Neil closed the drapes behind us. “Kat, I apologize. You shouldn’t have to see something like this. It’s highly unusual.”
Even in a state of shock, I knew better. Captain Byard had replaced the previous captain who had fallen overboard, and if what the Churchill sisters told me about Dede was true, then Oleg was the third person to fall from Athena’s decks.
“Do you think he fell?” I asked.
“Either that or he jumped. We won’t know more until Doctor Jon has had a chance to look at the body. Oleg liked to drink. Might be he slipped.” Neil joined Antonio at the bar and poured himself a drink. “Do you think you might need one?”
“No, I need to go. It’s getting late. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
* * *
Exiting the elevator on Dede’s floor, I noticed Finn headed toward me. “You’re working late. I’m surprised you’re still here. It’s almost midnight.”
“Frau Braun called and ordered something from the pharmacy. Her stomach’s upset. She and the Professor were on the Lido Deck enjoying a nightcap when Oleg went overboard. I assume you heard?”
“I watched the crew fish Oleg out of the water from Neil’s deck. Did Frau Braun see it happen?”
“I don’t think so. The Professor said he and Greta had gone up to have a nightcap on the Lido Deck. They passed Oleg on their way to the bar. They said Oleg was talking to himself, leaning against the railing, and that he looked drunk. After that, they said they heard a splash, and when they looked back, Oleg was gone.”
“Did the Professor think Oleg jumped?”
“He must have. It’d be nearly impossible to fall over the railings. They’re five feet high. Oleg couldn’t have gone over unless he wanted to.” Finn started for the elevator. “Forgive me. I should ask, do you think you’ll be needing anything?”
“No, I’m fine. Just shaken, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t hesitate to call if you need to. By the way, how was dinner?”
“Dinner?” I had almost forgotten. All I could think about was the crew pulling Oleg’s limp body from the water and my last conversation with him. If anything, the Russian had appeared anxious to meet, saying he thought it was important we make time for one another. Hardly the ramblings of a depressed or suicidal man.
“Did Neil serve anything special?”
“I’m sorry. What with Oleg falling overboard, I barely remember eating. But, yes, the meal was wonderful, and so was the company.”
“Company?” Finn cocked his head curiously.
“Neil had a friend in. Antonio. He’s planning to stay for a couple of days. Until we get to Sorrento.”
“Humph.” The news Neil had a guest was obviously a surprise and not a welcome one. Finn crossed his arms and clenched his jaw.
“You know him?”
“Antonio De Luca? Oh, yes, I know him. Antonio’s been aboard a couple times. Not one of my favorite people. I suppose that’s why Neil didn’t bother to tell me.”
“I’m sorry.” I could see the news upset Finn. “I’m sure there’s nothing to it. But if you don’t mind, I need to rest. This has been a tough day.”
“Of course. Have a good night, Ms. Lawson.”
I bid Finn goodnight and let myself into Dede’s apartment, then closed the door behind me and, with my back against it, sank to my heels.
I didn’t need to wait for the doctor’s report in the morning to know Oleg hadn’t had a heart attack and accidentally fallen from the Lido deck. And I was sure the Russian hadn’t committed suicide. If he had wanted to take his own life, he could have just as easily jumped from his own deck. No. Someone had pushed Oleg Sidorov overboard. Just like I was beginning to think someone had pushed the previous captain overboard, and possibly Dede as well. Maybe because they knew too much. Or knew as much as I did.
Chapter Seventeen
Ispent a restless night in my cabin, my mind like a ping-pong ball going back and forth from the four million dollar Brutus gold coin I had found hidden in Dede’s bag to Oleg’s death, the Professor’s missing ring and back to the very charming Neil Webster, who I was now beginning to suspect was head of an international smuggling operation, using Athena as a modern-day pirate ship to ferry stolen artifacts along the Silk Highway for personal gain. No wonder he didn’t want me asking personal questions.
By seven a.m. I was dressed and ready to begin my day. I wanted to be up on the top deck early enough to grab a coffee and walk to the spot where Oleg had fallen overboard. But by the time I arrived on the Lido Deck, I wasn’t alone. Neil and Finn stood mid-ship next to yellow tape that had been draped by the railing where Oleg had last stood. They appeared to be in a heated argument. Neil had his back to me. Finn shook his head and pointed back to the island. From the looks on their faces, this was a lover’s spat. I filled my cup from the coffee urn the Ivy had set aside for residents who wanted to serve themselves and waited for Finn to leave. Once he was gone, I approached Neil.
“I wanted to thank you for dinner last night. I’m sorry I left so abruptly, but—”
“You were upset. I was, too. Awful situation. Oleg was a good friend and a business partner.” Neil wrapped his fingers around the railing, inches from where the yellow tape was draped, and looked out at the water. “Unfortunately, Oleg drank too much. Doctor Jon said his alcohol level was extremely high. I suppose we’ll never know what happened.”
“You think it was an accident?”
“What else could it be?”
I wasn’t about to say I knew this was the second body to have fallen overboard, if not maybe the third. I looked out at the water and hoped Neil didn’t see the doubt on my face or have any idea about the thoughts running through my mind.
“I hate to ask, but what happens now? Do we return to Naples?”
“No.” Neil shook his head. “We have a morgue on board.”
“A morgue?”
“Cruise ships all have them. We’re required to have a place to store a body, and with an older clientele like we have, we’re prepared for such things. Right now, Oleg’s body is tucked neatly in a refrigerated section behind our infirmary. But don’t you worry about it. I’d hate for any of what’s happened to influence the story you’re writing. However, I am afraid Oleg’s death will affect my ability to go with you on our dive today. I’ll need to go back to Naples to file some paperwork. I’ll take the helicopter and be back by the end of the day.
“And what about the body?”
“We’ll stop in Sorrento. We were going to drop Antonio there anyway, so while it wasn’t a scheduled stop, it’s not like it’s out of the way. They have facilities to handle the body. Meanwhile, Antonio’s agreed to dive with you in my place. You don’t want to miss seeing Aenaria. It’s not just thirty feet under the water. It’s more than two thousand years back in time. And one of the reasons we’re here. But do me a favor. If you haven’t any diving experience, meet with Elli this morning and have her check you out on our scuba gear in the pool before you go. We don’t need any more excitement around here.”
