psychic crystal 03 - killer cruise (2 page)

Chapter Two

The ship’s captain was beginning his behind-the-scenes tour of the luxury liner so the investigative team could become familiar with their surroundings.

Will stood behind Juliette, arms wrapped viselike around her waist, close enough so she could feel his hot breath on her neck and his well-defined bulge against her bottom. Whether he was horny for her or that was his perpetual state of arousal, she didn’t know him well enough to tell, although, for all the world, they were on their honeymoon. Honeymoon or not, the Chief wasn’t going to get his girl, not on this cruise or in any lifetime. Juliette shifted uncomfortably. His grip around her tightened, and she felt him stiffen against her.

“Juliette, sugar, this won’t take long.” He licked her ear and whispered into it, loud enough for the captain to hear. “Then we can go back to what we were doin’ in the cabin.”

Juliette shot a venomous gaze over her shoulder.

“Now, baby cakes, are you puttin’ a hex on your lovin’ husband?”

Juliette scowled and lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper. “Just trying to protect the ship by warding off evil spirits, influences, and malevolent forces.”

“We’ve received a general threat,” the captain announced. “We have no idea where it will come from, but we’re convinced there’s a potential murderer on board this ship. It’s our job to find him or her before the ship docks in the next port, if possible. The crew is restless, but they’ve agreed to stay on the ship for the duration since Crystal Ball Kate is sailing with us. We also offered them hazard pay.”

“How do you know there aren’t any crew members involved in this plot?” Jack asked.

“That’s the problem. We don’t. But this crew has been with us the entire season. The officers have been with us for years. We can’t rule anyone out, of course, but nobody, including me, gets a free pass in this investigation.”

“Jack tells me we have some VIPs on board,” said Chief Bradley, who had released Juliette from his tentacles but maintained his connection by holding her hand.

“Yes, we have representatives from the European Union sailing with us in hopes of finalizing an important banking treaty. We’re not sure if they are the target of a political threat, but we need to do our best to keep them—and everyone aboard the vessel—safe, by any means, traditional or nontraditional.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Jack stated.

“Of course the EU members travel with their own bodyguards, but the more eyes we have on the potential targets, the better. The crew has been reassured by your wife’s presence. They’re convinced the threat might be of an extrasensory nature. And the fact that we’re sailing into the Bermuda Triangle is troubling.”

Juliette nodded at Kate. Since she’d been reunited with her daughter, the two had been working closely on growing and controlling Kate’s considerable powers, and the girl was coming into her own. They had discussed the Bermuda Triangle, which, according to Juliette, was not of insignificant consequence.

“If there’s anything mystical going on, we’ll get to the bottom of it,” Juliette assured.

Chief Bradley gave
her
bottom a possessive squeeze. “If anyone can get to the bottom of a problem, my wife can.”

Juliette jumped and pried the Chief’s hand away from its grip on her backside.

“If you don’t stop pawing me, I’m going to turn you into a seagull,” Juliette whispered venomously.

Chief Bradley sprang back, releasing his hold on Juliette. “Now, honey, no need to resort to black magic.”

“You have no idea what I would resort to, and you don’t want to find out.”

The captain cleared his throat and continued his remarks. “Welcome aboard the
Sea Nymph
. And speaking of hexes, it’s not uncommon for fishing boats in the Mediterranean to have stylized evil eyes painted on their bows. Sailors, after all, are a superstitious lot. That’s why we don’t start a cruise on Fridays. Friday is considered unlucky because that is the day Christ was crucified. The same is true about the first Monday in April.”

Will rested his head on Juliette’s shoulder. “Why is that?”

“That’s the day Cain slew Abel.”

“I’m not superstitious,” joked Will, reaching around Juliette to knock on the polished wooden railing. “Black cats and ladders, you know.”

“In some cultures, black cats are considered good luck,” the captain pointed out. “British and Irish sailors often adopt a black ‘ship’s cat’ because they eat rodents. A ship’s cat creates a sense of security for sailors who are away from home for long periods of time.”

“Are there rats on this ship?” Kate asked, rubbing her shoulders and looking down.

“Hopefully not.” The captain laughed. “But our sailors are from around the world, so each has his own customs. For example, mermaids are usually considered lucky except to British sailors, who think they provoke disaster.”

“Mermaids?” Will asked, his interest piqued. “Have you ever seen one?”

“No, although we run into some pretty hot-looking sirens in port.”

“You don’t really believe in mermaids, do you?”

“Not as a rule,” said the captain.

Juliette fingered the amethyst amulet she wore around her neck. “Where I come from, people used to sell white heather to bring good luck.”

“That’s a Roma tradition, isn’t it?” inquired the captain. “Where are you from, Juliette?”

Juliette hesitated. “Hungary,” she whispered and then went silent. The location of her homeland was a personal fact she rarely revealed.

Will spun her around in his arms. “I didn’t know that. Are you a gypsy? You kind of look like a gypsy. There’s a lot about you I don’t know. But I want to find out.”

“We’ll settle this back in our room,” Juliette whispered, narrowing her eyes to a deadly sliver.

“Looking forward to it,” said the Chief, flashing his dangerous dimples.

Chief Bradley was taking all the liberties he could get away with while they were in public because she’d shut him down in the bedroom. He was hoping to sweet talk her out of her clothes, and that was not happening. It had been a long time since she’d felt a man’s warmth against her body, but she wasn’t going to get sucked back into that dangerous emotional vortex. All the Chief’s coaxing and talk about how they needed to make it real, not just play the part, was getting him nowhere. She could spot a phony an Irish mile away. The psychic trade was rife with them.

“There’s another superstition,” said the captain. “Avoid redheads when going to the ship to begin a journey, because people with red hair bring bad luck unless you speak to the redhead before she speaks to you. The same is true for flat-footed people. But then they also say women on board a ship make the sea angry.”

“I hope you’re not referring to us,” Juliette said, looking at Kate.

“I invited you aboard, so no, of course not.”

Will couldn’t keep his hands or his thoughts to himself. “Isn’t it also true that a naked woman on board a ship will calm the sea?”

Juliette pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.

“Actually, your husband’s correct,” the captain said. “That’s why we have naked figureheads at the prow of a ship. And throwing a stone over a ship that is putting out to sea ensures she will never return. Don’t look back once your ship has left port or that will bring bad luck. And never step onto a boat with your left foot first or disaster will follow.”

“I think we’re going a little
overboard
with these superstitions,” cautioned Juliette. “Flowers are unlucky onboard a ship. Pouring wine on the deck will bring good luck on a long voyage. The list is endless.”

She glanced at her sparkly silver sandals. Kate had been so generous, offering to foot the bill for a brand new, fabulous wardrobe. Juliette didn’t have the appropriate clothes in her closet for a cruise. Kate made her promise not to worry about the cost. Jack had assured her that Kate would be reimbursed, that the client—the cruise line—would pay for everything she needed to play her part.

When she had arrived in her suite that afternoon, all the clothes were already hung or placed neatly in her closet. There were dresses and casual outfits, scarves and designer handbags, high heels, low heels, shoes to match every outfit, all in her size. She’d never owned clothes so fine. She wanted to make her new-found daughter proud, and she wasn’t going to waste this amazing opportunity to get to know Kate better. This was only the first day of what promised to be a wonderful two weeks.

Chapter Three

“The more familiar you are with the ship and the crew, the better prepared you’ll be to react to the unexpected,” said the captain. “We’re going to begin our tour in the Activity and Entertainment Department. Our cruise experience revolves around a variety of entertainment options, from comedians and dancers to magicians, musicians, jugglers, and vocalists. We even have psychics.” The captain directed a look to Juliette. “Our entertainers all perform their specific daily services, but they share the duties of the cruise staff. Which means they also participate in passenger activities like deck games and contests.”

“What does it take to become a psychic aboard a ship?” Juliette asked with no little interest.

“Well, the psychics we hire have a phenomenal sense of perception and a verifiable track record. For instance, we ask them to provide a client list and excellent references.”

“How can you prove their accomplishments?” Juliette asked.

“We give them an audition,” said the captain. “We ask them to do readings on staff members. And they need to be outgoing, because they are putting on a show for the passengers.”

“Hmm.” Juliette tapped the toe of her sandal on the wooden deck and considered the possibility of working on a cruise ship as a psychic. She could put on a show. She was certainly playing a role now, one of a
happily
married woman on her honeymoon with the biggest horn dog on the planet.

“Are you interested in a psychic position aboard a ship?” the captain asked.

“No, I’m happy where I am. But it sounds like a glamorous job.”

“It can be,” agreed the captain. “Now I want you to meet Caroline Garrison. Caroline is our stage manager. She calls all the shows. We have a number of production shows staged in a single space. She’s in charge of the production cast, including the people who teach salsa and run bingo.”

An elfin dark-haired beauty, as lovely as an actress herself, saluted the captain, a sparkle in her eye. She was flitting around the area like a hummingbird, a bundle of energy, directing, coaching, and running lines.

“Our shows have Broadway standing,” the captain said proudly. “Right now Caroline is rehearsing a Country Western number. With freestyle cruising, we’ve expanded our entertainment options to include dinner cabaret shows and some acts with a local flair from our ports of call. We also bring in on-land branded entertainment, acrobatic-type extravaganzas, and well-known entertainers. We’re at sea most of the days of a repositioning cruise like this Barcelona-to-Miami route, so we need to increase our entertainment offerings. And we have ten days to transition our creative team, install, and practice the new show. That’s one of the reasons people take a transatlantic cruise. There’s entertainment day and night. Gambling, spectacular stage shows, comedy shows, dance clubs, bars and lounges, piano bars, live music—we offer it all. As a matter of fact, we were recently voted the Best Ship for Sea Days.

“With more onboard days, passengers can experience a different restaurant every day. And we always offer extra perks, like a complimentary bottle of wine at dinner at our specialty restaurants on the first night of the cruise, onboard savings at our spa, and discounts at the shops. It’s all about relaxation. Guests enjoy our fitness center, sports court, pools, and hot tubs instead of a grueling round of excursions. And best of all, you can save almost seventy-five percent on the cost with a repositioning cruise.”

“It sounds perfect,” Juliette said.

“And since we’re relocating the ship to a new region, travelers enjoy exotic ports of call.”

Kate raised her hand to get the captain’s attention. “Where and when can you go on a repositioning cruise?”

“Well, typically, they’re available most months of the year and include such itineraries as Alaska to Hawaii, Alaska to the Mexican Riviera, and trans-Atlantic sailings like this one from the Mediterranean to Miami and the Caribbean or the reverse.”

The captain stopped for a moment, then prompted, “So, Caroline, tell our guests more about the ship.”

“Structurally, this is like a big steel floating prison in a box.”

“A prison?” wondered Juliette. “You mean you’re trapped?”

“You’ll only feel that way if you’re claustrophobic. But we’re floating on the open sea, so you have the expanse of the sky and the calming rhythm of the ocean,” the captain interjected.

“The crew gets an extra stipend for work in the theater,” Caroline explained. “That supplements their income, so they’re lining up to volunteer.”

The captain went into detail about the special paint treatment and stage requirements—hidden sets, ascending and descending lifts used for scene changes to and from the pit—used by the stars in a show that would run later that evening.

“We use ship terminology in the theaters,” explained the captain, pointing toward the stage and the rigging technicians.

“Lights and video 5, 6, 7, and G-O,” shouted Caroline.

“How long have these people been with you?” asked Will.

“At least two years, but we have all the records, so you can check that.”

“Is the fourteen-day length of this repositioning cruise typical?” Jack wondered.

“The repositioning cruise is normally a longer cruise, from eleven to sixteen days, with a minimum of eight sea days,” said the captain. “It’s a transatlantic cruise with an average of 2,400 to 2,600 people. Repositioning cruises normally mean you start in one place and finish in another.

“We usually run half full during repositioning. The Miami cruise stops at the Azores, Bermuda, and St. Thomas, with Miami as the final destination. On a normal cruise we’re in port almost every day. Like I said, on the repositioning cruise most days are at sea.”