Bad Hair 8 - Day Perish By Pedicure (21 page)

Vail cleared his throat. “I would agree with you, except Marla made me see the light. There’s nothing wrong with Brianna wanting to look more feminine. We’re learning to compromise.”

Justine clucked her tongue. “Well, be aware that we’ll be keeping close watch on how things progress. If Brianna doesn’t get the care she needs or starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, Larry and I will make our presence known.”

“Brownies, anyone?” Marla breezed into the family room, pretending she hadn’t heard a word. Later, when she had a private moment with her fiancé, she’d tell him exactly what she thought about their conversation.

“I heard every word,” she said when the opportunity finally arose and they found a few minutes alone. “I appreciate your defense, but I think, in retrospect, you should have insisted Larry and Justine stay here for the week.”

She’d just emerged from the master bathroom where she’d refreshed her makeup after clearing away the dinner dishes. Dalton had trailed after her into the bedroom while Brie and her grandparents watched a movie on TV.

“Justine was the one who insisted on staying at your place to get to know you,” he replied.

“More to find things to criticize.”

“She said she liked you.”

Marla studied him. Despite her irritation, she had to admit he looked ruggedly handsome in his black pullover sweater and jeans. A lock of hair swept across his forehead, grazing his smoky eyes. Itching to straighten his part, she curled her fingers while her gaze meandered to the bed. It had been too long since they’d had any intimacy. Warmth coiled in her erotic regions at the thought of what they could do together.

“Yeah, right,” she said, tamping down her physical reactions. “Justine especially liked being held at gunpoint by a killer. I have to admit, she showed more guts than I’d imagined, but the situation didn’t raise her opinion of me.”

“You solved two murders and exposed a smuggling scheme. The authorities rounded up everyone involved after Georgia called for help on her cell phone, and you told them what you knew.”

“We were lucky, but it doesn’t cancel the fact that two people died.”

“Through no fault of yours.” He kicked the door shut and paced toward her.

She recognized the gleam in his eye and shook her head. “We’re not done with this conversation yet. How will you feel if Luxor asks me back to work on another event? I’d be expected to travel.”

She’d said good-bye to the Luxor crew on Thursday, and Janice had expressed her gratitude for Marla’s help at the hair show and for revealing Ron Cassidy’s treachery. She’d promised to keep Marla on the call list if she retained her position.

Sampson York, exposed as a fraud, had been fired. Marla felt sorry for him, since he really was a talented stylist and teacher. Now Luxor had to appoint a new artistic director.

“So? You’ve always wanted to go places but never had the chance,” Vail said. “I’ve seen those Tahiti brochures you carry around, although you might consider switching to the West Indies,” he added with a teasing grin. “The Caribbean is a lot closer.”

She ignored his remark. “I wouldn’t be home when Brianna gets off from school. You heard what Justine said.”

“Brie is used to letting herself into the house by now. That’s not a problem. I want you to be happy, sweetcakes.”

“I still think you should have let Justine and Larry stay here,” she said, stubbornly refusing to quit the issue. “Did you even consider my feelings when you spoke to them about their visit?”

He drew her close and ground his hips against her body. “What about the feelings you’re getting now?”

“Stop it, you’re avoiding the subject.” Despite her objection, her breath grew ragged. “Maybe we’d better hold off on our wedding plans until I meet your parents. They could be worse than Justine and Larry.”

Lowering his head, he nibbled at her mouth. “Mom and Dad will adore you.”

“Oh yeah? How do you know?”

“Because they’re ready to make your dreams of going to exotic islands come true. I hope you don’t mind if I’ve gone ahead and made plans for us again. I know I should’ve asked first, but then you’d have come up with some excuse as to why you couldn’t get off work.”

“Oh no,” she moaned against his lips as he rained kisses on her face. “What have you done?”

“My parents are treating us. We’re going on a cruise.”

Are you sure I won’t get seasick Marla Shore asked her fiancé as they approached the Port of Miami via a bridge over the Intracoastal. Squinting at the white ships lining the pier like ducks on parade, she felt a twinge of queasiness in her stomach. Hopefully, her first Caribbean cruise wouldn’t be her last.

“These big ships have stabilizers,” Dalton Vail replied, focused on his driving. “It’ll probably be so smooth you won’t even notice we’re on the water.”

The handsome detective spared her a glance. He wouldn’t admit to being excited, but she saw the spark in his gray eyes. She looked forward to sharing this experience with him and his fourteen-year-old daughter.

From the backseat, Brianna tapped Marla on the shoulder. “Look, there’s the
Tropical Sun
! Can you see it?” The teen had talked about nothing but their trip for the past few weeks.

“It has their signature lounge on top,” Marla pointed out, admiring the massive vessel’s sleek lines. Her attention shifted. “Do you have enough cash for parking?” she asked Dalton as he followed the signs to the garage. “It’s twelve dollars a day.”

“They take credit cards. Why don’t you and Brie get off here with the luggage? The cruise terminal is straight ahead. I’ll meet you at the entrance.” After he pulled up to the curb, he helped them unload before jumping back behind the wheel and zooming away.

Marla grimaced as a stiff sea breeze blew wisps of her carefully coiffed hair about her face. Her hairstylist skills would come in handy on this voyage. Rummaging in her purse, she withdrew a few bills for the porter, who checked their bags.

“Where do we go now?” Brianna said, confusion muddling her brown eyes. She wore her toffee hair in a ponytail along with the standard teenage garb of jeans and a camisole top.

“Let’s wait for your father.”

Charter buses pulled up to the curb along with yellow taxicabs and a shiny metal Sysco supply truck. Cops wearing neon green vests directed the traffic that added to the noise level. Seagulls squawked. Engines idled. Porters shouted. Airplanes roaring overhead made Marla’s blood pound in her ears.

Who said cruises were restful vacations? Mingling with three thousand other passengers doesn’t fit my dream of a tropical getaway.

Diesel fumes warmed by the summer sun mixed with the aroma of hot dogs from a nearby vendor. A passenger next to her crunched on a potato chip, his ample belly filling his shorts and flowered shirt.

Oh joy. Eleven days to gain weight at endless buffets. It’s a good thing my new salon will offer spa services in addition to the usual hair treatments. I’ll be their first customer.

Marla knew Dalton was looking forward to the meals. He’d pored over the dining-room pictures in the brochure. Same for Brianna, whose growing stage made her continually hungry. Marla was more interested in checking out the shops and lounging by the pool. Forget the onboard salon. She’d take a peek, but that was one place she wanted to avoid on her vacation.

As Vail hustled across the street, she watched him with pride. His broad shoulders filled the Tommy Bahama black shirt she’d given him for Father’s Day. Even with the silver peppering his ebony hair, his distinguished appearance made female heads turn in appreciation. She hoped this cruise would bring them closer together as a family.

“Let’s go inside,” he said, taking charge.

At the door, a uniformed official checked their passports and ushered them into the terminal. They entered the line for U.S. citizens and shuffled along like sheep in a herd until they reached the counter. Vail collected their papers and submitted their passports, cruise tickets, and credit cards for their on-board credit accounts.

“How does my hair look?” Marla asked before she grinned in front of a mini camera that snapped her photo. Just getting to the ship was an ordeal. She couldn’t wait to get settled.

In the next room, another attendant handed them each a room-key card, which they signed on the back. Brianna’s eyes bulged when she realized she’d be able to charge her own purchases.

“All right! I hope I meet kids my age to hang out with on the ship.” Brianna stuffed the card into her Nine West purse.

“You will, honey,” Marla said, giving her an indulgent smile. ‘They have an excellent teen program. You’ll have your own activities and even your own newsletter every day.”

“Over here,” Vail said, directing them to the security detail. Like at the airport, they had to pass their carry-on bags through an X-ray machine while they walked through the gates. After they cleared, a guard waved them toward an up escalator. A long metal walkway open to the breeze awaited them at the top. Shaded by a blue awning, it led to the gangway onto the ship itself. But first they had to get past the pair of photographers who captured a quick picture of them in front of a
Tropical Sun
welcome-aboard poster.

“I wonder how much that photo will cost,” Marla remarked. She shivered with excitement as they crossed a plank over a short expanse of water. Once on the ship, they had to present their key cards. A crew member swept each card through a machine that brought up their photo ID. Marla noticed a dispenser of liquid hand sanitizer just beyond. Great; they’d need it to prevent norovirus.

“At last,” she said, once they were free to find their room. She glanced at the bank of elevators, the wide carpeted stairway, and two long corridors flanking either side of the ship. “Where is our cabin, port or starboard?” she asked Vail, relying on his sense of direction.

“We’re starboard on deck eight,” he replied. “That’s on the right side of the ship facing forward. I usually remember because port has four letters same as left.” He nodded at the crowd waiting in front of the elevators. “It’ll be a few minutes before the mob clears.”

“We can take the stairs.” Wondering why he peered around as though expecting someone, Marla put her foot forward just as she spotted an auburn-haired woman waving at them. She’d come off the down elevator, accompanied by a tall man with receding hair, eyeglasses, and a broad grin.

“Dalton! Brianna!” The lady descended upon them, spreading her arms wide.

“Grandma,” Brie responded, rushing into the older woman’s embrace while Marla stared.

Grandma? Don’t tell me Dalton’s parents are here
. Her vision wavered. She felt as though the floor had opened beneath her, and she’d dropped into Wonderland. Why did no one else act surprised? Dumbfounded, she stood there like a statue.

“You think we’d pay for your cruise and not come along for the ride?” Brianna’s grandmother said. “Besides, we wanted to meet Marla. At the rate your father is dragging his feet regarding a wedding date, this may be our only chance.”

She grasped Marla’s stiff hand. “We’re delighted to meet you. I’m Kate, and this is John. Or call us Mom and Dad.”

Vail hugged his father. “Dad, I figured you’d be looking for us down here.”

Marla stood back, struggling to comprehend. Dalton had known his folks would be on the cruise, and he hadn’t said a word? True, Kate and John had treated them to the vacation. Presumably the elder couple meant to smooth things over after Dalton’s former in-laws created a strain between them. But if Dalton’s folks were anything like Pain’s parents, she’d
plotz
!

Not to worry. Kate and John flew in from Maine. They’ll have plenty to do on the cruise.

And she really should forgive Justine and Larry, who still mourned Pam’s death. It wasn’t easy for them to accept Marla as a potential stepmother for their granddaughter.

Kate linked her arm with Marla’s. ‘You’re prettier in person than in your picture,” Kate said with a warm smile. “I can’t wait to get to know you, but I’m sure you and Dalton would like to unpack. We’ll take Brie to our cabin. Her suitcase is already there.”

Vail frowned. “Huh? Why would it have been sent to your stateroom?”

“I guess you didn’t notice that her room number is different from yours. She’s staying with us so you and Marla can have some privacy. I hope that’s okay with you, sweetheart.”

Brianna’s expression took on a devilish gleam. “Sure, I have my own key anyway. As long as you agree that I don’t have a curfew.” She cast her father a smug grin.

“Now just a minute,” he began.

Vail’s dad made a dismissive gesture. “Let it go, son. Brie can’t get lost on the ship, and she’ll have a better time if she hooks up with some young people.” He exchanged a knowing look with Marla that made her like him already.

“We’ll catch up to you guys later,” Kate told Marla, then squeezed her elbow.

Kate was certainly a touchy-feely person, Marla thought, appreciating how she appeared totally different from Justine, Pam’s mother. It might not be so bad having her future in-laws on board after all. Wanting to accommodate Brianna, she turned her attention to the teen.

“Are you certain you’re all right with this, honey? You know you’re welcome to stay with us. We want to spend time with you, and—”

“She’ll be fine.” Kate wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulder. “Take your time exploring the ship. We sail at five; then we have the lifeboat drill before dinner. We’ll meet up with you in the dining room.”

After trudging up the stairs, Marla and Vail sought their cabin. Feeling like a conditioned laboratory rat, she followed the coral carpet down a brightly lit corridor that seemed to stretch to infinity. Brass plates displayed room numbers, and when they reached theirs, Marla noticed an envelope tucked into a seashell decoration by the door.

“Look at this,” she said, showing Dalton the scrawl that addressed the message to Martha Shore. “Someone must’ve spelled my name wrong.” After sticking it inside her purse, she unlocked the door to their cabin. “Yikes, my closet at home is bigger than this place!” Plopping her bags on the floor, she surveyed their home for the next week. There was barely enough space for their suitcases, let alone her and Dalton.

A queen-sized bed stood against the opposite wall, where a wide picture window showed a view of the pier. Other furnishings included a small nightstand, a desk that served as a dresser with drawers, a desk chair, and a small loveseat facing a television mounted on a ledge.

She noticed Dalton eyeing the TV and said, “If I’m going to lose you to sports games, you can find me on the pool deck.” Upon peering in the bathroom, she said, “Hey, look in here. If you turn around when you brush your teeth, you’ll be taking a shower.”

Vail excused himself to use the facilities while she examined a pile of papers on their bed: the
Tropical Tattler
newsletter, announcements about a preview art auction, gift shop flyers, and spa treatment specials. Always on the lookout for bargains, she stuffed them in her purse to read later and turned to her carry-on bag to remove her cosmetics.

From the bathroom, she heard a thump, followed by an explosive whoosh and a loud curse. The detective emerged looking shaken. ‘Jeez, if you sit on that thing when you flush, you risk losing some vital body parts. They aren’t kidding when they say to close the lid first.”

Marla laughed, then put her things down on the bed and walked over to kiss him soundly. “I can see one benefit to this cabin. We’ll have to snuggle closer.” They spent a few minutes doing just that until a knock sounded outside the door.

“Hello, my name is Jovanny,” said their cabin steward, a short young man with a swarthy complexion. “May I assist you with luggage?” Their suitcases had arrived. Marla and Vail stood by while Jovanny dragged the luggage inside. “Your cruise guide will tell you what goes on each day,” Jovanny said, with a flashy grin, while Marla strained to understand him. He spoke as though he had a wad of cotton in his mouth. “Today we have lifeboat drill at five-thirty. Life jackets are in closet. Your station is deck seven, C-4. Okay, lady and gentleman? If you need anything else, please call me on telephone.”

As soon as he left, she returned to unpacking her bag. A loudspeaker blared, making her jump.

Ding dong, ding dong.

“Attention, all passengers,” announced a deep male voice from a console on the desk. “According to SOLAS, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, we are required to hold a lifeboat drill within twenty-four hours of sailing. When you hear seven short blasts and one long blast, this is the signal to proceed to your lifeboat assembly station. There will be no eating or drinking during this exercise. This is a mandatory drill even if you have cruised with us before.”

The man’s voice droned on, issuing further instructions, but Marla closed him out She’d opened the envelope addressed to Martha Shore and pulled out a piece of paper inside. Narrowing her eyes, she stared at the typewritten words:

I know what you did and I have what you want.

Her blood chilled. Who would send this weird message?

She’d done a few bad things in her life, but mostly they’d been resolved. No one on board could possibly know about the erotic pictures she’d posed for when she was nineteen. That hadn’t been the best moment in her life, but she’d needed the money to pay for an attorney after Tammy had drowned in a backyard pool. As her babysitter, Marla had been held accountable by the toddler’s parents. She’d finally put the tragedy to rest, so why would it rear its ugly head now? Nah, this had to be a mistake.

“What’s wrong?” Vail asked, giving her a curious glance. He’d started hanging up his suit jackets.

“Look at this note.” She thrust it at him.

Scanning the words, he scowled. “Gotta be some sort of joke.”

“Or it’s been sent to the wrong person.” Flushing with guilt, she grabbed the paper and tossed it into a drawer. Nothing would ruin her vacation. “Forget about it,” she said. “Let’s explore the ship. I’d like to make sure Brie is happy with her arrangements.”

Vail opted for a snack, so they headed for the Outrigger Cafe on deck eleven. Unsure of where to go, Marla suggested they follow the trail of people holding drink cups. They found the dining room with several buffet lines, and Vail filled his plate with a juicy hamburger, French fries, pasta salad, and herb-roasted chicken, while Marla allowed herself coffee and fruit.