Cruise to Murder (Z & C Mysteries, #2) (14 page)

The women moved back
, while the older ladies held hat pins in both hands. “Don’t flinch or you’ll get this nasty six incher in the throat.” Sally’s eyes were wild.

Claire called Butch.
“We are up in the captain’s suite. The bomb is secured. Come at once.”

Butch and Detective Smith
soon came running down the hall and into the room with guns drawn. “I am amazed! You broads did a super job. Wonder women!”

“Butch is a smooth talker
,” explained Zo to Sally.

Smith had the captain handcuffed and two more
men from the FBI arrived. They worked in unison to get Krucheve up and walking out the door.

“I didn’t want to do it,” the Russian wept. “They threatened my family.”

“Extortion?” someone said.

“
Where’s the bomb? It would be so nice to know that,” Smith said.

Sal
ly answered, “It’s in 204 with Cindy and Angelica.”

He
notified Bennard, so the bomb could be properly taken off the ship and disarmed.

Butch turned to assess Zo
with compassion in his eyes, seeing the blood down her face onto her clothes. “Have a bit of a fight did we? Come on. Claire, let’s get your mom looked at by the doc. And, geez, you all look like you were in the battle of Armageddon. Come on. Let’s all go.”

Sa
lly began to cry. “Oh, I never had such fun! I don’t know why I’m crying.”

Butch answered, “It’
s your body saying, never do that again!”

“How is your shoulder?” Zo noticed he had on a clean shirt and there was no blood.

“The bullet nicked me. It bled quite a bit, but I’m good.” He winked.

It was nearing midnight, and the ship left its dock early. Two exhausted vacationers, and two exhausted detectives, sat on a balcony to a swank stateroom. There was a warm breeze and the golden moonlight was peaceful as they sipped on their tropical drinks.

“So
, it was overexposure to plutonium that caused the spontaneous burning of the dog and crazy Mike?” Zo said, shaking her head. “You know a writer couldn’t make this stuff up.”

Everyone agreed.

“And no one would believe that a billionaire would be in debt.” Claire tossed the gossip journal Zo retrieved from Belmont’s onto the small table in front of them. “But even nations can go into debt. He shouldn’t have invested in such a devious plot.”

The magazine landed open on a page, saying, “Is Belmont Broke?”

Detective Smith, who re-introduced himself to Claire as just Gavin, put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Butch was about to do the same with Zo, but the sound of the cabin door opening, caused the four to jump in nervousness.

It was the Red Hat Society
with a housekeeping key. They brought with them drinks, sundaes, chips and dip, and laughter.

“Tomorrow you snuggle. Tonight we have some fun together, for we
may never see each other again.” Kathryn smiled.

The four got up and joined their friends
in the sitting room.

“Oh no, what time is it?” Butch suddenly glanced at his watch.

“The bomb is gone, it’s okay!” Zo said. “Must be aftershock…”

“No, I’m going to be late for my dance routine!”

“You mean, you really do have to perform tonight?” Claire asked.

“Yes, of course.”

The Starlight Room’s pink stage lights turned on, highlighting a tall, sailing ship. The crowd was exuberant, clapping in anticipation. Claire sat with Gavin in the front row, smiling. He was next to a long row of Red Hat Ladies. There was no sight of Zo anywhere.

Butch was high up to the right of the stage, standing on an elevated stand, and hidden by what remained of the open curtain. He was wearing a pirate’s hat, gold hoop earring and white blouse, exposing his muscular chest. Stepping up with a black boot, he grabbed for a rope with one arm, and with his other, he threw a redhead over his broad shoulders.

“You ready for this, woman with hair like soft fire?” he asked.

THE END

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Hexes and X’s
.