“No. But I know he’s not on the Bridge. Captain Rob is. He called the kitchen while I was there and asked the chef to send up some fresh fruit.”
“What about the rest of the ship, the residents? Anything unusual going on?”
“Not that I can tell. There are a few early risers. But the first tender isn’t due for at least another hour. Most people are still inside their cabins.”
“So you don’t think anyone else knows about Ida?”
“Well, I certainly didn’t. Not until I walked in here. After last night, I expected that you might have wanted to sleep in.”
Dede answered. “I never sleep in. I was up and about, rummaging around the kitchen for something to eat. I was debating whether or not I should go up to the Café for a chocolate croissant when Kat came in, and I convinced her to join me at the Ivy Café. Other than Irene and Captain Byard, we must have been among the first there.”
“Not quite. I was there before you came in.” Marco took a banana from the cart and began to peel it. “The Professor and Greta were already there with the Inspector and Camile. They had a table together in the corner.”
“Now that is odd,” Finn said. “The Brauns usually sleep late. Especially Greta. She’s not much of a morning person.”
I glanced at Marco. “I think it’s safe to say, based on the guard outside Dede’s door, that Sully’s doing what he can to contain the situation. He doesn’t want anybody on board talking about it.”
“I would agree, “ Marco said, “but I doubt Sully intends to contain the situation as much as he plans to manage it for their benefit. Think about it, Kat. We’re locked in here and—”
“The Professor, the Inspector, and the rest of the Gang of Eight are all free to roam about. For all we know, it wasn’t Elli who found Ida’s body, but the Chief who led her to it.”
“Because he knew where the body would be.”
I went to the sliding doors and stared at the water. Dede may have surprised us all by coming back so unexpectedly. But with Ida dead and Dede’s unexpected return, it didn’t take a lot to think that whoever had killed Ida would find Dede a convenient scapegoat.
“They’ll blame you for Ida’s death, Dede. You admitted you thought you were the last to see Ida alive. And if they think you have the Brutus Coin or know anything about it, they’ll threaten you with Ida’s murder until you turn the coin over to them.”
“And if you don’t,” Marco made a fist and hit the palm of his hand, “the Inspector will threaten to charge you with murder, and you’ll be dragged out of your comfortable quarters here and be the subject of a murder investigation before the sun sets tonight.”
“Can the Inspector even do that? He’s retired, and this is Italy, not France.” I had no idea what rules would apply to a murder on the high seas.
“Doesn’t matter. If Camile killed Ida, the Inspector would try anything. You saw how Camile reacted when they pulled Ida’s body from the tank. She would have fled if the Inspector hadn’t held her hand. What’s he got to lose? He’s done it before. He’ll do it again.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Bzzt…bzzt. The wall phone in the kitchen rang, and Dede asked Finn to answer. From the living room, we could hear Finn chatting on the phone. Then poking his head out the kitchen door and with the receiver in his hand, he announced, “Dede, Tatiana’s on the phone.”
“Oleg’s daughter?” Dede’s eyes narrowed.
Finn clasped the palm of his hand over the phone’s mouthpiece. “Captain Byard gave us all firm instructions we weren’t to bother her. But she’s on the phone and insists on talking with you.”
Dede pushed herself up from the sofa, toddled to the kitchen, and took the phone from Finn. “Tatiana?”
Whatever Tatiana said, Dede responded in a welcome tone. “Of course, dear. You know I’ll do whatever I can. I want to speak with you, too, but for reasons I won’t get into right now, I have a guard at my door, and I’m not permitted to leave my cabin.” Dede paused and whispered to us. “Tatiana wants to see me. What are we going to do?”
“Not to worry. I’ll fix it.” Finn took the phone back from Dede. “Tatiana, darling, stay where you are. I’ll come to get you and explain everything. But do me a favor, luv, don’t talk to anyone.” Then, hanging up the phone, Finn spun around and waltzed into the living room. “We’re going to need more food. Marco, would you mind helping me clear the cart? I’m going to make a second run.”
While Marco and Finn cleared the food cart, transferring what we hadn’t eaten to the refrigerator, Dede explained how she had come to know Tatiana.
“We met years ago when Oleg was helping Neil and my late husband negotiate with the Russians to buy Athena. Back then, Oleg and I were friendly. Tatiana was barely out of her teens, a pretty girl, and anxious to see the world. Her father spared no expense to see she was happy. I don’t know what kind of education she’s had, but she speaks Russian, French, English, and Italian. And she has an apartment in Paris, Milan, and undoubtedly something in Moscow.”
“And her mother?” I asked.
“Tatiana never talked about her, and I’ve never asked. My relationship with Oleg was strained at best. I never trusted him. But early on, I took an interest in Tatiana and taught her to make Sharlotka. It’s a Russian dessert, like a sponge cake filled with baked apple pieces, cinnamon, and vanilla. You’d think she might know, but no one ever took the time to show her.”
“Did she say what she wanted to talk about?”
“I imagine she wants to talk with me about her father. And if she’s willing to risk seeing me, I’m pretty sure it’s because she doesn’t believe he died of a heart attack.”
“Ladies?” Finn rolled the food cart from the living room to the front door. “I’ll be back, and when I return, expect the unexpected.”
Marco started to open the door.
“Wait.” I crossed in front of the cart. “Finn, you need to be careful. If any of the Gang of Eight even think you know about them or might be helping us, you could be in danger.”
“Kat, how foolish you are. I’m a steward aboard a ship full of wealthy, self-absorbed residents who scarcely notice when I enter their suite, pick up their laundry, bring them their mail, or deliver their evening chocolates. They only notice when I’m not there. You needn’t worry. I know how to be invisible when I need to be.”
I stepped back from the cart. “Let’s hope so, Finn.”
* * *
It was several hours before Finn returned with the food cart. Like before, it was piled high with food, this time with sandwiches, cold cuts, and bottles of water and wine. Finn wheeled the cart into the living room and asked Marco to double-check the lock on the front door. Satisfied we wouldn’t be disturbed, Finn unloaded the food from the top of the cart, stepped back, and pulled the tablecloth away like a magician.
“Voila! I bring you, Tatiana Sidorov.”
Crouched beneath the top of the cart in a fetal position was Tatiana. Uncoupling her arms and legs, she clambered out from her hiding place. No more than five-one and maybe a hundred and five pounds, I could see a strong, blonde family resemblance to her father. Recognizing Dede, she scanned the room, stood up, crossed her arms, and held her head high.
“What is this, Dede? Why all this secrecy? Is it because my father is dead?”
