“But we still don’t know who’s doing it,” Max said, tugging on his beard. “Carla isn’t aboard.”
“Maybe she’s in disguise,” Benny said.
“Maybe she hired someone to do the work for her,” Henry suggested, “while she’s hurrying to Miami. Someone like Heather,” he added.
“So how do we catch this person?” Violet asked.
“We’ll have to keep our eyes and ears open,” Jessie said.
“And as soon as we get to the next port, I’m flying directly to Miami,” Max said firmly.
“We’ll be coming into Nassau Saturday morning,” Grandfather said. “You should be able to get a plane to fly to Miami in plenty of time.”
“I just hope nothing else goes wrong,”Max said worriedly, “or I won’t even make it to Nassau.”
“Don’t worry,” Benny said. “We’ll make sure you get there!”
“You’ve all been a big help,” Max said, leaning back with a smile. “I feel better already.”
But he’d no sooner said these words when the ship lurched.
“What was that!” Max exclaimed, leaping up.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Grandfather said in a calm tone.
Max dropped into his chair. “I suppose you’re right, but I’m tired of worrying. Sometimes I wish I could jump overboard and swim ashore.” He smiled wearily. “I sometimes think I could beat this ship to Nassau.”
“How about a game of chess?” Grandfather asked, clearly trying to take Max’s mind off his problems.
Max rose. “Thanks, James. Perhaps later. Right now I need to take a brisk walk around the deck.”
The children left Grandfather at his cabin, and went for a swim. Later they lunched by the pool.
After enjoying the sun and water, Jessie said, “Why don’t we go to the social room and see what’s going on? Maybe we’ll get into a Monopoly tournament.”
“That would be fun!” Benny said, gingerly touching his sunburned nose.
Arriving at the beautiful room overlooking the sea, Henry noticed that a few passengers were playing cards, others were involved in a Scrabble game, but no tournament had been planned. Heather stood by Grandfather and Max’s chess game.
“I see you’re back at it again,” Jessie said with a smile.
Grandfather nodded, as he moved a piece onto another square.
“Hi, Heather,” Henry said.
Startled, Heather crumpled up a piece of paper she’d been reading. Then, remembering her job, she asked, “Can I help you find a game?”
Henry looked at Benny. “What do you think?”
“I’m ready to play Monopoly,” Benny said.
“Me, too,” echoed Violet and Jessie.
So for an hour they were occupied with buying and selling property, but when Violet won, Benny stood, and stretched. “What can we do now?”
“How about a movie?” Jessie asked. “I noticed the sci-fi classic Spaceships and Spacemen is playing.”
Violet told Grandfather where they were going, and then she joined Henry, Jessie, and Benny. As they left the social room, Jessie noticed Heather setting up a cribbage board for Melissa and Ralph. She was surprised to see Heather, usually so shy, sitting down and talking to the Rands as if they were friends.
How strange, Jessie thought. She shrugged and hurried to catch up with the others. It probably didn’t mean anything, but they’d promised Max to keep their eyes open and she intended to report anything unusual.
They settled in center row seats in the movie theater and watched Spaceships and Spacemen. The exciting movie lasted more than two hours, and when they came out Benny had a suggestion. “I’d like an ice cream cone.”
“Dinner is going to be served soon,” Violet said.
As they walked by the soda fountain they noticed Tom Bishop hunched over a drink.
“Well,” he said, twirling about on the seat, “if it isn’t the Aldens. Sit down and tell me the latest news.”
Benny climbed up on a stool. “We don’t have any news,” he said.
Good for Benny, Henry thought. He was afraid Benny might say something about Max and the will, and that wasn’t anyone’s business.
“I noticed your grandfather was playing chess with Max—Max—what was his name?” Tom questioned.
“Max Greene,” Jessie replied, slowly and cautiously.
“That’s right,” Tom said. “Max Greene.” Through his straw, he slurped up the last of his diet cola. “It looks like we’re going to be late getting into Miami.” He chuckled, flexing his arm muscles. “That’s okay by me. I could use a couple more days in the exercise room. Why does that Max Greene look so worried?”
“Don’t know, Tom.” Benny hopped down from his stool. “We've got to go or Grandfather will worry.”
Tom waved. “Well, then I guess I’ll see you children later.”
The children went back to their cabins and dressed for dinner. Grandfather met them, and they all went up on deck to look at the beautiful sky.
At six-thirty, they headed for the grand dining room where Ramos served a dinner of roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and apple and celery salad. Chocolate cake was the dessert.
“I hate to leave the West Wind and you, Ramos,” Benny said, looking sad. “And all this terrific food.”
“I will miss you, too,” Ramos answered. “But you still have two more dinners. And,” he added proudly, “Saturday night is special.”
“It’s our farewell dinner, isn’t it?” Jessie asked.
“Yes, and what a dinner!” Ramos said, rolling his eyes. “You will like it!”
After the children had eaten their strawberry pie, they strolled about the deck with Grandfather.
“On Saturday morning you’ll see Nassau,” Grandfather said. “You’ll enjoy the Straw Market in the center of town.”
“I’ll enjoy seeing Max off first,” Violet said. “I’m worried that he won’t get back to Miami by Sunday. If he doesn’t he’ll lose everything.”
“Don’t be concerned, Violet,” Grandfather said. “It’s a short flight from Nassau to Miami.”
Maybe so, Violet thought, but we still have Friday to get through, and she had a nagging fear that someone was plotting something else to keep Max from reaching his destination. She shivered slightly. It was scary when you didn’t know what to expect.
CHAPTER 8
Slowdown
The next morning after breakfast, the children climbed the steps to A Deck where the Ping-Pong tables were located.
Benny teamed with Henry against Jessie and Violet. The small white ball flew back and forth. Although Henry hit the ball so hard that Jessie often missed it, the girls eventually won. The winners’ reward was to choose the next activity.
“Let’s see,” Violet said, “what should we do next?”
Benny, fingers crossed, stared at her as if willing her to choose his favorite.
“Shall we go shopping?” Jessie asked.
Benny wrinkled his nose.
“Or should we go swimming?” Violet questioned.
Eagerly, Benny shook his head.
“Swimming and lunch by the pool would be nice,” Jessie said. “It will be our last day to do this.”
“We’ve got tomorrow, Benny said hopefully.
“Tomorrow is Saturday, and we sail into Nassau,” Henry explained. “We’ll be ashore most of the day.”
“Oh,” Benny said, nodding. “That’s right. I forgot.”
The Aldens hurried to the pool and spent the rest of the morning swimming, and eating hotdogs and drinking milkshakes for lunch.
Later, as they sat on deck reading their library books, Heather walked by. “Hello,” she said, stopping briefly. “I see you’re having a little quiet time.”
“I don’t feel quiet,” Benny said, holding up his book. “I’m reading The Missing Dog Mystery.”
“Is it exciting?” Heather asked.
“Very!” he exclaimed.
??
?Sit down, Heather,” Jessie offered and she smiled, pointing to the empty chair next to her.
Heather shook her head, then glanced around and saw Melissa Rand. “I’m sorry. I can’t,” she said abruptly, and hurried to catch up with Melissa. The two walked down the deck and disappeared around the corner.
“Isn’t that weird?” Violet said in a puzzled voice. “Heather never has time for us, yet she seems to have time for the Rands. I wonder why.”
Jessie frowned. “I wonder, too. She’s always hurrying away from us.”
“It’s as if Heather’s afraid of us,” Henry said. “Maybe,” he speculated, “she’s trying to hide something.”
“Remember when she first came on board?” Violet asked.
“Yes,” Jessie replied. “Heather received roses from ‘C’!”
Henry nodded. “Could the ‘C’ stand for Carla?”
“Oh, no!” Violet said, horrified. “You mean Carla might be paying Heather to help her?”
“Yes,” Jessie answered sadly. “That’s why Heather doesn’t want to talk to us!”
“I think Heather’s just bashful,” Benny said, then added with a grin, “like Violet.”
Violet’s cheeks grew slightly pink, but she smiled.
Henry closed his book. “The Rands used to work for a French cruise ship,” he said thoughtfully.
“It’s possible,” Henry continued, rising, “that the Rands could have been hired by their French ship.”
“And,” Violet said, “they’re trying to sabotage the West Wind because it’s a rival cruise ship.”
“That way, their ship would get more passengers,” Jessie said. “But we have no proof of any of this!” Changing the subject because she was so puzzled, she asked, “Who wants to play shuffleboard?”
“I do,” Henry replied.
“Me, too,” Violet said.
Benny leaped up. “Me, three!” he echoed. “I’m ready to go.”
So the four Aldens headed for the shuffleboard deck. Tom Bishop, standing by a Coke machine, received a telegram from the steward. Hastily, he read the words, then stuffed it in his jacket pocket when he saw the children. “Hi, kids,” he called. “What’s happening?”
“Not much, Tom,” Benny said, taking a shuffleboard stick. “Want to play a game with us?”
“Why, not?” he asked, taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. As he removed his jacket, the telegram gently fluttered to the deck.
The game didn’t last long. Tom won, and he laughed. “Next time,” he said, putting on his jacket, “we’ll play Monopoly. I’ll bet you can beat me at that.” With a wave, he was gone.
Jessie put up her shuffleboard stick, and as she did so she noticed Tom’s telegram. She picked it up and read the words: JUST TWO MORE DAYS AND WE’LL BE RICH! CARLA.
“What do you suppose this means?” Jessie asked worriedly, handing the telegram to Henry.
After reading it, Henry frowned. “Two more days of what?”
Violet took the telegram. “How could two more days make them rich?”
Jessie was thoughtful. “If Max makes it to Miami on time, he’ll be rich. If not his cousin Carla will inherit Great-Aunt Edith’s estate. This telegram could be from cousin Carla.”
Henry picked up Jessie’s train of thought. “And Tom could have been hired by Carla to keep the West Wind from getting to Miami on time.”
“Then Tom has been the one all along,” Violet said, disbelief on her face.
“And he seemed so nice, too!” Benny exclaimed.
“Let’s find Max,” Henry said. “I’m sure he’ll know what to do.”
They found Max and Grandfather playing cards in the library.
“Here, Max,” Jessie said, “I think you should read this.”
Max stared at the telegram, then his eyes lit up in understanding. “Tom Bishop. Of course. He must be Thomas, the man Carla’s going to marry. She talked about a ‘Thomas.’ I’ve never met him so I had no idea what he looked like.”
“He did ask us questions,” Henry said, “and once he mentioned how upset you looked.”
“When Tom came aboard,” Benny said, “I remember he said that we kids knew all about the ship, and we’d have to show him around.”
“That’s right,” Violet said.
“So,” Max said, “Tom’s doing Carla’s dirty work! Carla’s probably in Miami right now!” He shook his head. “If I don’t get to Miami by Sunday, she’ll inherit everything!”
Henry said, “We need to warn the captain about Tom.”
“Yes,” Jessie agreed. “And let’s also ask him if we’ll be sailing into Nassau on time.”
“Good idea,” Grandfather said, rising to his feet.
They found the captain on the navigation deck, and when he heard their news, he was furious. “No one can tamper with my ship!”
Thoughtfully he added, “I’m not surprised, though. The crew has seen Tom outside the engine room a few times and wondered what he was up to.”
“He’s deliberately trying to delay the ship,” Max said urgently. Then he explained to the captain why he had to get to Miami.
“Well,” the captain said, “Tom Bishop won’t succeed. We’re right on time. We’re taking a shorter route to Nassau.” He smiled. “So, Mr. Greene, you’ll be at the reading of the will.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief.
“We’re on time now,” Grandfather said, “but what if . . .?”
“What if Tom does something else to sabotage the ship?” Jessie finished.
“Exactly,” Grandfather said.
For a few minutes they were all silent. Then Jessie, her eyes shining, said, “I have a plan.”
“You have?” Violet asked.
“Yes, I have,” Jessie replied, smiling. And she whispered into the captain’s ear, and then into Max’s.
The captain nodded. “I’ll do it,” he said firmly.
A slow grin spread across Max’s face. “Good idea, Jessie,” he said.
“What are they going to do?” Benny asked as they walked back to the cabin.
“You’ll see at dinner,” Jessie said with a secret smile.
The Aldens went to their cabins to change clothes, and met at their table for dinner. Tom was sitting at the next table, right behind Max.
“I can’t wait to see what the captain’s going to do,” Benny whispered carefully to Jessie.
“He’s going to say something to Max,” Jessie carefully whispered back. “Listen closely.”
As they ate their lemon meringue pie, the captain walked slowly by the Aldens’ table.
“Excuse me, Captain,” Max said quietly, beckoning the captain to move closer. “It’s urgent that I know. Will we be in Nassau on time?”
The captain looked grave. “Well, I didn’t want to alarm the whole ship, but we’ve had another problem with the engine,” the captain told Max in hushed tones. “We can’t travel at the usual speed. So we’ll be delayed another couple of days.”
Benny glanced at Jessie and smiled. Now he knew what she’d whispered to the Captain and Max.
Henry smiled, too. Jessie had told the cap tain to fib a little—to tell Max there’d be a delay, when truthfully the ship was right on time. And to say it just loud enough for Tom to overhear.
Violet watched Tom. He was leaning closer to hear the captain’s words. She saw a nasty grin light up his face. Tom glanced at Max to see how he took the news.
“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Max asked.
“No, I’m afraid not,” the captain said.
When Max excused himself abruptly and left the table, Tom almost laughed aloud. He didn’t realize that Max was only pretending to be upset. Everything was going according to Jessie’s plan. The captain had played his part perfectly.
Then why did she still have this uneasy feeling?
CHAPTER 9
The Guilty One Confesses
On Saturday morning the Aldens leaned over the rail as the West Wind sailed i
nto Nassau, the capital of the Bahama Islands, and docked at Prince George wharf.
“It will take a while before we’re able to go into town,” Grandfather said. “They need to prepare the ramp for disembarking. Right now, let’s have breakfast.”
“I can’t wait to see Nassau’s Straw Market,” Violet said.
“It’s big,” Grandfather said. “You’ll have fun there.”
The children went through the line, heaping their plates with their favorite food and fruit.
“The steward told me we’ll be free to go ashore in one hour,” Grandfather said.
“Good!” Benny said. “It’s our last stop before we go home, and I want to see everything.”
“And you will,” Grandfather promised, chuckling.
While they were lingering over breakfast, Max rushed toward them. “The captain and I are going to confront Tom Bishop. Will you come along?”
“You bet!” Henry said, jumping to his feet.
Jessie hurried alongside Henry, her heart beating hard. What would Tom say? What would he do?
“Maybe he’s in the exercise room,” Benny said.
“Let’s try his cabin first,” the captain said. “Usually when we’re about to go ashore passengers are getting ready in their rooms.”
The captain rapped on Tom’s door. No answer. He knocked louder.
Finally, Tom flung open the door and stared sleepy-eyed at the captain, Max, and the Aldens. “What do you want?” he asked in an annoyed tone. “You woke me up!”
“We need to talk to you. It’s about what’s been happening on my ship,” the captain said sternly.
“What are you talking about?” Tom asked angrily, his face flushing a deep red. “I had nothing to do with the ship’s delay or anything else!”
“Yes, you have!” Max said. “What about this?” And he thrust the telegram in Tom’s face.
Tom grabbed the wire, and his face grew white.
“You’re in this with Carla, aren’t you, Thomas?” Max said, folding his arms across his chest and waiting for an answer.
“No, I’m not!” Tom sneered. “And you’d better watch who you’re accusing or you’ll end up with a lawsuit!”
Suddenly, Benny shouted, “What’s this?” And he dashed toward an iron box sticking out from under the bed. He pulled it out.