by Mac Flynn
"W-where am I?" she murmured.
"It's me, Max. Now hold still for just a sec," he ordered her. He checked her head and frowned. "You've got a nasty bump on your forehead."
"I do?" She reached up and touched the sore spot, and winced. The pain jolted a memory because her eyes widened and she scrambled back. "D-don't let it get me! Get it away!"
Archer grabbed her arms and tried to pin her down, but she thrashed in his hold. "Alicia, hold still! Nobody's going to hurt you!"
"No! Get it away! It's coming for me!" she screamed.
Archer slapped a hand across her face. The force whipped her head to the side and her wide eyes stared unblinkingly at the wall to my left.
"Max!" Renee scolded him. She rushed past me and flung herself on the bed where she wrapped her arms around her shocked friend. "Come on now, Alicia. Tell us what happened." Alicia blinked and shook herself. A sob escaped her lips and buried her face into Renee's bosom. Renee winced, but patted her on the back. "There, there. It's fine now."
Alicia shook her head. "No, it's not fine! A shadow came in here and wrecked my room, and when I caught it doing it the thing attacked me!" She shuddered and tightened her grip on Renee. Her friend winced and tried to push them to breathing distance.
"Did you see who it was?" Archer asked her.
Alicia lifted her head from her friend's bosom and turned to Archer. She slowly nodded. "It was you."
CHAPTER 7
Archer started back and pointed at his chest. "Me?"
Alicia gave a more definite nod. "Yes, you! You came in here dressed all in black and wrecked my room!"
"There has to be come mistake. I was at the party or in my room all night," he argued.
"Are you sure it was him? Wasn't it dark when you saw him?" Renee suggested.
Alicia shook her head. "No, because I turned on the lights, and there he was in the middle of the room. He even looked at me and I saw he was completely covered in black. I couldn't even see a bit of his skin."
"But how could you be sure it was Max if you couldn't see his skin?" her friend pointed out.
"Because whatever he wore was skintight, so it looked just like him," she insisted.
"And. . .and then what did this man do?" Renee asked her.
"He-" Alicia pointed at Archer, "-leapt across the room and threw me onto the bed. He clawed at me like some wild animal. I tried to get away, but I slipped on the sheets and hit my head on the headboard. That's the last thing I remember."
Archer seated himself on the bed and reached out to Alicia. She cringed and clung to her friend. "Alicia, you have to believe me. It wasn't me you saw last night," he insisted.
She shook her head. "No, it was you." She whipped her head to Stuart who stood at the foot of the bed, and pointed an accusing finger at Archer. "Arrest that man! Throw him in the brig! Do anything but let him run free to hurt me again."
Stuart's face paled and he glanced to Archer. "Mr. Archer-?"
Archer pursed his lips, but nodded. "Go inform the captain there's been an attack and. . .and that I'm the main suspect."
Stuart nodded and hurried out of the room. Archer stood and looked down at Alicia. "Whatever really did happen, I'm sorry it was my likeness that has frightened you."
Alicia glared back at him. "You're just sorry you were caught," she snapped.
Archer bowed his head and left the room. I hurried after him and caught up to him near the living room furniture. He plopped himself on the couch and ran a hand through his hair.
"What a way to start a morning, eh?" he joked, but his voice sounded tired.
I took a seat beside him and set a hand on his shoulder. "I believe it wasn't you," I told him.
He lifted his head and smiled at me. "You don't know how much that means to me."
"Do you have any idea who might have really done this?" I asked him. "Maybe an evil twin or something?"
He cracked a smile. "I'm pretty sure I'm an only child, but I do have a cousin that looks kind of like me if you put me in a dress and pumps."
"Does anyone have any reason to frame you?" I guessed.
Archer leaned back and shook his head. "No one. I have the usual number of enemies for a rich guy, but none who would pull this type of stunt."
I sighed and glared down at the floor. "A black suit. . ." I murmured. It reminded me of the blackness that had emerged from the book.
"Pardon?" Archer asked me.
I shook my head and managed a tense smile. "It's nothing." I thought, or rather hoped.
We waited only a few minutes before the captain and Stuart returned. The captain's face was grave as he walked up to Archer, who rose from the couch at their entrance.
"Stuart told me the particulars, but I'd like to hear the story from you," the captain told him.
Archer closed his eyes and shook his head. "If you're looking for an alibi I don't think I could give one. I went to bed after the investigation of Miss Johnson's room, and slept until seven."
The captain glanced at all our faces. "Do we know when the attack took place?" he wondered.
"Six," a voice spoke up. Renee emerged from the bedroom and shut the door behind herself. "Alicia said she looked at the clock when she heard the noise."
"Then that means I have no good alibi," Archer confirmed.
The captain turned to him and pursed his lips. "So it seems. That means I have no choice but to take you to the brig, at least until we can get this mess settled out."
Archer nodded. "I understand. Better safe than sorry."
The captain glanced at Stuart. "Meet every need demanded by the lady, within reason, and see that she receives a new room."
"She can stay in mine. I have plenty of room," Renee offered.
"That's very kind of you, Miss Roster, but we wouldn't think of imposing on your hospitality," the captain argued.
Renee shook her head. "It's not quite like that. Alicia's insisting on sleeping in my room tonight, so you see I don't have much of a choice."
"I see. Well, we'll see to cleaning her room and refunding her money for the trouble," the captain promised. "In the meantime, I'll have to ask that nothing be disturbed until we can get some investigators into the cabin to see if we can find some clues as to her attacker."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence in me," Archer spoke up.
"Confidence or no, I'll have to make my judgment based on the findings, and nothing else," the captain warned him.
Archer nodded. "I understand." He glanced at me and smiled. "I'm afraid we're going to have to delay our breakfast for another time."
I nodded. "I understand."
He chuckled. "Somehow I knew you would. Well, captain-" he turned his attention to the man, "-let's be off."
Captain John and Archer left the room. I tried to follow them, but Renee's voice stopped me.
"You know he's out of your league, don't you?" she asked me.
I faced her and raised an eyebrow. "I don't know-"
"Of course you know what I mean," she argued as she nodded at the door through which the men had left. "I know he's got an interest in you, but it's just a fling. You're something new that'll get old in no time, so don't get comfortable as the object of his attentions."
I frowned. "I thank you for the warning, but I can keep care of myself. Good day."
I marched from the room and across the hall to my own suite. The door got slammed shut behind me and leaned against the entrance. I ran a hand through my own hair and sighed.
"What have you gotten yourself into now, Jane?" I whispered.
I didn't have an answer to that, but I did have a ton of questions. Some of them centered around the book in my possession. I strode into my bedroom and found the tome on the nightstand as it had been when I'd gone to bed. The blank cover looked back innocently at me as I stood over it, but I knew it was far from innocent.
I opened to the first few pages, but they were as blank as before. No strange light, no sensual tendrils, nothing.
>
"Did you do it?" I asked the book.
I couldn't believe Max-Archer, that is, would have been so stupid as to not conceal his identity, especially when he attacked someone who knew him. A plausible, but insane, suggestion was that the book on my nightstand had more abilities than to give me pleasure.
My stomach grumbled and reminded me of my change in plans. Breakfast awaited, even if I didn't have the pleasant company of Archer.
CHAPTER 8
I reached the mess hall and found that news traveled fast through the passengers. Those in attendance whispered among themselves of the arrest of the wealthiest passenger aboard. I sat at the captain's table where an older couple from the previous evening talked loudly between themselves at the foot.
"It's just horrible! I heard she was nearly torn apart!" the woman commented.
"Surely not that bad, my dear," her husband returned.
She glared at him. "I have it on good authority from one of the passengers who heard from the crewman who heard directly from his friend that's what he heard another crewman say." I couldn't hide my snort. The woman turned her narrowed eyes on me. "What do you find so funny, young lady?"
I stared down at the table and shook my head. "Nothing."
The woman studied me and pursed her lips. "You're one of those women he was gallivanting about with last night, weren't you?"
I lifted my head and frowned at her. "No, I was not."
"I'm sure I saw you talking with him," she persisted.
"I spoke with him, but I wasn't gallivanting anywhere," I protested.
"Well, then you might tell us if any of this is true," she commanded me as she nodded at her husband. "He certainly seems to doubt it, but I've seen enough of that rascal Archer to know he might try something heinous if given the chance."
"He did nothing of the sort," I snapped at her.
She sat up like a ruffled hen. "Then would you mind telling us who attacked the young lady?"
"Come, come, ladies, all this arguing and the poor man hasn't even been found guilty," her husband spoke up.
"If he isn't, then who is?" his wife questioned him.
"Perhaps it was all a mistake. Perhaps someone else is the guilty party," he suggested.
The woman gasped and covered her open mouth. "What a terrible thing to say! That would mean such a ruffian is still loose on the ship!"
"It's better to think that than to call an innocent man guilty before it's proven," I pointed out.
"Well! I never in my life!" she growled.
"Good morning," a voice spoke up. I turned in my seat to see Charlie, the first mate, walk over to our table and take a seat beside me and between the couple and me. "So how's breakfast?" he asked our group.
"Excellent," her husband replied.
"Tolerable," the woman sniffed.
"Then I think I'll have what the gentleman is having," Charlie joked. He turned to me and held out his hand. "I don't think we were introduced last night. The name's Charlie Fremont."
"Jane Johnson," I returned as I shook his hand.
"I don't know if this helps my reputation, but I'm a friend of Archer," he added.
"Have you known him for long?" I wondered.
"Oh, off and on for nearly ten years. He's gotten me into trouble and I've gotten him out of it," he replied. His eyes on the empty place set in front of me. "Not ordered yet?"
My face fell and I shrugged. "I don't have much of an appetite."
His eyes flickered to the couple, who were engrossed in their own affairs, and he leaned in close to me. "If it's any consolation, I think he's innocent, as well."
I managed a small smile. "I'm glad."
He winked at me. "And fortunately I'm sure the camera system on the ship will think he's innocent, too. There aren't any cameras in the rooms for privacy reasons, but all the halls and public rooms are covered with them. Whoever the attack is it'll have caught him, and the truth will bail Archer out."
My heart leaped for joy, but I suppressed the emotion for fear it was too soon. "How soon can the cameras be looked at?" I asked him.
"Since it's only a three hour interval, and only one hallway, it won't take more than three hours to review the tapes," he assured me.
"And then he'll be free?" I guessed.
Charlie scrunched up his face. "Well, probably, but that's up to the captain to decide. He could keep him there for the rest of the voyage, especially if the lady demands it."
My eyes widened and I jumped to my feet. "But he's innocent!"
Charlie put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me back into my chair. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I know that, and you know that, but the captain has to ensure that all the passengers feel safe. Archer will be a good sport about the matter, and I'm sure he'd want you to be, too."
I pursed my lips. "But it isn't fair."
"No, it isn't, but that's the worst case scenario," he pointed out. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens." He dropped his hands and leaned back to smile at me. "Besides, Archer's made a request of me that involves you."
I blinked at him. "Me?"
Charlie nodded. "Yep. I met with him after his installment in our brig and he asked me to make sure you have a fun time today."
I shook my head and waved my hands in front of myself. "Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you, and I really couldn't keep you from your duties."
"As luck would have it, it's my day off, so it's no problem," he revealed.
I tilted my head to one side and smiled. "I'm not going to get rid of you, am I?"
He shook his head. "Nope, now how about we get some food and start this exciting day?" He turned and hailed a waiter.
The day was the best it could be under the circumstances. My mind was distracted with Archer's imprisonment, but Charlie did the best he could. He showed me the swimming pool, crowded after nine like Archer had told me, and the tennis courts, likewise packed with people. There were a myriad of scheduled events, and he decided to take me to a yoga class. Not to participate, since I didn't have the right attire, but to watch.
That was when the imperfect day became even more so. We walked through the halls below deck. The double doors of the large yoga room lay before us, and on either side of us were doorways to other activity rooms and crossing hallways. Charlie and I reached an intersection and found ourselves in the company of the Neapolitan group.
Alicia, though paler than usual, didn't look the worse for wear. She was flanked on her right by Lana, and on her left by Renee. The three halted and glared at me.
Renee turned to Charlie with a more hospitable smile. "Charlie, you evil young man. We've been searching all over for you. Where have you been?"
"I was just about to show her the yoga room," Charlie explained.
Renee swept her eyes over my less-than-perfect figure and raised her nose in the air. "What a surprise to see you interested in the activity rooms," she sneered.
Charlie turned his attention to Alicia. "How are you feeling, Alicia?"
"Much better now that he's locked away," she replied.
Renee glared at her friend. "How can you say that about Maxie being in that hole?"
"The brig really isn't that terrible anymore," Charlie assured her.
"I can say what I want because I know it was him," Alicia insisted.
"And I believe her," Lana spoke up. "Nobody mistakes a face like his for anybody else's."
"The video footage will show us who is the culprit," Charlie assured them.
"And it's going to be Maximilian Archer," Alicia told him.
"You know what? I suddenly have a headache," Renee spoke up. She turned back the way they came, but looked over her shoulder with an icy glare. "I'll catch you girls later. Maybe." She strode off down the hall.
Lana and Alicia looked at each other. "What's her problem?" Lana wondered.
"She's still stuck on that awful man," Alicia explained. She put a hand on Lana's shoulder and bit her lip. "If you don't mind, could I stay
in your room tonight?"
"Of course. What are friends for?" Lana agreed.
"Ladies, if I might interrupt, if you plan on going to any activities they start on the hour, and it's five till," Charlie warned them.
Alicia gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. "Our aerobics class! I almost forgot!"
Lana grabbed her friend's arm and dragged her down the hall. "We can just make it if you stop yammering and hurry!"
The pair rushed down the hall and disappeared into one of the many rooms. Charlie turned to me with a mischievous smile.
"Should I go tell them the aerobics room is in the opposite direction?" he asked me.
I smiled and shook my head. "No, but where did they go?"
"To the senior citizen's karaoke lounge," he told me.
"Then they'll learn soon enough-" My comment was interrupted by cries of anguish.
The two women emerged from the room and rushed past us.
"That's the last time I follow you!" Alicia snapped at her friend.
"Why don't you try babysitting yourself some time?" Lana growled.
They slipped into a room in the opposite part of the hall.
"Well, they learned," Charlie joked. His phone went off, and he answered it. "Hello?" There was a pause, and he frowned. "What sort of problem? All right, I'll be right there." He hung up and turned to me. "That was one of the men who looked at the tapes. He says there's a problem with the video that I might want to see. Whatever the problem, this could be the big break we've been looking for," Charlie explained. He turned to go, paused, and turned back to me. "Why don't you come with me? Archer would want you to be one of the first to know."
"I don't think Mr. Archer thinks that much of me," I protested.
A sly smile slid onto his lips. "I wouldn't count on that too much, but come anyway. I know you want to know as badly as I do."
I shrugged. "What could it hurt?"
CHAPTER 9
I followed Charlie through the ship to the section that held what I would describe as a ship police station. There was a long room with desks on both sides against the walls, and a couple of doors at the back. One read Surveillance Room, and the other was more heavily fortified and read Brig. Charlie led me into the surveillance room. The space was filled with TV screens that rotated images from around the ship, and a console with dials and knobs. There was a single chair in front of the mess, and a young man sat in the chair.
