Murder on the Great lake Read online

  “I’ll hold you to that.” Georgie smiled but made sure her eyes indicated the next time they crossed paths Richard better have her cash.

  When she finally made it to Pablo she climbed behind the wheel and sat for a moment.

  “Was the railing bad on that boat?” Georgie tried to envision the railing on the Catherine O’Leary and couldn’t grasp a clear image from her memory. Turning the ignition key she decided as she pulled into traffic that it was a beautiful morning to visit the dock. The boat was sure to be there since it was a crime scene. How hard would it be to get a look at the rails?

  Chapter 5

  The Catherine O’Leary looked like a lady that had had a long night as it loomed at the end of the pier. Georgie walked down the wooden planks observing the police who were making sure no unauthorized people climbed aboard.

  Although he was dressed in civilian clothes, Georgie recognized the tall, bearded man who was the Captain. He stood on the dock, his hands on his hips and watched as the yellow Police Line Do Not Cross ribbons waved in the breeze.

  “Captain?” Georgie interrupted his thoughts. She was sure he probably didn’t remember her as he had to have given the Catherine O’Leary story to dozens of people over the course of the night and every other night he steered the massive boat.

  “Hello.” He turned his face and a small smile came to light. “Georgie Kaye, correct?”

  “Yes, sir.” Georgie blinked and smiled back. “I wasn’t sure if you’d remember me. There were so many people on the boat last night and, well, so much excitement going on.”

  “Indeed. This is very troubling. Such a shame.” He looked up at the boat. “You know, in all my seventeen years as captain of this vessel I never had a casualty. Not one.”

  “I’m very sorry, Captain. But I don’t think you should blame yourself. Any time there is alcohol involved people take a huge risk of things going wrong.” She tried to comfort the man but could see he wasn’t having it.

  “When I was a new captain, on my first commercial cruise I had a woman fall overboard. She wasn’t drunk at all. She was just taking pictures.” He waited for a moment and shook his head. “Ever since then I made sure that if there was ever any kind of incident on my vessels that there was no way the cause would be due to a slip up in our safety checks.”

  “I’m so sorry, Captain. Did the woman die?” Georgie couldn’t help but ask the morbid question.

  “Thankfully, no.” The Captain sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “She was able to tread water until the rescue boat got to her.”

  “See, I would have thought that the man who fell over yesterday would have been able to do the same thing. He was so fit. Did he really not know how to swim?”

  The Captain shrugged his shoulders. They stood in silence for a few moments looking at the boat. Georgie studied the details about the boat looking at all the rails and windows. Everything looked like it was sturdy on this side but she couldn’t see the other side of the boat from the dock.

  “Captain?” She squinted her eyes and pointed. “Are those cameras up there? Is there footage of what happened?” Georgie couldn’t believe her eyes. This could clear everything up.

  “Those are camera domes.” The Captain replied sadly.

  “What is that?”

  It was obvious that the Captain felt guilty as he sighed and shook his head.

  “They are just the domes that would cover the cameras. There are no actual working cameras underneath them. The only active cameras are in the bridge and on the lower decks where engineering, the guts of the ship, if you will, are located.”

  “So ... there are none watching the people?” Georgie gasped. As soon as she learned this she made a conscious decision to never ride on a cruise boat again. “Why would that be?”

  “Follow the money, Miss Kaye. These vessels cost more money than you think. If a few corners can be cut they will be. Including on security cameras.” He scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know, Miss Kaye. Maybe I should retire.”

  “Captain, don’t give up just yet.” Georgie soothed. “This wasn’t your fault. Don’t let it ruin your career and all your good memories and good voyages.”

  She couldn’t be sure but she thought she saw a glint of tears in the Captain’s eyes.

  “That’s the problem. Miss Kaye. Do you know last night I tried to clean up the men’s room. Someone had vomited all over in there and in the process, I got stabbed with a syringe that was in the trashcan. A syringe.” He chewed his bottom lip. “It’s the passengers who are ruining all the good memories, Miss Kaye. They no longer treat the adventure of being out on water as something romantic, something magical. They see it as a free-for-all as if Lake Michigan offers the questionable laws of international waters.”

  “My goodness, Captain. Did you go to the doctor’s? Getting stabbed by a syringe can be so dangerous.” Georgie put her hand on the man’s forearm out of genuine concern.

  “Yup.” He spat. “The police told me I shouldn’t have been cleaning anything due to everything being considered a possible crime scene. So the puke and refuse will stay put until they clear the ship. I had to spend over an hour in the emergency room last night getting so many shots I lost track.”

  Georgie didn’t know what to say so she said nothing and just stood there, looking at the boat.

  “There was a time when a cruise along Lake Michigan was a fun time. People dressed up and danced and had a good time. Don’t get me wrong, Miss Kaye. I’m not some kind of prude.” He wrinkled his brow before continuing. “I was in the Navy for over fifteen years and spent my paycheck in bars in ports all over the world. I’m not a teetotaler. But I just assumed people would want to remember their time aboard this beauty. She really is a beauty, you know.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, Captain.” Georgie soothed.

  “Well, you know what happens when people assume. Makes an ass out of you and me.” He chuckled at the old saying. Georgie did the same.

  After shaking hands with the Captain and parting ways, Georgie drove home rerunning everything the Captain had said. She was sure there was some kind of law being broken with those inoperative cameras. The whole mess could have been cleared up if someone in charge decided they were necessary costs.

  “What a world we live in.” She thought pessimistically until she pulled up at her house. As she went to her sister’s place next door to fetch Bodhi she was surprised at how the dog’s little pushed in black face made her smile and feel a renewed sense of hope. “Hey doggie.” She cooed. He followed her out of the house and quickly made his way to his own lawn to handle the business of nature’s call.

  Thinking of calls, Georgie decided to call the handyman Aleta had suggested. The gray clouds that were starting to roll in made her think she’d better act sooner rather than later.

  “Justin Holland.” His voice was very deep, and Georgie envisioned a man who resembled Grizzly Adams, as tall and broad as a redwood wearing a flannel shirt with wild hair on his head as well as his face toting an ax over his shoulder.

  “Hello, Mr. Holland. My name is Georgie Kaye and my sister, Aleta, suggested I call you regarding a leak in my roof.”

  “Aleta Kaye?” he asked as if he didn’t know the name. “Oh, wait. Yes, yes. Aleta Kaye. I think I built a shed for her and helped with a new screen back door.”

  “That’s right.” Georgie grinned.

  “You live next door to her, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “That’s right. It’s close enough if I need my sister I can walk right over, but when she annoys me I can shut my door on her.”

  “Right. I’ve got a brother who lives three blocks from me. I end up shutting the door more than walking right over,” the handyman chuckled in Georgie’s ear, “but I completely understand the arrangement.”

  Georgie laughed as she made noises of agreement.

  “You say you’ve got a leak in your roof?” his calm voice continued.

  “Yes. Truthfully, I’m
not sure but there might be more damage up there than I know. But if you could come by and give me an estimate I’d appreciate it. That way I can get an idea of how much of my belongings I’ll have to hock to pay for the repair.”

  Justin laughed a deep hearty laugh.

  “Don’t worry, Georgie. I know how it can be. We can make the repair and come up with a fee that is acceptable to both of us. The goal is to fix your roof. Chicago is just the kind of vengeful place that if it finds out you have a leak it will rain for seventeen days straight.”

  “You may be right about that.” Georgie laughed.

  Justin chit-chatted with her for a few more minutes then took her address and promised to come by early the following morning.

  “I hope that’s okay. I’ll admit I’m a morning person. Come two o’clock I’m ready to take a nap and watch some television. That’s why I don’t work in an office. The idea of waiting until five o’clock to get off work makes me want to drive my car off Navy Pier.”

  “That’s perfect. I’m the same way.” Georgie concurred. “But I usually read a book and eat some ice cream or cake.”

  “That sounds even better. Okay, Georgie. I’ll see you in the morning. There is no rain in the forecast until Thursday so that gives us a few days to get to work.”

  “Okay, Justin. See you then.”

  Georgie began to wonder if she should have just called Stan. She had seen him on the scene yesterday. He was probably too busy with the Catherine O’Leary to worry about her roof.

  “Too late anyway, right Bodhi?” The pug just looked at her and sniffed the air.

  Chapter 6

  “He didn’t have your money?” The look on Aleta’s face said it all. She squinted her eyes, jutted out her jaw and shifted her head to the right while her hip went to the left. “Well, what was his excuse this time?”

  “Get this.” Georgie took a seat at the kitchen table. “He said that he needed to retain all of his money in case he needed a lawyer. Someone seems to think that he didn’t act concerned enough about Deck falling overboard.”

  “Really?” Aleta stood at the counter vigorously chopping veggies and dropping them into a big glass bowl. “Do you mind oil and vinegar on your salad?”

  “No. That sounds great.”

  “He might have been a bit of a jerk when he was wrapping up the night. But what is the right behavior? Not everyone can make an announcement like he did and come across perfectly tactful. That might have just been his defense mechanism.”

  “I heard him talking to the Captain.” Georgie pulled the paper napkin from beneath the silver fork and knife and laid it in her lap. “It was pretty bad.”

  “Really?”

  “He was very mad that the Captain was turning the ship back to land. He said he paid for so many hours and wanted those hours and he would expect a refund and this was a huge deal, the yearly party blah, blah, blah.”

  Aleta turned and set the colorful meal down on the table.

  “Wow. This looks fantastic.” Georgie’s eyes flickered. “You’ve thrown all kinds of healthy things in there. The colors are amazing. I wish I could take a picture before we eat this.”

  “Its got everything but kale.” Aleta joked.

  “Thank heavens for that.” Georgie chuckled as she helped herself to the wooden spoon and fork that were sticking out of the bowl.

  “You know, there was that lady who wanted to talk to him. She was wearing that exercise equipment t-shirt?” Aleta added as she took her seat.

  “Right. She was the one who ignored the rules of playing hard to get.” Georgie pointed at her sister who nodded. “Hell hath no fury.”

  “Exactly. And let’s face it. The women aboard that boat, even her, were anything but shrinking violets. I think any one of them could have lost their cool and tossed a fellow overboard. I’m actually surprised there was only one.”

  “Aleta, you’re terrible, but absolutely right.” Georgie chuckled. “I saw Deck with another woman, though. She didn’t look like she was all together.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I was looking for the ladies’ room she was in there throwing up.” Georgie poured the oil and vinegar on the colorful vegetable concoction and mixed everything together. “But when I saw her with Deck she looked like she was seasick talking to him.”

  “Seasick or drunk?”

  “Hmmm—good point. I couldn’t say for sure.” Georgie took a large forkful of salad. “This is delicious.”

  “It’s a nice change, right? I thought about burgers but decided we could both use some roughage. Wait, I forgot the bread.” Aleta shook her head. “I know they say bread is bad for you but I got this fresh from the bakery at the store. It’s one of life’s little pleasures—in moderation.”

  “How about that guy who was offering those supplements. Never eat again? Was he insane?” Georgie huffed. “He also was pretty determined to get a few minutes alone with Deck. Maybe his pitch didn’t go that well.”

  “It didn’t work well on us, that is for sure.” Aleta muttered. “But, I have to tell you. Even though Deck is no longer with us, I used his business card and called his gym to see about arranging a personal workout session.”

  “You did? That’s great, Aleta.” Georgie encouraged.

  “I signed up for a session. Tomorrow. It’s actually being held in Wicker Park.”

  “That sounds interesting. The fresh air. The beautiful scenery. I doubt you’ll be doing any kind of weird stuff out in public.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that, Georgie, because I signed you up, too.”

  Georgie’s shoulders slumped and she looked up to the ceiling.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Nope. I thought it would be good for us to hold each other accountable. It’s not a crazy, Jane Fonda jazzercise. It’ll just be some stretching and breathing and all that kind of stuff for ladies our age.” Aleta took a bite of salad and smiled.

  “I really thought having this salad was a huge step for me. Now you’re taking up the no pain-no gain mantra.” Georgie teased. “Fine. I’ll go. But I have to wait for your handyman to come and tend to the roof.”

  “You called Justin?”

  “I did but I have to tell you, Aleta, that I’m not so sure about the guy.” Georgie tore her bread in half and dunked it in the oil and vinegar dressing.

  “Why do you say that?” Aleta looked concerned.

  “I don’t know. I’m probably just imagining it because I don’t want to pay to have a new roof put on. I know that’s what he’s going to say. You just have one gaping hole here Miss Kaye. If you had gotten three more raindrops the whole roof would have caved in on you. So, in order to prevent that from happening you just need to pay me eight thousand dollars up front and we can order the materials that will probably take about two weeks to get here. Then we’ll schedule a time and day and weather permitting I’ll get started.”

  “Wow. That’s very negative.” Aleta frowned. “I’m telling you he does pretty good work. But if you feel he’s not right then call Stan.”

  “Well, he said he’d come by first thing. I’ll make a decision after he tells me what he’s going to do.” Georgie nodded and piled a second helping of salad on her plate. It didn’t take long for the ladies to finish their meal.

  “I’m surprised that really was a nice treat.” Aleta said. “But, dinner isn’t dinner without dessert.”

  “If you put any granola in front of me I’m leaving.”

  “Nope.” Aleta stood, opened the fridge and pulled out a white and gray box.

  “Did you go to Murray’s Bakery?” Georgie smiled and rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

  Aleta nodded as she set the box on the table and grabbed a couple of small plates from the cupboard. Carefully, she unwrapped the box and pulled the lid back.

  “Dutch apple pie?”

  “With tiny bits of caramel sprinkled over the top. You want yours heated up?”

  “Yes I do.
And then I can just lay down and die because their Dutch apple pie is one of the best desserts on the planet. I feel sorry for people who never get to taste this.”

  “It could bring world peace.” Aleta said seriously.

  “It could.”

  “So let’s eat Dutch apple pie for tomorrow we fast.” Aleta said, waving a butter knife in the air.

  “You said that yesterday on the cruise.” Georgie smirked.

  “Right, but today I mean it.”

  “Yes, that’s right. Me, too.”

  THE NEXT MORNING GEORGIE waited for Justin Holland to show up early as he had said he was going to.

  “I don’t know, Aleta. I don’t consider ten thirty early.” Georgie said into her phone as she sat on her couch looking out the front window. “He said he’d be here early.”

  “Well, maybe he had an emergency.” Aleta offered.

  “Wait, does he drive a Mustang?”

  “He didn’t when he worked for me but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten one in the meantime.”

  “A mustang just pulled into my driveway. I’m assuming it’s him. I’ll call you back.” Georgie hung up the phone and went to the door. Before he could ring the doorbell Georgie opened the door.

  “Justin?”

  “Hi, Miss Kaye?” Justin smiled a crooked yellow smile and smelled of cigarettes. “Sorry I’m late. I got lost. I’ve never been to this area before.”

  Georgie tilted her head wondering who it could have been who fixed Aleta’s back door if it weren’t this guy.

  “Oh, I thought you fixed my sister’s back door just last year. That wasn’t you?” She asked innocently.

  “That was probably my dad. He’s Justin, too.”

  Georgie nodded. Now everything made more sense.

  “Well, that explains it.”

  Justin stood still for a moment just looking around when Bodhi decided to move things along.

  “Wow. Is that a dog?” Justin smiled down at Bodhi.