“No. Not a bit. In fact, this was also about the time that Oleg was negotiating with Neil for Athena’s hull. I think Pepsi got the better deal, but Neil’s done okay. Pepsi turned around and sold what they had of the Russian fleet to the Swedes, who used it for scrap metal. I don’t imagine Pepsi lost so much as a dime, and it kept the Russians drinking Pepsi. To this day, if the Russians are loyal to anything besides their vodka, it’s Pepsi.”
“And Oleg? What did he get out of the deal?”
“What do you think? In addition to a cushy job as Athena’s resident bookkeeper, he negotiated a four-thousand square foot luxury suite directly across from Neil’s.”
“And family? Does he have any?”
“He’s got a daughter in Lucerne and homes in Moscow and London. I don’t know much more than that, but rumor is he’s one of the wealthiest residents aboard. Anyone else you want to know about?”
“Neil Webster. I get that he’s pretty much a closed book when it comes to his personal life, but listening to the Professor talk about Aenaria tonight, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Neil was involved in the discovery.”
“Sorry, I don’t know. It was way before my time. But I do know Neil’s not the type to want a lot of publicity, and if he doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s fine with me.”
Chapter Twelve
Ileft Byard on the Promenade Deck and returned to Dede’s suite. Much as I wanted to think Captain wasn’t involved in Dede’s disappearance or that he might be a party to bootlegging antiquities across the Mediterranean, I felt something wasn’t right. I could understand why Byard would be loyal to Neil. Neil had given Byard a fresh start. But Neil? The more I thought about him, the more doubts I had.
Neil was very closed mouth about his personal life, particularly his financial dealings, and if I was right in suspecting he was involved in the discovery of Aenaria, his explorations as well. As to whether that secrecy might also include a connection to the gold coin I had found in Dede’s bag or her whereabouts, I had no idea. But I had to admit, despite all the good things I heard people say about Neil, I was growing ever more suspect that Neil Webster’s plans for Athena included more than a quiet retirement community for Seniors at Sea.
I’m no financial wizard, but if Byard was right and Athena required a guaranteed wealth analysis of five million dollars, then how could a retired history professor and his wife, plus a former private investigator and a young aerialist, afford luxury suites aboard a private ship like Athena? The more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t let the thought go. The numbers just didn’t add up, and I was anxious to return to Dede’s cabin, where I could pull my notepad from my backpack and organize my thoughts.
I had barely put my key in the door when Finn poked his head out from behind the Braun’s cabin door across the hall.
“Ms. Lawson. I’m glad I caught you. Elli dropped by. She wanted to slip this under your door, but I told her I’d take it.” Finn handed me an envelope. “I had come by to do a turndown for the Professor and his wife. They’re still upstairs having a celebratory drink for their anniversary.”
“Elli?” I looked at the envelope and wrinkled my brow.
“From the spa. Are you sure you don’t want me to turn down your sheets? It’s no problem.” Finn appeared to be in no hurry to rush off.
“You’re working too hard, Finn. I’m quite capable of turning down my own sheets. But I thank you for the offer.”
“It’s my job. And I do enjoy it.” Finn folded his arms and leaned back against the door jam. “To be honest, I miss when Neil and some of my regulars like Dede go ashore and take leave of the ship. Particularly, Dede. She and I have a special relationship. Sometimes, she invites me in for a nightcap. She likes to chat before she turns in.”
“Not that I’m judging, but isn’t that a little irregular?”
“It is, but with Dede, irregular’s the norm. She isn’t big on rules.”
“You know what, neither am I.” I opened the door and nodded for Finn to go in. “And I could use a drink. There’s an open bottle of red wine on the bar.”
“I’d prefer scotch. Dede keeps a bottle behind the bar. If you don’t mind, I’ll help myself.”
While Finn poured himself a scotch, I grabbed a wineglass from the rack above the bar, filled it from the open bottle, and sat down.
“So, tell me, what do you and Dede like to talk about?”
“What don’t we talk about.” Finn put his drink on the bar and, adjusting the sleeve of his jacket, pointed to a shiny gold bangle bracelet on his wrist. “Oh, did you notice?”
“Is that new?”
“Greta gave it to me. Quite nice, don’t you think?”
I leaned forward to get a better look. The bracelet was similar to several I had seen on the display table at the Professor’s lecture earlier that night. “Is it from their collection?”
“I don’t know…maybe…probably?” Finn glanced at the bracelet. “I didn’t ask. Greta said she wanted me to have it as a thank you for all I’ve done for them. But not to tell her husband.”
I wondered if Greta had given Finn a gold bracelet and if she might also have given Dede the gold coin. I doubted Greta would have given the coin away without her husband’s knowledge, but it was worth asking. I pushed the conversation toward the Brauns and continued to ask more about them.
“That’s very generous of Greta. Was she as generous with Dede?”
“Not at all. Not that Greta didn’t try. She crocheted a handbag for Dede to replace one Dede had recently lost, but Dede didn’t like it. I saw her carry it once before leaving for Naples, but it wasn’t her style. Whatever, I wouldn’t say they were friends. More like socially respectful of each other.”
“I find them an interesting couple. Very knowledgeable.”
Finn covered the bracelet with the cuff of his sleeve and picked up his drink.
“The Professor is for certain. But Greta?” Finn pointed his finger at me. “Don’t quote me.”
I waved my hands in front of my face. “We’re just friends here. Enjoying a drink. You’re not on the record.”
“The woman’s got fluff for brains. The Professor could talk for hours. He drives Dede nuts. She runs the other way when she sees him. She waits to make sure they’ve left their apartment before she goes out, just to avoid them.”
“And what about Dede? What’s she like?”
Finn took a sip of his drink. “Dede’s one of a kind. You’ve heard the expression, an iron fist in a velvet glove? That’s Dede. Not in the conventional sense, of course. She’s no raving beauty. She’s too old and too heavy for that. But she’s a delight. Outspoken and ballsy. Whatever you do, don’t get in her way. But, between you and me, Dede Drummerhausen is the most stable person onboard. I’d trust her with my life.”
“That’s quite a description.”
“If you really want to know about Dede, ask Neil. He was good friends with her late husband. They were business partners. They spent a lot of time together. Socializing. Entertaining. It wasn’t until Dede’s husband passed that Dede and I got close. Like I said, we enjoy a nightcap now and again but don’t tell Neil I told you. He would disapprove.”
