* * * * *

Suspicions and Portents

Doctor Fritzroyd was concerned now that Holly brought another possibility to the table. One death was quite enough on any cruise and he had fervently hoped that it was normal heart attack without any nasty repercussions. The more he heard the more he realized that it probably wasn’t going to be that straightforward mores the pity.

“Do you think that Ms. Lyons was drugged in any way?”

Holly glanced up from the microscope she was carefully adjusting to see the results of Fea’s blood test. “Hopefully Andrew it will prove that Fea was only under the influence of alcohol …in reality I doubt the woman ever lets go to that extent therefore….”

“I get the picture Holly, want some coffee while you work? No use me asking if there’s anything I can do at the moment.”

Grinning Holly readily accepted the offer of coffee. “Thanks I’d love a cup.”

Moving back to inspect the sample Holly felt like she was on a wonderful adventure, expecting to wake up at any moment on the sundeck having dreamt the past twenty-four hours.

“Here you go Holly, you know you really look like you’re enjoying this and it’s your vacation too.”

“Yep I am, please don’t tell my parents or they really would think I was going to join the family business.” Chuckling imagining the expression on her parents faces if they could see her now.

“Anything so far?”

“There’s something here I’m trying to track down the structure, and then I’ll make another call to the lab back home.”

“Which means of course that you will be at this for another hour maybe more, want lunch brought in?”

“No!”

Andrew Fritzroyd got the message loud and clear as the blonde virtually bit his head off with her negative response. “Okay, I was only trying to be helpful and you’re still a paying passenger we can’t starve you it’s against policy.”

“I’m sorry Andrew but I have to go to lunch it’s important, Fea will need me.”

“Ah yes the ever stoic Ms. Lyons now how on earth does she make a living out of being a private investigator, surely they require people skills in their line of work?”

Holly laughed heartily, “Yes, I’ve wondered that myself but I suspect she has a secret weapon that she uses when she needs to.”

“Yeah? Care to let me into the secret?” The way Holly described Fea Lyons it was with such warmth and caring that he wondered if they had been friends for quite a while.

“How about you see if you can work it out, and if you can’t by the time the cruise is over I’ll let you in on her secret.” Head bowed she continued her analysis, with a nagging probability she hoped wouldn’t happen Fea had indeed been drugged.

* * * * *

“Will you please tell him that I’m not the police?” Fea was exasperated. Although Christo had Randall agree to her visit he was now being less than co-operative.

“Lenny she’s not the cops and I think she might be able to help you.”

Randall gave his friend a look of resignation to his fate. “No one can help me once we get to port, of all the places we have to land it’s the one port I never wanted to land at again.”

“Maybe if you tell her what happened that night, she might help clear you, and then you don’t even have to see the authorities.” Christo gave Fea a hopeful glance, which she refused to acknowledge either way. No use telling the kid an out and out lie, Randall would have to see the police, as he was the last one to see Zito, whatever they uncovered.

“Is that true?”

Fea looked down at her feet encased in black Nikes. She wore them specifically just in case a situation should arrive where she needed to move fast.

“Honestly?”

The man gave her a shrewd glance and saw her blue eyes unwaveringly starring straight at him, he wasn’t so confident and dropped his gaze.

“Yeah honesty is about the only thing that might help me now.”

“Then no, afraid not. You were the last person to see Zito regardless of his condition the police will want to question you.”

“How can you help me?”

“Frankly at this time I don’t know. However if my partner on this case comes up with a few unsavory facts then you will be closer to being off the hook. What I need from you is honesty too, can you handle that?”

The man shifted around in his chair and looked out of the port hole seeing an endless stretch of blue sea, turning he saw more blue in the form of Fea Lyons intelligent eyes, they might hold a life jacket, what did he have to lose?

“Where do you want me to start?”

“Good, how well did you know Zito?”

Randall flicked a glance at Christo who sat down heavily on the chair at his side, Fea had elected to stand and pace, she loved to pace it helped her resolve problems or so she told herself.

“We were occasional lovers” Expecting the woman to comment, she didn’t, merely indicated to continue.

“I met him about three years ago, he was on a cruise with someone else at the time. Anyone who came into contact with Zito knew he had a ferocious appetite for sex, with any gender it didn’t seem to matter to him.”

Fea was fascinated the man had appeared a ladies man, both sexes huh, a real sleaze.

“Go on Randall.”

“We had an affair onboard but I never expected it to continue after he left, nor did he at the time. About a year after the first meeting we were in Vegas at the same time and met by accident. He was quick to make up for lost time, I was free it was a good time and he paid for everything. His friend was running a casino in town so he had plenty of free time. After I left nothing was said about meeting up again, and frankly it was all about sex nothing more. Eighteen months ago he contacted me said he had a proposition I couldn’t refuse.”

Christo had risen from his chair and was starring out of the porthole his back rigid and his hands clenching at his sides. Fea had seen the agitation but she wanted to hear what this man had to say, before she broached his problem although she guessed.

“What was the proposition?”

“He wanted out of the relationship with the casino party and needed a place to stay. I’d get a decent pay out of it if he could stay with me for a few months.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah for a short time, I was involved with someone else and he didn’t like it. Needless to say we had a difference of opinion and he left. I believe he went to South America for a time. I recall him saying he was from there but who can say if that was true?”

“Why?”

“He’s no South American. Might have the complexion to get away with that but not the cultural view. He’s more European and he indicated once that his parentage was European not South American but they had shipped him to South America.”

“Intriguing, so what comes next?”

“Until this cruise that was the last time I saw him. On this cruise he’d changed, he was softer than before and he said he was hoping that this cruise would change his life for the best.”

“Can you elaborate on the best?”

“No I can’t sorry. He asked me to his suite that night he wanted to tell me about his plans for a new life. When I got there he was dead.”

The man sank back in his chair the recollection of his ex-lover’s death obviously still had the power to upset him.

“Answer this for me will you Randall, did you kill him?”

“No! I had no reason at all!”

“Didn’t you?”

“I’m lots of things Ms. Lyons but murder doesn’t figure.”

“Not even for love?”

Randall shot a look at the stiff back of Christo who although upset hadn’t said a word.

“How does that come into things I didn’t love Zito!”

Fea frowned and then smiled a fraction, “no you didn’t but you do love someone else now. Would you commit murder to prevent your unsavory past coming to their attention?”

“They know all about it!”

“Yeah I know they do, or he wouldn’t be right here with you, trying to get you out of this mess.”

Christo turned at the remark and gaped at the woman who looked at him expectantly waiting for his retort.

“It’s true I do love him and I want him to be proved innocent.”

“Then let’s go over Zito’s last known movements Randall shall we?”

“I don’t know anything.”

“You might, let’s have chapter and verse shall we of the last time you saw him alive, who he was with, who was in the area at the same time, anything like that.”

* * * * *

“Find out anything interesting?” Holly asked as they met up at the entrance to the restaurant area.

Fea was sure the blonde was virtually attached to her shoulder as she asked the question. “One or two items, what about you?”

Holly rolled her eyes, typical remark from Fea. “A thing or two.”

The smirk on the blonde’s face was enough to indicate she did but wasn’t telling first.

“Okay, Randall had some interesting observations, we’ll discuss them after lunch.”

“In that case we’ll discuss my findings at the same time.”

“Works. Let’s go shall we.” Fea walked quickly towards their table quietly pleased that several of the usual dinner passengers were there as well.

“Yeah, yeah right with you.”

Holly rushed along after the larger stride of the woman and wondered if she ever took time out to stop and smell the roses.

“Hi everyone, have you had a good morning?” Holly asked jovially as she sat at her usual spot, Fea having already got there before her.

“Quiet and very restful my dear what about yourself?”

“Oh quiet but in a different way Alice.” Holly smiled as she wondered how they would approach their fellow passengers with questions, she really didn’t know how.

Fea shifted in her seat and turned blue eyes to the aged grey ones of the old woman, which looked at her bruised face with inquisitive interest. “Have you had an accident Ms. Lyons?”

Colbert Tourtelot glanced her way along with Rebecca Smyth and Leyton Parrish. “Yes, I ended up taking the stairs to the cabin corridor a totally unexpected way and hit my head at the bottom.”

“Why that’s terrible, I hope you informed the steward. I’m already unsteady on my feet and having dangerous stairs isn’t something I look forward to at my age.”

Leyton continued to scrutinize Fea but he said nothing about the incident.

“You will have to be more careful Mademoiselle, a serious injury could have befallen you.”

“That it could Mr. Tourtelot and probably it was meant to as well.”

“What do you mean?” Rebecca gasped as she asked the question the others had missed out on by fractions of a second.

“I have a very firm grasp on my footing, I believe I was pushed deliberately.”

“How absurd.” Leyton Parrish commented as he left the table to collect his salad.

“Can you prove it Mademoiselle?”

Fea was surprised at the question for it implied that Tourtelot believed her and that made him a prime suspect surely. He of all the passengers hadn’t appeared to have direct contact with Zito, certainly nothing outwardly anyway.

“Yes, Doctor Maeder has the proof. Fortunately she was around shortly after the event and saw everything.”

“Really? How very fortunate for you, I take it you have informed the authorities onboard and have had the person apprehended? After all it could pose a danger onboard, he or she may do something to others. “

“What might someone do to others?” Leyton asked as he sat down with his meager salad, Holly wondered why he bothered with lunch if that was all he was having. Not that she was feeling very hungry after the bombshell Fea had just imparted, surely she knew that it was dangerous to give so much away and she was the one in the firing line.

“The Mademoiselles have proof that someone pushed Ms. Lyons deliberately down the stairs. I was asking if they had told the authorities.”

Leyton looked at the two women and Fea was sure she saw a nervous sweat appear above his top lip. Another interesting turn, he looked positively guilty.

“Carry on Ms. Lyons, you have our attention.” Alice Langley stated and waited patiently for the rest of the story, which was totally out of character for the woman, patience.

“We decided against it, anyway we dock in a little over twelve hours it can wait until the police come onboard, I’m sure they will be interested. They have of course Mr. Aurillio’s death to examine and perhaps the information will prove useful in that case also.”

Holly wasn’t sure this was a good idea, not that she suspected anyone around the table but at least a couple of them looked uncomfortable.

“Well, on that note I’ll have the fish I think it looks delicious.” Holly quickly spoke and smiled at the waiter who immediately came over to ask her preference of dressing.

As the others carried on their respective meal, Fea turned to the waiter and asked for a bottle of chardonnay, which he duly brought along.

Disturbed that Fea wasn’t taking this situation seriously, Holly kicked her under the table to get her attention.

“Yes?” Fea hissed quietly, her face taking on a slightly injured look as she rubbed her bruised ankle with her other foot.

“You’re drinking? What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothings gotten into me, and I’m not drinking we are!”

“We are?”

“Yes.” As she said that Fea picked up the bottle and raised her eyebrows for Holly to remove the napkin from the glass and let her pour some into her wine glass.

“I can’t believe you! Didn’t you say we needed to stay alert? How will drinking help?” Holly’s puzzled expression evident as she complied with Fea’s silent request.

Fea smiled slightly but continued to pour Holly a full glass and one for herself too, without replying.

Within an hour lunchtime was over and although there was small talk, mainly by Alice Langley, the others were remarkably silent. Brooding could be an apt description for them.

Having been left alone, or rather Fea taking her time over her final glass of wine allowing all the others to leave. Holly leaned on her elbows and looked directly at the woman, who had baited the trap all right, using her as the bait. Someone not so far away from her had omitted to point that small fact out at the start of this tentative partnership.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on now? Especially as I’m the cheese to catch the mouse.”

Fea laughed at the description, her blue eyes twinkled, causing Holly to be lost once more as the woman simply took her senses for another joy ride.

“You have a way with words Holly I’ll give you that. We have twelve hours to solve the crime and that doesn’t give us much time so…”

“Yeah so?”

“I used the only bait I had and my dear doctor believe me if we have a murderer onboard they will surely take it, or I need to get a new profession.”

“I see. Isn’t this a little dangerous? Shouldn’t we inform the Captain and maybe he could give us discreet protection?”

Fea’s expression turned serious as she considered the comment. It was perfectly normal to want protection but if they did then the game would be up and they wouldn’t be in a position to carry on the charade. No, they had to go the next few hours without any contact with the crew, they would now be watched she knew it!

“I’ll protect you.”

Holly chuckled. Oh yeah, this was getting better! “I thought I was the one protecting you?”

“Yes, and now I’m going to reciprocate and if we both need protecting who better than each other to do it, what do you say?”

“Your plan won’t work if we go to the Captain, will it?

“The probability of failure is higher but if you aren’t sure I can protect you…well I’ll understand.” Fea stood up and looked around the room, except for a couple of waiters no one else was around.

“No!” Holly frowned, she wasn’t entirely sure this was the best decision she was going to make this lifetime but she had said this was one of her adventures of life and it was certainly proving that.

“Do I take it you are sure?” Fea looked deep into the green eyes and smiled, it sent Holly’s senses somersaulting. Damn the woman was certainly getting to her and I bet she doesn’t react at all to me!

“What the hell, anyway you owe me chapter and verse on your interview with Randall.” Holly stood up and they both smiled at each other.

“Yes that’s true, and you owe me the results of my blood test.”

“Certainly, shall we adjourn to the sundeck and exchange news?”

“Right with you doctor, after you.” Fea gallantly pointed towards the exit as Holly grinned and started towards their destination.

* * * * *

“She said the doctor had proof?”

“Yes, so what?”

“I can’t believe that you aren’t worried.”

“Worried implies I have something to be worried about and I don’t.”

“How do you make that one out? You planned it all from the moment he boarded the ship.”

“I did plan it that’s a fact.”

“Therefore, doesn’t that make you worried surely if the doctor knows.”

“You forgot one thing, I didn’t commit the crime. I merely thought up what I believed to be the perfect crime. We weren’t to know that these two young women would come on the cruise. It was a chance and it hasn’t paid off. We will of course rectify it very soon.”

“The murder was committed under your implicit instructions, no jury in the world would acquit you with that information.”

“I can see that you would be a little upset with that comment. How about I take care of this mess and then we will be equal, except for one thing of course.”

“That would be?”

“Why I want you to lure them to me.”

“Oh no not this time! You have to be losing your marbles! That woman is an investigator she isn’t dumb she will know, she’s just waiting for us to come out of hiding.”

“If you won’t then I’m afraid I will use someone close to you who will, unwittingly they will become an accomplice in our little situation.”

“You wouldn’t! After all I’ve done so far you would stoop so low and use my family?”

“Low? Oh my friend that isn’t low. If I wanted to be really evil I would have them commit the crime for me.”

There was a silence in the room so much so you could hear a pin drop.

“How can we guarantee this will be the end and we can go back to our normal lives?”

“There isn’t a cast iron guarantee I’m afraid, this will surely solve our immediate problem and then who knows, it could be a member or two of the crew next. All depends on how much anyone else knows.”

“You aren’t serious are you?” Eyes cold and evil as a scary dark night starred ahead, they seemed so far away and without a soul.

A cackle of laughter ripped the silence of the room, “why not?”

This was a nightmare, even worse than the nightmare they had been living under Zito’s influence. Where was there a safe place to hide now?

* * * * *

~ Error of Judgement ~

“My blood had the traces of a drug, are you sure?”

Holly was astonished that Fea was so excited, surely she thought that a possibility. “Yes, obviously not in the fatal quantity that Zito was given or even the same type, enough however to disable you and the alcohol helped to make you feel less than capable of motor function. My guess is whoever it was wanted you to sleep for awhile and not snoop.”

“I don’t snoop!” Fea turned flashing blue eyes to amused green.

Holding up her hands Holly smiled.

“Okay, okay I was only joking.”

“Humph well you can keep those jokes to yourself.”

“No problem I will. What do we do now?”

Fea stroked a finger over her chin and contemplated that very question, what did they do now? It was strange that a different drug had been used, could it be another person drugged her for another reason? Or the people who murdered Zito only had access to a minimum amount of the fatal drug and they hadn’t any left.

“We could sunbathe and wait. We need to look as normal as possible, if nothing happens before dinner, well that means we go over the whole charade again. Hopefully every one is at dinner this evening.”

“It’s only giving us a few hours before we dock, will it be enough time?”

Fea laughed and Holly had to stop herself being caught starring as the woman’s face took on a whole new light, it really was incredible as her heart reacted with somersaults.

“Are you sure the doctor title isn’t a cover and you’re really an investigator in disguise?”

Holly giggled at the silly question, in some ways she wished she were home and in her safe background, back to her career. Then she looked at this woman and wanted to be here helping if she could and hoping that they really could solve the puzzle of Zito’s murder. Going home after this was going to be dull for quite some time she thought.

“No I’m a bona-fide doctor want to see my medical degree?”

“Is that similar to etchings?”

Holly was sure if that was out and out teasing, how should she respond?

“Nope, etchings come after the first date.”

“I see. Lets me off the hook then no chance of a first date.”

The woman’s tone was light but Holly was sure there was a fleeting regret, would Fea be interested in a date? They didn’t really know each other very well and sexual preferences would have come a long way down the list on discussion topics with this woman.

“You know I might make….” She was stopped from continuing as an unfamiliar steward approached.

“Doctor Maeder?”

“Yes, that’s me how can I help?”

“Doctor Fritzroyd would like you to see something in his office if you can spare a minute?”

Both women stood up, no way would they separate now, it was way too dangerous after the discussion at lunch.

As they walked along the deck towards the doctor’s office, Claudia Parrish came towards them she looked distressed. After Zito’s death she had confined herself to her suite according to Adam Parrish.

“I need to speak with you urgently Ms. Lyons.”

Fea looked at the woman whose eyes filled with tears as she beseeched the older woman to speak with her.

“I’m afraid I can’t at the moment I have to be elsewhere can we talk later? Say half an hour?”

“No! No it has to be now or never.”

Holly wasn’t sure if this was a ploy or not, the woman was obviously distraught and she was adamant that she needed to talk with Fea. Perhaps it would be okay, after all Fea could handle herself and it wouldn’t be for long, it was in broad daylight.

“Fea, go to the sun deck and talk, I’ll catch up with you soon. I’ll even have Andrew escort me back, okay?”

Raised eyebrows were her initial answer; a rather telling trait of Fea’s when she wasn’t entirely happy about something. Well, she supposed they shouldn't really be separated but this couldn’t hurt surely?

“This wasn’t the deal?” Fea whispered fiercely into the smaller woman’s ear.

Not knowing how to respond she just smiled, placed a reassuring hand on Fea’s arm and squeezed it gently. “You’ll be okay,” as she left the woman alone with Claudia Parrish.

Fea watched the sassy blonde walk away from her unable to believe it as she reeled from the smaller woman’s last comment, you’ll be okay!

“Can we talk now Ms. Lyons?” The South African asked brokenly noticing Fea was preoccupied with the young doctor. If Claudia wasn’t full of her own problems she might have mentioned something along those lines.

Rather absently Fea answered her, “yeah, sure lets go to the South sundeck and have a drink, you can tell me what the problem is that’s so urgent.”

“Would you rather follow your friend?”

Fea shook her head and gave Claudia a small smile, “no, it’s okay.”

Both women retraced Fea’s steps back to the sundeck, as they did so she couldn’t help but wonder if Holly would be safe.

* * * * *

Holly had to smile as she walked towards the ships doctors’ office, Fea hadn’t wanted her to go alone, she knew that and it gave her a warm feeling inside. However Claudia Parrish might have some interesting information that might help them.

With Randall’s information things weren’t clear at least to her anyway, the more information they had the better chance of making the right call when they needed to.

Approaching the doctor’s office Holly pulled a face as she tried the door it was locked. Surely if Andrew was expecting her he would have left her a note to say if he’d been called away unexpectedly.

“No one home, strange.” Mumbling to herself as she tried the handle again. Guess the steward was wrong this time he must have meant someplace else.

As she turned to leave the relatively dark corridor she heard footsteps approaching, Holly smiled here he is, must have been taken away unexpectedly.

As the party turned into the main corridor Holly was dismayed to see that it wasn’t Andrew Fritzroyd but Adam Parrish.

“Hi Adam, didn’t see you at lunch today are you sick?”

The young man didn’t say anything his expression was enough it was one of a man on a mission and that anyone who stopped him was in trouble.

As he came closer Holly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, what if Adam was the killer?

* * * * *

“How sure are you of the facts?” Fea asked quickly. If what this woman said was true then they had the murderer and even the motive.

Claudia looked up through a veil of tears, most of the time Fea was immune to that kind of breakdown she had steeled herself to be hard over the years. But, something inside her was reacting out of its normal boundaries and she gave Claudia a brief reassuring smile.

“I heard him talking, he basically admitted he did it! I couldn’t make out the other party but it was a woman.”

“Well, there aren’t many women to chose from if we remove the women we know aren’t involved. Myself, Doctor Maeder and…yourself. Leaves us Alice Langley and Rebecca Smyth. Was it an old or young woman’s voice?”

“I couldn’t tell it was muffled I was listening at the door you know!”

Fea wiped a hand over her jaw thinking. “You say he admitted it, would you testify that in court?”

Claudia dissolved into tears once more and this time Fea put a tentative arm on her shoulders. She hoped this would be comfort but as she never did this before she wasn’t sure what reaction it would bring.

“Well would you Mrs. Parrish?” Exasperation was setting in, they had been discussing this problem for over an hour and her concern was mounting since Holly hadn’t returned.

Actually it was a great deal of apprehension causing her stomach to churn. She had this weird feeling that something was wrong with Holly. Not that the woman meant that much to her, oh no not her! Yeah right! Why have you everyday of the cruise joined her, if only from a distance, on the sundeck? Her inner voice plagued her.

“Yes I would.”

Fea was pulled out of her thoughts of Holly as she heard the reply from the South African. Guess family loyalty had no hold over this one.

“Okay, we’ll find Holly and then go to the Captain and explain the situation. It will be up to him on how we proceed next.”

As they stood up to find Holly, Fea glanced towards the North deck and saw a familiar figure, what was he doing here?

“Don’t move I’ll be back.” With that Fea ran as fast as she could over to the North deck, virtually bowling over the person she had seen from a distance.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Holly?”

Doctor Andrew Fritzroyd looked at the alarm on the woman’s face taking in immediately that something was amiss.

“Hello Ms. Lyons, I’m afraid I don’t know where Holly is, I thought you and she were joined at the hip until we docked?”

“You sent her a message to go to your office over an hour ago, she promised me that you would bring her back to me!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about I never sent a message.”

“Shit! Doc. Please will you escort Mrs. Parrish to the Captain she has a good story to tell, I’ll need to find Holly.”

“Is that wise? Shouldn’t you wait until I can get you some kind of security?”

“Protect Claudia she could be our ace witness, and then come looking for me. I’ll start at your office.” Not waiting to hear what the man said Fea was running at top speed disregarding the strange looks she received from Alice Langley and Colbert Tourtelot.

“Right away Ma’am.” Fritzroyd quickly went over to the South deck to retrieve the very lovely Claudia Parrish.

* * * * *

~ Relying on the Unknown ~

“What a fool I am, she didn’t want to let me go alone and here I am in this stupid and dangerous situation.” Holly whispered into the freezing cold storage room, her breath as she spoke came out white and floated in the air.

She was in the depths of the ship and nowhere near the doctor’s office. It wouldn’t be easy to find her either, so how could she tell anyone who the real killer was. No way would Fea believe it! In all their speculations and scenarios they hadn’t come up with this combination. It was so unbelievable that no one would ever suspect.

Is this it…the end of my life? Damn, I have so much yet to do it can’t end like this, it can’t. Shivering as the temperature began to freeze her blood. She knew she wouldn’t survive much more than two hours. Oh well, time was of the essence wasn’t it, wonder when Fea will think about coming to look for me? Glancing down at her watch she had to wipe away the frost that was forming on the glass, not a good sign.

It was a quarter after three that meant an hour since she and Fea had split up.

Mulling over what happened to her, she had to admit that it was quite a clever ploy. Fea was still safe and that had annoyed the woman, she was quite mad as she’d plunged the needle into Holly’s arm.

“I’m so sorry it had to be this way, if only you had just remained ignorant and not snooped around, things could have been so different.”

“You won’t get away with this you know. You can’t possibly expect to. Can you?”

“Really? Oh I expect to get away with it and more if necessary. You are just an unfortunate person that stumbled into a place you shouldn’t be. You have learned a really good lesson for the future, don’t meddle in other people’s business, it could be the death of you!”

“Have I a future?”

“Why no you haven’t have you, what a pity and so much to look forward too, always a pity.”

“Fea will never rest until she finds you.” Holly spoke emotionally for she really thought that if she died it was going to hurt Fea, she knew it even if Fea didn’t.

“Never fear doctor, the private investigator will join you in death soon enough, you have my word on that.”

“No!” Holly choked out it wasn’t fair! She wasn’t going to let Fea die she wasn’t!

The woman turned at the response, “why if I didn’t know better I’d say you sound like someone who might lose a loved one.”

Holly closed her eyes and gulped back tears, she wasn’t going to break down, there must be something she could do, there had to be.

“I would think by dinner this evening you will be watching us from another place that only a spiritualist could hear you, have a nice journey.”

The woman walked away without a backward glance and closed the heavy freezer door on the restrained Holly.

What a fool she had been and now to use her so called intelligent mind to figure a way out and protect Fea, that was the most important thing. She might die of the cold or the drug, she didn’t know which would hit first, but at least if she could get out she could warn Fea and then the deaths might end.

Now here she was still in the freezer but she was free of her bonds and alive…so far.

* * * * *

Fea was demented at least to others anyway; she thought she looked worried, and scared. Yes scared, it had never happened to her before she had never much thought about other people in her life. They usually could take care of themselves, now she was faced with someone who had blindly, yes blindly let her make all the moves, and who was now in danger? Not her, someone else and she really hadn’t wanted that to happen at all!

The whole concept of caring about someone else was alien to her and yet it was so right to care about Holly. The woman had invaded her subconscious since that first day, and now she invaded her conscious thought too.

Where the hell are you Holly Maeder?

The words screamed in her brain and she wanted the blonde to come round the next corridor smiling that goofy smile she had and everything would be okay again.

Now it was just a turmoil of feelings and emotions that she wanted in the background so she could do what she knew she was good at…detection!

“Ms. Lyons, want some help?”

Christo and two other men were in the corridor walking towards her.

“Christo? You’ve heard about Holly?”

“Doc Fritzroyd, asked us to help you. He was worried you might be in some kind of danger, what’s the situation with Holly?”

“I can’t find her! She was supposed to meet the Doc but that was fictitious. I’ve checked the corridor but nothing.”

“Yeah Colin said he received a written message and didn’t think much about it when he passed it on to Holly. We’ll check every single nook and cranny on board until we find her Ms. Lyons you can count on that. How about I send Steve to alert some of the others and they can check all their areas, even the more inaccessible ones.”

“Thanks, we need to find a particular passenger who will know for sure where she is.”

“Okay, Steve go to First Officer Reeves and tell him what we need. I’m sure he will co-operate if you mention Ms. Lyons name and tell him Doc Maeder is missing.”

“Thanks guys, now to suite three and with luck we might find our prize.”

Christo grinned as he motioned for his other friend to follow the dark woman who was now speeding off down the corridor intent on locating her prey.

* * * * *

Holly hammered at the door as hard as she could although she felt it was getting more and more feeble by the minute. The drug she had been injected with was a stimulant and had helped her to keep going but for how long? It was over two hours since she had been put here and her body was blue in places, her hands frost bitten and except as battering rams on the door damn useless for anything dexterous.

Everything was pointing to her demise and she had to give a little weird credit, the place here was probably one of the few places anyone would look initially and when they did the likelihood was she would be dead.

Gasping suddenly as a pain creased her chest, rubbing a hand between her breasts to try and starve off the pain. It felt like major indigestion but she knew different it was the drug! Kicking in and breaking down her body defenses she had very little time now.

“Hell, I wanted a short vacation not a long term rest!”

Her scream of “HELP” the last thing she could muster as the pain overtook her. The word her last coherent action as she felt the pain again and this time it was so great she slumped to the floor.

* * * * *

“I heard a sound I tell you.” Joey exclaimed angrily as his friend Phil laughed.

“Come on Joey you know you hate it here in freezer city, must be all those carcasses that set you off on this tangent.” Phil had worked with Joey before and he always heard something down here in the bowels of the ship. There never had been anything and there never would, he really should think about changing from the kitchen to leisure or something like that aboard.

“I heard it Phil it was a scream. A human scream I’m going back to check, are you coming with me?”

Joey wasn’t the bravest person alive but he had heard it clearly this time, other times it was muffled and could be the engines but this time this time he was sure.

“God give me strength Joey! No I’m not going back there, go yourself!”

“Okay I will!” Joey turned on his heal and walked back down the corridor to the bank of freezer doors.

Phil looked after his retreating back as he shook his head. Let the sucker go look for his own ghosts. Walking towards the steps to the next deck his pager bleeped and he looked down at the message.

“Hey Joey, wait for me,” swiveling around and running after the seaman. The message on his pager stated …Search EVERY area for a missing passenger.

* * * * *

Fea approached suite three and stopped outside the door taking a deep breath, before she rapped continuously on the door.

There was no answer.

She continued to hammer at the door and Christo eventually put a hand out and stopped her. “No one’s home Ms. Lyons.”

“Yes he is! He has to be home, I tell you he is she told me so!”

Fea had so many emotions coursing through her body at this time she knew she wasn’t being objective. Holly's life was at stake and that was all that mattered now. If she could give her fortune to have the woman at her side now, and know for certain she was safe she would without a second thought.

“I want this fucking door down now!”

The two men with her looked at each other the obvious pain behind the words enough to galvanize them into action. “You got it Ma’am.”

Paul, Christo’s colleague sped off down the corridor and out of sight.

“I have to get inside Christo I have to, the bastard knows where Holly is.” Fea sounded broken as she rested her head against the door.

As Christo’s friend came running back done the corridor with a fire axe in his hand he was also grinning too.

“Joey, the little squirt, has found her, he was hearing voices again.”

Fea wasn’t sure what she was hearing as she looked up her eyes filling with tears, had they found Holly? Was she alive?

“What’s he saying Christo what?”

Christo waited until his friend closed to normal speaking distance and asked what exactly he had been told.

“Doctor Maeder was found in one of the ice rooms about five minutes ago. Not sure of her condition but the message is we have to keep you safe Ms. Lyons.”

Both men flanked Fea, who felt as if the weight of the world she had been carrying on her shoulders dropped miraculously, Holly had been found.

“She’s okay?”

“Didn’t exactly say Ms. Lyons, why don’t we go over to Doc Fritzroyd’s she will probably have been taken there.”

Fea grimaced at the comment, it was a precaution hadn’t the guy said an ice room?

“Let’s go we’ll catch up with this scumbag later!”

* * * * *

~ Time for Truth ~

“Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be, it will be different that’s certain.”

“I think it’s the only way considering we are only four hours away from the port we can leave it until….”

“Yes it is I know and you’re right we could leave it but…”

“I understand your reluctance, but for Holly.”

The mention of her friends name was enough, “Yes for Holly.”

“We will be with you all the way Ms. Lyons how about we go bag our criminals.”

“Sounds like a plan to me!”

* * * * *

The Captain invited the passengers for aperitifs before dinner. As this was a rather unusual request it was expected that everyone who was going to turn up for dinner would accept.

He was right, as Fea watched them gather in the small anteroom off the restaurant. It was intimate and secure, only one way in and one exit, which was covered by first officer Reeves.

Captain Robinson smiled at each passenger as they came into the room and handed a drink of their choice.

Alice Langley and her niece Rebecca came first, they passed pleasantries with the Captain, and then sat down at the table nearest to the door.

Colbert Tourtelot arrived next he accepted his drink and discussed the weather or that’s what Fea thought. She could lip-read from where she stood but then the guy could be speaking French and she was making it up.

Leyton Parrish arrived next, he looked distractedly around the room, and Fea knew exactly who he was looking for, his wife.

Several minutes passed and Robinson gave Fea a shrug, was this it?

Then Adam Parrish waltzed into the room he was obviously well inebriated, as he stumbled near the table where the two English women were seated. Apologizing as he rubbed his shin and collected his drink unsteadily.

Fea signaled to the Captain that this would be it and he closed the room door. As he did Leyton walked towards him.

“My wife hasn’t arrived yet.”

“No problem sir, when she does come I’ll ensure she is suitably looked after.”

The South African snarled and went back to the bar obviously upset and angry at the disappearance of his young wife.

As the guests settled into their relevant spots, the Captain cleared his throat loudly.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I’m happy to meet you all. We will be docking in port in just under two hours, around the end of dinner. As you know, we had one passenger die on this cruise and the police will naturally be interested in everyone onboard.”

That comment brought about a murmur from the guests who looked at the Captain more intently.

“Prior to them coming aboard, we’ve suffered another causality I’m afraid to announce.” Before the Captain could finish Leyton Parrish jumped up and Robinson looked at him squarely.

“You want to add something Mr. Parrish?”

“No!”

“I’ll carry on then, the party in question unfortunately is another guest and she…”

This time Leyton rushed forward and faced off the Captain.

“Is it Claudia? Is it?”

Adam Parrish shot forward and pulled at his father shouting, “If it is great! Dad you are better off without her.”

Leyton viciously removed his son’s arm. “I am not better off without her I’d do anything for her!”

“Anything?” the question posed softly but insidiously from Fea.

Leyton glanced at the dark woman in the corner she looked like an evil avenger, yeah but he knew someone far scarier than her and she was in the room also.

“Anything!”

“Really, does that anything cover murder by any chance?”

All eyes moved to Fea Lyons as she asked the question as if it was quite normal to do so.

“Murder! Why ask me?”

“Why not? A murder has taken place hasn’t it and you would know all about that wouldn’t you Leyton?”

Fea watched the man turn bug eyed as he starred at her his Adam’s apple moving spasmodically.

“Who has been murdered? I wouldn’t hurt a fly!”

“If I told you that your wife suspected and told me, would that make it clearer for you?”

Leyton turned a bright red and then looked around the room as his son intervened.

“Don’t talk rubbish. What do you know? It’s more than likely the bitch has framed him!”

“Framed him? So you think there was a murder Adam?”

“Don’t answer that Adam!” Rebecca stood up pleading with the young man.

“Rebecca keep out of this what do you care?” the young man retorted angrily.

“I…I care…” Alice Langley stood up herself and placed a firm hand on her niece’s arm.

“That’s enough Rebecca he isn’t worth it! He probably committed the murder himself.”

“You old cantankerous bitch I haven’t killed anyone. With a tongue like yours I’m surprised you haven’t!” Adam glared at the old woman who was trying to settle Rebecca.

“Adam please this is my aunt!”

“Son leave it, you don’t know what trouble you could end up in with that family.” Leyton glared at Alice who merely nodded her head at his comment.

“He’s right young man I would do as he says.”

“You can’t tell me what to do or who I want to see. I love Rebecca!”

The old woman laughed at the confession. “Oh my dear you have a boy toy, does he know how old you are?”

“Aunt really it doesn’t matter! You love me?”

“Yes!”

Fea was startled at the turn of events they had been talking about murder and suddenly the fight was ensuing about a relationship, this really was absurd. Or was it?

“Hey I thought we were talking murder here, not a star crossed love affair. Leyton we know it was you who poisoned Zito your wife told us and will testify.”

The man looked around the room and stopped in front of his son, “what did my wife say exactly?”

“She heard you speaking to someone else about the murder and you confessed.”

Leyton turned his back to his son and faced Fea, “Is she positive? Could it have been someone else?”

“She’s married to you I think she could be fairly positive don’t you?”

“It could have been my son.”

The silence that befell the room was audible since no one expected the man to say that. He had come across as a caring family man, now he was implicating…no pointing the finger at his only son.

“Are you saying that you believe that your son is capable of murder?”

“Dad! What are you saying?” As he spoke Rebecca pulled away from the grasp of her aunt and rushed over to Adam to stand side by side with him.

The disbelief in the tone tore at everyone’s’ heart. How could a father throw is own son to the wolves?

“It’s not like that at all, I didn’t kill anyone.”

“What about Holly? Doctor Holly Maeder?”

All eyes traveled back to Fea as she asked the question, her own emotions struggling to keep under control. She was still so angry and upset herself, however this was justice for Holly as well as Zito.

“What about her?”

“You deny that you planned to murder her too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Lyons, where is she anyway?”

Fea swallowed hard as she tried but failed to answer immediately.

“Doctor Maeder is currently unaccounted for. I have the crew looking for her and we will find her soon, count on it.” Captain Robinson stated with a deliberation that few would question.

“You don’t have any proof on me Lyons, or anyone else. If this is what this little get together is all about, I’m done with it! Go find yourself another scapegoat.”

Leyton moved towards the door marked exit only to find First Officer Reeves blocking the door.

“I’m sorry sir we haven’t quite finished yet.”

“Finished, well I have! This is an outrage and one I will advise to my consulate when we dock.”

“Great, that will take care of you but what about your accomplice?”

Fea had moved towards Adam and Rebecca.

Leyton swung around to face her as the door opened and in stepped Claudia Parrish, flanked by Christo and Randall.

“Yes Leyton your accomplice I heard it all.”

Leyton looked at his wife and swallowed hard. This time Adam didn’t come to his rescue.

“You must have misheard darling it wasn’t me! I wasn’t in the room at that time, perhaps it was Adam we have a similar tone.”

Claudia wasn’t a fan of her stepson but she felt for him as his father tried to push any blame on him.

“It was you Leyton, and only you! Why?”

The older man starred at his wife, seeing the puzzlement in her face and yes the hurt too. He had hurt her and he never meant to do that, entirely the opposite it was to help her, no, to keep her in his life. She was going away with that slime Zito he knew it, there was no other way out of the situation but what he had been offered….

Did he have a chance if he denounced his partner in crime? Would anyone believe him? Probably not and that would mean he was in it alone and he would end up in prison or worse the electric chair!

“I loved you too much!” He finally stated brokenly.

Claudia moved towards her husband, on some level she did care about him even if she only married him for money and repented at leisure. That was one lesson she hoped she remembered but doubted she would if the situation occurred again.

As she pulled her husband into her arms she soothed him and asked again, “Who is the accomplice Leyton, too many people have been hurt already, why make it worse?”

Leyton looked up into his wife’s eyes…his, full of unshed tears brimming waiting to fall.

“Do you still love me?”

Fea held her breath as she and the others waited. She knew what the answer should be but at this precarious situation did one lie? The man was obviously dangerous and mentally disturbed.

“I love you as much today as I did when we married.”

The comment settled the older man who smiled, and then with a deep breath looked over everyone in the room and then pointed.

“Alice Langley organized it all, she asked me to help her kill Zito.”

The older woman stood up as the gasps went around the room. Even Fea was floored by that one she really thought it was Rebecca.

“That’s ridiculous! Why would I want the man dead? He was nothing to me!”

“He was your Achilles heal!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Captain please, why should I be upset with this accusation it is totally preposterous! I would have nothing to gain at all! He on the other hand has indicated his son and now me? Please the man is clutching at straws.”

“I’m telling the truth Zito Aurillia was her illegitimate son.”

“He was not! You’re insane.”

A voice so quiet it was barely audible unless you stood close by reaffirmed the man’s statement. “He was her son.”

Fea turned to look at Rebecca and saw the disappointment in her gaze. She hadn’t wanted to believe her aunt was capable of murder but now she knew the truth. How could someone plan and murder their own child?

“Rebecca is it true?”

Adam pulled Rebecca to his side this was one hell of a sobering session.

“Yes, I heard my aunt talking with Zito, I thought they had reconciled it appeared so at the time.”

“What have you to say to that Miss. Langley?”

“I say prove I did anything I’m accused of? Otherwise I’m ready for dinner!”

“Miss. Langley, Mr. Parrish you will both be confined to your suites under secure guard until the police come onboard. We will relate all the relevant facts as we know them and they can decide what the next action should be.”

“You can’t do that Captain?” Alice stated acidly.

“Thought I just had.” Robinson signaled to his crew to detain Langley as she tried to flee the room.
 

* * * * *

~ Letting Go ~

“Well, I’m glad we didn’t need to use our secret weapon on this one.”

“So am I, it might not have worked.”

A laugh followed the comment as they both sat down.

“Are you going to fly straight back to the States?”

“I think so nothing much to keep me here now. I’m confident that justice will prevail.”

“Hmmm I thought maybe something else might keep you.”

“Christo, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Why nothing Ms. Lyons, what could I possibly be talking about?”

Fea gave him a long measured look and then grinned.

“I get the message. Why don’t you go keep Randall company and I’ll say my goodbyes.”

The man grinned and left as she looked over the railing of the ship. With everything that happened it was amazing that the ship was going to be permitted to continue the trip to Santorini and then finally Istanbul.

* * * * *

“Finally, you’ve come to give me a reprieve! I can’t say I don’t welcome it because I do! I wish you luck in there, she’s annoyed about something!”

Doctor Andrew Fritzroyd smiled as he watched the dark haired woman approach the bed of his patient. Now was an excellent time to have that long coffee break, because the annoying party had just arrived.

With the police taking away Langley and Parrish, Fea had been heavily involved in witness statements and hadn’t been to see her friend who had come round from her deep sleep about two hours ago. That hadn’t stopped the blonde becoming rather annoyed at her absence.

“Hi.”

“Hi yourself. How are you doing?”

“Oh god that should be my line, you’re here because of me!” Fea burst out and sat down heavily at the edge of the bed.

“I have minor frost bite on my hands and feet, otherwise I’m doing great.”

“I almost got you killed!”

“Well, yeah that’s true.”

“How can you be so cheerful and why on earth do you want to see me?” Watching the serious and berating expressions cross Fea’s face she smiled as she answered.

“Ever considered that the reason I stayed so focused for so long was because of you?”

“I don’t understand?” Fea’s expression became perplexed.

“No I know. Hey how about you tell me what really happened.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“I know and when you want to change it back its’ all up to you. So come on I want to know the story.”

“Well the short version is, Alice Langley had an illegitimate son, who turned out to be Zito. When he came back into her life she wasn’t happy although she made him think she was. The truth was she had been planning on killing him way before they came on the cruise. This was just a convenient way as she saw it. It would have been too except…”

“Except?”

“Except for us! We snooped when we shouldn’t. Best laid plans and all that! The outcome you know.”

“Oh come on Fea that isn’t the end, why did she do it?”

“She had him checked out and knew about his past and his liaisons with both sexes. Then she stumbled upon his association with a casino owner that involved corruption and drugs. Zito apparently either embezzled or maybe just walked away with two million dollars from him. A very nasty business with far reaching implications.”

“Wow, he wasn’t slow in seizing the opportunity to rob his lover was he?”

“I guess you could call it that. No way was the straight-laced Miss Langley going to be saddled publicly with this sorry excuse for a human being. Fortunately for her he was having an affair with Claudia Parrish. Alice seized the opportunity and told her husband causing him to go a little crazy. They banded together and devised his demise.”

“How did they know he would be on this cruise?”

“Easy, she invited him as she did the Parrish’s. That took up half the berths so she felt it would add reality to the scenario if there were people there who didn’t know any of them.”

“Oh you mean you and I?”

“Yeah and Tourtelot too, although that’s another story.”

“What do you mean another story?”

“Another story. Now do you want to know what happened here or shall I stop?” Fea chuckled as Holly blushed slightly.

“Go ahead I’ll get the other story out of you when we are back on the high seas.”

Fea looked at the pale woman. Here she was as cheerful as sin making light of everything when by all rights she should have been dead. Fortunately the long period in cold storage slowed down the deadly drugs action and saved her life.

“She hated her son, she had more cause to when he tried and apparently succeeded in courting her niece. To her that was the last straw and something flipped immediately. Add to that Leyton suffering his own hell knowing his wife was having an affair. All in all it meant murder, Leyton had the means and Alice the brains.”

“They would have gotten away with it if we hadn’t been onboard wouldn’t they?”

“Yes probably. Then again you wouldn’t be here recuperating either if I hadn’t gotten you into this disaster.”

“I wanted to be involved Fea you knew that, anyway there is a silver lining out of this.”

“Yeah? What exactly would that be?”

“Two things actually, Rebecca and Adam, I think she’ll be good for him.”

“Not sure I’d put up with a personality like that, he’s so…arrogant and full of himself. He doesn’t exactly come off as the most likeable person around.”

Moving a little in the bed trying to stifle the laughter that bubbled up, the description could be apt for Fea. “Oh I don’t know, I know someone else like that and she’s sitting quite close to me.”

Fea smote her head with her fist, “I’m sorry, I’ll leave.”

Holly looked at the blue eyes that starred at hers unwaveringly, “No Fea! Don’t be sorry stay here with me.”

“I was going to take a flight back to the States you should too with your injuries.”

“Oh, with this new found knowledge of solving cases you’ve decided to go home earlier and reap the rewards?” The bitterness in Holly’s tone couldn’t be disguised and she didn’t care either.

Fea knew what she was saying and why she was upset; the doctor had indicated she might be a little emotional.

“Actually no I’m going home to dissolve the agency. I realized that I wouldn’t be one of the greats I don’t have it in myself. Hell I didn’t suspect Alice.”

“What will you do?”

Looking into green concerned eyes she smiled and her blue orbs sparkled making Holly catch her breath.

“I was wondering if a certain doctor Maeder needed help?”

The words were spoken so low Holly struggled to catch them but somehow she managed.

“Exactly what kind of post are you looking for?”

“Anything as long as it’s close to you.”

Fea had used all her aces she was out there on a limb. She held her breath knowing if it didn’t work out it would another thing she had learned on this cruise. At least she had to try and not let the opportunity pass her by.

A heavily bandaged hand reached out as Holly trailed Fea’s face. Over her eyes, nose and finally her lips, “show me how close you want to be Fea.”

In all her life Fea had never been so scared and at the same time so brave, it was like coming home. Everything was making sense and exactly what she had missed all her life.

“So close you’re mine!” the words were whispered as Fea moved to capture Holly’s lips in a kiss neither of them had experienced before and one they would remember all their lives.

“I’m yours.” Holly gasped as she captured Fea’s lips again and drank her fill. This was heaven; she really had died and gone to Shangri-La.

Struggling out of the embrace some time later, Holly asked. “Incidentally who did push you on the stairs?”

“At a time like this you ask me that?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want any secrets between us, as you know it can cause friction in a big way!”

Fea laughed at the comment, the woman she held in her arms was weird beyond a shadow of doubt and she didn’t care! Everything was so right, why spoil it with logic.

“Okay Ms. Have to know it all, it was…Tourtelot.”

Struggling up out of the close embrace Holly gasped. “Tourtelot, hell Fea how many more are in the scheme of things.

“We still have Santorini and Istanbul to visit and you need someone to help you with the mundane things in life…and I can fill you in on our friend Tourtelot.”

Holly frowned, “little things?”

“Yeah like eating, drinking, dressing and un….”

“I get the picture Fea.” The blonde grinned and was overwhelmed once again by that wonderful smile. “Can I ask you one more thing, please?”

The dark head close to hers moved fractionally to allow blue eyes to ensnare glittering green ones. “One more question for the moment.”

“What did you wish for when you threw the coins in the Trevi fountain?” Holly waited and caught her breath as the lines around Fea’s eyes crinkled, and a tender expression crossed her features as she bent down to place a small gentle kiss on the blonde’s lips.

“I wished that a certain blonde, bubbly, captivating, desirable doctor I’d shared lunch with, would one day look at me with love in her bright gorgeous green eyes and allow me to stay close to her forever.”

Those very same eyes widened as Holly gasped out, “really!”

“Would you like me to stay close to you forever?”

The words flicked through Holly like a flame warming her whole body; somehow she knew this was right for this moment. Who knew what the future might bring but here and now she was ecstatically happy.

“How about you make it intimately closer and kiss me again.”

“No problem Ma’am.” As her lips sought out the blonde’s and they lost themselves in a passion neither had experienced before, both having the same thought running through their minds.

Let’s see what the fates hold for us beyond the horizon.

The Beginning