psychic crystal 03 - killer cruise Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Praise for Marilyn Baron

  Killer Cruise

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Other Titles by Marilyn Baron

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Epilogue

  Other Books You Might Enjoy

  Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  She tried to fight her feelings, but, she had to admit, the Chief was making her feel something. Something monumental.

  Some couples walking by clapped. The men gave Will a thumbs-up.

  Finally, he let her go.

  “Don’t do that again,” Juliette hissed, straightening the sleeve of her dress from where it had slipped off her shoulder.

  “It felt good, didn’t it, sugar?” Will challenged.

  “Maybe to you, but not to me.” Juliette colored, and she made a show of smoothing the wrinkles out of her wrinkle-free dress. She wondered if the Chief knew she was lying.

  “Just let go, Juliette. You’re so uptight. You know you felt something. Let’s see where it takes us.”

  “I know where it’s going to take us. Nowhere. And if you kiss me like that again, you’ll be sorry.”

  “Now don’t go getting your feathers all ruffled. What are you going to do, turn me into a frog?”

  Juliette mustered up her most malevolent glare and fixed him with her cold-as-steel violet eyes. “Don’t tempt me, Will Bradley. You don’t want to mess with me. I killed a man, remember?”

  “A man who deserved to die,” Will said. “Someday, I’d like to hear the story, from you.”

  “Instead of the tabloids? Well, I killed him, and I’d do it again. Just mull that over, next time you decide to paw me in public,” Juliette threatened.

  Praise for Marilyn Baron

  “Baron offers a bit of everything.... There’s humor, infidelity, murder, mayhem, and a neatly drawn conclusion.”

  ~RT Book Reviews (4.5 Stars)

  “An enjoyable read from start to finish...family, friends, enemies, intrigue and suspense...sadness, laughter, romance and ultimately love.”

  ~Romance Junkies (4 Blue Ribbons)

  “SIXTH SENSE has a great mix of romance, spine-tingling suspense, and real hope for two jaded individuals for a happily-ever-after ending. I’m looking forward to reading Book Two in the Psychic Crystal Mystery Series.”

  ~Tami Brothers

  “An intriguing, albeit reluctant, psychic detective in this paranormal romantic suspense story...a strong and captivating heroine.”

  ~Pauline Michael, Night Owl Romance (3 Stars)

  “I just finished reading UNDER THE MOON GATE and really enjoyed it. I was fascinated by the intertwining of the characters in the stories from the 1700s to present day and I especially enjoyed the segment that took place during WWII. Great writing. Marilyn did a great job of bringing Bermuda during the WWII era to life in this book.”

  ~PJ Ausdenmore, The Romance Dish

  “[UNDER THE MOON GATE] is a surefire blockbuster...a treasure trove of mystery and intrigue. It sparkles with romance.... I couldn’t recommend it more.”

  ~Andrew Kirby

  Killer Cruise

  by

  Marilyn Baron

  A Psychic Crystal Mystery

  Book Three

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Killer Cruise

  COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Marilyn Baron

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Crimson Rose Edition, 2015

  Print ISBN 978-1-62830-834-1

  Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-835-8

  A Psychic Crystal Mystery, Book Three

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  To my wonderful family

  who support me in everything I do—

  Steve, Marissa and Amanda

  Other Titles by Marilyn Baron

  available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  SIXTH SENSE:

  A Psychic Crystal Mystery, Book One

  HOMECOMING HOMICIDES:

  A Psychic Crystal Mystery, Book Two

  ***

  UNDER THE MOON GATE

  DESTINY: A BERMUDA LOVE STORY

  (prequel to UNDER THE MOON GATE)

  ***

  SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

  STONES

  THE WIDOWS’ GALLERY

  (a Lobster Cove Series book)

  SOMEDAY MY PRINTS WILL COME

  (a Lobster Cove Series novella)

  Chapter One

  Juliette Spencer’s bedroom violet eyes drilled holes in the ill-mannered boor leering at her breasts like he was stalking his prey or scoping out his next meal. Like he wanted to inhale her or impale her or worse. Like she was Bambi and it was open season on single women sporting a deer-in-the-headlights demeanor.

  How did the rutting buck’s horns manage to stay atop his swelled head? His buff body filled to capacity the stateroom they would be sharing for the next two weeks, and his looming presence violated her personal space. The overpowering odor of the brute’s aftershave was stifling in such close quarters. This suite wasn’t big enough for both of them. And there was no escape, short of jumping off the ship, which she had half a mind to do. She could go out on the balcony and breathe in the night air, but she was trapped—“married” to this bozo for the remainder of the cruise.

  Juliette knew exactly what the Chief was thinking. And it made her blush. Being psychic had its advantages and disadvantages. He was thinking he could have her anytime he wanted. All he had to do was flash that hundred-watt smile of his and flex those overdeveloped muscles, barely disguised in his body-hugging Graysville Police Department T-shirt. She turned away and found herself gazing at his image in the cheval mirror, which only made matters worse. (Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.)

  Well, he could think again. She wasn’t going to go all gooey over a green-eyed small-town lawman. This was business, and the Chief apparently had plans to combine this assignment with
pleasure, his pleasure.

  No doubt he knew all about her tainted history of living among a secret society of psychics in the quaint spiritualist community of Casa Spirito, Florida, and her sordid relationship with the trance medium and cult leader Reverend Carter Coulter. The whole world knew about it. It had happened practically in this man’s own backyard. So of course he thought he knew her and what she’d be willing to do for him and to him. And the fact that she could read him like a book didn’t leave much to anyone’s imagination.

  Blowing out a breath, she turned on him. She’d just have to make do, dismiss the dimples, and ignore the abs. This was an opportunity to get to know her daughter better and, after they solved the mystery, spend a relaxing cruise with Kate and Kate’s new husband, Jack. Distasteful as he was, the Chief or Sheriff or whatever his rank, was part of the package. Andy of Mayberry he was not. Not a redeeming bone in his sculpted body.

  Will had seemed polite enough when she first met him at a barbecue in Atlanta at The Crystal Palace, the mansion Kate had inherited on her parents’ death, and where Juliette, Jack, and Kate now lived and worked at the Crystal & Hale agency. Will had shown some interest in her, but he must have been on his best behavior. He had worked with Jack and Kate on the Homecoming Homicides case in Graysville, Florida, and for some reason they were anxious for her to meet him. But if they had matchmaking in mind, even if she was looking to fall in love again—which she very definitely was not—Chief Will Bradley was the last man on earth she would lose her heart to.

  Chapter Two

  The ship’s captain was beginning his behind-the-scenes tour of the luxury liner so the investigative team could become familiar with their surroundings.

  Will stood behind Juliette, arms wrapped viselike around her waist, close enough so she could feel his hot breath on her neck and his well-defined bulge against her bottom. Whether he was horny for her or that was his perpetual state of arousal, she didn’t know him well enough to tell, although, for all the world, they were on their honeymoon. Honeymoon or not, the Chief wasn’t going to get his girl, not on this cruise or in any lifetime. Juliette shifted uncomfortably. His grip around her tightened, and she felt him stiffen against her.

  “Juliette, sugar, this won’t take long.” He licked her ear and whispered into it, loud enough for the captain to hear. “Then we can go back to what we were doin’ in the cabin.”

  Juliette shot a venomous gaze over her shoulder.

  “Now, baby cakes, are you puttin’ a hex on your lovin’ husband?”

  Juliette scowled and lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper. “Just trying to protect the ship by warding off evil spirits, influences, and malevolent forces.”

  “We’ve received a general threat,” the captain announced. “We have no idea where it will come from, but we’re convinced there’s a potential murderer on board this ship. It’s our job to find him or her before the ship docks in the next port, if possible. The crew is restless, but they’ve agreed to stay on the ship for the duration since Crystal Ball Kate is sailing with us. We also offered them hazard pay.”

  “How do you know there aren’t any crew members involved in this plot?” Jack asked.

  “That’s the problem. We don’t. But this crew has been with us the entire season. The officers have been with us for years. We can’t rule anyone out, of course, but nobody, including me, gets a free pass in this investigation.”

  “Jack tells me we have some VIPs on board,” said Chief Bradley, who had released Juliette from his tentacles but maintained his connection by holding her hand.

  “Yes, we have representatives from the European Union sailing with us in hopes of finalizing an important banking treaty. We’re not sure if they are the target of a political threat, but we need to do our best to keep them—and everyone aboard the vessel—safe, by any means, traditional or nontraditional.”

  “That’s why we’re here,” Jack stated.

  “Of course the EU members travel with their own bodyguards, but the more eyes we have on the potential targets, the better. The crew has been reassured by your wife’s presence. They’re convinced the threat might be of an extrasensory nature. And the fact that we’re sailing into the Bermuda Triangle is troubling.”

  Juliette nodded at Kate. Since she’d been reunited with her daughter, the two had been working closely on growing and controlling Kate’s considerable powers, and the girl was coming into her own. They had discussed the Bermuda Triangle, which, according to Juliette, was not of insignificant consequence.

  “If there’s anything mystical going on, we’ll get to the bottom of it,” Juliette assured.

  Chief Bradley gave her bottom a possessive squeeze. “If anyone can get to the bottom of a problem, my wife can.”

  Juliette jumped and pried the Chief’s hand away from its grip on her backside.

  “If you don’t stop pawing me, I’m going to turn you into a seagull,” Juliette whispered venomously.

  Chief Bradley sprang back, releasing his hold on Juliette. “Now, honey, no need to resort to black magic.”

  “You have no idea what I would resort to, and you don’t want to find out.”

  The captain cleared his throat and continued his remarks. “Welcome aboard the Sea Nymph. And speaking of hexes, it’s not uncommon for fishing boats in the Mediterranean to have stylized evil eyes painted on their bows. Sailors, after all, are a superstitious lot. That’s why we don’t start a cruise on Fridays. Friday is considered unlucky because that is the day Christ was crucified. The same is true about the first Monday in April.”

  Will rested his head on Juliette’s shoulder. “Why is that?”

  “That’s the day Cain slew Abel.”

  “I’m not superstitious,” joked Will, reaching around Juliette to knock on the polished wooden railing. “Black cats and ladders, you know.”

  “In some cultures, black cats are considered good luck,” the captain pointed out. “British and Irish sailors often adopt a black ‘ship’s cat’ because they eat rodents. A ship’s cat creates a sense of security for sailors who are away from home for long periods of time.”

  “Are there rats on this ship?” Kate asked, rubbing her shoulders and looking down.

  “Hopefully not.” The captain laughed. “But our sailors are from around the world, so each has his own customs. For example, mermaids are usually considered lucky except to British sailors, who think they provoke disaster.”

  “Mermaids?” Will asked, his interest piqued. “Have you ever seen one?”

  “No, although we run into some pretty hot-looking sirens in port.”

  “You don’t really believe in mermaids, do you?”

  “Not as a rule,” said the captain.

  Juliette fingered the amethyst amulet she wore around her neck. “Where I come from, people used to sell white heather to bring good luck.”

  “That’s a Roma tradition, isn’t it?” inquired the captain. “Where are you from, Juliette?”

  Juliette hesitated. “Hungary,” she whispered and then went silent. The location of her homeland was a personal fact she rarely revealed.

  Will spun her around in his arms. “I didn’t know that. Are you a gypsy? You kind of look like a gypsy. There’s a lot about you I don’t know. But I want to find out.”

  “We’ll settle this back in our room,” Juliette whispered, narrowing her eyes to a deadly sliver.

  “Looking forward to it,” said the Chief, flashing his dangerous dimples.

  Chief Bradley was taking all the liberties he could get away with while they were in public because she’d shut him down in the bedroom. He was hoping to sweet talk her out of her clothes, and that was not happening. It had been a long time since she’d felt a man’s warmth against her body, but she wasn’t going to get sucked back into that dangerous emotional vortex. All the Chief’s coaxing and talk about how they needed to make it real, not just play the part, was getting him nowhere. She could spot a phony an Irish mile away. The psychic
trade was rife with them.

  “There’s another superstition,” said the captain. “Avoid redheads when going to the ship to begin a journey, because people with red hair bring bad luck unless you speak to the redhead before she speaks to you. The same is true for flat-footed people. But then they also say women on board a ship make the sea angry.”

  “I hope you’re not referring to us,” Juliette said, looking at Kate.

  “I invited you aboard, so no, of course not.”

  Will couldn’t keep his hands or his thoughts to himself. “Isn’t it also true that a naked woman on board a ship will calm the sea?”

  Juliette pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.

  “Actually, your husband’s correct,” the captain said. “That’s why we have naked figureheads at the prow of a ship. And throwing a stone over a ship that is putting out to sea ensures she will never return. Don’t look back once your ship has left port or that will bring bad luck. And never step onto a boat with your left foot first or disaster will follow.”

  “I think we’re going a little overboard with these superstitions,” cautioned Juliette. “Flowers are unlucky onboard a ship. Pouring wine on the deck will bring good luck on a long voyage. The list is endless.”

  She glanced at her sparkly silver sandals. Kate had been so generous, offering to foot the bill for a brand new, fabulous wardrobe. Juliette didn’t have the appropriate clothes in her closet for a cruise. Kate made her promise not to worry about the cost. Jack had assured her that Kate would be reimbursed, that the client—the cruise line—would pay for everything she needed to play her part.