Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' (24 page)

Millie’s eyebrows rose with surprise.

Claire nodded. “He’s always so aloof and remote. He never acts like he’s enjoying himself and, except for his aunt, he doesn’t seem to be interested in anyone at the dinner table. I just thought he was so full of himself he was bored with us. But after talking to him today, I don’t think that’s true.”

“Well for goodness sakes, what did he say?”

“For one thing, he has a whole different slant on Anita’s disappearance.” She proceeded to explain Richard’s theory about Anita’s disappearance.

Millie nodded. “Well, it’s possible. It’s easy to see Mrs. Bernbaum wouldn’t take to being patronized for long.” She shook her head. “And he’s right, you only have to listen to her a short time to understand what she’s like. But I find it hard to believe she was so docile and willing to let Anita take control to begin with.” She thought a moment. “Well, of course if she had given up, if she didn’t really care anymore, then I guess I could see how she would just allow Anita to take charge.”

She gave Claire one of those looks she used when Claire was a child and she wanted a truthful answer to an important question. “You met Anita a couple of times. What did you think of her?”

Claire inwardly squirmed, careful to choose the right words. That look always unhinged her. “I thought she was a very strange person. I knew she wasn’t feeling well, so I tried to give her the benefit of that excuse even though she muttered what I thought were inappropriate comments under her breath so Mrs. Bernbaum wouldn’t hear her, but I could. Of course, that’s when I thought Mrs. Bernbaum was overlooking her negative attitude because of all the years of faithful service Anita had given her. But then Mrs. Bernbaum said she had only worked for her a few years. That surprised me, and I couldn’t think why she put up with Anita’s grumpiness.”

“So Richard might be right. What a mean, childish thing to do.” Millie was indignant.

Claire nodded. “That’s what I thought. And frankly, I’m inclined to believe Richard on this. I’d rather think it was a cruel childish prank than something more sinister.”

Millie nodded her agreement.

“But Richard also talked about his work with the elderly. He’s very passionate about it. I would have never guessed. He has some very definite ideas about the need to help the elderly complete their life quests, about tapping their experience and wisdom for the good of society, and about treating them with the respect they deserve. I must say, it gave me an entirely new view of him as a person.”

“Good afternoon to you, ladies. Did you have a good day?” Ian smiled down at them, effectively ending their conversation about Richard and his aunt.

“Ian, we did. Did you? Sit down and have a drink with us, why don’t you? Tell us what you’ve been doing. Where’s your brother?” Millie looked around and, then seeing Sean entering the lounge, waved to him.

Ian pulled out one of the empty chairs at the same time signaling to the waiter for service.

When the drinks had been ordered, they turned their attention to finding out what everyone had done with their day.

Millie told them about attending the interment of Nate’s ashes, concluding with, “It was very sad, but I think she was relieved to have it done. I think it was haunting her.”

“What did you do, Sean?” Claire asked.

“This morning we went on a tour of the town and out to Dyea, at least where Dyea used to be. This afternoon I took the train. In fact, I joined your friends. It was a lovely trip. We saw mountain goats, a moose and several eagles as well as stunning scenery.” He looked around. “Where are they? I expected to see them here.”

“Don’t worry, they’ll show up. It’s cocktail time,” Millie said with a smile.

Claire looked at Ian. “Didn’t you go on the train?”

He shook his head. “No, too tame. I felt I needed something a little more strenuous. I went out with a group of rock climbers. It was only a short trip, but fun. And it got some of the kinks out.” He flexed his shoulders.

Millie shook her head in wonderment. “You’re so energetic, Ian.”

“Now that I’m retired, I have the time to pursue all those activities I used to hear about and wish I could try. Now I feel I need to try them all.”

Lucy and Ruth joined them with a burst of chatter. “Millie, come on, we need to move into the theatre for the show. Don’t you remember?”

Millie started. “Oh, that’s right.” She glanced at her watch. “My church friends took this cruise in the spring and told us not to miss this show. This guy lives here in Skagway, year round, and he does these shows about the Klondike times for some of the cruise lines. He will do two and then get off before the ship sails. We need to go if we’re going to get a good seat.” Then correctly interpreting the dismayed looks on the brothers faces, “Don’t worry, you can order cocktails in the show.”

“You know who this is, don’t you?” Ruth asked. Then seeing the blank faces she told them, “Daisy’s brother. Remember, she said he manages the tour company and lives here year-around? Well, he is also the director of the show and the theatre they have in town. I saw his picture when we stopped there. Judging by the spiel Daisy gave, I expect this to be good.” They moved into the vast theatre to find choice seats.

Claire was shocked at Mrs. Bernbaum’s appearance when she sat down next to her at dinner. She realized that although she had originally thought Mrs. Bernbaum was ancient, as she got to know her, she had ceased noticing her age. But tonight Mrs. Bernbaum’s eyes were dull instead of snapping with interest, her smile gone, her lips were compressed in a narrow grim line, and her crepe paper skin was now very grayish in color. The total effect was alarming.

“Mrs. Bernbaum, how are you doing?” She reached over and gently laid her hand on Mrs. Bernbaum’s where it rested on the table.

“I’m fine, dear. Really!” Mrs. Bernbaum sighed. Then tried to answer Claire’s obvious concern. “Just tired. It’s the memories you see. All those memories just fill your head and exhaust you. I truly appreciated you and Millie coming to the cemetery. It was very kind of you and somehow it made the task a little easier.” Her attempted smile was pitiful.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen.” Antonio stood near Lucy, beaming at the entire table. “I invite you to join me for a champagne toast this evening. It’s a wonderful way to start your dinner.” He gestured grandly and Pedro and Juan set out graceful tulip shaped champagne flutes and one of the sommelier’s assistants brought three bottles of champagne. Antonio popped the cork on the first bottle and filled Lucy’s glass, then each of the ladies’ glasses while Pedro popped the cork on the second bottle and filled the men’s glasses. Then Antonio, with a flourish, lifted a glass of his own. “Here’s to another delightful dinner with congenial friends. Thank you all for joining our cruise.” And everyone responded with, “Hear, Hear” and sipped their wine.

Antonio smiled happily at everyone, bent over and whispered something in Lucy’s ear and then left them to enjoy their champagne, shrugging off their thanks for his generosity.

“I love the way the bubbles tickle my nose, don’t you?” Mrs. Bernbaum whispered to Claire. “I know it sounds kind of strange, but I think this is just what I needed to finalize today’s ceremony.” She took a generous swallow. “Somehow it makes me feel better.”

Claire took another sip and nodded. It was a nice way to start the meal. And she noticed how merry the others seemed.

Richard chatted with his aunt in a relaxed manner. Harold and her mother were discussing something, while Pearl laughed with Ian and Sean. Ruth whispered to Lucy and, even though Claire couldn’t hear what they said, she was positive it was something about Antonio. She could tell from Lucy’s pink face. It was a congenial group, almost as if they had become family. Everyday they were all off doing a variety of activities, but every night they gathered together and shared their adventures, enjoying each others experiences, enriching their own experiences. No wonder people raved about cruising. It was truly a wonderful way to travel.

Ruth tried to explain to Pearl and Harold about the show they had seen before dinner.

“It reminded me of a show I’ve seen in Wales,” Lucy added, then leaning forward she called down the table to Claire. “Claire, didn’t the show tonight remind you of that variety show you saw in Wales?”

Claire nodded, smiling. “Yes, now that I think of it. Of course, that one had a variety of skits, one after another; still this one was as much fun, certainly. The man is very talented and fun, don’t you agree?”

The others nodded and tried to explain to those who had missed it why it was so good. “You should have heard this man, Richard. He played the guitar and sang ditties and somehow managed to play the harmonica at the same time.” Sean laughed. The noise level at the table increased exponentially with their enthusiasm, or perhaps it was with their sips of champagne.

The meal proceeded in a leisurely fashion. Sometimes the conversation was global including all ten of them, sometimes it split up, multiple concurrent conversations going on at once. But Claire watched Richard keep an eye on his aunt. Obviously he, too, was concerned about her energy tonight.

When the sommelier poured the last of the champagne, Ian ordered two more bottles. “Can’t let the table go dry, now can we? Lucy, I hope you let Antonio know how much we appreciate his attentions. We realize who he is trying to impress, but truly he has impressed us all with his cooking and his generosity, heh?” He looked around the table for agreement.

Lucy smiled, taking the ribbing good-naturedly.

“We were talking to a couple on the shore excursion today,” Harold added. “They said Antonio hasn’t even stopped by their table.”

Pearl giggled. “You should have seen the look on their face when we told them about the special starter he had served us.”

“Yes, I think we can thank our lucky stars that we were seated at Lucy’s table. And I don’t mean just because my wife is a fan of hers.” Harold’s droll comment made everyone laugh.

“I’m stuffed. Everyday I promise myself to skip desert, but I never do.” Pearl put down her napkin and got ready to get up from the table. Her husband hurried to stand and hold her chair for her. “I think we need to go and get our exercise. Anyone want to join us?”

She laughed at the surprised expressions turned her way. “I get my exercise feeding coins to the slot machines. It helps me work off dinner.” She giggled as she left.

Everyone took that as the signal to disband and Claire asked Mrs. Bernbaum if she needed an escort back to her cabin.

“No, dear, thank you. Dickie will take me.” Richard helped his aunt stand up and then, holding her arm, he guided her through the jumble of empty tables and chairs.

“She looks awful,” Claire couldn’t help saying.

Millie nodded. “It’s like she aged twenty years.”

“Yeah, and that would make her well over a hundred and ten. Isn’t she feeling well? Did you ask her, Claire?” Ruth was concerned.

Claire nodded as she moved towards the exit. “She said she was fine, just tired.”

“It was probably harder than she expected to bury Nate,” was Millie’s opinion.

“Oh, that’s what she said. She told me the memories were very tiring. I hope she’s okay.”

“Well, fortunately she has her physician with her,” Lucy reminded them. “Let’s check out the casino for a while. I’m feeling lucky tonight.”

“I thought you’d want to go dancing.” Ruth’s sly reference was ignored by Lucy.

“Later. Are you coming, Ian?”

“Yes, I think I might play a little blackjack.”

“What about you Claire? I think I hear that Slotto machine calling to you again?” Ruth was excited. She loved the casino almost as much as she loved playing cards.

“No, I’ll come, but I think I’ll just watch, or maybe I’ll play one of those nickel machines.”

“Millie, I’ll show you the machine I told you about.” Sean bent toward Millie as they walked. “I think you’ll like it.”

The pianist was finishing his last set in the dim cozy piano bar. The few patrons still up clapped politely as if it was too late to get up much enthusiasm.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for hours,” Kim hissed, annoyed. “Sorry, it’s hard to get away.” He ordered a drink. She shook her head at the waiter’s inquiry.

“Is everything okay?” she whispered. With the music gone the lounge seemed too quiet.

He grinned. “Everything is great. I think tomorrow is the day. After we leave Ketchikan...” He fell silent as the waiter placed his drink in front of him and gave him his card and receipt back. Then he raised his glass to her. “Thanks to you, it’s working perfectly.” He took a sip of the drink and sighed, relaxing.

The piano lounge was very clubby in appearance. It was tucked away on the far side of the casino. The walls were paneled in dark wood, the fireplace was always lit, and the air conditioning guaranteed the right temperature was maintained. Leather club chairs and big sofas were scattered in conversation groups. It was a cozy comfortable haven and it was a favorite spot for them to meet late in the evening.

Kim drained her drink. She felt edgy, nervous, and she was feeling deprived, which she blamed on him. “Well, it can’t be over too soon for me. I’m sick and tired of skulking around. I’m tired of watching other people have fun. I want to dress up in my pretty clothes and join the party. I want to show off my dance skills the way I see that couple does. You know, the woman who wears all the hats to match her outfits. They’re at all the dances taking up more than their share of the dance floor with their elaborate dance routines.”

Her voice was sour, her jealousy obvious. “After this trip you’re going to owe me plenty.” She glared at him, truly angry. This had not been an enjoyable cruise for her, maybe because she couldn’t really take advantage of the amenities, nor mingle with the other passengers. She needed to be invisible, so she spent her time on the outside, observing the fun others were having, while she waited for her time with him. She had suggested she leave the ship after completing her role in the scheme, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He said it might direct attention towards her and their whole plan was to divert attention and suspicion.