The Cruise
Lost at Sea
Urban Three
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2017
Authored By A. Nation
Published 2017
A Books2Read Edition
#31Mnjn
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to thank those that gave me support and tolerated my persistence in writing my story; they are by first names only as they know who they are: Yuma Writer’s on the Edge
Shirley, Christie, and Nancy.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Crime on Deck
Chapter 2 – Packing
Chapter 3 – Lunch at Bosloe’s
Chapter 4 – Fin and Cal
Chapter 5 – Last Details
Chapter 6 – Ocean Flight
Chapter 7 – The Swedish Star
Chapter 8 – Touring the Island
Chapter 9 – Shopping and Whales
Chapter 10 – Day’s End
Chapter 11 –The Next Day
Chapter 12 – Ivan
Chapter 13 – Lorilee
Chapter 14 – Discovery
Chapter 15 – His Ghost
Chapter 16 – The Necklace
Chapter 17 – Master of Arms
Chapter 18 – Ship’s Tour
Chapter 19 – My Roomie
Chapter 20 – The Formal Ball
Chapter 21 – Kidnapped
Chapter 22 - Escape
Chapter 23 - Capture
Chapter 24 - Relief
Chapter 25 - The Funeral
Chapter 26 - Vernon
Chapter 27 –The Airport
Chapter 28 - Disguised
Chapter 29 - The Search
Chapter 30 - Deflection
Chapter 31 - The Unthinkable
Chapter 32 – Home Sweet Home
Character List:
Susan Edwards - Main Character
Trisha Paiger - Susan’s Neighbor
Larry Paiger - Trisha’s husband
Hobnobby - Gnome
Finindaddle - Scientist
Calliefogle - Scientist
Thyla - Feline Woman
Jacob Pearson - Police officer
Bosloe - Restaurant Owner
Colin - Friend of Bosloe
Jack Oput - Farmer in Firth
Sally Montgomery - Susan’s Friend
René Polson - Susan’s Friend
Nokken - Water Spirit
Nisser - Friendly Prankster
Elves - Peaceful Smithys
Condor - A talking raven
Lorilee Dawn Spiritualist
Vernon McCarthy Boss of Thieves
Ivan Ramanoff Ghost Steward
David Brook Ship Bartender
John Farmer Master of Arms
Preface
Have you ever had an event so dramatic to your soul, you see people that are not there? At first, I thought my experiences might have been a dream or an illusion. Hobs told me I have a gift. If you have a gift like mine, please use it with wisdom and care. I, Susan Edwards, have such a gift and sometimes it gets me in trouble.
Chapter 1
Crime on Deck
The hour was 2:00 am. The Swedish Star crewmen had just finished mopping around the tables near the bar on the deck of the stern. The smell of bleach lingered in the moist air intensified by the heavy humidity. A solitary steward, working near the buffet lounge not far from the outside bar, gathered up the last plate smeared with the blueberry pie stains along with the fork and a nearby coffee cup.
Most of the passengers at this hour, who enjoyed their late night party around the bar with their friends or love affairs, had retired for the evening. The last couple, who had stayed up for a late night snack, left for their ship cabins. The only passengers left on the deck were a few men talking at the curved railing while the crashing of waves and the engines roared behind the ship. A light breeze brushed across the rear of the ship causing the muffled voices to carry with the wind. As the steward wiped down the table outside the buffet sliding doors, he could hear the men’s voices escalating in volume. One man, in particular, was bellowing at another person.
“I should call the Master of Arms,” the steward thought as he listened to the threatening conversation. From his vantage point, he could see two large men dressed in black suits, one more slender than the rest, and a fourth short man with a husky build wearing a dinner suit.
“Where did you hide it?” one of the brawny men shouted.
“I don’t know where it is,” cried the slight man, backing up against the railing. “Someone must have taken it.”
The robust man near the shorter one smacked the slight person in the jaw causing the victim to stumble to the side of the rail. Blood sprayed out from the impact toward one of the life raft canisters.
“Please,” the weakened man moaned, holding the back of his hand to his bleeding mouth.
The shorter man, bent down to speak to the injured man.
“You must know where it is. I paid you a great deal of money and now you try to steal it from me?” He hissed and nodded to another large man standing on his other right side.
A blow hit the victim’s gut. He slid to the deck, unconscious. The attacker nudged the immobile body but didn’t receive a response. The wind, picking up speed, blew across the stern.
A sharp ringing sound of something hitting the floor, turned the men’s attention just as the waves slapped against the ship’s metal exterior.
“Did you hear that?” asked one the heavy-set men.
“I heard it too, check it out,” said the well-dressed man adjusting his white broad-brimmed hat.
The steward had edged closer to the group of angry men to see what they were doing. Still holding the dirty plates, he hadn’t noticed in time to catch the fork sliding off the dishware. It clanged and bounced on the hard floor of the deck. All of a sudden a splash sounded in the distance which reminded him of the lifeboat drops during the practice muster drills.
Then the sudden sharp pain in the back of his head was the last thing he remembered as he slumped down to the washed deck.
“Who’s this?” asked the shorter man approaching the unconscious steward.
“One of the cleaning help, I guess, boss,” replied the attacker.
“Hey, boss, he’s comin’ to,” said the other thug standing near the victim.
“What did you hear?” the large man shouted.
“Oohhh, nothing. Who are you?” the steward moaned, looking up at the men while he rubbed the back of his head.
Looking
