“Catalan. Isn’t that like Spanish?”
He shook his head. “Spanish speakers can’t understand Catalan. It’s closer to French.”
“So, that’s what you were hiding?”
“I― I wasn’t hiding anything. I didn’t know you very well. In fact, you were a suspect.”
Kitty cocked her head. “Really? Was I ever really a suspect?”
“Sure. Love triangle and all that.” He glanced up at the boat. “How’s the activities director?”
She watched the passengers streaming down the gangplank. “Assistant. And I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll see him on the next cruise.” Turning to him, she said, “I have one more question.”
“Shoot,” he said.
“You said we were birds of a feather. I don’t think we’re that much alike, actually.”
He grinned. “Estornell means ‘starling’. We’re birds of a feather, see? Swift and Starling.”
Kitty couldn’t help smiling back. “Starling and Swift has a better ring to it.”
He responded with something she didn’t catch, all soft sounds and rounded vowels.
“And what does that mean, Mr. Starling?”
“You’ll have to learn Catalan to find out, Miss Swift,” he said. Chica butted her head against the back of his knee and he nearly lost his balance. “I think she’s anxious to get going.”
Kitty was going to say Chica was telling Leander to move, but that would have been awkward since the only direction he could go was toward Kitty. At that moment, the ship’s PA system announced guests would now be allowed to board, first priority given to staff.
“That’s me,” she said. No drama. No romance. Quiet life. “It was nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he said. He didn’t offer his hand, but he did reach down and rub Chica’s ears. “Bye, Chica.”
Kitty walked up the gangplank, trying not to feel disappointed. It was exactly what she needed. She got to say goodbye, have some questions answered, and leave as friends. When she’d reached the first gate, she hoped he’d already headed back down the dock. She turned to give him one last glance.
Meeting her gaze, he raised a hand. Using two fingers, he pointed to his eyes, then her, then swept an ‘L’ out from his temple. See you later.
Kitty nearly missed a step. It was too far away to hear him, but she knew what she’d seen. What? she signed.
He smiled. I said ‘see you later’.
She turned to face him now, nudging Chica to the side so other passengers could pass by. How do you―?
My parents are both deaf. My mother has Waardenburg’s, he signed.
She thought back to the few days they’d spent together. He’d never said he didn’t understand sign language. He’d only agreed when she’d insisted on interpreting. Why didn’t you say anything?
The embassy brought me in to help because I knew sign language, but when I saw you were there… he raised both hands in a “what could I do?” motion.
You didn’t feel like translating?
No, I mean… if I told them I was the translator, then you didn’t have to be there. She couldn’t be sure from that distance, but he looked slightly sheepish. I think I was right. I think we made a good team.
We did, she signed. Starling and Swift.
Starling and Swift and Chica, he corrected her.
The PA system blasted another announcement, and Kitty lifted a hand. Bye.
She turned and walked the rest of the way without looking back, unable to keep from smiling. She’d grab a bite to eat, play a few games of Bingo, and finish her book.
It had been a long, strange cruise. Her body was scratched, bruised, and battered. She’d experienced terror, grief, and shock while racing the clock to find a murderer. A seemingly normal man had committed a terrible crime she still couldn’t comprehend. It was finally over.
But aside from all of that, she’d also made a new friend. For the first time in ten years, she’d let herself rely on someone other than Chica. It hadn’t been a disaster. Life hadn’t come to a stop. Her scarred heart hadn’t started bleeding again.
“Just like Dickens wrote in Great Expectations. Right, Chica?” Kitty asked as they walked down the hallway toward their cabin. “I have been bent and broken, but―I hope―into a better shape.”
Chica made a soft noise in her throat. She agreed.
Dear reader,
Welcome to the Starling and Swift Cozy Murder Mystery Series! I had such a wonderful time writing these books and I can’t wait to share them with you.
Kitty, Leander, and Chica have really become close to my heart. I feel like we’re old friends!
Tulum is an incredible city, and contrary to my fictional account, they have a very low murder rate. Please feel free to visit and see the ruins for yourself! The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is also an amazing place to tour, and again, I haven’t heard of anyone encountering a gruesome end because of any of the incredible birds, animals, and reptiles who reside in it. It’s not all beauty and relaxation, though. There are over three hundred species of butterflies, but just as many varieties of mosquitos! Click here to visit a wonderful website you can explore to see the true beauty of Tulum and the Yucatan jungle.
Waardenburg’s Syndrome is a serious genetic condition that can cause partial or complete hearing loss, along with many physical difficulties, including issues with bone structure. The distinctive lack of pigmentation in the hair near the forehead, and either brightly colored blue eyes or differently colored eyes make this syndrome one of the easiest to identify. There are several types of the syndrome, and not all carriers will exhibit all (or any) of the symptoms. Some people with Waardenburg’s (like Leander) don’t struggle with any of the disabilities that can occur, but some do. You can learn more about the research, symptoms, and diagnosis here.
Thank you for reading Murder at the Mayan Temple, and I hope you enjoy the next in the series, Death on the Wind, releasing October 2017.
Until next time,
M. J. Mandrake
If you liked this book, be sure to leave a review here.
You can find me on facebook at M. J. Mandrake. Come on by and chat!
Are you ready for Kitty and Chica’s next adventure in book two, Death on the Wind? You can find it here!
Need more Starling and Swift? Book three, Danger at the Dive Shop, is already on pre-order here!
Recipes
Whole Fried Snapper (or Death on a Plate)
For two people you’ll need:
2 whole red snappers, about 1 ½ lbs each
Cooking oil
Rinse the fish before you start. Dry inside and outside of each with paper towels. I like to use my large cast iron skillet but any 12 inch frying pan will do. Heat about half an inch of oil over medium high heat. If you use a cooking thermometer, make sure it rises to about 380°. Lay the fish in the hot oil very carefully and let them cook until crisp and brown. Best not to move them too much or they start to fall apart! It usually takes about ten minutes for the first side and about eight minutes on the other.
Serve with lemon, fresh balsamic rice, or on a bed of greens. Enjoy!
Señora Gomez’s Famous Agua Horchata (or Watch What You Drink)
One of my very favorite Mexican recipes is the incredibly refreshing Agua Horchata, or rice water.
You’ll need:
1 cup uncooked white rice
5 cups water
½ cup milk
½ TBS vanilla extract
½ TBS cinnamon
2/3 cup white sugar
Grind the rice in a blender for several minutes, then add the 5 cps of water and let sit for about four hours. Strain into a pitcher and add the rest of the ingredients. mix thoroughly and let chill for one hour. Enjoy!
Kitty’s Favorite Coconut Ice Cream (or Jumpscare Goodness)
You’ll need:
1 cup whole milk
1 can coconut milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups sweete
ned, flaked coconut
Mix all ingredients in a blender for about three or four minutes. Pour into a freezer-proof container and freezer for at least 24 hours. Can also be used in an ice cream maker. Enjoy!
BIOGRAPHY
M. J. Mandrake is the pen name of an award-nominated writer of over thirty novels. Contrary to popular belief, the best part of writing a mystery is not thinking up gruesome ways to murder people― but if you irritate an author, don’t be surprised if you find yourself with a ceremonial knife in your literary heart. You can avoid this fate by delivering copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, and raspberry sorbet.
M.J. is more of a reader than writer at heart, and wishes that everyone who ever said they wanted to write a book would get on the stick. If you think you have a book lurking inside you―even better if it’s a mystery― please let it out. The world needs more good books!
Murder at the Mayan Temple (A Starling and Swift Cozy Mystery Book One) Page 12
