Paradise Can Be Murder

by Susan Bernhardt

  “Elizabeth was just leaving. She, um, met a handsome stranger tonight, but it turns out he brought another woman on board,” Phil said.

  “We’ll talk in the morning, Janey.”

  “Sounds about right. Good night,” Janey said.

  Elizabeth did not look amused.

  Later that night in bed, I kept thinking about Sybil and the attempt on my life. Frightened, I whispered to Phil who had been tossing and turning, “I don’t want to die alone.” A tear fell down my cheek.

  “What? Are you talking in your sleep? You want me to die with you?”

  “No,” I whispered. “I don’t want to die alone like Sybil did. When my time comes, I want you to be there with me, to hold my hand.”

  Phil pulled me towards him. His lips sought mine, then he put his arms around me. “If that happens, I’ll be there for you. Don’t worry. You won’t be alone.”

  “Thank you, Phil.”

  I laid my head on his chest and listened to the beat of his heart.

  After Phil fell asleep, my mind continued to wander, until the early hours of the morning thinking about what had transpired. Just who was Bella? What was her story? And how had George gotten a gun on the ship? I’m sure as a CIA spy, he had gotten guns through security many times. It was worrisome thinking about the lack of security on board. And the woman held captive in the bathroom. Who was she? How did she play into all of this? Finally, I closed my eyes. Sleep swept over me.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Day Nine on the ship

  Sunday, April 3

  “KAY, WAKE UP. Breakfast is here.”

  I opened my eyes and looked around. Janey was sitting on the edge of the bed staring at me.

  “I brought you coffee and pastries. Phil told me all about what happened last night.”

  I looked out the balcony window. The sun was high. “What time is it?” I looked over at my alarm clock. “Ten-thirty!”

  Phil kissed me on my forehead. “I told Janey not to wake you. You need your sleep. You looked so peaceful.”

  I sat up in bed. “Oh, my gosh! It’s so late.”

  “I wish I had been there last night,” Janey said.

  The thought of that made me cringe. “Well, thank goodness you weren’t.”

  “Kay was so brave.”

  I smiled at Phil.

  Janey handed me the coffee. “What a relief that Sybil’s murderers are caught. I’m glad my photos identified the murderess.”

  Murderess? “Without your photos Sybil’s murder may never have been solved. It’s still incredibly sad that she’s dead, but I’m glad George and his partner are under arrest.”

  My suspicions about the possibility that Sybil could have been trying to kill George didn’t matter much any longer. Even though she had impressed upon us that he was depressed and might kill himself. We’d never find out now what her intent in saying those things was. If Aaron knew, I’m sure he would never divulge that information.

  Phil brought over the breakfast tray with the pastries from the desk and put it on my lap. “We should probably let Kay eat.”

  “Weren’t you scared to death when they wanted you to jump overboard? You weren’t going to jump, were you?”

  “Janey!”

  I smiled. “That’s okay, Phil. I wouldn’t have jumped. I knew help was coming, and had to do everything I could to stall them.”

  “Okay, that’s enough for now. Let’s let Kay eat in peace.”

  Janey grabbed her camera from the desk. “I need to make sure I have plenty of photos for my report anyway. Kay, can I take one of you and title it ‘The Day After?’”

  I put my hands in front of my face and laughed. “No! Not in my nightgown, and definitely not without makeup. I can imagine how I look. Don’t even try.”

  Janey let out a big sigh and left the stateroom.

  Tears filled Phil’s eyes. He moved the hair away from my eyes. “You look beautiful, Kay, with or without makeup. I can’t tell you how scared I was when Elizabeth told me what was going on and then hustling down the promenade, hoping I wasn’t too late.”

  “You were my knight in shining armor. I love you.”

  We kissed. Phil moved aside the tray and laid down next to me in bed. “I love you so much.” He kissed me again. “I’ll always be there for you.”

  There was a discreet rap at the door. Phil got up and answered it. I heard Deirdre ask, “Is Kay awake yet?”

  Elizabeth and Deirdre walked into the room, excitement written all over their faces.

  “We wanted to see how you’re doing. I couldn’t believe what Elizabeth all told us at breakfast today.”

  “I heard there is a great sale in the gift shop right now,” Phil said. “Fifty percent off.”

  Elizabeth looked between us then laughed. “I can take a hint. I just wanted to tell Kay that I talked to John this morning. You won’t believe what he told me. It was, in fact, George who was the target of the scuba diving accident. An incident report was filed.”

  “Oh, my gosh! Sybil lied about that also. This puts a whole new spin on everything. Why would she have told us she was the victim? For what reason?”

  * * * *

  It was our last day of the cruise and a sea day. After Phil and I left the stateroom, he stayed with me the remainder of the morning. It was nice. We hadn’t done all that much together on the ship. I almost fell over when Phil mentioned about a ballroom dance class happening soon in one of the lounges, if I wanted to attend. There was satisfaction in just the fact that he asked me to take the class. Instead, I suggested working out in the fitness center until we met the others for a late lunch.

  He appeared visibly relieved. “If that’s what you want to do, okay, then we’ll do it.”

  We headed to the fitness center where we found two treadmills next to each other and looked out over the Caribbean. I kept my treadmill at 2.5 m.p.h. My leg was still a little sore from yesterday evening when George knocked me off the chair.

  “I’m going to be glad to get home, especially after last night.”

  Phil laughed. “When you think about it, this should have felt like being home to you. Murder and mayhem as usual. At least the population of Sudbury Falls didn’t decrease this time.”

  I shook my head and smirked. “Phil, that’s not even funny.”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Do you know what the best part of the entire trip was still?”

  The Blues Club. “What?”

  Phil looked over at me, his eyes sparkling. “Being with you, swimming in the Caribbean.”

  “Really? Not the entertainment?”

  “Of course not. Which reminds me, I have a surprise for you back in the room when we get done here.”

  “Another surprise? Now what?” I asked in a worried voice.

  “What do you mean, now what?” Phil’s eyes widened, then he smiled. “Oh. Right.”

  After working out, we took showers and dressed for lunch. Before we left the room, Phil handed me a bag from the silver shop that I had seen him at with Sparkle. I opened the bag and found a long case. Looking up at Phil, I opened the case. Inside was a gorgeous, hammered, sterling silver, link bracelet. There were small circles with solid bead decorations dangling from the links.

  “When we were on the excursion I asked Sparkle if she could recommend a jewelry shop. I wanted to give you something special as a remembrance of our trip. She took me to what she said was the best shop for silver on the trip. Do you like it?”

  “Oh, it’s beautiful. Thank you so much. Did Sparkle help you pick this particular bracelet out?”

  He glanced down for a few seconds then smiled. “No. She liked a different one more. But as soon as I saw this bracelet, I knew this was the one. It had your name written all over it.”

  I hugged Phil. “I love it!”

  “Here, I’ll help you with the clasp. You can wear it to lunch.”

  On the way to the dining room, we went past the art area and saw a large group gathered
around the paintings.

  I recognized a woman standing in the crowd as someone I had talked with at a dance class. I went up to her. “What’s going on?”

  “They’ve identified the person who did the damage to the paintings. They were caught on camera.”

  My heart started beating in double time. I took Phil’s hand in mine.

  I saw John, Elizabeth’s friend from Security. We went over to him. “Why the crowd around the paintings?”

  “Hello, Mrs. Driscoll. How are you doing today?”

  I offered a small smile. “I’m fine.” Then said quietly, “Relieved that Sybil’s killers have been caught. I was incredibly blessed.” I squeezed Phil’s hand. Trying to refocus and wanting information, I motioned toward the paintings. “Have you found who is responsible yet for the damage?”

  “Three college students from a fraternity here on spring break were seen on video defacing the paintings.”

  “Oh, that’s great news.”

  He frowned.

  “I mean, I’m sorry to hear that.” I smiled large, and felt like jumping for joy. “At least you caught the culprits.” Yes! I looked at my new bracelet. “Well, we better get going.”

  As we walked toward the dining room I wondered how I could have even thought that Janey would do such a thing. It was terrible of me to ever suspect her. If I had come out and told her of my suspicions, it could have ruined our relationship forever.

  Entering the dining room, I saw Janey waiting over with the others at a table. I walked over and gave her a big hug and kiss.

  She looked embarrassed. A flush crept across her cheeks. “Really, Kay. I just saw you up in the stateroom a few hours ago.”

  “I know. I’m just so happy to see you.”

  Janey looked over at Phil still embarrassed.

  I sat between Deirdre and Elizabeth. “Well, what are we all going to do on our last day?” I felt so relieved as if a heavy weight was taken off my shoulders.

  I was looking at the menu when Elizabeth exclaimed, “Kay, your bracelet, it’s gorgeous!”

  After the waiter took our orders, I put my arm out and turned it back and forth. “Phil surprised me with it. It does sparkle.” Then I thought about what Elizabeth had told me this morning about George. Quietly I said to Elizabeth and Deirdre, “What was the deal with Sybil? Why would she say she was the scuba diver victim? It seems she lied about everything.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “She fooled all of us.”

  “Making it look like she was always the intended victim,” Deirdre added.

  “I believe she had something in mind. She wanted to shift the focus on him. She wanted us to think he was depressed. He wanted to kill himself. He was trying to kill her. When you think about it, they were both intended victims, but he beat her to it,” I said.

  Deirdre nodded. “Isn’t that sick? They deserved each other.”

  “I agree. Still, a person has died,” I said. “It’s terribly sad in more ways than one.”

  Phil cleared his throat. “Kay, Janey’s been trying to get your attention. She has a surprise for you.”

  “We’ll talk about this later,” I said under my breath.

  Janey picked up an envelope that she had next to her plate, gave it to Phil, and said, “You can give it to her.”

  Phil handed me the envelope. “Here’s another surprise. It’s from Janey.”

  I raised my eyebrows, then opened it, my silver bracelet jingling. I read aloud, “SPA EXCLUSIVE. LET YOUR INNER BEAUTY FLOURISH. NUTURE EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR WELL-BEING.”

  I looked at Janey and smiled. “Thank you so much. This is such a sweet gift.” I moved my chair back a little.

  Immediately she said, “No need to get up and give me another hug. The last one is still in effect.”

  Everyone laughed except Janey.

  “I wanted to do something nice for you after bringing me on the cruise with you and Phil. In the brochure it says the treatment includes a facial that will give you that radiant glow and a scalp massage to relax and get rid of stress, and a bright eyes treatment that will revive and freshen up those tired and angry eyes and reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.”

  “Does it really say angry eyes?” Deirdre smirked.

  “I made that up, but Kay will look like a new person.”

  I glanced over at Deirdre who was trying hard not to laugh again. Elizabeth also had a big smile on her face.

  “This is quite a thoughtful gift. You know, you probably won’t even recognize me when they’re finished with this treatment.”

  After the waiter brought our meals, Elizabeth said, “I have a surprise for you also, Kay.”

  “Another surprise? Wow!”

  “Janey has agreed to sleep in my stateroom tonight, so you and Phil can have a romantic last evening.”

  Agreed? Elizabeth asked Janey. Wow! I was thrilled.

  My lucky day, I thought, as I took the first bite of my red snapper. “That’s sweet of you both.” I looked at Phil. He smiled.

  Janey’s eyes lit up. “We’ll have fun, Elizabeth. We can order in room service and watch movies all night. I’ll start looking to see what’s available.”

  “Wonderful, Janey.” Elizabeth looked none too thrilled.

  I’d owe Elizabeth one.

  I looked at Deirdre thinking she must be getting a kick out of this.

  “Sorry, Kay, I don’t have a surprise for you.” She smiled. “But I do have a surprise for Janey.” Deirdre took a folder out of her purse.

  Janey took the envelope from Deirdre and hastily opened it. “Oh my gosh, you bought the photo of me with the dolphins. I love it! Thank you so much, Deirdre. I can’t wait to show this to my friends back home.”

  After we passed Janey’s photo around the table, Phil asked, “With Kay busy this afternoon, Janey are you up to one last trivia session with me and Mike?”

  I was glad that Phil had found an activity he was happy to share with Janey. I wondered if there were trivia contests in Sudbury Falls.

  The Public Address System went on. There was an announcement that it was the last day to book a future cruise. Janey looked over at me with hopeful eyes. I started talking to Deirdre.

  Elizabeth finished her lunch. “Deirdre, there’s a fashion show being put on by the staff. That might be fun.”

  “Maybe we should check that out, Mike, after trivia,” Phil said.

  I smirked. “Since when are you into fashion?”

  “The models, Kay. He’s interested in the models,” Janey said.

  “There’s a selection in the gift shop for fifty percent off today. We can check that out as well, Elizabeth,” Deirdre said.

  Phil laughed. “Wow! I must be psychic!”

  Janey clicked her tongue. “There’s always a sale at the gift shops.”

  I stood up. “I’m off to the spa. I’ll see everyone later with my new look.”

  “Have fun, Kay,” Janey said.

  “I’m looking forward to it. Let’s meet up later and decide everything we wanted to do but couldn’t because of the murder,” I said.

  Janey gave me her dolphin photo to put in my purse for safekeeping.

  * * * *

  That afternoon, after my spa treatment, Deirdre, Elizabeth, and I spent time at the pool. They made a point of mentioning how the treatment definitely freshened up my angry eyes. Then Elizabeth pointed out the complainer and her husband lying in the sun. We never did find out their names.

  When we got out of the pool and were drying off, Sybil’s old boyfriend, Aaron Langdon came over. He looked around the area when he reached us. “I wanted to thank you for not mentioning anything to my wife about Sybil the other day.”

  I looked from him over to Elizabeth and Deirdre, and didn’t respond.

  “Sybil wanted me to meet her the morning her body was found. She said she had a proposition for me if I didn’t want my wife to find out about her, about us. She had hinted at it earlier.”

  Sounded like blackma
il. If the murderers hadn’t already been found, that would have been a motive for killing Sybil.

  “Did you have any idea what her proposition was?” I asked.

  He looked down at his sandals. “It doesn’t matter anymore. You wouldn’t believe me it I told you. It was outrageous.”

  I bet Sybil wanted him to get rid of George. “Try me.”

  Aaron just stood there, closed mouth, and shook his head.

  After several moments, Elizabeth said, “It’s too bad you’re so afraid of your past. I’m sure at some point your wife will find out. Some day you’ll bump into someone who knows you from your previous life. You really should be honest with her.”

  Elizabeth was right about Aaron. When he didn’t respond again, I said, “You’ll be happy to hear that her murderers were caught yesterday.”

  He hesitated then said, “That’s a relief.”

  “It is indeed,” Deirdre said.

  I put my hand up to my eyes to block the sun. “It wasn’t a coincidence then that you and Sybil were on the same cruise.”

  He rocked in place, then looked at his watch. “Well, I better go and find my wife. She should be finished at the spa by now.”

  After Aaron left, we sat back down on our chairs. “I’ll always wonder if Sybil was going to ask Aaron to help her kill George,” I said. “My guess is that she planned to do away with George on this cruise and was blackmailing Aaron to help her. And that’s why they were both here.”

  “I think you’re right. Both Sybil and George wanted to kill each other,” Deirdre said. “One of them had to be first.”

  “And have a vacation while doing it,” Elizabeth added.

  I shrugged. “Could be Aaron’s wife insisted on coming along and their plan backfired. That probably will be something we’ll never know. Also, if George hadn’t seen Aaron on the cruise ship, perhaps he wouldn’t have wanted to kill Sybil. Still, Bella was here. What a mess!”

  “I talked to John about Bella,” Elizabeth said, reaching in her bag for her sunglasses. “They checked her out and she had been in the CIA with George.”

  “Another spy,” Deirdre said.

  “George mentioned that in the room when I was being held.”

  “Exactly. She also had been exposed and had to leave the agency. She and George had been meeting up from time to time. George said it was a complete surprise to him that she was on this cruise.”