psychic crystal 03 - killer cruise (14 page)

Juliette laughed and let Will bring her hand to his lips to kiss. Will twisted his fingers around Juliette’s dark ringlets, and she didn’t object. In fact, she inclined her head toward him, and he kissed her neck.

Kate raised her eyebrows, gave Jack a glance filled with suspicion, and then looked back at Juliette.

She senses there is something different between us, Juliette thought. And there is. I’m truly happy, for the first time in a long time, and it shows. Will Bradley got to me. He finally wore me down, and now I’m vulnerable to him. I just hope he doesn’t hurt me like I’ve been hurt before.

“Well,” said Jack. “Let’s be the first people off the ship. I want to run in to some of the local galleries right here at the Royal Naval Dockyard, in the Clocktower Shopping Mall, and then we’ll check out some galleries at the Bermuda craft market and the Bermuda Arts Centre at the Dockyard. After that, we’ll go into Hamilton and check out some of the other local galleries. I’m not very optimistic. I don’t think the thief can just drop by any art gallery and pawn his wares. I think he’s had this caper planned for quite some time. He is probably meeting with some wealthy islander who can’t wait to get his hands on these masterpieces, to admire them in his own home and then put them into a vault somewhere, locked away where no one can enjoy them.”

“In that case, honey, what can we do about it?” Kate asked.

“Unfortunately, nothing,” Jack said, waiting for Kate to get up before he stood. “Not if we can’t locate those paintings or that Wade Randall character.”

Jack led the way while the four flashed their ID cards into the scanner and walked off the ship into the Dockyard. Jack and Kate took half of the galleries and Will and Juliette scoped out the other half. No one admitted to seeing a man who had tried to sell them any artwork. They certainly would have recognized the pieces and alerted authorities.

“Well, if you see anyone fitting this description,” Jack said, showing the picture the sketch artist had done from Kate and Juliette’s memory, “be sure to call my cell phone.” He left his business card.

“Let’s take a taxi into town,” Jack suggested, and they all piled in and asked to be driven to Hamilton.

“Wow, I love this place,” said Juliette. “Everything is so colorful. There’s so much to do here, so many shops, I don’t know where to go first.”

“Well, we have the whole day, so we have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. Let’s take a quick peek into that Irish linen shop, and then I’d like to take home some English bone china. And there’s a map shop down the street that has wonderful original antique botanical prints, with hand coloring, that are over a hundred years old. And Juliette, I’d like to buy you a gold moon gate charm on a chain. I think you’d love that.”

“It all sounds so wonderful,” said Juliette. “Lead the way, and I’ll follow.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” said Will.

The danger they’d felt the previous day seemed to have faded. The sunshine boded well for a rosy future. The colors were light and lovely. But things could change in an instant, Juliette knew. They had changed for her before, in a flash.

Once, she had been a happy child with a lovely mother, cherished and cared for on her father’s estate. The best clothes, the best horses, the best of everything. She was treated like a princess. But then her father had taken a bride in an arranged marriage, and she and her mother were turned away with only the clothes on their backs and the prince’s priceless amethyst amulet around her mother’s neck.

They didn’t have roots, but they had each other. They traveled whenever the mood hit them. They sang. They rejoiced in life, until they got to Hungary. Visions of the castle and the evil man who lived there still haunted her nightmares. And this man she’d seen on the ship resembled the count of that castle—but that, of course, was impossible. He must be a relative who had inherited the count’s evil aura.

She thought back to the last time she had seen her mother. Her mother had given her the precious, powerful amethyst pendant Ilona’s father had gifted her on the occasion of their daughter’s birth, willing Ilona the sum of her powers. She had given Ilona a pouch of gold coins for the long journey ahead and entrusted her daughter with a tradesman in a wagon with instructions to deliver her daughter to Calais, where she could get a boat to England and sail on to America. When Ilona woke up in Calais, the tradesman was gone, along with most of her gold coins. And she was alone, forced to find her way however she could, until she made passage to America. She was cold, lonely, and hungry. She missed her mother, but she knew she couldn’t go back. She was on her own.

When she arrived on the Florida coast, at Casa Spirito, the reverend had welcomed her, supplied her with a house and a way to make a living. He had been her salvation. She thought she was in love with him and he with her. He had promised to leave his wife. But when he took away her daughter, her love had turned to hatred.

It was better not to think of the past.

Sometimes she thought she had only dreamed her mother. It had been so long since they had been together. Was her mother still in Hungary? Did she ever try to find her daughter? It had been ages since she’d heard that name, her real name, Ilona. She thought she’d left it behind, but her past was crashing in around her. She could feel the bitter winds of yesterday rising, making her heart quake and shattering her peace of mind.

Chapter Twenty

Gedeon took a steaming shower, soaped down, and harbored dangerous thoughts. Lurid thoughts about his gypsy queen, Marika—or was it Ilona? They had become blended in his mind. From now on, Ilona’s future would be tied to his. He imagined her naked, her voluptuous body beneath his, bucking, arching, opening to him. He would take her forcefully at first, to teach her who was in charge. She had gotten too independent in all these years away from him. He’d tame her, like he tamed his horses, beat her if he had to, until her spirit was broken. And then he’d awaken her to all the pleasures he could offer her, riches beyond her wildest dreams, her body and his on a wild, sensuous ride. Immortality. He was anxious to conclude his business and spirit her away to his castle. They had so much time to make up for. Gedeon sniffed. He could still smell her lovely scent.

Toweling off, he dressed carefully in his disguise and reviewed his plan. Ilona was a formidable force, but he was stronger. She thought she was protected, but no one was safe from the Devastater.

****

Will took Juliette’s arm to lead her out of the department store. “Jack and I are going to take a walk down to the Hamilton police station to have a brief chat with the local police. We need to see if they’ve caught wind of our suspect. Are you ladies ready to leave?”

“Will, we’re not even near done shopping,” Kate protested.

Jack frowned. “Do you think you will be okay here by yourselves? We shouldn’t be gone more than half an hour.”

Kate placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “We’ll be fine. We’re going to stay right here in the store. There are people all around us. Nothing bad will happen to us.”

“I think the girls need a break,” Will agreed. “They were cooped up on the ship looking at mug shots for two days instead of relaxing. They need to shop.”

Jack cast a doubtful eye at Kate.

“Jack, you and Will go on,” Kate urged. “I don’t think I could stand being in another police station. I have a huge shopping list, and we haven’t even made a dent in it.”

His eyes bored into Kate’s. “Promise me you won’t leave this store.”

“I promise.”

Jack and Will looked back once more, and Kate and Juliette were already riding the escalator to the children’s department.

“Shopping for jewelry, china, and crystal, linens, and watches is a lot easier than trying to find a killer,” said Juliette, rubbing her feet. “Although it’s hard on the feet. I’m ready for a swim or a foot rub.”

“But I want to show you around the local arts and crafts shops,” said Kate. “I’d like to bring home some Bermuda honey, Bermuda perfume, and tasty rum cakes. But first I need to take a bathroom break. I’ll meet you right back here.”

“Oh, I see the cutest infant outfits,” Juliette cooed. “Go on ahead. I’ll wait here for you in this department.”

Juliette browsed through the racks. Each baby outfit was cuter than the next. She had a lot of catching up to do in the mothering department. She’d missed Kate’s childhood. She wasn’t going to miss a minute of her grandchild’s life. She’d start out with these cute gifts, have them wrapped and sent home as a surprise for Kate.

“May I help you?”

Juliette looked up at the tall store clerk.

“Why, yes, I’d like to have some outfits gift wrapped and sent back to Atlanta as a surprise for my daughter. She’s expecting a baby.”

“I’d be glad to help you with that. Show me the items you had in mind.”

Juliette grabbed three outfits off the rack and placed them on the counter.

“Excellent. Now let me get your mailing information.”

While Juliette was filling out the mailing form, the clerk circled around the counter, hovering over her.

“Is there anything else you need?” asked Juliette, beginning to feel uncomfortable, as she put down the pen and left the mailing form on the counter. “Let me get out my credit card.” When she looked up from her purse, the clerk was right behind her.

“Ouch.” Juliette rubbed her arm. “I think I’ve been stung. By a mosquito or a bee.” She looked at her arm and then up at the clerk.

The clerk opened a wheelchair. “Here, have a seat. Let me take a look at that arm.”

Juliette shook her head. “I don’t need a wheelchair. I’m fine, really—” She stumbled and went limp in the clerk’s arms. Gently positioning Juliette in the chair, he grabbed the mailing form and wheeled Juliette swiftly toward the elevator.

A female store employee sporting severe tortoiseshell glasses blocked his way like a troll guarding the bridge. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes, this customer fainted. I’m going to wheel her outside for a bit of fresh air.”

“Where do you work?” the woman inquired.

“I’m in menswear. I was on break and just happened by when this woman fainted.”

“That was quick thinking. I’d like to report this to your supervisor, Mr.—”

“No need to call attention to me. I just did what anyone would do in this situation.”

The man pressed the elevator button and wheeled Juliette into the elevator, leaving the woman to stare open-mouthed after them.

When they arrived on the ground floor, the clerk opened an umbrella, covering his face, and wheeled her out of the store. A cab was waiting, and he gave the driver instructions.

The cab driver offered to help with the wheelchair.

“I can handle it from here,” said the clerk. “Stay in the cab.” He lifted Juliette and settled her into the back seat, leaving the wheelchair on the sidewalk.

“Hurry. This lady needs medical attention.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The baby was probably only the size of a grapefruit, but he or she (Juliette was convinced it was a girl) was already wreaking havoc on Kate’s bladder. Every time she saw a water fountain, she had to go. If she took a drink of water, she had to go. If she thought about a waterfall, she had to go. And being on the ocean these past few days, well, she couldn’t pass a restroom without going inside.

Kate dried her hands on a paper towel and made her way back to the children’s department. She looked around for Juliette. No doubt her mother had wandered off to browse through the fine china or jewelry departments. There was so much to do and see in this store. Kate wandered through the various departments on that floor. Juliette wouldn’t have left the floor without letting her know, would she?

When she couldn’t find Juliette, she told herself to remain calm. Everything was all right. She returned to the children’s department, and on the counter were three precious outfits. Kate picked them up and closed her eyes. Juliette had held these. Her mother’s mindprints were all over the pink clothing. Although they hadn’t known each other long, she had forged a strong bond with Juliette. She hadn’t been able to receive a signal from the parents who raised her when they were in danger, but she was getting strong, urgent signals from Juliette. Kate’s heart rate accelerated. Juliette was in trouble. She was sure of it.

She caught the attention of a woman wearing a store name badge.

“Have you seen an attractive middle-aged woman in a lavender cotton dress? She was in this department just a few minutes ago.”

The sales clerk paused and tilted her head. Her eyes widened beneath her tortoiseshell glasses.

“What did she look like?”

“Like me, but about twenty years older.”

“Was she in a wheelchair?”

“A wheelchair?” Kate looked puzzled. “No.”

“I saw a man, a tall man, a clerk from menswear, wheeling a woman who resembled you to the elevator. He said she’d fainted and he was taking her outside for some fresh air.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Juliette was fine when I left her.”

Kate picked up the pink outfits. Another odor permeated the clothes. Not Juliette’s. An evil aura.

“Could you describe the store clerk? You said he was tall?”

“Very tall, as a matter of fact. He said he worked in menswear.”

“I need to find that man. Where’s menswear?”

“I’m the store manager. I’ll take you down there. I didn’t recognize him, so he must be new, or maybe a temporary transfer from one of our other stores on the island.” Kate followed the manager down the escalator to the menswear department. The manager went to a sales clerk and held a brief conversation. Then she returned to Kate.

“There’s no one who fits that description who works in menswear.”

“If the man wheeled her outside, then they’re probably gone by now, but I need to check.”

“Do you think something happened to your sister?”

Kate choked. “She’s not my sister. She’s my mother. And yes, I’m afraid—” Kate couldn’t continue. She was afraid to verbalize her worst fears.

The manager followed Kate out the store’s entrance on Front Street.

Kate almost tripped over an abandoned wheelchair. She touched the seat of the chair. Juliette had definitely been here. Her aura was totally overpowered by a second stream sense. It was the man from the ship’s gallery. The man who had stolen the paintings. The man who had most probably killed the auctioneer. The man who now had Juliette.