Dead Man Docking - Mary Daheim [93]
“That doesn’t seem likely—” Renie stopped as the phone rang on the bedside table. “Now what?” she muttered, picking up the receiver.
Judith watched her cousin’s expression become perplexed. “It’s kind of late. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Renie said. “No? Okay, come on up.”
“Who was that?” Judith asked as Renie replaced the receiver.
“Captain Swafford. He says he has to see us immediately,” Renie replied. “Jeez, it’s going on eleven o’clock. He called from the lobby. We’re going to have to hold court in our bathrobes. What could be so important?”
“Any number of things,” Judith murmured, “but not anything serious that involves us. I mean, if the cruise has been canceled, why not say so over the phone?”
“Because I work for the line as a consultant?” Renie suggested in a dubious tone.
The cousins returned to the sitting room. Judith attempted to open a window to air out the cigarette smoke, but the casements were sealed shut. Unable to sit still, she put the half-empty liter of gin and the bottle of vermouth away in the armoire that held the TV set.
“I was going to watch the news,” Judith said, shutting the armoire’s doors. “I guess I won’t now. I assume Émile’s murder will be one of the big stories.”
“Nobody can keep a lid on a triple murder when they all seem to be connected,” Renie pointed out.
A knock sounded on their door. Both cousins turned at the same time and bumped into each other.
“Sorry,” Judith murmured.
“I’m okay if you’re okay,” Renie said, reaching the door first.
Wearing his regulation uniform instead of his much-decorated formal attire, Captain Swafford still managed to look imposing. Indeed, he looked severe. Judith resisted an impulse to salute.
“Come in,” Renie said, though by the time she got the words out, the captain was halfway across the sitting room. He didn’t speak right away, but clasped his hands behind his back and gazed first at Renie and then at Judith.
“I have significant news, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Flynn,” he announced in his deep British-accented voice. “Perhaps you should sit down.”
The cousins both sat on the sofa. Swafford remained standing. He cleared his throat before speaking again. “First—and least important—is that the San Rafael’s maiden voyage has been postponed until an unspecified date in April. The reason we are giving is that certain minor technical adjustments need to be made.”
Like removing the crime scene tape, Judith thought to herself. But she was too cowed to say anything out loud. The captain was only of average height, but he was broad and bearded, a looming authoritative figure who somehow evoked Holbein’s portraits of Henry VIII.
“The other matter,” Swafford continued, “is much more grave. A complete search has been made of the ship during the past two days. Mrs. Giddon’s stolen jewels were found this evening.”
“So?” Renie said, her manner indifferent.
The captain glowered at her. “So indeed, as far as you’re concerned, madam. They were discovered aboard ship in the safe of your Mae West suite. Biff McDougal should be here any moment to arrest you both.”
EIGHTEEN
“HOLD IT!” RENIE cried. “Are you crazy? We didn’t steal the old bat’s jewels!”
“I’m afraid,” Captain Swafford said solemnly, “that your fingerprints were all over the case as well as on some of the individual pieces. Can you deny that you handled Mrs. Giddon’s stolen property?”
Before Renie or Judith could answer, they heard a heavy pounding on the door. Captain Swafford moved briskly to let in Biff McDougal. He was accompanied by a pale young man with a crew cut so blond that it was almost white. Judith assumed that the newcomer must be Buzz Cochran, Biff’s temporary partner.
“I see you beat us to the punch, Skipper,” Biff said to the captain before gesturing at Judith and Renie. “Any trouble with these two?”
“They deny having stolen the jewels, of course,” Captain Swafford replied.
“Open-and-shut case,” Biff declared, rolling the ever-present toothpick around his mouth. “Let’s go, ladies.”
“Let’s not,” Renie retorted, folding her arms across her chest and planting her bare