I passed the coolers and freezers containing stored perishables until I reached the end of the hallway and turned right like Ivan instructed me. The corridor was dark. Soon I could see lights flickering ahead of me. I heard sounds of people talking, which encouraged me to follow the voices. I strolled by an open room filled with women putting on their makeup. That’s when I realized I was in the back of the theater at the dressing rooms.
Ambling on, I passed a man pulling on heavy curtain ropes hung from the ceiling. There I stood on the far left of the stage facing the occupied rows of theater seats. Rushing down the side steps, I trotted over to where Trisha and Larry usually sit and found them in the middle of the row still saving a spot for me. Scooting by several seated passengers, I sat down exhausted.
“I thought you were going to bring your sweater and what were you doing on stage?” she asked me.
“I’ll tell you later. Look the show is starting,” I whispered.
The dancing and singing act was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. The costume colors of red, blue, and gold were delightful to the eye. We could tell, when we stood up, the ship was sailing on its way to Kaua’i. The ocean was a little rougher tonight.
Did you take your seasick pill?” Larry asked his wife.
“Yes, I did. Don’t you get seasick, Susan?” she asked.
“No, but we’ll find out tonight.”
We made the walk to the lobby, and when the first elevator doors opened, we agreed too many people were heading inside, so we passed. The next one had only four passengers. We stepped in a rode up to Deck Ten.
When we exited, I first peeked around the corner of the cabin hallway to make sure that bearded man wasn’t there. With Larry nearby, I wasn’t too worried.
“What are you looking for?” Trisha asked as we began walking down the hall.
“After dinner when I came back to get my sweater, a man was standing near my door. Then he shouted at me. I ran down the stairs and took another elevator to the buffet room. There I saw three goons coming toward me and Ivan let me through one of the Crew Only doors. That’s why I ended up on the stage,” I explained.
“Ivan let you through?” Trisha asked.
“He did.”
“What did the man say?” Larry asked as he pulled out his door key.
“Where is my package? Do you suppose he wants that necklace I found? By the way, where is it?” I asked.
“Susan, tonight I insist you stay with Trisha and I’ll sleep in your room. No ifs, ands, or buts, that’s the plan for tonight.”
“And the necklace?” I asked again.
“It’s safe as long as it’s in the Purser’s office. We’ll deal with that problem tomorrow,” he said.
I sighed. “All right, I need to get a few things out of my cabin before I bunk in with you, Trisha.”
“Fine,” Larry said. “Trisha, you stay here. I’ll go with you, Susan, just in case there’s someone in your room.” He pressed his mouth closed.
I unlocked my door, and we both entered my cabin. I collected my toiletries, my nightshirt, my book and a change of clothes for tomorrow.
Larry surveyed the smaller compartment and tested my locked balcony door. I handed him my room key as we exited and walked over to Trisha still standing by her cabin.
He reached out toward me.
“Here’s my key in case you get separated from Trisha. Don’t leave her side, understood?” he asked.
“I won’t, thank you, Larry,” I replied.
Trish gave him a kiss when he bent down to her, and then we turned to enter her cabin.
“I’m sorry I have to put you and Larry through this,” I said.
“This isn’t your fault. Now, remember that. Our tender ferry is leaving between nine and eleven. Let’s see if we can talk to the Purser around eight o’clock tomorrow morning. We’ll get up at six and have breakfast first. Okay with you?” she asked.
“Sounds good to me,” I said as I set my phone alarm.
“What did Ivan say?” she asked while I placed my things on the nightstand beside my bed.
“Not much, he just helped me escape from the men. I ended up in the crew section of the ship where they make the meals and wash the laundry,” I explained.
“Try not to think about it. Night, Susan,” she said as we each crawled into one of the beds.
Chapter 17
Master of Arms
I had a good night’s sleep until I heard both of our phones ringing their melodies at six o’clock in the morning.
We hurried to dress and comb out our hair when someone knocked on Trisha’s door. She pulled out her mace just in case. I checked the peephole and could see Larry standing in the hallway. As soon as I gave her the thumbs up signal, she opened the door.
“Good morning, Hon. Glad to see you’re ready for anything,” he said, watchful of her grip on the mace sprayer.
“That I am. Are you hungry?” she asked him as she pocketed the weapon into her purse.
“I am. Good morning, Susan. Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“I did. Let’s get down to the buffet so we have time to visit the Purser before we leave the ship,” I said.
We ate a hearty meal of scrambled eggs and waffles within thirty minutes. Satisfied, we rode the elevator down to the Purser’s office. The time was now seven-thirty am. The glass office door remained locked with the open times listed for eight o’clock. So we decided to
