The Cruising Black Widow

CHAPTER ONE

Miami

I love it when a plan comes together, he said to his accountant, sitting across the desk.

Burt Holmes smiled as he looked, with satisfaction, at his newly prepared financial statement. The asset column reflected the sale of his company, South Florida Security, to Black Hawk Services, a huge international firm registered offshore in the Cayman Islands. The cash sales figure of $1.4 million almost jumped off the page.

That huge sale price, based on ten times net earnings, was also paid to his new bank account in a Grand Cayman bank to avoid U. S. income tax.

What are you going to do, now that you don’t have a job? the accountant asked, with a chuckle.

I’m thinking of taking a cruise around the world while I dream up a new business scheme.

Knowing you, it’ll be borderline legal.

Ha, ha, he said, as he stood to leave, you know me too well.

Just remember, when you bend the law, I don’t want to know about it. You will cause an ethics dilemma.

I remember . . . you said you can’t reveal what you don’t know.

Well . . . good luck and let’s keep in touch, he said, as Burt walked out the door.

As Burt entered his car and closed the door, the image of his nest egg in the Grand Cayman bank returned. At fifty-five years old, he realized the $1.4 million wouldn’t be enough to last through his present life expectancy if he maintained the lifestyle he wanted.

He knew from experience that the best time to parlay assets was when things were on a roll. He’d used that knowledge to get the big dollars for his company while his earnings were temporarily inflated.

The recent knowledge he gained while helping Trans Ocean Cruise Line catch that cruising serial killer, would be a key to his next step.

Since he no longer had an office, he decided to go home and do some research on the internet. There was something fascinating about that Blocker fellow and the way he used disguises, fake documents, and the cruise lines. Burt had no interest in becoming a serial killer, but some of the other aspects of Blocker’s career could be useful.

Sitting at the desk in his home office, he began to make a list of Blocker’s techniques. The chartering of private aircraft was brilliant, as it allowed him to island hop in a manner that was difficult to trace. His use of fake passports and driver’s license made it possible for him to avoid a problem with customs when he needed to remain under FBI radar.

Thinking through Blocker’s last two weeks, he realized that the killer’s bogus driver’s licenses and passport must have been obtained in Puerto Rico. Knowing these items could come in handy for what he had in mind, he decided to try to retrace Blocker’s steps and obtain some fake ID’s for himself.

Logging on with his laptop, he checked Trans Ocean’s schedule out of Miami for a cruise that stopped in Grand Cayman. He found that their ship, Enticement, was set to depart in two days and after several stops, it was scheduled for a day visit at Grand Cayman on it’s next-to-last stop.

Perfect, he said out loud.

He immediately phoned their reservation number to check availability. A last minute cancellation had made a suite available and the lady quoted him 50% of the regular fare. After booking it with his credit card, he thought ahead to his next step.

Satisfied that his plan was coming together, he booked a room on line at a resort in Grand Cayman using an alias, securing it with his still active company credit card, but planning to pay cash when he arrived.

The sun was setting as he emerged from his condo tower and drove over to his favorite watering hole in South Beach. He felt refreshed from the hot shower after spending most of the afternoon researching Puerto Rico on line. There was always a good chance he could pick up a hot dame on the prowl and celebrate his good fortune.

South Beach, Miami

Tess Schweet sat sipping on a drink at a sidewalk table in front of the Ocean Spray Hotel. Activity was picking up, as it usually did when the sun was setting at South Beach, but nothing took her mind off her abrupt termination that afternoon at Universal Banking Systems.

They told her they were downsizing, but she knew better. She knew her dismissal was a direct result of her refusing to sleep with her boss. That old pot-bellied slob was just too much to take. Her plan had worked perfectly.

She looked at the hastily written check for three month’s salary, the first installment of her settlement agreement. With her skills, she expected to have no problem finding another job. Sipping her Mai Tai, she began to analyze her situation. Twice divorced, then a widow in her middle thirties, she still had a decent figure. Her computer programming skills were extensive but slanted toward the banking industry.

A horn sounded as a near collision occurred right in front of her. The driver in the front car opened his door, shouted a few curse words, then drove off with screeching tires. With her train of thought interrupted and her attention diverted, she noticed a man chuckling as he sat down at the next table.

These cruising kids, he said, they’re so busy looking at the girls, they don’t watch where they’re going.

Yes, but the girls come here to be seen, she replied.

Is that why you’re here?

Tess laughed.

I wish it were . . . I’m just trying to shake off some depression.

Well, I’m here to celebrate. Maybe we can help each other.

What are you celebrating?

I sold my business and I’m going on a cruise. Why are you depressed?

I was fired this afternoon because I wouldn’t go to bed with my boss.

There are laws against sexual harassment. You could crucify them.

Yes, but you have to have proof. This old slob was very careful not to leave any evidence, there were no witnesses.

Hmmm . . . if I was still in the detective business, I could probably help you.

Is that what you sold? An investigative business?

It was a little more than that. We did security work for some major companies.

Wow . . . that sounds like big bucks.

"Well . . . everything is relative. We always want more, don’t we?

Tess nodded and took the last sip of her drink.

This is the start of something good for you. I’ll buy you another drink.

That would be nice, I’m Tess.

I’m Burt . . . what was your job? he asked, as he waved down a waitress.

Bring us two more Mai Tai’s, he said to the waitress, as he moved over to Tess’s table.

I was a computer programmer for banking software, she said, turning her chair so they could talk.

So . . . that means you are a smart woman. I’ll have to be on my toes.

Tess smiled at his remark as the waitress placed the drinks on the table.

As Burt raised his glass in a toast, another near collision interrupted their conversation. Four dark skinned guys riding in a Rolls Royce with the windows down nearly smashed into a slow moving Cadillac. They moved on after some dirty looks were exchanged.

The object of their attention, two scantily clad young girls, passed in front of Tess and Burt. The girls were giggling as the Rolls drove off.

Wow . . . times sure have changed, said Burt. These young guys drive Rolls, Caddies, and sport cars and the girls wear practically nothing.

I bet you still enjoy looking.

Not really . . . they’re much too young and immature for me. I prefer women more your age.

How old do you think I am?

I’d say thirty-three to thirty-six.

That’s pretty good. I’m thirty-five. Are you a connoisseur of women?

Burt chuckled.

I’m a detective, remember, but I do appreciate a fine looking woman.

You’ve kept yourself pretty fit, you must exercise.

In my line of work, we have to stay fit.

Burt finished his drink and placed his glass on the table.

Why don’t I buy you a nice steak dinner to cheer you up, he said.

That’s very thoughtful of you. I guess an evening with a detective would be safe enough.

Well, I’d probably try to seduce you if it weren’t for the bad experience you just had.

Tess raised an eyebrow as she finished her drink.

My car is in the garage around the corner . . . where are you parked? she asked.

What a coincidence, mine’s in the same place.

"Okay . . . where do you want to go? I will meet you there.

Oh . . . come ride with me. I’ll bring you back and I promise not to bite.

Tess laughed.

Okay, she said, you’re good medicine for my depression.

They walked around the corner, found his car in the garage, and drove to the Sirloin Pit about ten blocks down Washington Avenue.

CHAPTER TWO

On the ship

Ken Abney walked slowly to his office on Trans Ocean’s cruise ship, Enticement. He had been in a despondent mood ever since his demotion from Chief of Security for the entire fleet. As the ship’s security chief, his duties seemed almost infantile compared to his former position.

In this new job, he was gone almost all of the time, sailing the circuitous route in the Caribbean, hopping from island to island. This job was boring and offered almost no challenge to a man of his experience. The only real duty was dealing with a few drunks each night at the pool or the disco. The rest was simply paperwork and scheduling his personnel.

Things would get a little busier tomorrow when they docked in Miami to disembark the passengers and take on a new load. He would have men stationed at every opening to ensure no unauthorized people got on or off the ship.

He quickly learned that the Captain and a few of his assistants had ongoing parties with some of the entertainers during the evenings after the late show. The captain made it clear that Ken and his men should ignore these antics since they posed no security threat.

One evening he found the Captain so drunk that he had to escort him to his cabin. The next day, the Captain cornered him at lunch and made him swear to keep his mouth shut.

You serve as our security chief at my pleasure, he reminded Ken. I will have you fired if I find out that you mentioned this to anyone.

Ken had noticed when he first arrived on the ship that the moral of the crew seemed low but he wrote it off as a sign that they missed their home. Now he knew better. It was obvious that the whole crew knew what was going on and they had little respect for their captain.

He decided that he would make a short shore trip when they reached Miami to collect some of the electronic items he bought while he was Chief of Security. Using those items discretely would help to neutralize the Captain’s power and possibly get him removed.

Miami

Burt Holmes sipped the last of his Martini as he gazed into the eyes of his new acquaintance, Tess Schweet. Their waiter arrived with a bottle of Merlot and went through the opening ceremony. Burt tasted the sample and nodded.

After the pouring, he raised his glass and said, To a new and lasting friendship.

Tess smiled and clinked her glass to his.

How long will you be gone? she asked.

It’s a seven day cruise.

Where all does it go?

It just island hops around the Caribbean. I’ve forgotten most of the stops. One I do remember is Grand Cayman.

I’ve never been on a cruise, I worried that I might get seasick.

Nonsense, those ships are so large that you hardly know you are at sea. It would take a major storm to rock those babies.

Their steaks arrived, interrupting the conversation. The waiter prepared their baked potatoes and departed.

It smells wonderful, Tess said, as she cut into her steak.

This place has been here a long time. It couldn’t survive if the food wasn’t good.

How expensive are cruises? I have some time before I find a new job.

The best deals are the last minute rates. The company needs to fill all of the cabins since much of the stewards pay is made up of passenger tips.

I may check into that tomorrow, a cruise and a little sun would help me get over my depression.

Why don’t you meet me for brunch tomorrow and I will guide you through the process. I’m sure you would enjoy life on a cruise ship.

That’s very kind of you, Burt, do you do it on line or by telephone?

Well . . . since it is a last minute inquiry, I think the telephone would be the best bet.

As they finished their steaks, he could see that she was in deep thought about the prospect of a cruise. After his last bite, he broke the silence.

Tess, as much as I would like to take you home with me, I’ll be a gentleman and take you back to your car. You’ve already been through too much today.

He thought he detected a hint of disappointment in her face as she nodded. He motioned to the waiter for the check.

I’m looking forward to helping you find a cruise in the morning. If you’ll write down your phone number, I will call and come pick you up.

She smiled and found a pen in her purse. She wrote her number on the duplicate credit card slip and handed it back to him.

He stood and ushered her out to his car. When he dropped her off, she lingered as she held his hand thanking him. He watched her start her car, then drove to his condo wondering if he should invite her to join him in his suite aboard the Enticement. Tomorrow would help him make up his mind.

On the ship

Ken Abney sat at his desk making a list of the equipment he would requisition for the next cruise. The list included three battery operated mini-cams with motion detectors, a recording device with multiple inputs, and several USB thumb drives for storage of the data.

He couldn’t send the requisition by email, since it had to be a clandestine operation. He couldn’t afford to tell anyone because he wasn’t sure where the loyalty connections were.

With enough video proof, there was no doubt he could get this Captain fired. Trans Ocean didn’t need a disaster like the cruise ship that went aground off the coast of Italy. In that fiasco, the Captain allegedly partied in the dining room with a girl friend when it happened. Ken reasoned that he must have been intoxicated when he jumped ship. That ship capsized and several passengers were killed.

Ken left to make another round to check on possible unruly drunks before getting some sleep. Tomorrow he would survey the key areas to determine where to plant the cameras.

Elbow Cay, Abacos

What are you drinking? asked a man who just walked up, it looks delicious."

A Bahama Mama, said Kathryn Kitty Blackstone. It’s my favorite mid-afternoon refresher.

Mind if I join you?

There’s plenty of chairs, help yourself.

I’m Roland Hartselle, he said, from Atlanta.

I’m Kitty . . . what brings you to the Bahamas?

Same as most folks, I guess. We’re looking for a little fun in the sun.

Yeah . . . the tourists outnumber us about two to one.

So . . . you live here?

Kitty nodded.

I’ve been here about four years.

No kidding . . . you look pretty young to have been here that long. Maybe I could entice you to show me around the island.

Elbow Cay is so small, it wouldn’t take more than an hour to see the whole place.

I’ve rented a golf cart, seems like everyone uses them. Why don’t we spend the rest of the afternoon looking and I’ll take you to dinner.

My . . . you don’t waste a lot of time, do you?

I’m only here for three days and you’re too pretty to ignore.

Well . . . I have a few chores to finish this afternoon, she said, rising, maybe I could join you for dinner later, if you’re still here.

I’ll make a point to be here. I’ll be watching for you.

Kitty walked out to the dock and boarded her boat. Down in the cabin, she opened her laptop, and with a satellite connection, did a search on ‘Roland Hartselle Atlanta Georgia.’

She learned that he was a lawyer, graduated from Harvard, age 34, and was a bachelor. After checking several pages of links for about an hour, she satisfied herself that he was no criminal.

After a quick shower, she donned a cute cocktail dress and tidied up her small cabin, not wanting him to think she was a slob. The sun was at a low angle when she walked back up to the resort’s poolside bar and looked around. Seeing no Roland, she walked through the lobby toward the restaurant.

Across the lobby, she saw Roland having a drink in the atrium lounge with another woman. He was holding her hand while they were laughing and talking like old friends.

Kitty turned and returned the same way she came, stopping at the poolside bar for another Bahama Mama. She walked back out on the dock and boarded her boat, the Black Widow.

Slipping off her party dress, she donned her uniform, a bikini, and