Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' Read online

  The old lady didn’t stir. That seemed alarming. She said in a louder voice, “Mrs. Bernbaum. It’s Claire. Wake up. Please wake up.”

  She jumped back startled at the glare of the lights. Ian had switched them on when he came in the room. But it didn’t matter. It was obvious the light wouldn’t disturb Mrs. Bernbaum. Nothing would. She lay under the covers; her eyes open. Dead!

  “Oh, poor Mrs. Bernbaum.” Claire was so upset her voice shook. “She buried Nate yesterday and now she’s gone. It was just too much for her.”

  Ian took Claire’s arm and pulled her back to the living room, switching the light off as they went.

  “I suggest we just leave and let someone else find her.”

  Claire looked at him, horrified.

  He looked sheepish. “I didn’t think you’d go for that. Well, I could disappear and you could call security?”

  She shook her head. There was no way he was leaving her here to handle this by herself.

  “Well then, I think we need to get our stories straight before we call security.”

  Claire looked at him numbly. Then she realized what he was saying. “Of course, how are you going to explain your presence here?”

  “Right! Actually, this changes things somewhat, doesn’t it? Now, it won’t harm Mrs. Bernbaum if I take the brooch. It’s perfect. We both can have what we want.”

  She glared at him.

  “It’s worth a fortune. You could have a cut, after I sell it of course.”

  “Forget it. The jewel stays, along with all the rest of her jewelry. In fact, I think it would be smart if we just put it all in the safe for her. You can do that, can’t you?”

  He nodded reluctantly.

  “Well, do it.” Claire was irritated and upset. And her anger was directed at Ian. She knew it was because of Mrs. Bernbaum’s death and she knew Ian wasn’t to blame for that. But she didn’t try to temper her feelings now. She blamed him for trying to steal from Mrs. Bernbaum, and she blamed him for wanting to take advantage of the old lady’s death. She watched as he quickly worked the dial. It didn’t take long for him to identify the code programmed into the safe and open it. She handed him the jewelry from the table and watched him put it in before closing the safe again.

  “Now, I would suggest you get rid of your gloves before we call.”

  He ripped them off his hands and stuffed them in his pocket as she went to the phone. After she completed her call she turned and said, “I think we should just say what happened. We stopped by to see if she needed anything and found the door closed, but not latched. We came in and found her.”

  He nodded his agreement, his gratitude obvious in his eyes.

  The door, which still hadn’t been closed completely, burst open and people filled the cabin. Claire indicated the next room and the woman, who was apparently the doctor, disappeared. The two attendants followed, one still pushing the wheelchair he had arrived with. Then the security personnel arrived. The last one through the door shut it firmly behind them. They were conscious of the need to keep any passengers, innocently passing, unaware of what was going on.

  The doctor returned, shaking her head. The attendant pushed the wheelchair back out to the corridor. There was no use for it now. “Steve is going for the gurney,” the doctor told the security officer, who seemed to be in charge. Then she turned to Ian and Claire. “I’m sorry. There is nothing I can do. Did she have a medical condition which may have caused this?”

  Claire shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Are you the closest relative?”

  “No, no, we’re just friends. We’re seated at the same dinner table. We stopped by to see if she needed anything, but...” Her voice trailed off as the enormity of the situation struck her. She sat down heavily. Luckily there was a chair behind her. “Her nephew would know. He was her doctor as well as her closest kin.” She realized in horror how quickly she had referred to Mrs. Bernbaum in the past tense. It made her feel callous, unfeeling.

  The lead security man introduced himself as Kramer and indicated the doctor. “This is Dr. Carolton. She will take care of everything. I’m afraid we will have to move the body to the mortuary until we reach San Francisco. I see from our records that no one else is occupying this cabin as Mrs. Bernbaum’s companion left the ship in Juneau?”

  Claire nodded. “She didn’t come back from shore. We’re not quite sure what happened to her. Mrs. Bernbaum talked to your department about doing a search for her and reporting her missing to the Juneau Police Department. Do you have a record of that? I think she spoke to...,” she hesitated a moment and then remembered, “Larry Smithston. Yes, that’s who she spoke to.”

  “Yes, I have that information. So far we haven’t heard anything from Juneau, but we’ll continue to pursue it. Meanwhile, we will be securing this cabin. Who is the nephew she’s traveling with? Can you give me his name and his cabin number?”

  “He’s Dr. Richard Walmer, but I’m afraid I don’t know his cabin number. Do you Ian?” All eyes turned to Ian.

  He shook his head. “Afraid not. It’s on one of the lower levels, I remember him saying, but frankly I have enough problems remembering where my own cabin is.”

  “You seemed to find this one,” the security officer said with a touch of sarcasm.

  Ian started, then recovered. “Well, yes, but I’ve been here a couple of times. We all came to a party to view the glacier, and one night I helped Claire escort Mrs. Bernbaum back to her cabin when the sea was rough. And, of course, tonight I came with Claire. She’s been here many times.”

  “And just why have you been here so many times?” The cold stare was leveled at Claire now and she felt uncomfortable.

  “I told you, we became friends. She invited me to tea. I’ve stopped by to visit. I sometimes walk her back to her cabin after dinner, certainly not for any sinister reason.” She found herself getting annoyed at the way he made her feel, as if she needed to defend her actions.

  “Of course, I didn’t mean to imply anything else.” He made a note in the book he carried.

  There was a knock at the door and when the other security officer opened it the attendant wheeled in a gurney like affair, followed by Jorges, Mrs. Bernbaum’s cabin steward. He wasn’t ringing his hands, but almost. He was visibly upset.

  “Ah, I’m so sorry,” he said to Claire, immediately recognizing her from her visits with Mrs. Bernbaum. “I was here earlier tonight, about six I think, to make sure her dinner was satisfactory. Her nephew said she would be all right until morning when I should bring her usual breakfast tray. She was fine then.” Then he paused. “Well, maybe not. She looked very tired. A little gray. Was it her heart?”

  Claire shrugged, looking at the doctor.

  “I don’t know. We will investigate, but it looks like natural causes. How old was the victim?” the doctor asked.

  “I think ninety-two.”

  The doctor nodded. “Well, she could have died from any number of causes, but probably it was just old age. Body parts wear out eventually. I’m truly sorry.” She turned away and re-entered the bedroom.

  “Well, I have your names and cabin numbers, so I don’t think there is anything else you can do. I’m sorry this incident happened on your cruise. We have these occurrences regularly so we’re used to it, but I know it is upsetting, especially when you know the person. I hope you won’t let it mar your vacation.”

  And then they were out in the hall. Claire looked at Ian. “They didn’t ask many questions.”

  “No, why would they? It all seemed like a normal situation. Thanks, Claire, it could have been really bad for me.”

  Claire shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about Ian’s role. She didn’t even want to think about it right now. “I think I’d better go find my mother. She would want to know. She will be upset about Mrs. Bernbaum.”

  * * *

  “Darn, almost got it that time.”

  “Almost doesn’t count on slot machines, Kim. You eithe
r hit, or you don’t.” He watched the reels spin as Kim hit the button once more.

  “I need some more money.” She held out her hand with a little pout on her mouth. “Please?” she begged prettily.

  Grudgingly he dug out his wallet and extracted a couple of bills. “Christ, can’t you play a quarter machine? Or what about those nickel machines? They look like fun.”

  “Now don’t get all stingy on me. I like the old fashion kind of slots with the reels ’cause I love the clinking of the coins coming out when they hit. Those nickel machines are tricky. They’re all electronic. How do I know what they’ve programmed them to do?”

  He looked at her with amazement wondering how she could possibly think the electronic ones were more likely to cheat her. But she didn’t notice as she was feeding his money blithely into the bill slot on the machine.

  The machine provided five pay lines to maximize the opportunities to win. Unfortunately, as Kim explained to him, the player needed to play all five lines each time to make sure of a win. On this machine, five lines was the equivalent of five dollars. It made him cringe to watch how fast his money disappeared. But he realized she was happy, and she wasn’t complaining about how bored she was hiding out below decks as she had every night previously. And there were only two more days until they docked in San Francisco and this trip would be over.

  He ducked back behind Kim as he spied some of his dinner table mates at the other end of the casino, then he reminded himself that there was no harm in them seeing him. What could be more natural than a bachelor, who was hanging around a pretty blonde? In fact, he told himself, it probably would make him seem more normal, less suspicious.

  “Did it happen?” Kim said in a low voice.

  “Huh?” Then he realized what she was asking. “Yeah, very simple. Just like we planned.”

  “Did it make you feel powerful? You know, as if you were in control?” She paused and looked at him. “It did me. I actually liked it. I mean, of course I’m not looking for an opportunity to do it again, but I wouldn’t hesitate if I had a reason. It’s not nearly as scary as I was expecting.”

  He almost shuddered at the look in her eyes. He didn’t want her to do it again. God, he hoped he hadn’t unleashed a monster. “No, it didn’t make me feel like that. It was just something that had to be done, so I did it. Simple.” Of course it wasn’t as simple as he said. He suppressed a shudder as the horror of what he had done washed over him once more. He had actually found himself liking the feisty old woman, who was his last living relative.

  “Just like that? No evidence; no one will suspect anything?” She couldn’t seem to let it go.

  “No evidence. Everything is perfect.”

  She hit a small jackpot and squealed with excitement. The payoff only reinforced her belief the big one was coming.

  He sat there watching her play the machine, investing all his money and her winnings in more attempts to hit the big one, while thinking about her question of evidence. What bothered him was he realized there was evidence if anyone was looking for it.

  But who would look for it, he asked himself?

  No one!

  But what if they did?

  He felt sweat rolling down his back as he realized that his precipitous exit from her cabin earlier had been foolish. Even with all his careful planning, with all his intention to avoid any suspicion, he had been so rattled that all he could do was hurry away from her cabin as soon as he finished. What he should have done was take the time to toss the evidence off her balcony. He went icy cold as he touched the breast pocket of his jacket and felt the bag right where he had shoved it. The sweat now pooled under his arms and his eyelid began to twitch. He realized he needed to get rid of that bag now, right now.

  “Look, Kim, I have to go do something.” He fished his wallet out and handed her several bills. “You play a while longer and I’ll be back in a minute. Okay?”

  She nodded, satisfied with the money, hardly caring that he was leaving.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Claire, what are you doing still here? I thought you went off to bed and your book a while ago.”

  “I did, but I stopped by to see how Mrs. Bernbaum was.” Claire’s throat started to constrict.

  “Oh, that was sweet of you, dear. How is she?” her mother asked, concern on her face.

  Claire just shook her head. The words were choking her and tears sprang to her eyes. Finally she managed, “Not good.” She gulped and then said, “Mom, she’s gone. We found her alone in her cabin, dead.” She gestured vaguely toward Ian, who was right behind her.

  Her mother was on her feet, her arms around her daughter in a comforting hug.

  “Oh, the poor soul.” She held her daughter tightly. “It’s like she mustered all her energy to bury Nate and then she just gave up the struggle. I’m so sorry. And I’m sorry you found her.” She patted Claire comfortingly.

  “How’s Richard taking it?” Millie asked softly.

  Claire pulled her head off her mother’s shoulder and looked at her, admitting with chagrin, “I don’t know. He wasn’t there. The security officer said they would notify him.”

  “Oh, that’s not right. We can’t just let some stranger tell him. He’s going to be devastated. I know he told you he was used to that sort of thing, but believe me, Claire, this is going to be different. We need to break it to him gently. We need to tell him ourselves.”

  Millie looked around at her friends, their concern obvious on their faces as they clustered around the table in the cocktail lounge between the casino and the theatre. “I saw him a bit ago in the casino,” she said thoughtfully.

  Ruth nodded. “Yes, he was playing one of the slot machines with a young blonde.”

  “Well, I just passed him a moment ago when I returned from the Gents. I think he was headed out on deck.” Sean gestured toward the set of doors between the lounge and the casino which allowed deck access.

  “Okay, I’ll try to find him. Coming, Claire?”

  Claire nodded. She knew when her mother had made up her mind it was best to just go along with her. But she wasn’t looking forward to breaking this news to Richard. However, she agreed with her mother; knowing how fond he was of his aunt, she was sure he was going to be very upset.

  It was cold outside and the pool of light from the door didn’t quite reach the light attached to the side of the ship. The women paused, peering through the darkness.

  “Over there. I see him.” Millie headed off, striding quickly down the deck with Claire hurrying behind her.

  Richard was standing at the rail near one of the beams supporting the deck above him. He was leaning over the side slightly, as if looking at something in the water. Suddenly Millie darted forward and snatched a white object from his hand just as his hand opened to let it drop into the water.

  “Richard! What are you doing? Don’t you know plastic bags kill porpoises?” Millie’s voice was full of horror as she backed away from him clutching the plastic bag protectively against her breast.

  Richard actually jumped when Millie’s hand snaked out and grabbed the bag in midair, right before his eyes. He turned his head and his surprised expression turned to fury. Then he lunged, both arms outstretched to grab Millie. Claire acted without thinking, stepping instinctively between her mother and Richard.

  Richard’s strength, fueled by his anger, was more than she expected. They danced awkwardly together as Claire tried valiantly to hold him back, but was soon flung unceremoniously onto the deck chairs lined up along deck opposite the railing.

  “Give me that!” Richard snarled, lunging again, but this time it was Ian who stopped him.

  “Easy, man. Let’s not kill the messenger.” Ian held Richard tightly, not bothered at all by his desperate struggles. “Get a hold of yourself, man. Millie and Claire just wanted to tell you themselves rather than have you hear the news from strangers. And now look what you’ve done. I hope you haven’t hurt Claire.”

  Millie rushed to h
er daughter, as Claire struggled to her feet, gingerly extracting her limbs from the tangle of deck chairs. She was shocked and embarrassed at how ineffectual her effort was in protecting her mother, and she was confused by Richard’s fury.

  “Claire, are you hurt?”

  “No, I don’t think so, Mom. Maybe a few bruises, but nothing serious.” Already she was on her feet and more interested in what was happening between Richard and Ian.

  Richard started to calm down as Ian’s words seemed to penetrate his brain. “What are you talking about?” he finally asked.

  “Your aunt. They came to tell you that your aunt passed away this evening.”

  Richard shook his head as if to clear his hearing. “What are you talking about?” he repeated.

  “Richard,” Millie said gently from where she stood near Claire, “your aunt died this evening. Claire and Ian found her when they stopped by to see if she needed anything.”

  Richard’s head swiveled from Ian to Claire. “My God, Auntie is dead? I’ve got to go...,” he headed for the door. Then he stopped, half turned back. “My garbage...” he said looking at the bag which now lay on the deck where Millie had dropped it before going to Claire’s aid.

  Millie waved him on. “Go. Don’t worry. I’ll find a trash can and dispose of it where it won’t endanger any porpoises.”

  He looked at her a moment, clearly undecided, then making up his mind, he nodded and left.

  “Whew, thank goodness you followed us out here, Ian. I don’t know what he was thinking. Surely he couldn’t have forgotten all the warnings from the wildlife experts about how dangerous plastic bags are to porpoises. And he got so mad when I grabbed it, like a boy who lost his favorite toy.” Millie went over and picked up the bag, looking around for a trash can.

  Claire, picking up the contents of her tote bag, which had spilled out in the melee, said over her shoulder. “Here, Mom, give it to me. I’ll throw it away for you.” She took the plastic bag and shoved it in her tote to deal with later.