Missing at Sea

By Rita Lee Chapman

Three years on from Egypt, Anna Davies embarks on her first cruise with best friend Sandra. A few days into the holiday they are woken by three blasts from the ship’s foghorn, indicating that someone has fallen overboard. A woman is lost at sea; the ship turns around to search for her, but she has disappeared into the night.

Was it suicide? Did she lose her balance and fall - or was there foul play involved? Did her husband push her? Would anyone be able to prove whether this was murder or an unfortunate accident?

What a perfect place to stage a murder!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rita Lee Chapman
• Release date: Jun 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370919734

Rita Lee Chapman

Rita Lee Chapman was born in the UK and migrated to Australia in her early twenties. It was only when she retired to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland that she wrote her first novel “Missing in Egypt” Book 1 in the Anna Davies Mystery Series.“This fulfilled a lifelong ambition for me. In primary school I wrote long stories but since then my writing had been restricted to business correspondence, press releases and letters home to my family!Missing at Sea, is Book 2 in the Anna Davies Mystery Series and Book 3 is Missing in London.Winston - A Horse's Tale is the story of an Australian horse, Winston, told by himself. It tells of his adventures and experiences as well as those of other horses he meets along life's way. It was the book I had to write and is for all horse lovers from teenagers upwards.Dangerous Associations and The Poinciana Tree are crime mysteries."For more information on Rita and her books visit her website at www.ritaleechapman.com

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Missing at Sea

An Anna Davies Mystery

Rita Lee Chapman

Smashwords Edition

Missing at Sea©

Copyright Rita Chapman 2016

Published by R. Chapman

ISBN: 13: 978-1542349055

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Dedicated to:

My mother, for her continuing support and encouragement;

My husband, for his love and support and

to my family, extended family and friends who make my life so enjoyable.

Also by Rita Lee Chapman

Missing in Egypt

Book #1 in the

Anna Davies Mystery Series

Winston – A Horse’s Tale

Dangerous Associations

Chapter One

The Holiday of a Lifetime

I was so excited! The ship was pulling out of Sydney and I was off on my first cruise! I took the glass of champagne which the waiter offered to me and clinked glasses with Sandra - the perfect start to this much anticipated holiday. As we approached the Sydney Harbour Bridge I couldn’t believe that we would fit underneath it. From the top deck, standing in the bow, the Bridge looked sure to touch the ship’s mast and smash it to pieces.

It’s actually quite deceiving said the man standing next to me, who had heard my concerns. There’s more clearance than you think – it will be fine.

Of course he was right and the huge ship glided easily underneath the Sydney icon and on past the Opera House, whose huge sails glowed pink in the reflected light of the sunset. The Harbour looked magnificent, from the deep blue water to the myriad of boats plying back and forth, ranging from ferries to huge catamarans and speed boats and small pleasure craft. We stood and watched the activity as the sun slipped below the horizon. When we looked back towards the city, we saw the lights were starting to come on and the black silhouettes of the buildings were lit by a maze of blue, red and white lights.

It’s so pretty, I said to Sandra. I think Sydney is the most beautiful city in the world.

I wonder if you’ll still say that when you’ve been to Singapore, Rome and London? she replied.

I’m sure I will. What could be more beautiful than this?

We stood and watched as the city gradually disappeared in the distance and a few minutes later we passed through The Heads and we were out on the open sea. The ship’s movement changed to long, gentle rolls as we rode the swell. It was quite exhilarating. We looked back at the lights of the houses on the hills and watched until they too disappeared into the blackness.

Come on, let’s go and find another drink before dinner, Sandra suggested.

I finished the last of my champagne and followed her down to the bar.

We had chosen a table in the dining room which seated eight people. As we would be with the same people at dinner for the whole cruise we thought that would give us the best chance of finding someone with whom we were compatible. We were the last to arrive that night in the beautifully appointed dining room and our dining companions were already seated. We introduced ourselves and sat down in the two empty chairs.

Hello, everyone. I’m Anna, I said, smiling brightly.

Hi, I’m Sandra.

I’m Daniel and this is my wife Deidre, said the man on my right.

I judged him to be in his late sixties, as was his wife.

I’m Frances, said an attractive thirty-something lady next to Sandra.

And I’m Frances’ husband, Jonathan.

Jacky, volunteered the lady across the table from me.

Richard, Jacky’s partner.

Well it’s nice to meet all of you, Sandra said politely. I’m sure we are going to have a lot of fun.

The waiter came to take our orders for drinks and we turned our attention to studying the menu. There was certainly plenty of choice and plenty of courses. My mouth started to water in anticipation. As usual I glanced at the dessert menu before seriously considering the other courses. Would I have the sticky date pudding or the chocolate torte, or maybe even the strawberry flan?

During the meal I took the opportunity to study our fellow diners. Jacky was quite tiny, around forty years of age, with dark hair and grey eyes. She was smartly dressed in a plain, black dress on which hung a beautiful gold pendant. Her partner, Richard was probably late forties, quite portly and jovial. He told quite a few jokes during the meal and had everyone laughing.

Daniel had an air of importance about him. A retired General Manager probably, I thought. Or maybe even a doctor. His suit was expensively cut and his tidy silver moustache matched his silver hair and eyebrows, under which he had quite piercing blue eyes. His wife, Deidre, had kept her hair dyed a light brown colour, which looked quite natural. She was carefully made up and wore a very smart evening top. Her brown eyes were lively and smiling and I decided they were probably a very nice couple.

Frances is really quite stunning, I thought. Huge hazel eyes, cleverly framed with eye liner, dominated her face. Her long, brown hair shone under the lights with traces of dark red highlights. When she talked she was animated and interesting, unlike Jonathan who appeared mildly bored with the conversation. He was not at all good-looking, in fact his large nose and droopy eyelids gave him a rather dangerous look. I wondered briefly what Frances saw in him.

Sandra and I limited ourselves to a three-course meal, rather than the five courses offered. Everyone chatted politely and I thought we were lucky to have been seated with such a good group. Richard was the only one to avail himself of the cheese platter at the end of the meal and Sandra and I excused ourselves, saying we were going for a walk around the deck. It had been an excellent meal served by very attentive waiters.

It was unnerving to see the water rushing past in the ship’s lights.

We’re going so fast! I exclaimed.

Well, we’re probably doing about twenty knots, my ever-practical friend responded.

It just seems so odd to look down and see the water flashing past us.

I think it’s worse when it’s coming towards you. You’ll probably find it better when we go around to the back of the ship and it’s streaming out behind us, Sandra replied.

We made our way around to the stern and I looked down. A huge trail of white water rushed out from under the ship for as far as I could see in the dark. It was easier to look at, but still pretty scary.

Do you want to go dancing? Sandra asked.

Actually, I’m ready for bed. Can we leave the dancing ‘til tomorrow? Or you go if you like and I’ll go back to the cabin and read for a while.

No, I’m tired too. There will be plenty of time for dancing over the next few nights.

Our suite was quite spacious and came with the added attraction of a balcony. I had unpacked soon after we came on the ship and found there was plenty of drawer and hanging space. I had tested the beds and they were comfortable and with a steward to look after us I was sure we would be very happy. I looked out through the balcony window as I drew the curtains and could only see one or two small lights winking in the distance. I’m going to love cruising, I thought to myself, all my previous worries about seasickness quickly dissolving. Sandra was a veteran – since her divorce she had been on half a dozen cruises and it was she who had finally persuaded me to try a cruising holiday.

We awoke the next morning to a glorious day. We ordered coffee from our steward and sat out on the balcony to drink it. The sea was still rushing past at a dizzying speed!

Keep looking out to the horizon, Sandra advised. There’s nothing to see looking down.

That was easier said than done. My eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the water beneath our balcony railings. Where the ship disturbed the surface it frothed and white bubbles crested and burst. There wasn’t much to see on the horizon either – just the line where the deep blue sea met the light blue sky. I decided to take a couple of sea sickness tablets anyway.

Just to be sure, I said, as I swallowed them with the last dregs of my coffee.

You’ll soon get your sea legs, Sandra assured me.

We went down to the buffet restaurant and helped ourselves, before taking our food to a table outside, overlooking the pool. We were busily engaged in eating when a woman screamed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over towards the pool. I could see a man floating face down in the water. He had grey hair and was slightly over weight. An older woman, also with grey hair, struggled to get out of her deck chair and rushed over to the edge of the pool. A middle-aged woman screamed again. Two men who had been swimming at the other end of the pool made their way over to the floating body. They turned him on to his back and moved him to the side. One of the swimmers tried to find a pulse in his neck and shook his head. Helping hands appeared above them and the man was pulled out of the water and laid on his back. A man and a woman commenced CPR whilst someone else called for the ship’s doctor.

By the time the doctor arrived the couple giving CPR had been working on him for ten minutes without any result. The doctor checked his pulse and took over from the man doing the chest compressions. A nurse appeared shortly afterwards and relieved the woman who was giving the patient mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After another few minutes, the doctor signalled to her to stop and pronounced the patient deceased. The woman who had rushed to the side of the pool, whom we presumed to be his wife, started sobbing loudly. The woman who had screamed tried to comfort her. A sheet was produced by the crew and the body was lifted on to a stretcher, covered and taken away. It was a sobering start to our holiday.

What do you think happened to him? I asked Sandra, as I toyed with my yoghurt. I didn’t feel very hungry now.

Heart attack, maybe? He looked pretty old.

Either that or perhaps he had a medical condition.

His poor wife. What an awful start to a holiday. You think you are going off together on a trip of a lifetime and one of you returns home alone.

The ship was bigger than I had imagined. There were two large dining rooms, hosting two sittings at night, as well as breakfast and lunch for those who preferred waiter service. In addition there was a Pizza Bar, a Coffee Shop and a huge self-service buffet which was open all day. There were numerous bars, including a Piano Bar and not one, but two large theatres. Every night there was a choice of two shows and the standard was very good. One evening it would be the Ship’s own dancers and singers doing a routine with, perhaps, a comic performing in the other theatre. There might be a piano player or a jazz quartet, or a singer on another night.

The entertainers are changed in port, Sandra explained. One lot get off and another lot get on. When they leave our ship, they transfer to another one, so we have different entertainment throughout the cruise.

That would be a strange life, I mused. I bet they wouldn’t even know which ship they were on half the time!

Fortunately, Sandra was right about the sea sickness. After a couple of days I didn’t even think about it. My body happily accepted the ship’s movement and I congratulated myself on being such a good sailor.

During the day you could choose from a number of activities, including ballroom dancing, Bingo, trivia contests, weaving or hat making, to name but a few. There was certainly no chance of being bored! The ship even had it’s own library with tables which were also used for playing cards. In addition, there was a large swimming pool, numerous hot spas, a large gym and a beauty salon. Of course, there were also the shops, which sold everything from toiletries to chocolates, clothes to handbags and perfume to umbrellas, not to mention jewellery. Combined with the excellent food and service, it really was the most wonderful holiday.

There’s a table tennis competition this afternoon, Sandra informed me on the third day of our cruise. I was thinking I might enter – do you want to play doubles with me?

Not particularly. I was planning to start that book I borrowed from the ship’s library. Anyway, you know you prefer playing singles! I think I might just sit out on the balcony with my book.

Okay. I just thought I’d ask. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, then.

I opened my book and read the first chapter. Then I was distracted by a number of birds diving and playing in the ship’s swell. My mind drifted as I watched them fly upwards to the blue sky, towards the white puffs of clouds floating past. Then they would turn swiftly, putting themselves into a steep dive, their wings folded in tightly to their bodies. Some would hit the top of the water whilst others swung away sharply at the last minute, the dive aborted. Again and again they would repeat these actions whilst I tried to see if they actually caught any fish.

What a wonderful way to spend time – just drifting with my thoughts. It certainly beats working!

I remembered the last few months of work. It was pressurised and, oh, so stressful. Two years ago my job as Personal Secretary to a Federal Member of Parliament came to an unexpected end. My boss was not pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for the next election in 1993. It was a very sad and emotional time, as I had been with Jim Blake for seven years and enjoyed working for him. He was a very honest and hard-working politician and didn’t deserve his fate. He worked hard for his electorate and it came as a huge shock when, just prior to the election, the Party Branches started stacking the numbers for a younger, left-wing candidate. Although we worked frantically to try and turn things around, we couldn’t make up the ground. When the time came for pre-selection, Jim lost out by only a handful of votes. We were devastated. It was even more bitter-sweet when the Liberal Party won the election and was returned to Government.

We continued to work up until the election and then Jim cleared out his office and said his goodbyes. Myself, Colleen and Kayleen (who had replaced Lesley only six months earlier) were given the option of staying on the staff. Kayleen, of course, jumped at the chance, but Colleen and I couldn’t bring ourselves to work for someone who had so underhandedly taken Jim’s position. Colleen, who was well known around Parliament House, had no trouble finding work with the new Minister for Finance, whilst I decided it was time for a change.

I had always loved books and spent much of my spare time in the local library or browsing old bookshops. When a position came up for an Executive Secretary to the General Manager of a well-known Publishing Company I re-kindled my enthusiasm and put in my application. My first interview went well and I was invited back to meet the General Manager, Lucinda Lovedale. I wasn’t sure about working for a woman – I’d heard some pretty dreadful stories about career-driven women, but Lucinda turned out to be lovely. In her early fifties, with dark blonde hair worn in a soft French roll, she was tall and slim with a warm smile. She rose to meet me and offered me her hand, as I took in her tailored navy suit, crimson blouse and very high navy heels.

Hello, Anna. I’m so pleased you could come in. Please take a seat and tell me something about yourself.

I gave Lucinda a short outline, as I knew she would already have been briefed by H.R. She was very understanding about my decision to look for a new direction following the election. Her heavily made-up blue eyes looked at me appraisingly. She took in my black suit teamed with a new, pale pink blouse and black heels, as I sat straight-backed, legs crossed, trying to look professional and confident. My best feature, striking large, dark blue eyes, combined with shoulder length light brown hair, a snub nose and square chin gave me an attractive, if not pretty, look.

I can see you are very loyal, she said after perusing her notes for a few moments. That means a lot to me, especially in this business. Our competitors can be quite cut-throat.

We talked about the role for a while and then I inquired why her previous assistant had left and she explained that she had resigned before her baby was born.

Her husband was in a position to enable her to stay at home for a couple of years so unfortunately we lost Jacinta. She was a smart girl, but not quite as pro-active as I would have liked. I guess in your previous role there was a lot of call for initiative?

Yes, you could say that, I replied.

Good. I’m looking for someone who can stretch themselves beyond the usual secretarial role and take on some of my workload. Well, I’m quite satisfied that you are going to fit in here very nicely. Please see H.R. on your way out and they will talk to you about salary and paperwork. I hope you will decide to accept our offer.

Thank you very much, Lucinda. I’m sure I’ll enjoy working for Harbour Lights Publishing.

I found my new job very much to my liking, although sometimes the restraints and requirements of Occupational Health & Safety, Finance and Accreditation were very frustrating as companies struggled to come to terms with the ever-changing Government requirements. Lucinda was wonderful to work for – a stickler for detail who kept me on my toes, she was nevertheless also very caring and considerate. She never held me back but encouraged me to become involved in as much of the business as I could manage and I thrived. If things were a little quiet she would send me down to Submissions, who would let me have a new submission to read and review, which I loved. There was a wonderful atmosphere at Harbour Lights, with a very eclectic mixture of staff who, for the most part, worked very well together. It felt more like a family than a workplace and I looked forward to going to work, making many friends. Friday nights we would often adjourn to the nearby pub to spend more time together.

It came as a shock, therefore, when Harbour Lights Publishing was taken over by a large American company and I found myself redundant! Even Lucinda wasn’t aware that the company was up for sale. Apparently the owner, James Finnigan, was at a conference in America when he received the offer out of the blue. As he was coming up to retirement age and had no children to pass the business on to, he had accepted on the spot. He and his wife were going fishing!

I knew of course that Lucinda wouldn’t be retained and I considered