The Elusive Smuggler Read online

  the elusive

  smuggler

  a cozy cruise ship mystery

  Liz turner

  Contents

  Prologue A Plot is Hatched

  Chapter 1 Sea Air

  Chapter 2 Misplaced Luggage

  Chapter 3 Security Details

  Chapter 4 Once Upon a Time

  Chapter 5 Midnight Mysteries

  Chapter 6 Prison Break

  Chapter 7 Questions & Answers

  Chapter 8 The Confrontation

  Chapter 9 Cabo San Lucas

  Chapter 10 Port Loreto

  Epilogue Mending Hearts

  Prologue

  A Plot is Hatched

  The summer evening air was sun-warmed and humid, making the crisp spray from the Pacific waves against the side of the pier refreshing. The man leaned against the weather-worn railing and stared down into the midnight blue waves below, the white foam weakly reflecting the silvery rising moon.

  He studied his watch in the dying light, dragging out the last dregs of his cigarette before flicking it into the ocean. The dying embers whistled red through the air before disappearing into the water below.

  He despised people who were late for business.

  White winking stars poked through the fading pink blanket of the sky, and the lamps along the pier switched on with a flicker.

  The man nudged the heavy backpack on the floor with his foot, making sure it was still secure. He then flipped open his cell phone to check for messages before slapping it closed in annoyance. The sky was now a deep indigo, and the man sighed as he stooped to lift the bag and drift away nonchalantly, trying to avoid unwanted attention.

  With the bag swung over his shoulder, he shuffled back to the shore.

  As he walked, a silhouette emerged from the darkness and into one of the pier lights before disappearing again. The man strained his eyes, trying to identify the gait of the on-comer. He released a breath of relief, recognizing his old friend’s slow amble.

  Gradually, the approaching figure covered the distance between them, a slight limp in his old walk. “Sorry I’m late, Max,” the man said, out-of-breath.

  “I thought you ditched me,” Max replied quietly. “And I thought we agreed on no names.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” The man waved his hand unconcernedly. “Ain’t no one out here who’ll be listening in.”

  “You can never be too sure,” Max reprimanded. “I don’t want you getting too relaxed on the job.”

  “Kid,” the man snorted, “I’ve been working the world before you were even born.”

  Max rolled his eyes but made sure the old man didn’t notice, not entirely sure what the man was capable of, as his vintage reputation preceded him. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cigarettes, flicking one into his mouth and offering another to the man.

  “I quit years ago,” the man growled. “Now, quit wasting my time and get down to business.”

  Max shook his head slightly in annoyance at the irony of the old man having made him wait over twenty minutes. He cleared his throat and spoke in an indistinct voice, “I have a parcel that needs a safe voyage.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow. Fischer Liners.”

  “That was supposed to be my vacation,” the man grumbled. “I haven’t had one in years.”

  “Take it or leave it. But if you leave it, you’re potentially losing out on millions.”

  “Is the parcel risky?”

  “Of course,” Max scoffed. “But we trust that you’ll have the creative means available to ensure safe voyage and delivery.”

  “Naturally,” the man said bitterly. “Is it in the backpack?”

  Max nodded brusquely. “Along with the instructions, which will need to be destroyed. And… uh…”

  “Just spit it out,” the man ordered.

  “There will be a second parcel to receive and return safely,” Max relayed while glancing furtively in all directions.

  The man groaned. “Of course there is. I no longer have to wonder about what’s in that backpack of yours.”

  Max shifted it off his shoulder and dropped it to the cracked concrete at his feet. He then flicked his cigarette over the railing again and nodded to the man by way of greeting before making his way shiftily down the pier and disappearing onto the dark shore.

  The man waited an appropriate amount of time, enjoying the blinking stars in the dreary indigo sky. He’d been looking forward to his holiday—twelve nights at sea with minimal security and plenty of targets to prey on. His fingers were itching for adventure, the thrill of the sea breeze in his thinning hair and perhaps even a touch of romance should the opportunity present itself. It had been too long since a soft and delicately scented woman had held him in her arms.

  The man reached down and causally picked up the backpack, slinging it over his shoulder as he gradually sauntered back to shore through the cool up-spray of the waves pounding on the pier below.

  Chapter 1

  Sea Air

  Gabriella Fischer straightened her crisp white-collared shirt, ensuring the emblem on her chest still shone gold and unwrinkled in the morning sunlight. She glanced down at the embroidered compass which encircled a sword fish leaping over the words ‘Fischer Cruises’, and felt an overwhelming sense of pride and nostalgia at how much the emblem meant. “Everybody still with us?” she inquired, her head tilting backwards to survey the sea of crew members trotting uniformly behind her. “Sarah?”

  “Here, ma’am,” Sarah Lang announced, skipping up next to Gabriella.

  “How’s everything looking this morning?” Gabriella queried, nodding her head to waving onlookers.

  Sarah scrolled through her electronic list. “We’re early as usual, ma’am.”

  “Excellent,” Gabriella said, smiling at another passerby. “And my husband?”

  “The captain is already on board with his crew,” Sarah informed.

  “He skipped breakfast this morning,” Gabriella said in a low voice, though her beaming and friendly smile remained perfectly intact. “So once we’re onboard, can you make sure he gets a bite to eat? I’d hate for him to pass out from low blood sugar on the first day of the cruise.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Sarah answered, quickly tapping away on her tablet.

  “Would you look at that beauty?” Gabriella whistled as their cruise liner came into view. It took her breath away every time. The sleek, white Fischer cruise liner was moored proudly in its dock, the front boldly bearing the Fisher emblem. Gabriella could already spot various crew members bustling around onboard, setting up the docking stations for passengers waiting to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

  Gabriella turned and smiled at Sarah. “You know this takes me back to the very first time I boarded a ship.”

  Sarah smiled formally at her boss. “That’s a story I’d love to hear, ma’am.”

  “It’s also the story about how I met Captain Nicolas Fischer, although he wasn’t a captain back then.” Gabriella winked.

  Sarah laughed. “I’m not sure the captain would approve of us knowing about a time when he wasn’t a captain. He likes us to believe he exited in the womb wearing a captain’s cap!”

  Gabriella laughed her easy, warm laugh and nudged Sarah in the ribs as they continued on their way to board the ship.

  Gabriella took one last look at the emblem painted proudly on the front of the ship and remembered fondly the day she and her husband had commissioned it to be built. The 310 passenger Fischer cruise liner was all theirs—their investment, their occupation, their livelihood, and their life. And Gabriella Fischer wouldn’t have it any other way.

  ***

  “Well, it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you, Mr. Maceral
,” the old woman simpered sweetly. “And thank you once again for understanding about Maximus. I don’t know what got into that hound.”

  “Oh, Ms. Savage,” Mr. Maceral said with all the suave he could muster, “please call me Ron or Ronnie, whichever you prefer. I’m very much indebted to you for rescuing me from your service dog.”

  Ms. Savage laughed. “Well then, please call me Pamela or Pam for short, if you prefer. I think possibly, my dear Maximus,” at this she reached out and stroked her wrinkled, nobbled hand down the length of the Rottweiler’s spine, “is not looking forward to being onboard. I’m not sure he has much of an appetite for sea air.”

  “He’s coming onboard?” Ronnie asked, trying to conceal his surprise. “I thought dogs weren’t allowed abroad cruise ships?”

  “You’re quite correct, Ronnie,” Pamela explained in her frail voice. “But I have medicinal reasons for having Maximus with me, and I’m afraid nothing can part the two of us. Besides, I have special permission from the captain himself to bring him abroad.”

  Ronnie leaned closer to Maximus and spoke into his face. “Well, welcome abroad, big pup!”

  Maximus raised his heavy head, his black eyes large and unblinkingly focused on Ronnie. A grumbling low growl vibrating through his throat.

  “Oh, Ronnie dear, don’t do that,” Pamela warned. “He’s taken quite a strong disliking to you, I’m afraid. Best not to give him any attention.”

  “Of course, madam.” Ronnie bowed his head to her, though he cast a look of utter hatred at the Rottweiler scowling at him with equal loathing. “Shall I fetch us some more tea?”

  “Oh, yes please.” Pamela threw her hands together gratefully. “But here—let me pay for this round.”

  “Absolutely not,” Ronnie said, rejecting her bank note. “A lady such as you should never have to purchase her own tea.”

  This confused Pamela, as she had purchased her own tea plenty of times in her many years. She decided not to argue with the strange man who’d fought off Maximus to befriend her. She assumed he was lonely and probably in search of some refined company to keep him entertained until they could board the cruise liner, where Pamela was certain he would find himself some younger and more attractive company.

  “Here you go, my dear,” Ronnie said, carefully placing a tray of fresh tea on the coffee table between them. “And here, boy.” He waved a stick of beef jerky in front of the surly dog’s face.

  Maximus whined and turned his head to look the other way, ignoring the pathetic attempt to win him over with a measly snack.

  Pamela chuckled at her furry friend as she stirred her tea. “I’m afraid he’s got your scent, and he just doesn’t approve of it. Fortunately for you, I’m less picky with the friends I choose.” She winked.

  Ronnie laughed. “So what brings you on a cruise from California to Mexico and back?”

  “Oh…” Pamela sighed. “I just needed one last adventure before I kicked the bucket. When I first suggested it to my children and grandchildren, they all nearly had heart failure. But I eventually wore them down with my constant threats to disinherit them if they didn’t allow me this one holiday alone. I just need the sea breeze on my face and the glorious blue of the Pacific all around me. No worries, no problems—just the blissful beauty of creation.”

  “I have to admit that I had much the same idea,” Ronnie said, studying his fingernails. “And I need a break from the norm. You see, I’ve been a working man all my life, and I just wanted to do my thing for once.”

  “How much longer until we can board?” Pamela asked as she struggled to unlock her smart phone the kids had insisted she take along with her.

  “About an hour,” Ronnie announced. “Why don’t you relax and finish your tea? I’ll get our bags scanned through. I think they offer a service for us elderly ones so we don’t have to lug heavy suitcases around the cruise ship until we locate our cabins.”

  “But how will I find my bags again?” Pamela asked with mild concern, her bumpy fingers feeling for the locks on her zips to ensure her baggage was secure from any prying fingers.

  “They’ll be delivered right to your cabin, Pamela. I’ll offer a generous tip to ensure it’s done in a timely and efficient fashion.” Ronnie bowed his head slightly and smiled reassuringly at her.

  “Why thank you, Ronnie. I don’t know how I would have managed if you hadn’t come along,” Pamela admitted. “I’ve also been told Maximus will need to be checked into a kennel to make boarding him easier. It wouldn’t do to have him chomp out a chunk of someone’s leg if they drew too close to me. Could I call upon you to have that organized for me?”

  “My dear.” Ronnie flashed another toothy smile, the gold around his neck glinting in the morning sun light. “I’ll be back in a second.” He wrapped his ringed fingers around the handle of Pamela’s large suitcase, his own heavy backpack slung over his shoulder.

  ***

  Gabriella always enjoyed watching the throngs of excited passengers buzzing up the gangways and disappearing from her view as they entered the cruise liner. Many stopped to pose for pictures against the backdrop of the impressive cruise liner or the ship’s life ring, cherishing every new memory the occasion allowed them to create. Other passengers stood for ages, waving at their loved ones in the waiting area, their arms flailing wildly and their mouths in wide grins as the sea air whipped through their hair.

  They filled the air with anticipation, joy, and the expectancy of the fun that awaited them between the many layers of the cruise. Gorgeous sea vistas, the opera, built-in island bars, karaoke, all-night dances, and the list continued, providing something for everyone.

  Sarah marched up to Gabriella, her checklist in view.

  “The passengers have begun boarding,” Gabriella informed.

  Sarah nodded curtly. “Right on schedule.”

  The boarding always took a few hours and ensured there were no over-excited stampedes resulting in injury as hundreds of people forced their way onto the ship.

  “Life boat safety checks?” Gabriella queried.

  “All in order and signed off early this morning,” Sarah read from her tablet. “The crew complained about having to check the life boats again. They feel it’s a chore that should only be carried out every few months.”

  “Absolutely not.” Gabriella shook her head with a severe expression crossing her face. “I won’t have the safety of our passengers jeopardized because our crew members are too lazy to carry out regular checks.”

  Sarah nodded again. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, knowing better than to argue with her boss.

  Gabriella turned to study Sarah’s grave face. “I appreciate you voicing this to me, Sarah. Please inform me of any complaints.”

  Sarah typed away, making note of Gabriella’s request.

  “Life jackets?” Gabriella said.

  “All sanitized, checked, and repacked in their necessary locations, along with the instruction manuals and maps,” Sarah answered quickly.

  Gabriella was impressed with the young Sarah Lang. She had only joined their crew two years before, but she’d proved herself an invaluable asset to Gabriella. Sarah was loyal, disciplined, and worked hard every single day of her shift. Gabriella had also come to value Sarah as a trusted friend and confidant.

  “All right, I’m impressed as usual, Sarah.” Gabriella smiled at her second-in-command. “Checklists aside, how are things?”

  Sarah’s smile faded and tears instantly welled in her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly and focused her gaze on the passengers.

  “Why don’t you take some time off and visit your family?” Gabriella suggested to her young friend. “It’s been quite a few months since you’ve seen them. I know you miss them.”

  “I miss them,” Sarah moaned, “but I’m a working woman now. I need to help provide for them. My father’s shop hasn’t been doing too well, and I honestly can’t afford to take a shift off.”

  Gabriella smiled sympathetically. “Would you like
to request some early pay to send home? I think we could even work out a small bonus for all of your initiative in getting things done.”

  Sarah’s dark slanted eyes, courtesy of her Asiatic decent, showed deep gratitude as she nodded at Gabriella’s offer. “Thank you, Gabi.” She smiled. “That would be a significant help.”

  “I don’t enjoy having to draw your problems out of you, Sarah,” Gabi reprimanded. “You know you can come to me about anything, just as I trouble you with my concerns.”

  Sarah smiled again. “You’re a wonderful friend, Gabi. Having you around makes being away from home much easier.”

  “I’m glad,” Gabriella said as she gave Sarah a brief side-hug. “Now get yourself cleaned up. We have guests onboard who’ll need to see our brightest, happiest smiles.”

  “Got it.” Sarah saluted her boss jovially and disappeared inside the cruise liner that was already beginning to bustle with gawking passengers.

  Chapter 2

  Misplaced Luggage

  The hours had flown past in a rush of buzzing elation since boarding began, and the passengers had all been escorted from the main auditorium to their various cabins. The wealthier ones had exquisite breathtaking sea views from their cabin windows and balconies, whereas the less fortunate struggled down narrow passageways and fought with bulky luggage to push into tiny cabins that would serve as a cramped home for the next twelve nights—not that they would spend much time inside their cabins or in their berths anyway though.

  Gabriella Fischer had made her way efficiently from the bow of the ship where she surveyed the embarking of more than 300 passengers towards the main lobby.

  Sam, the main purser, was stationed at her desk and was assisting a distraught passenger who’d misplaced her cooler. She signaled Gabriella for help with a flick of her eyebrows.

  “Good afternoon, ma’am,” Gabriella greeted the sun-burnt woman in her early sixties. She had two white patches around her eyes where her sunglasses had shielded her from the sun. “How can I be of service?”

  “I have a complaint about my luggage,” the woman groaned.