Cruisin' for a Bruisin', the fourth Claire Gulliver Mystery

By Gayle Wigglesworth

Since she was a child, Claire Gulliver had seen the gleaming white cruise ships slipping under the Golden Gate Bridge heading for adventure on the high seas. Finally she was on board.
She and her friend, travel book writer, Lucy Springer, join her mother, Millie Gulliver and her mother’s long time friend, Ruth Clarkson, on board the luxurious ship Dreamy Seas for a cruise to Alaska. They are all looking forward to hanging out with the ‘girls’, being pampered by the ship’s personnel and exploring the picturesque gold rush towns of Alaska.
They feel exceeding lucky to be seated at a dinner table with six other interesting people, including three single men. At first it appears that Lucy’s objective of finding them eligible men for dance partners, as well as add a little romance to the excursion, is going to be easily met, but unfortunately, some of the candidates have other agendas. Nothing is ever what it seems and as usual Claire is in the middle of it all. Only this time her overly cautious mother is right by her side.
If you’ve been cruising you’ll want to be on board; if you’ve never cruised here is your opportunity to see what it’s like. ALL ABOARD!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Wigglesworth
• Release date: Sep 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465791009

Gayle Wigglesworth

Gayle has always been torn between her skills at organization and management and the creative arts. As a young woman she moved to San Francisco on what she considered her life’s adventure. And while she took a job in the banking community to support herself, she really wanted to write mystery novels. Unfortunately, while living alone in a “big” city and typing her novel in the late hours of the night, she frightened herself with her plot line and had to pack it away. In fact, she no longer would even read her beloved mysteries; it was way too scary. So instead of writing she concentrated all her energies on her career, eventually rising to the level of a Senior Vice President. She continued to pursue her creative side by continuing art courses and she became an accomplished potter producing unique pottery, both on the wheel and by hand. Eventually, the children grown and living on their own, Gayle returned to her mysteries and to her writing. Gayle lived her whole life in California so when her company was sold and she found herself in the latter years looking for a job it was a shock to realize she may have to relocate. She accepted a position in Houston, but her husband assured her they would regard it as a “foreign assignment” and they could move back to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was ready to retire. Little did they know that they would love Houston Texas where they now live. However, with all their family and friends back it California it was difficult to continue the traditional family get-togethers they habitually hosted. Her children whined, “Who’s gonna cook?” and called at all times of the day and night for recipes and instructions, which inspired Gayle to write “the book.” Gayle’s Legacy, Recipes, Hints and Stories Culled from a Lifelong Relationship with Food makes it possible for the traditions to continue, albeit, with other people now hosting the meals. This cookbook is more than a collection of recipes, it’s a “how to” book. This book, including detailed steps for creating the family’s favorite recipes while entertainingly telling family history through the vignettes and photographs, was published in 2003. When the company Gayle worked with in Texas was sold, she decided there was a message to her in that. Instead of taking another position she elected to retire early and concentrate on her writing. She was determined to write and publish a mystery. Because Gayle and her husband love to travel and have done so extensively, she followed the advice of the experts, “write what you know.” Gayle developed a concept for a mystery series where the protagonist, Claire Gulliver, a librarian-turned-travel-bookshop-owner is a nice person who, somehow while traveling, becomes embroiled in situations that are not nice; in fact, sometimes these situations are downright terrifying. Currently five Claire Gulliver Mysteries have been published. Gayle is currently finishing the sixth which is due out at the end of 2010. Meanwhile she finished a stand a long mystery, Mud to Ashes, which was published in 2009. She is working on another series, called Glenda at Large. Gayle spends her time writing, potting, reading, traveling and cooking. You can see her at many of the mystery book conferences promoting her mysteries, occasionally she will conduct a cooking class to promote her cookbook, conduct a workshop to help people learn to write their own family history/cookbook and once in a while she will do some contract consulting in the banking world. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Book preview

CRUISIN’ FOR A BRUISIN’

A Claire Gulliver Mystery

by

GAYLE WIGGLESWORTH

Copyright 2007 Gayle Wigglesworth

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright © 2007 by Gayle Wigglesworth

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from Gayle Wigglesworth, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2007936849

ISBN: 978-0-9825519-4-3

Gayle Wigglesworth, publisher

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.gaylewigglesworth.com

Books by Gayle Wigglesworth

Gayle’s Legacy,

Recipes, Hints and Stories Culled from

a Lifelong Relationship with Food

The Claire Gulliver Mysteries

Tea is for Terror

Washington Weirdos

Intrigue in Italics

Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’

Malice in Mexico

Carnage Goes Coastal

Mud to Ashes, a Pottery Mystery

Glenda at Large Mysteries

I Love a Parade, Short Story

Murder Most Mysterious

Gayle’s Tales,

Light Romantic Tales to Make you Smile

To contact Gayle

www.gaylewigglesworth.com

Acknowledgements

As always happens when writing a book, I am confronted with how little I know about so many things. I then have to find the answers. In this book, besides dragging my good-natured husband off on yet another cruise to Alaska, I also had to seek out some experts. I would like to thank them all for their help, but I would like to specifically thank these people for explaining things to me. Thank you to Charlie Mongeon, M.D., who is a good friend of my dear friends. He shared his experiences in serving as a ship’s doctor on a major cruise line for several years after retiring from practice. Thank you to my good, long-time friend, Barry Price, who was willing to answer my questions about some fuzzy aspects of California law. Thank you to my brother, Gib Coates, who helped me with some of the questions I had about the use of deadly drugs. Thank you Martin Lorin, M.D. who caught more than a few mistaken commas, his medical expertise saved me from showing my ignorance to everyone. And I especially want to thank Duane Miller of Juneau Alaska, who didn’t panic when I told him I was looking for a spot to dump a body. He really got into the spirit of the hunt and willingly shared his knowledge of the area with me.

And again thank you to my daughter Janet Hancock, my sister, Teresa Grill and my husband, Dave, for reading this manuscript in its early stages and being brave enough to critique it for me.

I want to state these people are not responsible if I didn’t get it right. I freely admit to taking liberties on occasion, for instance the story of the Princess Sophia is true, whether or not the people in my story were actually onboard is doubtful. Also, there is not, to my knowledge, a cruise line named Call of the Seas, nor a ship named Dreamy Seas, but there are many similar. Additionally, some of these names or people may be similar to people you know, but I assure you they are all figments of my imagination and not meant to portray any actual persons. And lastly, while any mistakes I made have to be laid on my shoulders, I have tried very hard to get it all right.

Dedication

I want to dedicate this book to all those people who have shared the cruising experience with my husband and me during the past several years. Especially, I dedicate this to those who accompanied us on that first cruise to Alaska; my sister Connie and her husband Bob, my niece, Leslie and her friend, Enda, my friend, Sherrill, my friend since eighth grade, Vanya and her husband Jerry, and of course my husband, Dave. I confess I borrowed heavily from that experience.

CONTENTS

Prologue

Alaska Travel Brochure

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

PROLOGUE

"Are you crazy?" His tone was incredulous. He just couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

"Now wait a minute Sean. Ian laid on a thick brogue, even knowing his brother was immune to the charm of it. Don’t be hasty. It’ll be fun. Like old times. Come on, surely you haven’t lost all your sense of adventure. I can’t believe you’ve morphed into a senile lump of a man. And what else will be you doing with your time?"

Sean didn’t say anything, so Ian pressed on. You won’t be involved. It’s just a trip we’re taking. And what could be more innocent? Thousands of people do it every year. Just two doddering old fools off to see the world.

He laughed. Well, all right, not the world, just Alaska. But everyone wants to see it. Everyone our age has dreamed of going. What would be more natural than us deciding to take a trip to celebrate my retirement? It’s perfect.

"Ian, you said you were retiring. And I’ve been out of it for forty years. I have no intention of getting back in the game, and you know that." Sean’s gruff voice was loud as if volume alone could convince his brother.

"Sean, Sean, I would never ask you to get involved. I understand you completely. And if it was me who found the girl of my dreams, then I too, would have given it all up as you did. I promise you, you won’t be implicated. You won’t even know what I’m up to. You’re just along for the ride and, of course, for cover.

"Sean, truly it will be a grand adventure. This is a wonderful ship, top of the line. We’ll meet interesting people, visit historic towns in Alaska and be pampered for twelve days. And I’ll be paying for everything. You’ll have a vacation for free. What do you say, Sean? Will you join me?"

His voice became husky as he admitted, I need you, you see. With you, we’d just be two aging brothers getting reacquainted while fulfilling one of our dreams. Without you I would be alone, odd, noticeable.

Sean stirred uncomfortably while he considered his brother’s request. And if something did go wrong? How would he explain it to his kids? What would his grandchildren say? No one knew this part of his history.

Ian was smart enough to remain silent while Sean mulled over his proposition. In all their lives Ian had never asked Sean for his help, even though they both knew Sean owed Ian plenty.

"Why do you have to do this one last job? Why press your luck?" Sean wished it would just go away so he wouldn’t have to make a decision.

"This is important to me, Sean. I have to do this one. It’s a perfect set up and I promise you, nothing will go wrong."

"How do you know?" he asked suspiciously, as if he didn’t already know Ian was certain of his facts.

"I have my sources. I’ve been working on this ever since I decided to retire. His voice was filled with regret as he admitted, Hell, you know I don’t really want to retire, but I’ve noticed little things. I’m not as strong as I was, or as sure of myself. But for sure I’m smart enough to realize I need to get out while I can. Still, I promised myself this one last job before I retire. And I’m going to do it. All these years I’ve waited for just the right opportunity, but it never came. Now suddenly it’s here. Now is the time and I need your help, Sean."

Sean was annoyed at his brother for putting him in this position, unwilling to agree, yet unable to refuse. How can you get it off the ship? What if they search us?

"Sean, Sean, don’t worry about what you don’t want to know about. We’ll be as distressed and outraged as anyone. I’m prepared. I know you’ve been out of it, but surely you remember how good we were. How good I am. We were never caught and for good reason. I don’t intend to be caught this time either.

"Just pack your dinner jacket and a snow parka and meet me in San Francisco. I’m sending you the information in the mail with the plane tickets. We’ll have a great time.

"And Sean…? Thanks. I really appreciate this."

After Sean hung up he realized he hadn’t actually agreed to go, but then he shrugged. It didn’t matter; he was going. Ian knew him too well. And really, now that he was retired he had plenty of time to dawdle away. It may as well be on a cruise to Alaska.

ALASKA

CALL OF THE SEA CRUISES

2002 Travel Brochure

Cruising Alaska on one of the Call of the Sea Cruises is a dream come true. Enjoy the contrast between the rugged beauty of Alaska’s coast and the pampered treatment you will receive from our experienced staff. It is unlikely you’ll ever forget your time with us.

Our goal is not just to deliver you to a place but to immerse you in it so you can feel the culture, the history, the beauty of your chosen destination.

Alaska, the land of astonishing abundance is bigger, bolder and more beautiful than you have imagined. This state is six times larger than Texas but it’s not just the immenseness of it, it is the beauty that will capture your imagination and your heart.

Our star ship, Dreamy Seas, is truly a dream. We cater to your physical well-being while your senses are assaulted by the beauty that is Alaska. And the ambiance of its recent romantic history captures your imagination as you explore Alaska through your choice of excursions arranged to enhance your on-shore experiences.

Come cruise with us and follow your dreams to:

Victoria, British Columbia

Juneau, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier

Sitka, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

San Francisco, California

Dreamy Seas

12 day Excursion

ITINERARY

Day 1: Saturday

5:00 p.m. Embarkation San Francisco

Day 2: Sunday

At Sea

Options:

• Explore your home away from home

• Meet congenial traveling companions

• Take part in activities planned for your entertainment and published in your daily newsletter

Day 3: Monday

8:00 a.m. Victoria B.C. Docked

Excursions include:

• Butchart Gardens & Vineyards

• Whale-Watching

• Grand City Drive, Craigdarrouch Castle & Empress Tea

• Victoria by Horse Drawn Trolley

• Victoria Ale Trail and Pub Tour

5:00 p.m. Sailing

Day 4: Tuesday

Inside Passage (cruising)

Options:

• Enjoy shipboard facilities

• Socialize with congenial traveling companions

• Take part in activities planned for your entertainment and published in your daily newsletter

Day 5: Wednesday

11:00 a.m. Juneau, Alaska

Excursions include:

• Glacier Dogsled Adventure via Hellicopter

• Whale-Watching & Orca Point Lodge

• Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip

• City Tour with visit to Mendenhall Glacier and Salmon Fishery

• Glacier View Bike and Brew

• Juneau Sportsfishing

10:00 p.m. Sailing

Day 6: Thursday

12:00 a.m. Hubbard Glacier Cruising

Options:

• Enjoy shipboard facilities

• Socialize with congenial traveling companions

• Take part in activities planned for your entertainment and published in your daily newsletter

• Watch Hubbard Glacier move at 5.5 feet per hour, calving into Yakutat Bay before your eyes

Day 7: Friday

8:00 a.m. Sitka, Alaska

Excursions Include:

• Sitka Birding Tour

• Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest

• Halibut Fishing

• Tongass Forest Nature Hike

• Russian American and Raptor Tour

• Native Cultural and Historic Walk

4:00 p.m. Sailing

Day 8: Saturday

7:00 a.m. Skagway, Alaska

Excursions Include:

• White Scenic Pass Railroad

• Yukon Hiking Adventure

• Salmon Bake and Gold-Rush Trail Camp

• Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

• Skagway Street Car Tour

• Klondike Summit and Trail Camp Gold Panning

• Dog Sledding and Glacier Sightseeing

9:00 p.m. Sailing

Day 9: Sunday

8:00 a.m. Ketchikan, Alaska

Excursions Include:

• Rain Forest Canoe Adventure

• Misty Fjords Seaplane Excursion

• Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feed

• Saxman Native Totem Village

6:00 p.m. Sailing

Day 10: Monday

Inside Passage Cruising

Options:

• Enjoy shipboard facilities

• Socialize with congenial traveling companions

• Take part in activities planned for your entertainment and published in your daily newsletter

• Watch rain forests, fjords, glaciers and white-capped peaks pass while viewing whales, dolphins and sea lions.

Day 11: Tuesday

At Sea

Options:

• Enjoy shipboard facilities

• Socialize with congenial traveling companions

• Take part in activities planned for your entertainment and published in your daily newsletter

Day 12 Wednesday

10:00 a.m. San Francisco

Note: Excursions and Options cover only a sample of activities available. Check www.calloftheseas.com for the complete list.

Dreamy Seas

• Occupancy 1,950

• Tonnage: 91,000

• Length: 965 feet

• Beam: 105 feet

• Draught: 26 feet

• Cruising Speed: 24 knots

• Electric Current: 110/220 AC

• Ship’s Registry: The Bahamas

• Launch Date: 1999

Contact your Travel Agent for Dates and Fares.

Act now, limited spaces available.

CHAPTER ONE

Claire was breathless with anxiety as she hurried forward, awkwardly clutching the jackets she had retrieved from their cabins. Growing up in San Francisco she had witnessed countless gleaming ocean liners slipping under the bridge in pursuit of adventure on the high seas. Finally, she was on one and she didn’t want to miss a moment of that experience.

She reached a jog in the narrow passage and randomly selected the right path as she continued toward the forward bank of elevators, which would take her to the top of the ship. However, halfway down the corridor a door opened and people crowded out into the corridor, blocking her way. She paused, giving them time to move down the hall in front of her, but they didn’t.

A tall, well-dressed man leaned over a bent old lady, his concern apparent on his face. The old lady had a death grip on his arm and was visibly upset about something as she insisted, I won’t. This is just too ridiculous.

The third person, a middle-aged woman, danced with nervousness, her face screwed into a determined grimace. It’s all been arranged. You can’t just…

The younger man murmured in the old lady’s ear, but apparently he didn’t convince her.

Change it! she barked, refusing to be moved.

Claire’s Excuse me, as she tried to get through was completely ignored. They didn’t even notice her, and then another person joined the fray. This one a tall man dressed in the white garb of a steward, or perhaps he was the butler.

The ship’s horn blared, echoing through the corridor. Claire felt motion as the ship moved into the Bay. The conversation taking place in front of her just seemed to get more heated as all four people vehemently discussed their problem. And while Claire caught an occasional word of the exchange, she wasn’t interested in getting involved. She only wanted to get by in order to be on deck when they passed under the bridge. Suddenly she realized there was another way. Time was wasting when she could already be topside.

She turned around and went back to where the passage split around the center of the ship and sped down the left side to the elevator. She shook her head in irritation over the foursome in the corridor. She had no idea what the problem was, but she wondered why that ancient woman was even on board. She was way too old to be traveling.

There you are. Did you have a problem? her mother asked with a worried frown. I thought something happened to you, or you got lost.

Even though Claire was now in her forties, a successful entrepreneur and living her own life, her mother still lived in constant fear for her safety. The least provocation would convince her Claire would be snatched away from her as her husband had been, and her own parents.

Claire explained with careful patience, Mom, it’s a really long way to our cabins and I got caught up in a clog in one of the corridors. She handed out the jackets to her mother, Ruth, her mother’s best friend, and Lucy Springer, her travel-writer friend. It didn’t take long for them to zip up and head outside.

The wind tore at them, grabbing the door out of Claire’s hands and slamming it shut behind them.

Claire set her sunglasses on her nose, hoping they would protect her eyes. While it had been a warm and sunny September day, here on the San Francisco Bay at five o’clock with the late summer fog just waiting to slip over the hills and through the Golden Gate, the wind was cold and fierce. In fact, the wind tugged alarmingly at Claire’s glasses and blew her dangling earrings out parallel to her shoulders.

What? she shouted to Lucy, unable to hear what she said.

Lucy just shook her head and motioned Claire to follow her further towards the bow.

It was amazing how many of the passengers had elected to ride outside for their departure in spite of the cold and wind. But then they were headed to Alaska, so everyone was prepared for cold on this trip.

The Bay couldn’t be more beautiful, touched as it was with the gold of the late afternoon sun. The water was deep grayish green, the sun catching in little flashes on the peaks of waves. The usual crush of Saturday afternoon sailboats were intermingled with the brightly colored sails of the windsurfers, who dared ride their boards far into the Bay to make the most of every gust of wind. They looked like a flock of large butterflies fluttering over the water.

Alcatraz Island seemed close enough to touch as they passed. In fact, she could see tourists lined up for one of the return boats. Angel Island loomed in the background, cutting off her view of the picturesque village of Tiburon, which she knew hid behind it.

At Ruth’s nudge she turned around and posed with Lucy and Ruth while her mother snapped a picture, then with Lucy and her mother while Ruth snapped one with her camera, but then she moved away to position herself for their approach to the Golden Gate Bridge.

She couldn’t believe how high it was. Somehow she thought the ship was so big she would be much closer to the top when they passed under. She could see the figures up there, just dark dots against the glare of the late sun. Ruth was looking for her neighbors, who had promised to bring their children down to wave good-by to her from the bridge. Claire didn’t see how anyone could recognize anyone from this distance. But people around her were waving and she could see the little ant-like figures waving back from their perch high over their heads. And then they were under the bridge, the big ship bucking through the treacherous current where the ocean entered the Bay. She grabbed the rail to steady herself and saw her mother beckoning her, as she and Ruth headed inside. The fog seemed to be loping toward them, the wind pushing it forward while the ship ploughed determinedly through the waves to meet it. She turned and carefully made her way to the door, noting that a few hardy souls were apparently staying until the last glimpse of land was gone.

Inside, protected from the wind, Claire slipped her sunglasses in her pocket and held the rail to the stairway tightly as she fought the lurching of the ship while she ascended to the cocktail lounge at the front, top of the ship. They had checked it out earlier and decided this was definitely the place to have cocktails before dinner. She removed her jacket and ran her fingers through the tangle of her short hair as she made her way across the crowded room, dropping gratefully into the cushioned chair they had saved for her. The waitress approached bearing a tray of drinks.

We ordered you the special for the day, a Gold Coast Sling, all right? Ruth asked, reaching for the gin on the rocks which had just been placed in front of her.

Great. Claire eyed the tall golden colored drink wondering what it contained. Then remembering she was on vacation, she decided she didn’t care how potent it was. She could always crawl to her cabin if necessary.

Millie, Claire’s mother beamed. Well everyone, let’s toast to a great adventure. She lifted her glass and gently tapped each of the others. I’m so glad you both decided to join us for this cruise.

Millie, with Claire’s encouragement had signed up for a cruise to Alaska with her church group scheduled for last May. But then her bosses at Richman Cadillac had surprised her with a retirement gift of a cooking course in Tuscany. Unfortunately it was scheduled at the same time as the cruise. At first, it didn’t matter because Millie flatly refused to go to Tuscany. It was too far away and way too foreign for her tastes. But eventually Claire and Ruth had convinced her she couldn’t pass up the opportunity and waste the money the Richman brothers had spent. So Millie talked to her travel agent and found, while she couldn’t get a refund for the cruise, she could change the sailing date with no penalty. Ruth, who had agreed to go to Tuscany with her and even attend the cooking class with her to gain her agreement to go, was more than willing to go to Alaska with her in September. Ruth loved to travel and did so whenever she had the chance.

Millie was the complete opposite, which was strange considering her daughter, Claire, owned and operated the popular Gulliver’s Travel Bookshop on the San Francisco peninsula. The Alaskan cruise had been intended to be Millie’s first foray into the travel world, but of course, that trip to Italy and the Tuscany cooking school really became her first big adventure. And Millie enjoyed it immensely, in spite of the fact it turned out to be more adventurous than she ever imagined. But that was something she never talked about, especially not to her daughter.

So now the Alaskan cruise, scheduled and paid for, was going to be another travel experience and one all four ladies were looking forward to. They expected to be totally pampered while their senses were assaulted with the beautiful scenery of Alaska.

You know, I’m quite excited about this cruise. This ship is much more luxurious than I expected. Lucy looked around as she sipped her drink. I think this is going to be totally different than my trips to England. I’m so glad you called me, Claire.

"Oh, oh, I