Deceptive duos above dec.., p.1
Deceptive Duos above Deck: Cruising Cozy Mysteries Book 2, page 1
Deceptive Duos above Deck
Cruising Cozy Mysteries Book 2
L. A. Marie
Copyright © 2024 by L.A. Marie
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by copyright law.
Publisher's Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Also by L. A. Marie
Chapter 1
Nancy and Thomas boarded the cruise ship, The Liberty Voyager, a familiar yet seemingly altered vessel. As Nancy’s eyes scanned the polished decks and sparkling rails, she couldn't shake off a peculiar feeling – the ship was the same, but perhaps she was the one who had changed. The memories of her last adventure on this very ship, where she unexpectedly turned into a sleuth, lingered in her mind, painting both nostalgia and anxiety in her heart.
"I'm glad to be back," Nancy admitted, her voice laced with a hint of unease.
Thomas, ever the beacon of optimism, reassured her with a comforting smile. "It's going to be alright, Nancy. For me, it's another vacation!" he added with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar, vivacious presence. Millie, a friend of Nancy’s granddaughter, greeted them on the deck. Her cheerful smile and youthful vigor were as refreshing as the sea breeze. Millie, a waiter on the ship, had become an unexpected ally to Nancy during her last mystery-solving escapade.
"Welcome back, Mrs. Nancy!" Millie exclaimed with her usual infectious enthusiasm. As her gaze drifted to Nancy's extra bag, bulging slightly at the seams, Millie's eyes twinkled with recognition. The bag, an assortment of delicate stems peeking out, coupled with the unmistakable outline of a floral snipper and thin, graceful vases visible through the slightly ajar zipper, spoke volumes of its contents.
Millie's keen observation didn't miss the slight tremble of Nancy's hands as she clutched the bag. "Everything will be just fine," she reassured her, her voice carrying the warmth of a comforting embrace.
Thomas nodded in agreement. "That's what I've been telling her," he said, wearing a playful grin.
Nancy offered a weak smile in return. "It's easy for you to say, Thomas. It's one thing to enjoy Ikebana as a hobby, quite another to conduct an official workshop on a cruise ship." Nancy's passion for Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging known for its simplicity and harmony, had filled her home with elegant arrangements and had become her signature gift to friends and family. It was an art form she had devotedly nurtured over the years.
After her last journey on The Liberty Voyager, Captain Geoffrey Harlow had expressed a desire to introduce new activities for the guests. When Nancy casually suggested Ikebana, the captain, with Thomas’s enthusiastic endorsement of her skills, had promptly offered her the role of workshop manager. At first, Nancy had laughed it off, modestly dismissing herself as an expert. But the captain's offer to let Thomas cruise for free if she accepted had been too good to pass up. After some gentle persuasion from both the captain and Thomas, Nancy had awkwardly agreed, envisioning a relaxed role where she could share her hobby without stringent expectations.
Now, standing on the deck, the reality of her commitment suddenly felt overwhelming.
"Don’t worry, Nancy, you’re a natural," Millie said encouragingly.
Nancy managed a reluctant smile. "And if it makes anything easier, the ladies on the ship aren’t too fussy. They just want to be part of something, to belong to a group. It won’t matter much what you teach," Millie added, trying to alleviate her concerns.
Nancy appreciated Millie's attempt to comfort her, but the idea that her workshop might not be taken seriously didn’t exactly bolster her confidence. She chose not to voice this thought, knowing Millie meant well.
The Liberty Voyager, already a hive of activity with passengers boarding, buzzed with a new level of excitement. Nancy, her eyes observing the scene, noticed a sudden gathering in the pathway. She turned to Millie, her curiosity piqued. "Who are they?" she asked, nodding towards the young, athletic group making their entrance with a certain flair.
Millie's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, Mrs. Nancy, they're the stars of the moment! That's the ice hockey team who just clinched the Mid-Atlantic Championship. It’s a big deal because no one saw it coming! They were the ultimate underdogs."
Thomas, overhearing the conversation, chimed in with a chuckle. "Sounds like a real-life sports movie plot, doesn't it?"
Laughing in agreement, Millie added, "Oh, Mr. Thomas, this goes beyond any movie plot!
Nancy watched the team, their energy and camaraderie infectious. "I can see why they've caused such a stir," she remarked.
"Did you know Tyler Mason is on board?" Millie's eyes frantically searched the crowd as she spoke. "He's the star player who led them to victory. His performance in the tournament, particularly in those critical moments, was nothing short of phenomenal. People are calling him the find of the decade!"
Nancy, who had little interest in sports, found herself intrigued. "Really? I must say, I'm more impressed by your knowledge of all this, Millie!"
Millie's gaze flitted playfully across the deck. "To be honest, my interest in hockey started and ended with Tyler Mason," she said with a mischievous grin. "It's amazing how one player can suddenly make the whole sport seem fascinating!"
Suddenly, her eyes sparkled even brighter. "There he is!"
Nancy followed Millie's gaze to a tall, athletically built young man with sandy brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was signing autographs, his demeanor both gracious and charismatic.
"Why don't you go get his autograph?" Nancy suggested, noticing Millie's hesitant admiration.
Millie sighed, a touch of regret in her voice. "I wish I could, Mrs. Nancy, but we have strict rules here. I can’t just approach a guest unless it’s part of my service duties or they ask for something. It’s all about maintaining professionalism." She made air quotes as she said "professionalism," her eyes rolling playfully to underscore her frustration with the rules.
Nancy nodded, understanding the constraints of Millie's job. "Well, who knows? Maybe he'll come to the dining hall and you'll have your chance," she said, trying to offer some hope.
Seeing Millie lost in her thoughts, Nancy quietly added, "I think I'll head to my room and settle in..." But Millie seemed scarcely to hear her, her gaze still fixed on the distant figures on the deck. Thomas, noticing this, gave Nancy a gentle nudge and a knowing smile, silently suggesting they leave Millie in her dazed state. With a soft smile of her own, Nancy followed Thomas, leaving Millie to her daydreams. As they walked, Nancy's mind was a whirl of thoughts – from the excitement of the Ice hockey team to her own upcoming workshop.
Little did she know that this voyage on The Liberty Voyager would turn into a mystery beyond her expectations.
Chapter 2
In the grand dining hall of The Liberty Voyager, Nancy and Thomas found themselves amidst an atmosphere brimming with excitement. The room, adorned with elegant decor and soft, golden lighting, buzzed with the chatter of guests, all eagerly anticipating the evening's proceedings.
At a nearby table, the Ice Hockey team, including their coach, was gathered, their presence adding an air of celebrity to the hall. The ship's entertainment crew had arranged a lively dance performance, which added to the vibrant ambiance, drawing appreciative applause and smiles from the guests.
As the performance concluded, Captain Geoffrey Harlow stepped confidently onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. Clearing his throat, he introduced himself with a warm smile, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I am Captain Geoffrey Harlow, and it is my pleasure to welcome you aboard The Liberty Voyager!" His voice boomed across the hall, rich with enthusiasm. "Tonight, we have some very special guests among us – the champions of the Mid-Atlantic Ice Hockey Championship!" Applause erupted, the guests turning to acknowledge the team with cheers and claps.
The captain continued, "And there's more! Tonight, we offer you a unique opportunity to dine with these talented athletes. We'll be holding a bidding auction, but here's the twist – it's entirely voluntary for our sports stars. Only those who wish to participate will be up for bidding, with all proceeds going to the 'Bright Futures Educational Trust,' a charity committed to offering quality education to underprivileged children. Rest assured, every penny you bid will be a step towards brightening a child's future. Let's see which of our champions are stepping up tonight, and let the bidding begin!"
Nancy observed the scene from her vantage point as the bidding commenced, the room alive with an infectious energy.
Next, Ethan Clarke stepped up to the stage. The bidding for Ethan started with the same initial enthusiasm, quickly escalating as guests competed. The final bid for a seat at Ethan's table was an impressive $350, drawing appreciative applause from around the room.
The atmosphere, already buzzing, reached a fever pitch as Tyler Mason's name was called. The room erupted in louder cheers as the star player made his way to the stage, his charisma and sports fame instantly elevating the mood. The bidding for Tyler began at $50, just like the others, but it was immediately clear that the stakes were higher. Eager guests waved their paddles frantically, the bid amounts soaring as each tried to outdo the other. The numbers climbed rapidly – $200, $500, $750 – until finally, the winning bid was called at an astounding $1,000.
Meanwhile, Millie, busy serving tables, found her attention split between her duties and the ongoing bidding. Her gaze often lingered on Tyler Mason, a hint of excitement flickering in her eyes. While her professionalism usually didn't falter, tonight she was noticeably more distracted, occasionally pausing a moment too long at tables or briefly losing track of orders.
As expected, Tyler Mason, the star player, fetched the highest bid of the evening, his table instantly becoming the main attraction. Nancy, watching the enthusiastic crowd, couldn't help but be drawn into the excitement, yet her observant eyes didn't miss the nuances of the interactions among the players, especially as the spotlight shone brightest on Tyler.
While most of the team basked in the attention, Nancy's observant eyes caught a subtle undercurrent of tension.
Two team members, sitting slightly apart from the group, seemed less than thrilled. One, a burly figure with a distinctive red buzzcut, leaned in to whisper something to his companion, a leaner athlete sporting a noticeable scar above his eyebrow. Their expressions were tight, and their claps for Tyler appeared half-hearted and forced.
Although Nancy couldn't hear their words, their body language spoke volumes. The player with the scar nodded sharply in response to his teammate's whisper, his brows furrowed in what seemed like a mix of concern and annoyance. The red-haired player crossed his arms defensively, his jaw set in a hard line.
Their coach, a stern-looking man with a graying beard, caught their exchange. His eyes narrowed, and with a subtle yet stern gesture, he urged them to cease their private discussion. The players, catching the warning, straightened up and tried to blend back into the celebratory mood, though their forced smiles didn't quite mask the tension.
Nancy couldn't help but focus on the discordant note within the team, which stood in stark contrast to their public image of unity and triumph. Intrigued, she began to ponder the nature of this rift, her detective instincts fully engaged.
After dinner, the bustling atmosphere of the dining hall left Nancy feeling a need for some quiet. She decided to take a leisurely stroll along the less crowded upper deck, the cool night air offering a tranquil space for her thoughts about the upcoming Ikebana workshop.
As she walked, lost in her thoughts about flower arrangements and guest interactions, she stumbled upon Millie. The young waitress, having just finished her shift, leaned against the railing, gazing out at the starlit ocean.
"Evening, Millie," Nancy greeted her with a warm smile as she approached. "How was your night?"
Millie exhaled deeply, her expression a mix of playful ruefulness and frustration. "Honestly, Nancy, it was a bit of a challenge." Her gaze briefly flickered away, as if recalling the evening's events.
Nancy's chuckle was gentle, her eyes twinkling with amusement and understanding. "I did notice a certain... shall we say, 'star-struck' quality in your service."
Nancy, leaning on the railing beside Millie, glanced at her with a look of playful curiosity. "You know, considering how young and successful he is, and not to mention quite the charmer, it does make one wonder," she began, her voice low and teasing, "why he hasn't been snatched up yet. Is there no girlfriend or wife in the picture?" Her smile was warm, inviting a moment of shared speculation between them.
Millie returned the smile, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, from what I've heard, there was a girlfriend not too long ago... But they ended things a couple of months back. It was all very secretive, so much so that nobody really knows who she was." She paused, her smile fading into a thoughtful look. "Seems like he keeps that part of his life pretty close to the chest."
Shifting her focus back to the immediate concern, Millie's expression grew more earnest, a touch of self-mockery coloring her voice. "Before I get too carried away, I really need to buckle up! If I want to keep this job, it's time to get my head back in the game. Or rather off the game... You know what I mean..." She trailed off, casting a glance at Nancy, seeking a bit of solidarity in her predicament.
Nancy gave a reassuring nod, her smile encouraging. "You've got this."
With a determined nod, Millie affirmed, "No more Ice Hockey for me!"
Just then, a voice echoed in the corridor, "It would be a great loss for our team if we lose a fan." Both women turned, and there stood Tyler Mason, his presence as commanding off the ice as on it.
Millie's face flushed with surprise. "Oh my gosh, do you think he heard me?" she whispered to Nancy.
Nancy, suppressing a smile, replied, "Talk about timing."
As Tyler approached, Millie opened her mouth to greet him, but her words seemed to vanish before they could be voiced. Nancy, quickly picking up on Millie's starstruck silence, smoothly stepped in. She extended her hand towards Tyler with a friendly smile. "Hello, I’m Nancy. Afraid I'm not much of a sports fan, but Millie here is a huge fan of yours and the sport." She glanced at Millie with a playful twinkle in her eye and added teasingly, "Or used to be, should I say?"
In a gentle but urgent nudge, Millie subtly elbowed Nancy, a silent plea for her to not reveal too much.
Tyler shook Nancy's hand and then turned to Millie, whose hand hesitantly met his after a brief, awkward pause. "Nice to meet you both," he said with a warm smile.
Millie finally found her voice, her excitement palpable. "I'm a huge fan! I watched every game. Before this season, I barely knew the difference between a puck and a stick, but now I feel like I've got a PhD in Ice Hockey!"
Tyler's smile grew at her enthusiasm. "That's great to hear! Always exciting to have new fans."
Millie, feeling more confident, leaned in slightly. "So, about that final game - the tension was incredible! When you set up for that crucial goal in the third period, what was going through your mind? Were you planning that play all along or was it a spur-of-the-moment decision?"
Tyler paused, seeming to consider his response. "Well, it's hard to describe. It was a bit of both, I guess," he replied, his answer lacking the depth Millie had hoped for. A hint of awkwardness tinged the air between them.
Sensing the need to shift the conversation, Nancy chimed in. "Speaking of new things, I'm hosting an Ikebana workshop tomorrow. It’s the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Quite therapeutic."
To their surprise, Tyler's eyes brightened. "Ikebana, you say? That sounds fascinating! I’ve always been interested in different cultural arts. I’d love to join your workshop tomorrow," he responded with genuine interest.
After a moment of pleasant conversation, Tyler glanced at his watch and then back at Millie and Nancy. "Well, I must be on my way. It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Nancy," he said with a formal nod. Then, turning to Millie with a warm smile, he added, "And Millie, keep up the support, alright? We don't want to lose a fan like you. Take care now."
As Tyler walked away, Millie stood there, seemingly frozen in a blissful daze, her mouth gaping open.
Nancy, noticing this, teased lightly, "Millie, you're catching flies," as she playfully nudged Millie's chin up to close her mouth.
"He remembered my name," Millie whispered in awe, a dreamy smile spreading across her face. "My name sounds so much sweeter when he says it."
