London hadn’t had time for dinner, and she was hoping to settlein at the bar for nourishment and a chat with her bartender friend, Elsie Sloan.As she headed across the lounge, she noticed Amy Blassingame, the ship’sconcierge, at a table near a window. Although London waved, Amy quickly turnedher head toward the window, as though she was only aware of the view. Since itwas dark outside, London wondered just how interesting that view could be.
Maybe she didn’t see me, London thought.
Of course it could be that Amy was miffed over something and justdidn’t want to see her.
London sighed. She was Amy’s boss, but she always hoped to keep afriendly relationship between them. Unfortunately, she and Amy had been at oddsduring much of the voyage so far. She thought maybe she should go sit down withher and try to be friendly.
Or should I just get a sandwich first? And a drink?
Before she could make a decision, she heard tentative notes beingplayed on a piano. She turned and saw Letitia Hartzer standing on a littlestage on one side of the large open room. The accompanist London had arrangedfor her was already riffling a few notes on the keys.
Our resident kleptomaniac is about to sing, London thoughtwith a smile.
London liked Letitia, despite her unfortunate character flaw.Thank goodness Letitia’s thefts had been small and innocuous, and when she’dbeen caught she’d pledged never to take anything again. Now Letitia wanted todo a cabaret act here in the lounge, and London had agreed to set that up forher.
“How is everybody this evening?” Letitia asked, smiling at theaudience.
At least some people called out that they were fine. Othersobviously weren’t paying any attention, which of course wasn’t at all unusualfor a setting like this. London hoped Letitia understood that. The largeAmadeus Lounge in the bow of the ship provided a variety of seating at tablesof various sizes, clusters of chairs and little sofas, and barstools at thewide bar across the far end of the room. On the starboard side was amini-casino. Between that and the bar was a piano and a raised platform for theoccasional performance.
As she looked over the room, London realized that someone seatedalone at a table definitely was watching Letitia closely, and probably notbecause of any anticipated musical skills. At least, London was pretty surethat the man was staring at the singer. It was always hard to tell exactly whatBob Turner, the ship’s so-called security expert, was looking at. The manalways wore those mirrored sunglasses, day and night, indoors and out.
Bob had been the first person aboard the Nachtmusik todiscover Letitia’s kleptomania. Now he sat staring at her with his armscrossed, as if he expected her to snatch up a saltshaker from one of thetables. After all, he’d caught her doing that very thing once before.
She looks nervous, London thought, hoping that Letitiahadn’t noticed Bob’s scrutiny.
London worried for a moment. The last time she had heard Letitiatry to sing, the woman had humiliated herself by fumbling a Mozart aria.
Now as the pianist vamped an introduction, Letitia took a deepbreath and seemed to gather up her courage. Then she burst into a wide, impishgrin and launched into a rendition of Cole Porter’s sprightly, slightly risquéclassic, “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love.”
London chuckled with surprise. Letitia was a tall, stout womanwho usually wore the stern face of a dour society matron. She cut anincongruous figure in a long sequined gown, smiling and swaying to the jazzytune. Letitia seemed to know it too, and she winked knowingly at the audienceas she put a bawdy emphasis on each of Cole Porter’s naughty double entendres.
The people near the little stage broke into smiles, and even somecustomers who hadn’t seemed interested in listening now began to pay attention.
Letitia’s going to be a hit, London thought happily.
Deciding that food and drink would have to come before Amy,London made her way toward the bar. As she passed near Bob’s table, he gesturedto her, so she stopped and leaned over to hear him.
“Where’s my partner in crime-fighting?” he asked.
London knew that he was referring to her dog. Bob had come toconsider Sir Reggie an investigative colleague. But the little YorkshireTerrier had stopped following London around a while ago, and she assumed he’dreturned to her stateroom. His doggie door gave him the freedom to come and goas he pleased.
“I guess he decided to turn in early,” London replied.
“Yeah, we private eyes need our rest,” Bob said. “But I’m stillon duty. Got to keep a sharp watch on our delinquent lady yonder.”
London just nodded and continued on her way toward the bar. Shewas pleasantly surprised to see that Captain Hays himself was sitting on abarstool chatting with Elsie, the head bartender. It was unusual to see theportly, middle-aged Englishman away from his post on the bridge or somebusiness meeting in his office. Now his walrus-style mustache wriggledcheerfully as he and London exchanged playful salutes when she sat down next tohim
Elsie had obviously seen London coming. The two had been friendsfor many years, and they’d worked together on lots of cruise ships. As soon asLondon got there, Elsie set a cocktail glass with a reddish drink in front ofher.
“Your Manhattan, just as you ordered it, ma’am,” she joked.
London took a sip and savored its hearty rye flavor sweetenedslightly with vermouth.
“Excellent as always,” London said.
Then she turned back to the captain. “Are you actually taking abreak?” she asked him.
“Of sorts, and only briefly,” he said.
Raising his glass he added, “Sometimes I have to fortify myselfwith lime and tonic water. Don’t tell anybody you caught me drinking on duty.”
Elsie winked at London, put her hand beside her mouth, andsilently mouthed the words, “Not a drop of alcohol.”
London laughed.
“Your secret is safe with me, Captain Hays,” London said.
“I’m sure I can trust your discretion,” the captain said with alaugh.
Then London remembered the disagreeable episode that had takenplace earlier today up on the Rondo deck.
“Oh, I’m glad I got a chance to talk to you, Captain,” she said. “Oneof our passengers has
