The Elusive Smuggler Read online

  “Okay. What seems to be the problem, ma’am?” Gabriella asked sweetly, already suspecting the actual problem.

  “I was just explaining to this youthful woman that when the crew members brought my luggage to my cabin, my cooler was missing!”

  “I see.” Gabriella looked up at Sam, who was making a drinking signal with her hand. “Ma’am, can you please explain what was inside your cooler?”

  “All my alcohol for the trip!” the woman exploded. “And now it’s all gone! Every single drop!”

  “Ma’am,” Gabriella began calmly, “are you aware that carrying your own alcohol abroad the cruise liner is strictly prohibited?”

  “What?”

  “You cannot carry your own alcohol onto the ship,” Gabriella explained. “So your cooler was probably confiscated at customs. Why don’t you give your details to Sam? She’ll contact customs and see if they can set it aside for you safely until your return.”

  “Oh… Well, if that’s the only option…” the woman stammered uncomfortably.

  Gabriella guided her gently to Sam’s desk and gave her a piece of paper to record her details.

  “Sam,” Gabriella whispered, “I’d like a log of all the complaints and questions you received today, please.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have them emailed to you before the end of tonight.”

  “And let me know if there are any more luggage problems too,” Gabriella added.

  “Will do. Have a good evening, Ms. Fischer,” Sam said, smiling again before raising her phone to contact customs.

  Gabriella liked Sam who had been with the crew since the start of Fischer Liners. She had initially worked in housekeeping, but it quickly became apparent that she was brilliant at running the information desk. Sam had a unique talent for remaining calm under pressure, answering even the most inane questions in a patient and kind manner, and keeping Gabriella looped in on absolutely everything.

  Gabriella continued her trip along the ship toward the galley which was ship lingo for the kitchens and general food area. She stopped occasionally to pull a dead leaf from a potted plant or readjust a lamp, but nothing too major that would cause her to fall behind on her demanding, all-encompassing schedule.

  Checking his watch and spotting Gabriella arriving on cue, the maître d' quickly bustled up to her with a nervous smile.

  “How are things looking this evening, Roger? Is your fleet of waiters ready for the onslaught of hundreds of hungry people?” Gabriella inquired, though her eyes flitted from side-to-side, examining the dining area over his shoulder. She noticed that the waiters, upon noticing her, immediately straightened their shirts and squared their shoulders, while others hastily polished the cutlery or shined wine glasses.

  “All is precisely in order, Madam Gabriella. You have nothing to worry about,” Roger informed with a small salute.

  “You know that isn’t necessary, Roger,” Gabriella chided.

  “I know, madam. Just a demonstration of the high level of respect we all carry for you and Captain Fischer in the gallery,” Roger said, all but clicking his heels together.

  “Well, I appreciate that, and I will pass your compliments along to my husband.” Gabriella smiled. She then waved to the staff of waiters before continuing on her journey, her shoes tapping lightly against the decks as she walked. She could have sworn she heard their collective exhale of relief when she left their station.

  Gabriella knew she had an unblemished reputation for missing nothing and being able to spot a problem in even the smallest of details. It annoyed several of the crew members, but most respected her and appreciated that a ship tightly run was good for the passengers—and if the passengers were comfortable, the crew enjoyed good wages and fun voyages.

  Gabriella drifted steadily towards the tea room, where many of the elderly preferred to relax before dinner. She often popped in to check on them, ensuring everything was up to their standards. This time, though, Gabriella spotted something she wasn’t accustomed to seeing in her line of work.

  A dog.

  “This must be Maximus?” she said, stooping down and offering the dog her hand to sniff.

  “Yes,” the old woman chimed, delighted Gabriella had noticed. “And you must be Gabriella!”

  Gabriella smiled and extended her free hand. “Yes, and you must be Ms. Savage.”

  “Well, I must thank you for all of your help over the phone. My family never would have allowed me on this adventure without my service dog,” Pamela said.

  Gabriella, once sure that Maximus would not rip her arm off, ran her hand along his smooth coat. Maximus’s eyes closed slightly and his mouth gaped open before he dropped his head to the deck and rolled onto his back so that Gabriella could scratch his belly.

  “This is one remarkable dog,” Gabriella spoke in baby language to Maximus.

  “And he likes you,” Pamela observed. “He usually distrusts strangers.”

  Maximus twitched his one leg in response to Gabriella hitting just the right itch spot. “He won’t hurt any other passengers onboard, will he?” Gabriella asked, concerned.

  “Oh, he might growl or snarl a bit if a threatening character gets too close, but he won’t attack unless instructed to.”

  “I see.” Gabriella moved to take a seat near the intriguing older woman. “Have you had him since a puppy? He’s so well trained.”

  “No.” Pamela shook her head and lowered a hand to stroke Maximus’s head. “I only adopted him when the seizures started. They have trained maximus to sense when they’re about to happen and warns me so I can get to a safe place and take my medication.”

  “It’s incredible how strong his bond is to you,” Gabriella commented, and then leaned down to Maximus again. “You’re such a clever boy!”

  He wagged his tail and woofed at her.

  “He used to work on the force, actually,” Pamela said.

  “As a police dog?”

  “Yes. They trained him in many tactics, but he ended up in the narcotics division before retiring from active service.” Pamela patted Maximus again. “After that, I met him.”

  “Well, I’m happy he’s able to join you on your sea escapade,” Gabriella commented with a smile. “How are you finding your experience on the Fischer Liner?”

  “Oh, it’s exactly what I hoped for!” Pamela clasped her hands together and beamed before her smile faded slightly. “But I have to report one minor problem…”

  Gabriella frowned. “I’m so sorry to hear that. We want your experience with us to be perfection. So please, how can I help you?”

  “Oh, dear.” Pamela waved her hand. “It’s no disaster. I’m just still waiting for my luggage. I haven’t been able to change for dinner and I was hoping to dazzle the dining room with one of my flashy evening gowns, you know.” She winked. “Perhaps even find myself an old widower to dote on me!”

  Gabriella giggled. “I like you very much, Ms. Savage, and it’s unacceptable that your luggage hasn’t arrived yet.” She pulled out her phone.

  “Please, call me Pam. I gave my luggage to a man to put through customs for me and to give to a crew member, as I’m too old to carry it all myself.”

  “Did you know this man?” Gabriella’s olive-toned brow furrowed, worried about the implications of Pamela’s story.

  “We met in the lobby while we were waiting to board. But there’s no need to worry. He was an absolute gentleman.”

  “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Do you perhaps have this passenger’s name?”

  “Yes…” Pamela touched her fingers to her temple, thinking for a moment. “I believe his name was Ron Maceral.”

  “Thank you.” Gabriella smiled reassuringly. “I’ll alert our head of security, Mr. Derek Figo. He’s excellent at locating luggage. I would also like to give him your permission to search your luggage, just in case anything suspicious has happened.”

  “Oh, my dear, I’m sure that’s unnecessary...But please, do what you must.”

/>   “If you’ll excuse me then,” Gabriella said, patting Pamela gently on the arm, “I need to continue my rounds and speak to Figo.”

  “Of course,” Pamela smiled. “I hope you’ll find time to stop by and pay me a visit again.”

  “You have my word,” Gabriella promised.

  Chapter 3

  Security Details

  Derek Figo had been with the crew since its very early beginning, and Gabriella trusted him to deal with even the trickiest of problems. Captain Nicolas was often far too busy to entertain his wife’s concerns, but Derek always made the time to sort out even the slightest of Gabriella’s worries.

  “Derek,” Gabriella was saying, “her name is Pamela Savage, and she’s about in her seventies. Her family granted her one last adventure before she dies. As far as I understand things, her health has taken a recent, irreversible decline. So don’t be alarmed when you meet Maximus.”

  “Maximus?”

  “Her enormous, vicious-looking rottweiler. He’s a sweetie pie, though. He’s her service dog, so just be cautious and mild when dealing with her.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Derek said with a scowl. “So, what seems to be the problem?”

  Gabriella explained the situation about the missing baggage.

  Derek nodded curtly, absorbing the details without taking a single note. “Right,” he said. “It might just be an organizational problem. The man who helped her probably gave the wrong information, but I’ll see to the matter immediately.”

  “Would you kindly just check it out and make sure her luggage hasn’t been tampered with or contaminated in any way?”

  Derek smiled. “For you—anything.”

  Gabriella watched as Derek Figo marched away to uncover the missing bags. Then she turned on her heels and made her way back to the upper decks where the passengers would settle in for an evening of spectacle, games, and delicious food. She loved the carnival-like atmosphere that filled the liner, and the lights that danced as they reflected on the black sea below.

  Gabriella smiled and greeted passing passengers as she searched for Sarah, cautious not to let her gaze linger too long on male passengers. With her wavy ebony hair, olive skin-tone, dramatic eyebrows, light green eyes, strong cheek bones, and full lips, she always attracted unwanted attention—something detrimental for a married woman. She had hoped her standard issue uniform, a white collar shirt, and a navy blue pencil skirt might deter some whistles, but it only encouraged some friendlier male passengers who had, by this stage of the cruise, gained a few shots of liquid courage.

  Gabriella had also hoped that once she started descending into the steeper end of her thirties, her grey hairs and tiny wrinkles would discourage suggestive looks and flirtations, but she’d been wrong there too. When Gabi complained to her husband hoping his male instinct would kick in and incite some jealousy, he’d only laughed and waved it off, claiming he was happy to boast the most beautiful woman on the ship as his wife.

  “Why, hello there.” A tall, handsome youthful man of about eighteen drifted towards Gabriella. “I think I’m lost. Can you help me find my cabin?”

  Gabriella glanced over his shoulder and noticed a group of about six other kids, probably having just graduated high school, egging him on to flirt with her. Unfortunately, he boldly made the error of stroking his hand along Gabriella’s arm as he spoke to her.

  She raised a stern eyebrow and narrowed her grim gaze on him. “Sir,” she spoke firmly, “allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gabriella Fischer.” She paused and watched as the words conveyed their full meaning to the flirtatious young man. “I’m sure you now realize that my husband is the captain of this ship, and that the very decking you’re standing on, along with your crew of homies over there,” she gestured at the guffawing teenagers, “is owned by my husband—and myself.”

  The boy nodded, his hand falling away from Gabriella’s arm and his gaze lowering awkwardly to his shoes.

  “So,” Gabriella continued, “I would like to encourage you to please maintain the correct amount of respect for our crew members while enjoying your vacation.”

  “Sorry, ma’am,” he spluttered. “I… uh… didn’t realize you were a crew member.”

  Gabriella raised another eyebrow and looked down at the emblem on her chest before looking back at the young man.

  He gulped.

  Gabriella smiled. “Please contact Sam at the information desk. I’m sure she’ll be able to assist you in finding your cabin.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he choked out before dashing off to his friends for cover.

  Gabriella sighed and continued on her way, begrudgingly aware there would probably be other suitors attempting to distract her from her duties.

  It was essential that cruise liners maintained severe regulations regarding passenger and crew relations. The crew members received intense training on how to be friendly, while still maintaining proper boundaries. Flirting was not to be entertained, and late-night visits to cabins would cause an immediate termination of service. Gabriella had explained to the crew the history of passengers on other cruises who’d successfully seduced crew members into their rooms for the night and then promptly sued the cruise line the following morning for sexual assault.

  The Fischers would not tolerate any such scandal or manipulation on their cruise liner, and Gabriella could proudly say their crew respected the guidelines. There had been a few minor incidents in the past, but these had always been dealt with swiftly and mercilessly.

  These thoughts were still lingering in her mind as Gabriella rounded a corner and spotted Sarah Lang mid-conversation with a male crew member. Sarah was giggling, and Gabriella read her body language instantly. The man turned around as he laughed in response to something comical Sarah had said, and Gabriella noted how handsome the man was, with his tall frame and dark curly hair. She could hardly blame Sarah. However, rules were rules, and they were there for a purpose.

  Gabriella cleared her throat to announce her presence, and Sarah instantly reverted to her professional manner.

  “Excuse me for interrupting, Sarah. Is everything all right here?”

  “It’s my fault, Gabriella,” the man answered in a friendly voice, reading her nametag. “I was engaging Sarah in a slight problem I have.”

  Sarah cringed slightly. “This is the captain’s wife—Mrs. Fischer.”

  “Gabriella is fine.” She smiled easily.

  “Gabriella, this is Sebastian McGuire,” Sarah resumed.

  “Lovely to have you onboard, Sebastian,” Gabriella said, observing his professional suit and briefcase. “What can we assist you with?”

  “I think Sarah has it all under control.” Sebastian grinned. “You have an excellent employee here.”

  “Well, I will report your praise to the captain,” Gabriella said and then turned to Sarah. “When you’re finished helping Mr. McGuire, could you meet me on the bow?”

  “Certainly,” Sarah agreed.

  “I was just leaving, actually,” Sebastian said. “I don’t want to keep her out of her job! Thanks for your help, Sarah. I’ll see you later.”

  Sarah cringed again, but maintained her proficient stance until he was out-of-view. “Not a word,” she said, shooting Gabriella a look. “Please say nothing to the captain.”

  Gabriella held up her hands innocently.

  “It’s actually a funny story.” Sarah laughed nervously. “He was forced on this cruise by his family and friends. He said that they’d called it an intervention. Apparently, he’s a workaholic.”

  “Yes, the suit and briefcase gave that away,” Gabriella said, giving Sarah a side look.

  “And so they sent him on this cruise to have fun. But this morning, he mistakenly thought he was on his way to a business meeting when his driver dropped him at the harbor with his bags and a note from the family stapled to his tickets.”

  “That’s rather extreme,” Gabriella said. “Also explains the lost puppy-like expression on his face.”<
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  “So he bumped into me and when I offered him some help, he just kind of erupted with all of his woes.”

  “And the ‘seeing you later’ part?” Gabriella tread wearily, wanting to respect Sarah’s privacy but on-guard to protect her job.

  “I need to organize an itinerary for him so that he has some idea about what to do and where to have fun,” Sarah replied quickly. “I know what you’re thinking, but he wasn’t flirting with me. He was a perfect gentleman.”

  “I wasn’t thinking anything.” Gabriella raised her eyebrows. “I just haven’t seen you laugh like that in a very long time.”

  Sarah sighed. “I liked him. But only as much as a crew member is professionally allowed to like a passenger.”

  “Oh hush.” Gabriella waved her hand casually. “You don’t have to quote the rule book at me. I practically wrote it.”

  Sarah giggled. Reaching the railing at the bow of the ship, Sarah and Gabriella leaned their backs against it and tilted their heads back to study the starry sky. It had become their tradition after hectic embarkation days.

  “What’s on your mind?” Sarah asked quietly. “You’ve got this slight smile as though you’re thinking about something happy.”

  “I am... I’m thinking about the day I met Nicolas.”

  Chapter 4

  Once Upon a Time

  “I had just turned eighteen when I graduated from high school and allowed to venture out on my very first cruise alone,” Gabriella recounted favorably. “So we’re looking at about twenty years ago...”

  “Wow—you’ve aged really well!” Sarah laughed and then halted upon seeing her boss’s death stare.

  Truth be told, Gabriella had been more excited than nervous about her first expedition into the world alone. Her mother was a vibrant and feisty little woman from Portugal and was responsible for Gabriella’s beauty and passionate approach to life. Gabriella’s father was a safe and careful British man who lived for procedure and order. He’d won the heart of Isabella while vacationing in Portugal, then moved her back to England where they married and raised their children—Gabriella being the oldest.