“Oh my, God,” I said as I looked around.
I wanted to pick up my signed book copy when Larry intervened.
“Better leave it there for now in case there are fingerprints. I’ll call security,” he said.
“I can’t find anything missing and if we do our plan for tonight may be busted,” I whispered so the housekeeper couldn’t hear.
“You’re right. I’ll tell her to clean up the room after someone from the Purser’s office wants to have a look. Can you find the outfit you want to wear tonight without moving much?” he asked me.
“It’s right here and over there,” I said, picking up the skirt, the under slip, and my white blouse with sparkling rhinestones.
Larry checked the bathroom to gather up his shaving gear and put them into his small brown zip case.
“Lynn, wait on cleaning the room. We may have an officer from the ship check out my room first.”
“So sorry, I can return in a couple of hours. Is that okay?” she asked.
“That should be fine.”
She nodded and I turned toward my friends.
“It doesn’t look like anything was taken, just messed up. Maybe some teenager got in and thought he would have some fun.”
Trisha looked at me and again at my room when she gave her signature, “Riiiiiiight. You always think the good in people no matter what has happened.”
“Well, we weren’t here, were we?” I replied.
“Do you think someone was looking for that necklace?” I asked him.
“I’m sure they were,” he said, furrowing his eyebrows.
“Don’t you think the Master of Arms should know about this?” Trisha asked her husband.
“I should go down and talk with him in person. I don’t want to leave you two alone,” he said.
“Just tap your special knock and we’ll check the peephole for you,” his wife said.
He kissed Trisha and opened the cabin door. After a couple of quick glances up and down the hallway, he slipped away. Trisha double locked the door.
“What’s your special knock?” I asked.
“Two knocks, a pause, and then one knock,” she replied. “Let’s watch a movie.”
About a half an hour later, Larry returned. He gave his special knock, and I checked the peephole. I could see him and someone behind him. Trisha opened the door for him to step inside.
In the doorway, behind Larry, was a ship officer.
“Well, after I talked to the Master of Arms, he decided to put a few more people on the dance floor,” he said. “This man will look at your room.”
“Madam, will you show me your cabin?” the uniformed man asked.
“Yes, this way,” I replied and guided him to my door number.
He walked in while I waited at the open door. He took a couple of pictures and turned back toward me.
“Do you have any idea who might have done this?” he asked.
“No, maybe this was just a prank,” I suggested.
He made a note. “I will file this report. In the meantime, I’ll have the steward make up your room.”
“Thank you. Oh, my book. Do you think there would be any fingerprints on it?”
He turned around to note the book’s location. “Do you mind?”
“No, as long as I get it back. Will it be real dirty after you’re done?”
He pulled on his white gloves from his pockets and picked up my book.
“No, we have the latest laser scanner for items such as this. I’ll get this back to you by the end of the day.”
“Thank you,” I said, watching him leave my cabin.
I didn’t know what to feel. This mess was more than just a random act. Trisha and Larry met me outside my door.
“We are going to watch a movie. Come, friend,” Trisha said, trying to distract me.
“Hon, I’m going to pass,” Larry said, “The officer wanted me to scout around the ship and see if I can locate Susan’s friends.”
“They’re not my friends,” I protested.
“I’ll see you later,” he said and walked back into the hallway.
For the next two hours we tried to keep our minds off the future danger I faced. The movie in the bar lounge was light-hearted and funny at times.
Afterward, we walked back to our cabins. I check mine and noted the steward had the room remade. We returned to Trisha’s cabin and we decided to get dressed for the formal ball.
“Larry didn’t leave me the necklace!” I gasped.
“Don’t worry. He’ll be back in time,” she consoled me.
By the time I dressed and put my makeup on, Larry returned holding a large bag in his hand.
“You look great, Susan,” he said, looking me up and down.
“Larry,” Trisha said, “the necklace?”
“Oh, yeah, here you are. Safe and sound,” he said, unzipping his leg pocket and removing the silver box.
He helped me fasten the jewelry around my neck. Trisha gave me her approval.
“Well, I’d better look the part too,” Larry said. He pulled out a black tuxedo and slacks out of the large sack with a black tie. Then he entered the bathroom to change. When he came out, his transformation was superb.
“Oh, Larry, you look great,” Trisha said.
“Yes, you do,” I said. “Well, gang, it’s time to get the show rolling.”
We checked the hallway and after we closed the cabin door we headed for the elevator lobby. Another well-dressed couple greeted us before we entered the elevators and we all rode up to the Sixteenth Deck. My guess, by their stiff pose, they would be these are our bodyguards.
Chapter 20
The Formal Ball
We stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the center floor. The Blue Danube melody greeted us as entered the top deck of our ship. Couples danced past in a rainbow of colored lights, flickering from above the ladies’ flowing pastel gowns, contrasting against the black tuxedos of the men. I almost felt underdressed but realized most of those attending were officers or crew of the ship. We walked around the mandala stage pattern stage where I recognized a few girls from the Registration Desk, a couple of men in
