Cruise to Murder (Z & C Mysteries, #2) Read online

  CRUISE TO MURDER

  (Book 2, Z&C Mysteries)

  By Zoey & Claire Kane

  Copyright Breezy Reads 2012

  Cruise to Murder Raves:

  5 STARS. The story is quite fascinating with more ambitious content than the first novella and it affords lots of surprises. I was perfectly, wonderfully entertained! Take my advice and read this series. You will not regret, I promise!

  Stephanie, From Books Paradise

  This short mystery is packed with trouble, mystery and intrigue.

  Kari, From the TBR Pile

  Cruise to Murder is, just as The Riddles of Hillgate, a fast, fun and entertaining read.

  Kim, Kim's Bookish Place

  I really enjoyed Cruise to Murder... You won't be disappointed with this one.

  Jill, Seaside Book Nook

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

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  CHAPTER ONE

  The cruise ship was larger than Zoey and Claire Kane had imagined. The Sunburst, with its sleek lines, hundreds of glistening windows, and colored flags lining the bow, promised luxurious adventures ahead.

  “Mother, watch out for rolling your luggage onto people’s ankles,” Claire warned.

  “Uh huh,” Zo said, but her focus was taken away by the scenery. She romanticized the sea, down to its pungent, fishy smell—it was all part of the mystical marine allure. The latest romance novel she read was about a bare-chested captain, who could swing from sail to sail, holding onto a rope with one arm and a damsel in distress in the other. Perhaps I could experience something similar on this voyage, she mused.

  “Oh! Ow!” protested a fellow sailor, scowling.

  “Oops! Sorry, sir… So sorry!” Zo snapped out of it, pulling in her leopard suitcases tighter alongside her own feet.

  “What did I tell you about ankles, Mom?” Claire was carefully wheeling her three black suitcases.

  They were headed up a wide ramp, which led to an entrance aboard ship. It was packed with very wealthy, mostly older, vacationers. Claire didn’t think to ask her mother why neither of them opted for luggage delivery to their suite. She and Zo didn’t feel as if they were part of such a pampered class. It was just happenstance that the two came upon such riches and so recently. Still, they expected to have a lot of fun taking advantage of their nouveau wealth. It was time for a much needed holiday, especially after having just solved the riddles of Hillgate Manor.

  As a mother-daughter team, the two complement each other as they enjoy outwitting life’s obstacles. Zo thinks of Claire as the careful, more business-minded one. And Claire thinks of her mother as the free spirited, gutsy one. The two may seem and look to be opposites in many ways, but like any yummy pastry, sugar goes good with some salt. The twenty-five-year-old is the salt to the fifty-something-year-old sugar. It always surprises others to find out Claire is so young, because she is so savvy beyond her years. Likewise, people are always surprised to find out Zo is in her fifties, because of her youthful zest.

  Zo was wearing a sheer blouse with a dropped neckline over a tank top. Her strawberry-blonde hair was braided down her back, leading to her white capris and golden-laced sandals. Claire was wearing a simple summer dress and her brunette, shoulder-length hair was up in a sleek French twist.

  “I fear we didn’t dress well enough for the occasion,” Zo finally said, taking in all the hundred-dollar sunglasses, thousand-dollar handbags, Rolexes, pearl necklaces—and, of course—diamonds… big ones!

  “I’m just amazed we can out-dress them if we desire,” Claire said. “But that doesn’t matter anyway. We are just now boarding. We have our nice clothes for later, not to be wasted on moments like this.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I do wish I had brought my lovely ruby ring for tonight,” Zo thought, then spotted a group of older women all wearing red hats, complemented with purple fringe, feathers, scarves, or lace. “It’s The Red Hat Society!”

  “Oh, I think I’ve heard of them,” Claire said. “Seniors who wear red hats and enjoy leisure activities. See? There are more over there.”

  “Yes, yes. Oh, and there must be the Pink Hat Society.” Zo pointed. Younger women with pink hats were interwoven with the party of red hats. “Do you think I could fit in with them, dear?”

  “Who?! The Pink Hats? Don’t even try.” Claire was serious. “I would like this cruise to be mostly about us. We have not had fun and relaxation in a long time. Let’s just stick together.”

  “I know.” Zo would have put her arm around her daughter, in a side-squeeze, if they weren’t continuing to walk up the never-ending ramp. “How do you think Lucas and Bob will do without us?”

  “I think they will be fine.”

  “Remember to keep your options open since Jack left. Lucas may not be The One.”

  “Bob either, Mother. I think it’s too soon for them to think we are exclusive anyway. What has it been, a couple of months of dating here and there?”

  “Yes, but they certainly are good boys, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, good boys.” Claire laughed.

  After finally entering the center, The Grand Foyer of the ship, they made their way to an elevator of mostly windows, decorated with twinkling lights. They exited on the top deck, where the most elite staterooms resided.

  Zo gasped. “That hallway looks to be about two-hundred yards to the left and two-hundred yards to the right,” she exaggerated.

  “Oh, no worries.” Claire quickly saw that their stateroom was not too far off. “It’s just right up there.”

  “Oh, good.”

  Zo had the key card and she unlocked their door. Inside didn’t disappoint. It was comparable to a five star hotel suite in Vegas. A chandelier was right in the center of a very elegant sitting room. Champagne and cider in an ice bucket greeted them next to fresh-cut orchids in a vase on a glass coffee table. Two bedrooms off opposite sides from it had king size beds, large flat screen TVs and walk in showers.

  “This definitely is a celebrity cruise line. I’ve never seen such rooms aboard other ships,” Claire noted.

  “Wow!” Zo exclaimed. “I still have a poverty appreciation for this kind of grandeur.”

  They opened a sliding glass door and stepped out to their balcony. They stood there, leaning their forearms against the railing in awe for a moment, looking out across the dark, rippling sea.

  “There’s the life boat,” Claire mentioned, nodding in the direction of it, just left of the balcony.

  “That makes me feel better,” her mother said with a chuckle.

  After hanging up several expensive evening dresses and setting out dozens of high heels, they heard an announcement over an intercom in their rooms. “This is your captain, Vladimir. Welcome and thank you for choosing The Ocean Elite Cruise Line for your vacation experience.” He had a strong accent. “In one hour, 5 p.m., we ask all to gather for a mandatory lifejacket try-on with accompanying tour of exits and life boats. We will sail away in two-and-a-half hours—6:30 p.m. I invite you to the traditional sailing away ceremony out on The Galaxy Deck. The Sunburst will be sailing to our f
irst stop, Kinikiwiki Island, arriving at this beautiful destination by morning. Bon Voyage!”

  They felt thrills of excitement course through them upon hearing the announcement of the island getaway. They met back in the sitting room upon the captain’s last words, all dressed for the evening.

  Claire’s large gold locket from The Riddles of Hillgate adorned her black satin dress. Her hair was still up, but tightened into a neater twist with a bit of bangs falling across her perfect forehead.

  “Oh, you look wonderful,” said Zo as she centered her daughter’s locket clasp more perfectly to the back of her neck.

  “We look wonderful.” Claire beamed. “Wow, your garnet red dress is to die for!”

  “Yes, I thought it would make a statement. I bought it in the city last weekend. What kind of a statement does it make, dear? Nothing rude, I hope.”

  “You and it go well together. Don’t worry,” assured her daughter with a critical eye. “Why don’t we walk around a bit before the night wears on?”

  “Count me in,” Zo chimed.

  They both rushed to grab their evening handbags. Zo felt the doorknob to make sure it was locked on the way out.

  Suddenly the door to the suite left of them opened up and out stepped a very thin, happy woman wearing a cocktail hat, a geranium-red dress to match, and a deep purple boa. “Oooh, your dress is to die for!” she exclaimed in compliment to Zo.

  “That’s what my daughter said.” She chuckled, happy for receiving the remark twice.

  “Well, it is.” She gleamed, her fluffy white hair poked out from under the hat. Her blue eyes were sincerely kind and her cheekbones were round like apples. “Hi, my name is Kathryn.”

  Zo shook hands first. “My name is Zoey Kane and this is my daughter, Claire Kane. You can call me Zo.”

  “How do you do?” Claire acknowledged.

  “Oh, splendid. I’m here with a bunch of lady friends, but you know it is so neat to see a mother and daughter close like you two. You aren’t in business together, are you?”

  “Well, not really,” Zo answered. “We did have a very successful hotel.” She didn’t fear bragging. “But now we are looking into other options. Claire was an editor to Eye Witness Magazine,” she added to top it off with a cherry.

  “Eye Witness Magazine? Oh yes, I have heard of it, although I haven’t read an issue myself.” Her smile continued. “Oh, well, speaking of publishing,” she quieted her voice and stepped a little closer to the two, “I hear that Felix Belmont, publisher of American Citizen, has a room right on the other side of you two!”

  “Really?!” Zo and Claire said in unison.

  “Yes!” Kathryn nodded vigorously. “Maybe you will run into each other during the week. Exchange info.”

  “Oh, that would be excellent.” Claire thanked her for that bit of information.

  “Well, see you ladies around. I have got a meeting to attend.” She waved. “And I’m late!”

  “Bye!” Zo said, admiring her charm.

  “Did you hear that? Felix Belmont is next door to us. This vacation seems to only get better and better and we’ve hardly arrived aboard ship, Mother.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Now take your life jacket and slip it over the head like so.” A crew member demonstrated effortlessly.

  Large crowds gathered in separately appointed areas, learning how to save themselves in case of emergency. The Starlight Room, a very large theater, was Zo and Claire’s appointed meet-up place.

  Claire slipped her life jacket on within a couple seconds. Somehow, Zo got hers caught on her pretty hair ornaments. Her arms were stuck upwards waiting for their release. She looked like a crab to her daughter. Claire was trying to be sympathetic, while at the same time unsuccessfully resisting laughter.

  “Help,” Zo squeaked, her brown enchanting eyes perplexed, peek-a-booing through the front slats of the jacket.

  Claire quickly helped by pushing down on it and moving her mother’s hair strategically out of the way. The scene caught the attention of several people nearby who were tittering amongst themselves privately.

  “This is not the first impression I wanted to make.” Zo huffed. “Hurry!”

  “I’m trying,” Claire said, pushing harder, making Zo hunch. Finally, the contraption pushed over her head, revealing a stressed, red face.

  A crew member came over right away. “Ma’am…”

  “Yes.” Zo tried to keep her composure, fixing flyaway hairs.

  “The adult life jackets are on that side of the foyer. You have on a child’s.”

  “A what? A child’s? Are there any children on this ship?”

  Suddenly she heard a baby cry and then spotted a little girl with heart sunglasses, teasing her younger sibling from a couple of tables away.

  “Shouldn’t they be on a Disney cruise line?”

  “Mother!” Claire chastised.

  “Just kidding. Just kidding. Sir, can you help me take this off?” Zo asked the gentleman, kindly.

  Later at the sail away ceremony, Claire and Zo had the very front and center spot at the railing of the ship.

  “Oh, is that Joan Rivers?” Zo pointed to someone on the deck above them.

  “No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an impersonator—a look alike. I bet we’ll see many of them throughout the week.”

  “Ladies! Look this way!” A man with a camera flashed a bright light, causing them to blink. “This photo can be picked up later on The Nova Deck. You will find them fastened to a wall of pictures.”

  The night air was chilling, but the excitement of disembarking warmed everybody’s spirits. It was completely dark out now, and the stars twinkled as a haven above The Sunburst. Zo and Claire held on to the cold railing and looked ahead to the horizon.

  Suddenly music played loud enough for the thousands of guests to hear from a speaker. It was swing dance music. People had brought out glasses with wine to celebrate.

  “How come we didn’t think to bring a drink?” Claire asked.

  “It’s probably their hundredth time being on a cruise. They know all these things. We, on the other hand, have never been on a cruise. We know nothing.” Zo lowered her voice to a gruff whisper. “Which I think is abhorrently obvious to everyone!”

  To that Claire didn’t say anything, but smiled extra big. It was great just having the sea wind blow across their cheeks. When the song was over, they heard a man’s voice say over the system, “Are you ready to go to Kinikiwiki Island?”

  “Yeah!” the crowd yelled back.

  “I said, are you reeeeaaady?”

  “Yeah!” everyone hollered louder.

  To that they heard the long low moan of the ship horn; not once, twice or three times, but five times, and then they felt The Sunburst shift and move in the water. And another song played.

  Claire had signed them up for the 8 p.m. dinnertime. The two were seated and introduced to their “table mates”—a young couple on their honeymoon. She was dewy-eyed, having the porcelain skin that only a twenty-year-old can have. He looked like a graduated football star. Both were smiles, polite, and shy. They soon settled into eye gazing between each other and all else did not exist for them, which allowed private conversations between the Kanes. It also allowed for quiet time to be dazzled by all the happy people.

  “It’s hard to keep from staring,” said Zo, who was a people watcher anyway.

  “Do you think we will see Mr. Belmont, Mom? I would love to talk with him. Maybe I could get a position with his magazine. I could write my articles from home and e-mail them in.”

  “Do you know what he looks like?”

  “Not a clue.”

  An impeccably ironed and creased waiter took their order, and did not leave without first removing the napkin Zo had not as yet placed in her lap, shaking it open and placing it for her.

  Both had enjoyed their lobster which was buttery, lemoned and delicious. Dessert was on its way. Zo had settled on the banana cream pie and Claire savored th
e New York cheesecake. The honeymooning couple finished their dessert and excused themselves politely, smiling.

  “Why don’t we go to the magic show which is coming up soon in The Starlight Room?” suggested Claire with anticipation.

  They managed to get a table fairly close to the stage. While waiting for the magic show, the emcee asked if there would be anyone willing to tell a good joke. Meanwhile, the drinks were being ordered and served to the tables: Pina Colada; Itch Witch; Sailor’s Grog; Purple Whirlagig (double rum and crème soda with a purple pinwheel); all kinds of fruit daiquiris with the garnishes of cherries and limes next to umbrellas, fancy straws and glittering swizzle sticks.

  “There is Kathryn, Mom.”

  “Yes,” answered Zo, looking toward three booths of Red Hat Ladies. “You know, I have never liked purple and red together, but they have done such a wonderful job of making themselves so cute in it. And, they are all different from each other; not one is dressed the same.”

  “Here are some more coming in.”

  The group called across to the others, laughing, seeming to be friends to all.

  The volunteer joke-teller was giving the punch line—“…Hunchback, Hunchback!”

  “I think he’s talking about you and the life-jacket today, Mom.”

  “Never mind, dear.”

  The music struck up and the announcer yelled energetically, “Here he is, Larrrrrry Potter!”

  The magician leaped out onto the stage, twirling out his black cape as he spun to a bow. He removed his top hat and placed it onto a stool. “Yes, that is my name. Welcome. Tonight I am going to astound you by causing things and people—yes, people—to disappear from right before your very eyes, behind this curtained box here.

  “But first, a rabbit! Where did the rabbit go? Where is my rabbit? …See there? Gone! Not only did he disappear, but you didn’t even see him in the first place.”

  The band played, and he added a dramatic, “Ta daaaaa!”