The Case of the Fond Farewell: Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mysteries, #6

By Cheri Baker

Captain Kevin West is coming aboard the S.V. Adventurous Spirit for his retirement ceremony and Ellie can't wait to meet him. The outgoing captain is one of Ben's oldest and dearest friends, and West has brought along his senior officers from the Spirit's sister ship, the S.V. Adventurous Soul. In just a few days' time, West will transfer control of the Soul to his protege, First Officer Emily Newhouse.

When tragedy strikes in the dark of night it seems the untimely death was linked to a troubling criminal conspiracy.  As the trail of deception leads to a shocking revelation, and after long-held secrets come to light, Ellie begins to wonder...

Was this murder committed by someone she loves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adventurous Ink LLC
• Release date: Jul 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781952200144

Cheri Baker

Cheri spent her formative years hiding under the blankets with a flashlight, reading everything she could get her hands on, but especially books by Stephen King, Judy Blume, Agatha Christie, and Mercedes Lackey. Her experiences in management inspired her first novel, Involuntary Turnover, about an HR manager turned private investigator. Cheri lives in Seattle with her husband of 18 years. She's working on her fourth novel.

Book preview

Chapter One

ELLIE TAPPET STEPPED CAREFULLY OVER the broken sidewalk. Sunlight baked the residential street to her left. Hot air currents rose from the dark asphalt and flickered, distorting her view of the cheerful white and yellow homes across the road. Up ahead, near the crest of the hill, dark green hedges wrapped around the showier residences like protective arms. Other houses were laid open to scrutiny. Dainty iron fences abutted rocky front yards where they met the sidewalk. The air smelled like dust and tar. Ellie wiped the back of her sweaty neck. Watch your step. It’s not much further to the top.

Officer Emily Newhouse came to a stop next to Ellie. Emily was tall for a woman. Her long muscular legs were tan from hours spent in the sun. She lifted her white Adventurous Cruises ball cap, aerating the top of her head, and squinted beneath the white cloth brim. Her stubby blond ponytail poked out from her head like a corgi’s tail. She looked around the neighborhood with interest, her pale blue eyes crinkling in the corners as she peered into the bright sunlight. Emily seemed utterly at ease in her own skin. Ellie had been curious to see how the crew from the Adventurous Soul compared to the men and women she knew from the Adventurous Spirit. Emily struck her as an introverted kind of person. She spoke, but only when she had something important to say. Otherwise, she seemed inclined to let her coworkers do the talking.

Female captains were still rare in the cruise industry, but First Officer Newhouse’s promotion would nudge things in the right direction.

Emily noticed Ellie watching her. Thanks for showing us around, she said.

It’s my pleasure. Ellie wanted to say more, but what? Her attempts to draw Emily into conversation had been less than fruitful. Whenever she’d made small talk, she’d felt like she was babbling. Perhaps it was best to let Emily set the conversational pace?

Emily Newhouse wore no lipstick and no jewelry. Her shoulder-length blond hair was lightly touched with gray. Standing next to the captain-to-be, Ellie felt a tad frivolous in her bright pink tunic, capri pants, and wooden parrot earrings. The parrots had looked so adorable in the shop window, but perhaps they were a bit much? Ellie quickly reached up and unhooked the dangling birds from her ears, stowing them in her pocket next to her lipstick.

Officer Jim Astor huffed and puffed his way up the hill. His face was lobster pink. Jim wore his salt-and-pepper hair in a military cut, and his square jaw and deep-set eyes gave him a serious mien. But appearances could be deceiving. Jim was easily the most gregarious officer on the Adventurous Soul. He was full of stories about the ship, her crew, and their retiring captain, Kevin West.

Ben’s friend.

What a spectacular day. Jim wheezed. And I like this hike! It’s vigorous.

Ellie felt a twinge of guilt at the sight of Jim’s sweaty face and the sound of his heaving lungs. If she’d known how out of shape he was, she would have chosen a different route.

Captain Kevin had spurned her invitation for a day sightseeing at port, and then he’d flung his officers at her like a consolation prize. Take Jim and Emily out! They could use some fresh air, he’d said. Then Kevin West had smiled at her in a way that was more polite than genuine. And of course, Jim and Emily had agreed because Kevin was their captain.

Her companions hadn’t seemed particularly interested in the hike, but they’d shown up without complaint, and now she felt like a mom dragging a pair of bored teenagers around town. Jim and Emily had been nothing but gracious. They hadn’t complained even once. Still, she could tell when someone was being grudgingly polite. Why hadn’t they said no thank you if they didn’t want to come?

Ben had been so excited to see his old friend again. He and Kevin served in the US Navy together, nearly thirty years ago, and according to Ben, Kevin was the person who had introduced him to Roberta Crowley, majority owner of Adventurous Cruises.

I just wish I liked the man better, Ellie thought. Kevin had been slightly too surprised to learn that she and Ben were a couple. He’d said, You must be Ellie, and then he’d looked her up and down as if her very existence perplexed him. Kevin West had a way of saying things without saying them. Perhaps that’s why his crew straightened up whenever he was within eyeshot. Either that or the man was so difficult that people feared his disapproval. Without more information, it was hard to say.

Perhaps she was being childish. She hated to admit it, but she was a tad jealous of Ben’s old mentor. Ever since the crew of the Soul had come aboard, Ben had been too busy to see her. Come to think of it, Ben had been swamped for weeks, canceling dates and making all sorts of excuses as to why he couldn’t spend as much time with her as usual. She’d almost asked him if he was avoiding her, but she didn’t want to sound paranoid. Ben was as sweet as ever when they were together. He was just… busier than usual. But he wasn’t too busy for his old buddy Kevin.

Stop it, she admonished herself. You get to see Ben almost every day, and he hasn’t had time with Kevin in forever. No doubt she’d find something to like about the retiring captain in time. After all, if Ben admired him, he couldn’t be all bad!

Jim had tipped forward. He pressed his hands into the flabby flesh above his knees, taking deep ragged breaths.

Emily’s forehead furrowed. I could use a breather. Ellie, do you have any water in your backpack?

Ellie unslung her small purple backpack and unzipped it. Emily knew there was water. She’d put it there herself before they’d left the ship! Ellie offered her a smile of approval as she handed the water bottles over. She hadn’t wanted to embarrass Jim for being so out of shape.

Captain Emily would do just fine.

Emily opened the cap on the first water bottle and handed it to Jim. She opened the other bottle for herself. Ellie looked around the neighborhood. The narrow street was bordered on both sides by a mix of small hotels, private residences, and tiny, family-run businesses. A low stucco wall rounded the closest street corner. Embedded in that wall, a door-shaped alcove held a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Someone had placed a hand-tied bouquet of pink blossoms at the Virgin’s feet.

Ellie pointed at a green awning up ahead. The cloth shaded a small mini mart tucked beneath a larger building. One of the things I love about Mexico is how the neighborhoods have a little bit of everything. Back in Florida, if you want to get lunch or fill up your car with gas, you have to drive into town. But here, you can find everything you need within walking distance.

Jim stood upright and wiped his brow. His color was better now. A slow grin spread out over his sweaty face. Pink splotches were fading on his cheeks. But isn’t there supposed to be a taco stand on every corner? I feel like the media has been lying to me! He laughed at his joke, wheezing a little. I don’t think I’ve been up this street before. When I make it off the ship, I’m usually down at the dock, talking to our vendors. There aren’t so many hills.

In some Mexican towns, there’s a gas truck for locals, Ellie said, continuing in tour guide mode. The gas comes to you! And so do other things: milk, vegetables, and fruit. One time I even saw a candy cart. She smiled at Jim. I can point you to a few good taco stands, although I think the local tamales are better. Emily twisted the cap back on her water bottle and tucked it into the small backpack at Ellie’s feet. Now that Jim was ready, so was she.

Shall we? Ellie shouldered her backpack. They headed up the steep hill, more slowly now. They were walking through Puerto Vallarta’s so-called Romantic Zone. The Spirit had been up and down the Mexican Riviera enough times that she felt comfortable taking people around to see the sights, but she still wasn’t sure what made the Romantic Zone romantic! Still, the viewpoint up top was worth the climb.

Soon, Roberta Crowley would lead the small ceremony transferring control of the Adventurous Soul from Kevin to Emily. And Roberta’s instructions were clear: Captain West and his friends were to be wined, dined, and treated as honored guests.

Ellie pointed up to the spot where the sidewalk disappeared into a thick mound of bushes with glossy green leaves. There’s a staircase in there. After we take in the views up top, we’ll head straight down to the beach and get some grub. There’s this fantastic little spot down by the pier.

They climbed the stairs. Emily stood aside until Jim passed, letting him set the pace. She said, "I understand that you manage a singles program for the Spirit? What’s that like?

"Do you have rooms for solo travelers aboard the Soul?"

We do. But our single staterooms rarely fill up. Most people would prefer to bunk with a friend and save money on a bigger room with a view.

We used to have the same problem. The thing is, solo travelers feel lonely. So I set up group dinners, and help people pair off at port, and so on. The Lofts are booked out solid for nine months. Ellie felt a prickle of pride. Roberta even floated the idea of expanding the program, but the room conversions would be too expensive.

Emily nodded. Would you be willing to write up a summary for me? I’d like my cruise director Tessa to look at it. We might benefit from a similar approach.

Jim looked back at them. "The captain tried it already. It cost us a ton of money. The Spirit is lucky to have Ellie volunteering her time. Hiring someone to do her job would be quite expensive, assuming we could find someone with her unique talents."

That’s sweet of you to say, Ellie said. But I took the job in exchange for free travel. There are thousands of retirees who would jump at the chance to run your singles program! Don’t tell Roberta, but I should have been paying her, not the other way around!

Ellie climbed the steps slowly, leading with her good leg, following with her walking cane, taking most of the pressure off her arthritic hip with each upward motion. It felt good to move. The rail felt gritty beneath her palm. Jim, I was surprised to learn that all of the other ships in the fleet have an administrative officer.

"Roberta would never hire an administrator for the Spirit, Jim said, pausing on the steps and looking back. She likes to be in control. He scratched his ear and pivoted, leaning against the rail. Oh! Here’s a story you’ll like. Did you know that Roberta used to run an underground casino in Nevada?"

You’re kidding!

Jim’s green eyes were full of mirth. "You didn’t hear it from me, but Roberta wasn’t always a cruise magnate. No, ma’am! She tussled with the big boys down in Vegas! The gambling board shut her out because she’s a woman, greedy pigs that they were, so she opened her own place off the strip. You had to know the right people to get in, and it had a secret door and a code word; the whole deal. I only got part of the story. Anyway, I hear she ran with a real rough crowd. Vegas was smaller then. Word is she made a mint, closed up shop, and decided to become a pirate."

Jim loves to exaggerate, Emily interjected. We all love Roberta. She’s—

No. Hear me out. Jim raised his voice to drown out Emily’s. A casino is a grift, right, Ellie? The house always wins. So, Roberta earned her stash that way. Then she weaseled her way into the cruise industry via her late husband. Now she lives aboard a ship like a queen in her castle! Thus, I say she’s a pirate. He smirked in the direction of the women. I mean no disrespect.

Ellie’s hand tightened on her cane. Roberta hadn’t weaseled her way into anything! Despite Jim’s backpedal, she hadn’t missed the snide attitude beneath his jokey tone. Some men didn’t like it when women were successful; Jim Astor must be one of them.

Behind her, Emily Newhouse was silent.

Well, maybe I’ll talk to Roberta about hiring an admin officer, Ellie said with as much cheerfulness as she could muster. She takes on so much, you know? Lately, she’s been inviting me over for tea every week and dragging me through the cruise line’s financial reports. If she had someone like you, Jim, she’d have more time to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Jim’s eyebrows shot up, and Ellie felt a flutter of amusement at his expense. Meanies always expected a fight; they never quite knew what to do with a compliment.

Jim turned and climbed the next set of stairs. Why is Roberta involving you in her business? Don’t you have your hands full getting singles to play spin the bottle?

That’s what he thinks of my job? She wasn’t about to rise to the bait. Oh, I don’t mind. I think Roberta likes to have someone to bounce her ideas off of. I enjoy working with her. We butted heads for a while, but we’ve become good friends. She aimed the last two words at Jim, hoping he’d take the hint. If he wanted to say rude things about Roberta, he’d need to find another audience.

The stairs ended at a flat area made of dirt and rock. The platform was shaped like a half-circle, and a low concrete wall to prevent people from toppling over the front of the viewpoint. They were shaded by a small luxury hotel even higher on the hill, and when Ellie looked up, she saw tourists standing on the hotel’s balcony, looking out at the view.

Ellie swept her arm out toward the glorious blue vista. Behold! The most impressive view in Puerto Vallarta. They walked up to the concrete wall and looked out toward the sea. Down below, the beach was a wide and sandy arc dotted with red and blue beach umbrellas. Tiny figures in bathing suits ran into the surf. Bright blue water lapped at the shore, and the deeper blue sea rushed out toward the infinite horizon. The three big cruise ships anchored out at sea looked like children’s toys floating in the world’s largest bathtub. "And there’s the Spirit! I never get tired of seeing her. Of course, you probably feel the same way about the Soul."

Ellie’s shoulders stung where her backpack straps had been rubbing. Was that a sunburn? She fished around for the half-empty tube of sunblock in her bag. She was rubbing away the last bit of white lotion on her shoulders when she noticed that Emily and Jim hadn’t responded to what she’d said. Instead, they were both looking out to sea like they were searching for something.

Chapter Two

DINNER THAT NIGHT WAS A noisy affair. The restaurant crew had set up a big table off by itself in a corner of the main dining room. Name tags rested atop each place setting, printed in swirling calligraphy. Roberta was at the head of the table looking queenly. She sat in an ornate wooden chair that the crew must have fetched from her suite. She wore a black dress with pewter colored threads running through the fabric and her white hair was loose around her shoulders. Roberta Crowley surveyed the table with the smug pleasure of someone whose plans were coming together.

Ellie thought back to Jim’s comments about Roberta being a pirate queen and hid her smile. Roberta liked to have things her own way, and she looked rather regal on her throne. Officers from the Soul were seated next to those from the Spirit. Emily sat to Roberta’s left, and Kevin was on her right. Taken together they represented the past and the future for the crew of the Adventurous Soul.

The Soul was in dry dock, getting her hull re-sealed and two of her restaurants remodeled. Perhaps that’s why so many members of Kevin’s crew had come aboard for his retirement party. In addition to West’s senior officers, a dozen or so crew from different departments had given up a precious week of vacation to see their captain off. But only the senior officers had been invited to dinner with Roberta.

Ben sat next to Kevin. He talked and gestured, moving his hands in the air as if he were pulling up an invisible rope. Kevin leaned close to Ben and muttered something too low to hear, and Ben burst out laughing.

Kevin West was an average looking man in his mid-sixties. He had a well-shaped bald head, an arrogant smile, and a piercing gaze that he aimed like a laser beam at anyone who spoke to him. He reminded Ellie of a bald eagle, but his intensity was softened somewhat