocking a little more than usual tonight.” Even with her cane, she was unsteady on her feet. She almost banged into the wall again.

  I went on the other side, putting my body between her and the wall and offered her my arm for extra support. We walked toward the main dining hall. “I’m glad to see someone I know. I really didn’t want to walk into the dining room all alone.”

  Ruth blushed. “Oh my goodness, I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve forgotten you.”

  Guilt wiggled through me. Ruth was elderly and might think her memory was going. I knew who she was because I had been keeping tabs on William at the muster drill, while she had no reason to take notice of me. “I’m Faith Hunter. I saw you at the muster drill. You were with William. He introduced himself to me at the sail away party.”