“Let’s go to our rooms first. That way the first wave of people will have left,” Larry suggested.
“Agreed,” both of us women said.
In my cabin, I decided to change into another pair of slacks and one of the blue Hawaiian blouses I bought. After a few minutes I joined Larry and Trisha. Together we headed down to Deck Five and walked down the off-ramp to our waiting bus.
—-
The luau consisted of a buffet meal at sit down tables. The last time I went to one of these with Henry, we had to sit on a grassy lawn. I remember my foot went to sleep when I got up to stand. I prefer sitting on chairs. Hawaiian dancers performed a story of love, lost love, and found love. Something like Romeo and Juliet.
During the show, I had to locate the restroom and afterward I decided to take a stroll around the facility. I sat down on one of the wooden benches to take in the warm fragrant air. After a few minutes, I heard a man’s voice from the shadows.
“It’s a lovely evening, isn’t it?” a man said.
“Yes, it is,” I replied, not realizing at first who spoke.
Before I knew it, the man with the black beard sat down next to me. Another large man was standing nearby. His hands folded in front of his huge frame with his legs spread apart. I did not feel safe.
“I think I’d better leave and rejoin my friends, Mr. McCarthy,” I said, about to stand. “They’ll be expecting me.”
“All right, but just remember this. Don’t keep what doesn’t belong to you, madam,” he threatened in a low voice pointing his finger at me. What could I say to that?
I said nothing and stood. They didn’t stop me as I walked back into the luau festivities.
Much to my surprise, I could see Larry and Trisha on stage taking hula lessons. I sat in my chair and watched them have their fun. Larry moved back and forth a little while Trisha strut her moves like a pro. The music over, they returned to their seat laughing and giggling. I’m glad they had a good time. I didn’t want to worry them right now.
“You should have been up with us, Susan. Where did you go?” Trisha asked.
“Just for a walk. I saw most of your dance. You did good, Larry,” I shouted above the din in the room. The noise level in the room wasn’t’ conducive to discussing my encounter.
The hour was late when the buses drove all of us back to the ship. I didn’t want to worry my friends about that McCarthy fellow right now. The evening was too nice to spoil. I’ll tell them later when the timing is right and there are less people around me to hear.
—-
The next day after breakfast we walked around the outside of the Fifth Deck as the ship rounded one of the smaller islands. The ocean air smelled fresh and clean by Idaho standards in the mountains.
“Something happened last ni–“ I began to tell who I ran into at the luau when Larry’s phone rang, interrupting the moment.
“Hello,” he said and stopped walking. “Yeah, Okay. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Who was that?” Trisha asked.
“The Purser’s office, the Master of Arms wants to talk to us.”
“I hope he doesn’t think I stole that necklace,” I said.
“We’ll find out what he has to say,” Larry said. “Then I’ll hire the best lawyer in town.”
“Very funny,” I replied.
“You were about to say something, Susan?” Trisha asked.
“Uh, I, oh, I ran into that McCarthy person last night.”
“Oh?” Larry asked and turned toward me.
“Well, he didn’t do anything but threaten me again.”
“Susan, I wished you said something last night,” he said, frowning.
“I didn’t want to spoil your happiness,” I replied.
“Susan, honey,” Trisha said, taking my hand, “You shouldn’t let other people intimidate you. I know you think more of others than yourself but please let us know next time. Okay?”
“Okay.”
We walked back inside the ship and caught the next elevator going down.
The Purser’s office door was open and Larry strolled in first. The officer was sitting behind his desk and the Master of Arms stood nearby.
“Thank you for coming. Please have a seat. M.A. Ronald Farmer and I have come up with a plan if you want to help us out to catch these thieves,” the Purser said.
We sat down with Trisha on my left and Larry on my right.
“Okay, what do you have in mind?” Larry asked.
The Purser reached into his center desk drawer and pulled out a small box wrapped in decorative silver foil. He set the pocket-sized container on top of his calendar mat.
“We discussed your idea of wearing this necklace to the formal ball. We can have several officers out of uniform watching you or dancing near you. Mrs. Edwards, would you be willing to participate? We could use an undercover officer but you are the one the thieves chose to carry the necklace on board. We now know this from the security cameras at the jewelry store we received yesterday.”
“I don’t know,” I muttered. “How soon do you need to know?”
“Now would be preferable. That way I can schedule my people in time.”
The Master of Arms, Ronald, leaned forward and placed his hands on the edge of the Purser’s desk.
“If you help us out, not only will we compensate your room but negotiate the removal of all the tour charges from your account,” he said.
I thought about it for a few minutes. “Maybe Ivan can help me if I get into trouble?” I thought.
“Mrs. Edwards?” he asked again.
“Oh, all right. You just better have your people close to me,” I said, realizing I might overstep myself in suggesting this option.
“That’s the plan.”
“Are you sure, Susan?” Larry and Trisha asked at the same time.
“I want this resolved. It’s getting old.”
The Purser pushed the little box toward me. I looked around and opened the box. Sure enough, there was the diamond
