Celia exhaled. “I was so worried about the necklace. I never really thought about that.”
“Celia, you’ve been through an awfully rough patch. Given a little time, the situation with your former boyfriend will sort itself out, and you will be fine. But right now, it’s time to be very careful. Whoever is after that necklace knows that tonight is his last chance. You cannot go into or out of your suite alone. You must always double lock your door. In addition to being your new attorney, I have elected myself your escort.”
“Thank you, Counselor, that is a very big relief.”
Ted’s hand reached across the table and took hers. “In my work I have dealt with some very unsavory characters and lived to tell the tale. Nothing is going to happen to you while I’m around,” he promised.
90
Morrison was delighted to see that Celia Kilbride had joined the table. Her presence made it much easier for him to spend time there. And I will say she’s a beautiful woman, he thought, as he walked across the room.
To his dismay he realized the dining room was half-empty. The final meal was supposed to be festive. It was a time when contact information was exchanged to cement new friendships.
He consoled himself with the good news he had received from his sales office that morning. Even though publicity that followed Lady Em’s murder and the attack on Brenda had generated cancelations, new passengers had been calling the reservations office to snap up the now-available rooms. He was not happy to hear that vendors were waiting at the Southampton dock to sell I SURVIVED MY QUEEN CHARLOTTE CRUISE T-shirts.
I’ll be glad to see the last of this group, he thought, as he nodded to the next table and then smiled broadly at Celia and Professor Longworth.
Then to his annoyance, he realized that Brenda had arrived and had made no effort to cover the raw marks on her throat. Miracle of miracles, she’s recovered her appetite, he thought. I wonder how many new people she managed to talk to before she came to dinner.
There was one thing he was sure of: she wouldn’t be sailing on Queen Charlotte again. His office had confirmed that Lady Em had paid for both her, the almost-merry widow Yvonne and her now-rescued husband.
Glancing around, he was glad to see that Fairfax was at the Captain’s table entertaining a new group of passengers.
He knew that as a courtesy he should ask Yvonne if she had been able to contact her waterlogged husband. He noticed that instead of the gray she had been wearing, in anticipation he was sure, of changing into black, this time she had on a rose-colored jacket and matching slacks. She confirmed that she had spoken to the doctor on the ship. Roger was recovering nicely but had been asleep when she called. She told them not to wake him up and left a loving message for him.
It almost brings a tear to my eye, Morrison thought, with a sneer.
He turned to Celia. He liked the navy-blue jacket she was wearing and the simple scarf tucked around her neck. “Despite the sadness of Lady Em’s passing,” he began, “I hope you had some pleasure on this trip, Ms. Kilbride.”
“It was a privilege to be on this beautiful ship,” she said sincerely.
Feeling left out, Brenda blurted, “Mr. Morrison, I do hope we will be able to quickly and amicably settle our differences after my,” she paused, “room invasion. But after that’s over, I know my close friend and I will welcome the opportunity to sail with you again. As your guests, of course,” she added directly.
Morrison tried to bare his teeth in a smile. The first course had been served, and he noticed that Brenda had plowed her way through a generous serving of caviar and signaled for more.
Professor Longworth knew it was time to make his presence known. “I can only say what a delight the trip has been,” he began, as he heaped caviar onto his plate, “and how much I enjoy being a lecturer on your ships, Mr. Morrison. As the Bard said, ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’ ”
My father used to say, “Good riddance,” Morrison thought to himself.
91
Ted and Celia had both gone back to their cabins to pack. Their luggage had to be outside their rooms by ten o’clock that evening. Ted had waited until he heard the metallic sound of her double lock being turned before he went to his room.
At 7 P.M. he escorted Celia to the dining room, but she turned down his suggestion that she join his table. “Oh Ted, you know how they discourage table hopping on these cruises. If I want to keep lecturing, I have to follow the rules. And besides, we’ll barely be six feet apart.”
Reluctantly Ted agreed, but as he sat down he realized he was viewing his fellow passengers at both tables as if with a different set of eyes. He glanced warmly at Alvirah and Willy, knowing that Celia trusted them. He knew now that Willy had the Cleopatra necklace, probably in his pocket, and it was surely safe with him. Willy was a big, strong man, with well-muscled forearms. Anyone who tried to steal something from him would have quite a fight on his hands.
He eliminated Anna DeMille from consideration. She certainly looked the part of someone who was going on her first cruise. She had won a church raffle. It was her first trip abroad. If the Man with One Thousand Faces was a woman, she was the last person on the ship he would suspect.
Devon Michaelson? Unlikely, he thought. I believe his story about being here to scatter his wife’s ashes. And the way he’s trying to resist Anna’s overtures is consistent with a grieving widower.
Having satisfied himself with his tablemates, he glanced at the next table. He knew immediately that he did not like Gregory Morrison. He may own the ship, he thought, but it must have cost a fortune to build. Lady Em’s necklace would be a big prize for him to get. Of course, nobody could risk trying to sell it. But every one of those three-strand emeralds would bring him a fortune on the jewelry market.
As he thought about it more, Ted wondered if for Morrison, having the Cleopatra necklace, just like having this ship, would be one more larger-than-life trophy. Even hidden from view, to Morrison the necklace would be an affirmation of his success in the world. He could indeed have anything he wanted, and would do anything to get it.
Morrison could definitely be a suspect. Also, Ted did not like the way the ship owner moved his chair nearer to Celia’s.
What about Yvonne? If Lady Em had threatened an outside review of Roger Pearson’s handling of her affairs, it was quite possible that she too would have been found complicit in his bilking of the estate.
She’s not brilliant, Ted decided, but she is smart enough and maybe vicious enough to protect herself any way she can.
Brenda Martin? No. She couldn’t have choked herself, and what would have been the point? Celia already had the Cleopatra necklace.
Professor Longworth? Of course, a possibility, but not much of a probability. Ted knew that he traveled widely, giving lectures at top universities as well as on cruise ships all over the world. Including Egypt. But he was definitely someone to keep in mind.
Ted’s eyes shifted to the Captain’s table. What about Fairfax? He moved easily all over the world, and he had been the one to urge Lady Em to turn the necklace over to him. Was he upset when she turned him down? Upset enough to kill her? On the other hand, if she had given it to him, he would have had no good way to refuse to give it back to her or her estate. So he wasn’t much of a bet to be the murderer and thief.
Dissatisfied with his own reckoning, Ted turned his attention back to the table. He noticed that, as usual, Anna DeMille was brushing her arm against Michaelson. Dear God, but she is a pest, Ted thought. Poor Michaelson. If Anna DeMille goes overboard, he will be on the short list of suspects.
In an attempt to contribute to the conversation Ted asked, “I am sure everyone is packed by now?”
“We are,” Alvirah announced.
“So am I,” Anna volunteered. “Although I have to say I had tears in my eyes when I closed the suitcase and thought that I may never see any of you again.” Her comment was clearly addressed to Devon Michaelson, who flushed an angry red.
&n
bsp; Alvirah tried to break the tension. “We’d love to keep in touch with you, Anna.” Ignoring Willy’s look of dismay, she pulled out a sheet of paper from her purse and scribbled their email address on it. For a moment she hesitated, then decided to skip putting their home address and phone number. Willy is at the end of his patience with me, she thought.
The final evening meal was exquisite. They all agreed on that. Once again it was a caviar appetizer; fillet of sole or roast beef; a salad; cheesecake and ice cream with mixed berries in a liquor sauce; coffee, espresso, cappuccino or tea.
The wine flowed with each course. Ted found himself remembering fondly the grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich at lunch. I don’t want any more gourmet food for at least a year, he thought.
Willy’s comment was along the same lines. “Back to the gym the minute we reach New York,” he said firmly.
“Me too,” Alvirah sighed. “I doubt if I’ll fit back into my fancy clothes for a while. And I was doing so good on my diet.”
Anna DeMille sighed. “I don’t get food anything like this in Kansas.” She glanced lovingly at Devon. “How’s the food in Montreal?”
Devon appeared increasingly frustrated that once again he was being put in a position of either appearing to be rude or having to participate in a conversation he had no interest in.
“Montreal is a very cosmopolitan city. You can find almost any type of food there.”
“I’m sure you can. I’ve always wanted to visit there. When I looked on my computer this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are direct flights from Kansas City to Montreal.”
At the next table the dinner was drawing to a close. Morrison had no intention of staying all evening, but he was becoming increasingly intrigued by Celia. He had figured out who she looked like. Jackie Kennedy, of course. One of the most beautiful and intelligent women who had ever set foot in the White House.
As they finished coffee, he said, “Celia, I go back and forth to my office in New York. As you can understand, I can’t stay on the ship for the entire three-month around-the-world sail. I do hope that I may have the pleasure of having you dine with me very soon in Manhattan or having you join me for vacations on my ship.”
Ted had overheard and in an instant was standing behind Celia’s chair. For the benefit of Morrison and all others within hearing distance, he asked, “Ready to go, dear?”
Her smile answered his question. As if a silent signal had been passed, everyone stood up and said good night. Since it was going to be a very early morning, there was no suggestion of having a final nightcap.
92
“That guy was trying to hit on you,” Ted said, his mouth in an angry, tight line.
“He sure was,” Willy chimed in as he pushed the button for the elevator. “Just because he owns this ship, what makes him think he has any right to start rubbing your arm?”
“He’s a disgrace,” Alvirah said firmly, but her mind was elsewhere.
As they started down the corridor to their rooms, she turned to Celia. “I have to say that I am very nervous about your being alone,” she began. “As we all know, someone managed to get into Lady Em’s room and Brenda’s room as well. And I bet my bottom dollar that whoever is looking for the Cleopatra necklace has figured out that Lady Em gave it to you.”
“I absolutely agree,” Ted said emphatically. “Now, what do we do about it?”
“I put my thinking cap on, and I have a great idea,” Alvirah volunteered. “Celia, you should come in with me, and Willy can sleep in your room. I can tell you this right now. Nobody is going to suffocate or strangle Willy.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Ted agreed.
Celia shook her head. “No way. We’re all stressed out. I’m not going to have Willy lying awake most of the night and Alvirah worrying about him. I promise I’ll put the chain on my door. No one’s going to get in with it on.”
It was apparent to Alvirah, Willy and Ted that there would be no persuading Celia to change her mind. Alvirah and Willy were three doors down from Ted. Celia was three more down from Ted and across the hall. When Willy and Alvirah said good night, Ted walked Celia to her room.
“Celia, I’m so worried about you,” he said. “Would you let me curl up on the big chair in your sitting room?”
Celia shook her head. “Thank you, but no.”
“I thought that would be your answer,” Ted said. “But I insist on going in and making sure your room is safe. When you lock that door, I want to be one hundred percent certain that you are the only one inside.”
Celia nodded as she inserted the electronic key in the lock. Ted went in ahead of her. “Wait here, please,” he said as he walked quickly across the room and pulled open the closet doors. She watched as he entered the bedroom area, opened the doors of the armoire and got down on one knee and looked under the bed. He then slid open the glass door to the balcony, went outside and looked around.
“I’m glad I left the suite neat or this could have been really embarrassing,” Celia said.
“Celia, please. This is no time for jokes. I want to ask you one last time—”
Celia shook her head. “I really appreciate the offer, but no. We all have to get up early and then we’ll be herded off the ship. I promise if someone tries to come into my room, I’ll scream like a banshee.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Ted said. “In Irish folklore a banshee is a spirit in the form of a woman who appears to a family and wails when someone is about to die.”
“I thought I was the expert on legends,” Celia said with a smile. “I’ll be fine, Counselor.”
“You’re very stubborn,” Ted said as he put his arms around her. To his dismay he realized how thin and fragile she seemed. He was sure that the stress of her ex-fiancé’s arrest and the accusations against her had caused her to lose weight.
“Okay. You win,” Ted said. “I want to hear you double lock the door.”
“Right now, immediately,” Celia promised. With a quick kiss on her forehead, Ted pulled the door closed behind him and stood there until he heard the faint rattle of the chain sliding into place.
For a moment he stayed outside the door as every instinct told him not to leave. But then, with a sigh, he turned, went down the corridor to his room and stepped inside.
93
In his usual way Willy fell into a deep sleep the minute he shed his clothes and got into bed. His T-shirt and boxers were always his chosen night garments, despite Alvirah’s gifts of pajamas and robes. These gifts were promptly exchanged for shirts and chinos.
Alvirah’s nightwear was a comfortable long-sleeved nightgown. A cotton robe was always placed at the foot of the bed. Her glasses were always in one of the pockets as well as a bottle of Tylenol in case her increasing arthritis threatened her rest.
Like Willy, she fell asleep quickly. Unlike him, she awoke a few hours later. With a start, she realized that her usual secure and comfortable position, her shoulder wedged over Willy’s, was not working.
She was on edge, troubled, deeply worried about Celia. Why wouldn’t she come in here and stay with me? she fretted. Suppose someone got into her room? Brenda is a big strong woman, but she had been overpowered by whoever broke into her room. What chance would Celia have in a struggle?
And so it went. The first soft whistle of Willy’s snore, usually a source of comfort, did little to reassure her.
94
It was now or never. The Man with One Thousand Faces deliberately walked up the two flights of stairs to avoid meeting anyone in the corridor. He stepped slowly into his suite and began to put his plan into action.
The first order of business was to completely change his appearance. Although he was almost certain that no one had seen him the nights he had broken into Lady Em’s and Brenda’s rooms, he would use a different disguise. It began with his eyes. Taking dark brown contact lenses out of a box, he slipped them in. That’s the easy part, he thought; the next pa
rt takes time and skill. He opened his makeup kit, glanced in the mirror and began practicing an art that had started when he volunteered to work on theatrical productions during his high school days.
A face cream turned his complexion sallow. Eyebrow pencil turned his thin brows into a dark, belligerent midnight-brown. Slashes of deep lines totally altered his face. He pasted into place a medium-length graying beard. Satisfied that it was on straight, he took a brown wig, stretched it over his head and patted it into place. Experience had taught him that a potential witness would be more likely to focus on the contrast between the dark hair and the graying beard, and spend less time looking at the face.
He took a long slow look at himself in the mirror, turning his head from side to side. Excellent, he thought with satisfaction. He reached into his suitcase for the shoes. The lifts on them would add three inches to his height.
He pulled on the butler’s jacket he had stolen from the kitchen on his floor. It was a reasonably good fit, with some extra room in the shoulders and waist. He took masking tape from a compartment in his suitcase and slipped it in the jacket’s side pocket. A pair of wire cutters was carefully placed in the opposite pocket.
For the next fifteen minutes he practiced limping slightly to the left and dragging his foot on the ground.
95
A few hours later Alvirah awakened with a start. She felt her heart racing as she tried to calm herself after dreaming about Celia. There’s no way I’m going to fall back to sleep, she thought, as she pulled on her robe and went into the outer room of her suite.