The Singing Sleuth Finds a Leaf

By D.B. Barton

An ancestor cruise with the family. What could go wrong?

Alec DunBarton (aka The Singing Sleuth), his wife, Paige, and her entire family have been invited to Copenhagen by Gustav Anderson, the wealthy patriarch of the clan and owner of Anderson’s Biscuits.

Eager for his relatives to explore their roots, Gustav has arranged for everyone to meet in Denmark and board the Centaurus, a cruise ship sailing for Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. On the cruise, they’ll be visiting the places their forebears came from before making their way to America.

It's unfortunate that Gustav Anderson was not able to join in the fun. On the first night of the cruise, he was poisoned and died in the ship’s infirmary. It wasn’t a member of Paige’s family, was it?

Among those sailing on the cruise were: Margaret Anderson, Gustav’s obedient daughter and VP at the company; Justin Anderson, Gustav’s disgruntled vegan son; Stefan Anderson, the greedy black sheep of the family; Lana Wolfe, Gustav’s flamboyant former wife: David Law, the company’s sober social secretary; or Shane Madsen, a cookie company competitor. The family, of course, hope it was a total stranger.

Find out who killed Gustav while you visit wonderous sights in Scandinavia and Germany and explore one family’s heritage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.B. Barton
• Release date: Mar 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215968666

D.B. Barton

D.B. Barton is the award-winning author of The Singing Sleuth series. When she’s not dreaming of ingenious ways to eliminate unpleasant people, she visits exotic locales, bakes fattening goodies, and volunteers at the local hospital. D.B. Barton is currently working on her tenth book, The Singing Sleuth Digs Up the Past. She was born in New York City and resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, Timothy Pavlenko, and two cats, Esme and Yoko.

Book preview

The Singing Sleuth Finds a Leaf

D.B. Barton

The Singing Sleuth Finds a Leaf

by D.B. Barton

Copyright 2023

Smashwords Edition

Cover by Barbara Lambros

Cover Photograph by Kenneth Seidman

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

The Singing Sleuth Print Series:

The Singing Sleuth (2005, 2012)

The Singing Sleuth Returns (2007, 2014)

The Singing Sleuth Goes Home (2009, 2017)

The Singing Sleuth Crosses the Pond (2011, 2021)

The Singing Sleuth Does Vegas (2013)

The Singing Sleuth Takes a Bow (2016)

The Singing Sleuth Meets His Matches (2020)

The Singing Sleuth Runs a B&B (2022)

The Singing Sleuth Finds a Leaf (2023)

The Singing Sleuth Digs Up the Past (2024)

The complete series can be ordered directly from

www.singingsleuth.com.

To our illustrious ancestors who:

left their homeland,

forged a new life in America,

and

gave their children’s children a priceless gift.

Table of Contents

Centaurus Itinerary

PROLOGUE

Chapter 1: I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)

Chapter 2: Dream On

Chapter 3: Let’s Get Together

Chapter 4: Family Affair

Chapter 5: All Things Must Pass

Chapter 6: Ooh Child

Chapter 7: Son of a Son of a Sailor

Chapter 8: Father and Son

Chapter 9: Strange Brew

Chapter 10: My Father’s Eyes

Chapter 11: The Stranger

Chapter 12: Come Sail Away

Chapter 13: The Gambler

Chapter 14: Rich Girl

Chapter 15: Carry on Wayward Son

Chapter 16: Nowhere Man

Chapter 17: Teach Your Children

Chapter 18: Shower The People

EPILOGUE

Recipes From the Old Country

Copyright Acknowledgements

Centaurus Itinerary

Twelve-Day Northern European Cruise

Copenhagen to Copenhagen

Tuesday, 9th of August: Copenhagen, Denmark

Depart 4:00 PM

Wednesday, 10th of August: At Sea

Thursday, 11th of August: Oslo, Norway

Arrive 7:00 AM, Depart 6:00 PM

Friday, 12th of August: Gothenburg, Sweden

Arrive 7:00 AM, Depart 5:00 PM

Saturday, 13th of August: Kiel (Hamburg), Germany

Arrive 8:00 AM, Depart 6:00 PM

Sunday, 14th of August: At Sea

Monday, 15th of August: Visby, Gotland, Sweden

Arrive 7:00 AM, Depart 6:00 PM

Tuesday, 16th of August: Stockholm, Sweden

Arrive 7:00 AM, Depart 4:00 PM

Wednesday, 17th of August: St. Petersburg, Russia

Arrive 7:00 AM

Thursday, 18th of August: St. Petersburg, Russia

Depart 6:00 PM

Friday, 19th of August: At Sea

Saturday, 20th of August: Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany

Arrive 6:00 AM, Depart 8:00 PM

Sunday, 21st of August: Copenhagen, (Denmark)

Arrive 6:00 AM

PROLOGUE

Friday Afternoon

5th of August

2:34 PM EDT

The airline’s sky club was not as lavish as Alec DunBarton had anticipated. It was extremely crowded, excessively noisy, and not at all relaxing. Despite its flaws, Alec was glad it had a variety of seating options and complementary food and drink.

The lounge was going to be a temporary oasis for him, his wife Paige, and Paige’s Aunt Irena for the next six hours. Their domestic flight from Maine to New York had landed earlier and their nonstop flight from John F. Kennedy Airport to Copenhagen, Denmark, was scheduled to leave at 9:25 PM.

Determining that the sky club was a better choice than the airline’s sterile and frantic departure lounge, Alec looked over to where Paige and Irena had managed to find an empty table. As Irena lowered her frail body onto the padded seat that ran the length of the wall, she announced, I’m glad Alec upgraded our international airline tickets from coach to first class. I’m going to feel like a queen.

Alec, taking a club chair beside his wife, replied to Irena, You deserve it. You treated us like royalty at your bed and breakfast in Maine. I’m going to miss Boothbay Harbor.

Paige agreed. I will too, but I’m sure we’re going to see some beautiful sights on our ancestor cruise to Scandinavia, Germany, and Russia.

Wanting to review the plans that Paige’s uncle had made for them in Denmark, Alec asked his wife for a copy of Gustav’s last email. With a smile, Paige removed a sheet of paper from her purse and declared, I don’t think you’ll find any fault with his arrangements.

Irena chimed in, My half-brother may be an old goat, but he has all his marbles. He was quite ruthless in making his cookie company one of the biggest in Northern Europe. I’m sure Gustav has organized everything properly.

Alec winked at Irena. In spite of her advanced age and fragile appearance, she was anything but. Her blue eyes were sharp and there was little that escaped her attention. She reminded Alec of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.

Paige leaned over to Alec as she handed him the email. Together they read,

Subj: Upcoming Plans

Date: 4th of August, 08:58:07 PM CEST

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Dear Paige,

I was thrilled to hear that you and your husband are coming on the family ancestor cruise. I spoke to your father the other day, and he’s eager for all of us to get together. Your dad, brother, and sister-in-law also plan to arrive in Copenhagen on Saturday, sometime between two and three in the afternoon. I’ve taken the liberty to book three executive suites for the family at Imperial Hotel on Vester Farimagsgade 9.

I assume you and Alec will be fine in one room, Derek and Gail will take the other, and Irena can share hers with Russell. Stefan is flying in from England and has insisted on having his own quarters. I’m sorry Jeanne won’t be able to join us on this occasion. I hope to visit her soon in California.

I believe you’ll find the hotel suitable. It is centrally located and two-tenths of a mile from Tivoli Gardens. I made sure to include breakfast in your booking. I heard your husband is a good eater. As to my plans, I’m going to have a welcome party at one of the hotel’s conference rooms on Sunday, the 7th of August. You should be able to overcome any jetlag by then and will still be able to enjoy a full day of sightseeing before we set off on our cruise. The cruise’s itinerary is slightly different from the one I had originally sent you. I’ve inserted a copy.

Like most families, I’m afraid we see far too little of each other. You’ll be happy to know that my two children will be joining us. Margaret, my eldest is a VP and a major shareholder at Anderson’s Biscuits. Justin is bringing along his mother (my former second wife). As you may remember, Justin was partially raised in America and has a vegan food blog. He hasn’t shown much interest is helping me or his half-sister run the family business. Two other people will be on the cruise with us. One is my English social secretary, David Law, and the other is Shane Madsen, a distant relative of my mother.

I think I’ve told you everything you need to know. Kastrup Airport is only five and half miles from the hotel. As your plane is scheduled to arrive on Saturday at 11:30 AM, our time, I’ve told the hotel when to expect you. Please don’t feel rushed. I’m sure Irena will want to nap. The old girl is getting on in age. If it’s convenient for you, I would like us to get together for a short time that night. I’ll have David Law check in on you upon your arrival.

Have a safe trip!

Uncle Gustav

Alec returned the email to Paige and remarked, We’re going to be in good hands. Now, as to something to eat and drink, what can I get you lovely ladies?

Pointing to two travelers sitting at a nearby table, Irena wondered out loud, Are those fluted glasses of champagne complimentary. I wouldn’t mind having one with a sandwich.

Alec, with a perfect view of people lined up for the buffet, replied, It’s as good a time as any. After asking Paige to join him, he instructed Irena to hold down the fort while they scouted for food.

The twosome returned with two bubbly glasses of champagne, a diet soft drink, and a plate with three mini hand-crafted sandwiches that contained turkey, gouda cheese, and fig jam.

As Alec set down the drinks, Irena asked, No Glenlivet for you?

Paige answered for her husband. He’s timing himself. He plans to buy one later since the lounge doesn’t include single-malt liquor among its free drinks.

Irena shook her head wisely. Paige’s Scottish husband could be very generous or very stingy. Among his other habits, Alec DunBarton liked to sing whenever the spirit moved him and blow smoke rings from his favorite old pipe whenever he needed to have a good think. Those two behaviors were particularly helpful when Alec, aka the Singing Sleuth, was called upon to solve a complicated murder.

Gazing at her aunt, Paige said, You seem to be deep in thought. Is there anything troubling you?

Irena blushed, Not really. I was just thinking of your husband’s uncanny ability to understand the criminal mind. You don’t think anyone will get murdered during our upcoming vacation?

Even though Alec predicted smooth sailing on their ancestry cruise, both women grimaced. Glad it was the bitter taste of their champagne and not his cheerful assurance, the threesome consumed their sandwiches.

The hours passed by slowly. The trio took turns roaming around the huge lounge and visiting the restrooms, the open-air terrace, and the beverage bars. Alec returned to the buffet area several times to try some the sky club’s hot foods. He sampled the minestrone soup, cheese ravioli, jerk chicken, and shrimp in cream sauce.

Paige marveled at how much Alec could eat prior to an eight-hour plane ride. With a grunt, he complained, No matter how much I have, I don’t feel satisfied. Some of the entrees are very strange. They have unrecognizable dishes like quinoa tabbouleh salad, plant-based sausage, and vegan apple strudel. What in the world are people eating these days?

Laughing, Paige explained, Even our ship’s chefs have expanded their menu to appeal to people with different food preferences. Not everybody eats meat and potatoes with an occasional vegetable. It might be good for you to widen your horizons.

Alec was about to grunt again when a person behind him gasped loudly and rushed over to Irena. A dark-haired woman gave Irena an exaggeratedly long hug while a pale lad watched them with a bored and irritated expression.

Before Paige could introduce the newcomers, the pair drew chairs up to their small table. Loudly, the woman announced, This is marvelous! Are we going to be on the same plane to Copenhagen? Then turning to Alec, she cooed, You must be Paige’s new husband. No one told me you were so handsome!

Alec responded with a hearty laugh. People often felt he looked similar to Pierce Brosnan, James Garner, and Cary Grant. Alec had dark wavy hair with grey at his temples. His brown eyes and long lashes were his best feature. When he laughed, the crow’s feet around his eyes creased.

To Alec, Paige announced, Your admirer is Lana Wolfe, Uncle Gustav’s second wife. The young fellow with her is Justin Anderson, their son and my cousin.

With that matter settled, Irena launched into a long-winded greeting of her own, mentioning that her former sister-in-law looked twenty years younger, and her son, a grown man.

It gave Alec a moment to assess the newcomers. There was no doubt that Lana Wolfe was a beauty. She was dressed in a black chiffon pantsuit that accentuated her petite and shapely figure. Alec guessed that she was in her fifties only by the light-colored age spots on her hands. The skin on her face was nearly flawless, and Alec wondered whether she merely had good genes or a cosmetic surgeon at her beck and call.

Lana’s green eyes burned with an inner fire. Alec found her vivaciousness refreshing as she responded to Irena’s questions with forthrightness. She didn’t seem to mind airing her dirty laundry in front of a relative stranger.

From listening to the conversation among the three women, Alec gathered that Lana was not particularly happy about being summoned on the ancestry cruise by her former husband. When Gustav requested her appearance and that of their son, he’d made it clear that no was not an option. Lana pronounced, Gustav had to pull his purse strings to get me to agree.

Justin, who had been quiet up to then, sneered, He can make my mother’s life miserable. I’ve made it clear to Mr. High and Mighty, I want nothing to do with his business. He and his company are responsible for abusing dairy cows, killing innocent male calves, ruining the environment, and poisoning everyone who ingests the milk products in his butter cookies!

Before Alec could ask why he was so opposed to butter, Lana explained, Justin is a vegan and has a very successful food blog. He has a great number of followers.

Gazing at her son with the loving eyes of a mother, she added, Gustav, of course, doesn’t approve of his lifestyle choices. He wants his son to follow in his footsteps.

While the women continued to gossip, Alec conversed with Justin Anderson and learned he was in his early thirties. Like many millennials, Alec found him to be self-centered. He didn’t have a job outside of his blog and solely depended upon his mother and father to support himself.

For the next thirty minutes, Alec also learned how cows were mistreated on large-scale dairy farms. Hoping that some cows were still allowed to graze on green pastures, Alec listened to the reasons why a cow’s milk, butter, and cheese should be eliminated from his diet. Although some of the vegan’s objections had merit, Alec knew he would never be able to give up the foods that made his life worthwhile.

Deciding that Justin’s pale skin was a byproduct of his restricted diet of fruit, veggies, nuts, and grains, Alec assessed the young man. He was about five-foot-ten-inches tall and attractive with light brown hair and hazel eyes. Although his body wasn’t particular muscular, Alec guessed he was resilient enough to stand up against his father.

It took a few seconds for Alec to realize that Paige was addressing him when she repeated, Darling, are listening to me? It’s eight o’clock. You mentioned earlier that you want to exchange U.S. dollars into Danish kroner before we go to the departure gate.

Alec checked his watch and answered, Yes, I don’t think it’s too early to make our way there. After confirming that Irena didn’t need to visit the restroom and no one wanted anymore of the airline’s gourmet" food, the threesome gathered up their carryon luggage.

Lana and Justin stayed behind and agreed to meet them at the gate in a half hour. After their temporary goodbyes were said, Alec led his small entourage to the International Currency Exchange where Alec converted five hundred dollars into Danish currency.

From there, the group found seats at the nearby departure gate. Assured of only thirty minutes of privacy, Alec questioned both Irena and Paige about Lana Wolfe.

In that short time, he learned that she and Justin shared a lavish apartment on Park Avenue in New York City. When first married, Lana lived in Greenwich, England, with Margaret and Gustav. Later, the threesome moved to Hamburg where Justin was born, and Gustav’s cookie company began to flourish. Lana had been his private secretary prior and during their marriage. Although she had signed a prenup, Gustav was very generous to her after they divorced.

While waiting for the airline to announce the boarding of its first-class passengers, Alec surmised that Lana was full of secrets. Eager to uncover them, Alec announced, We’re about to begin another adventure!

CHAPTER ONE

I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)

Words & Music