Caribbean Gold: Three Adventure Novels Read online

“That was over a thousand dollars,” Charlie said.

  His voice was even, but one of the muscles in his jaw showed an occasional twitch. Ella knew that meant he was truly upset.

  “Oh, honey. Maybe we took it out and laid it down somewhere in the room.”

  Ella tried to stand, but her balance betrayed her again and she landed back in the chair. Charlie glanced around at the immaculate suite, every surface clear.

  “Ella,” he said. “We are both celebrated archeologists, respected in our fields and known for our high intellect and detective work. Between the two of us, we aren't going to just lose a thousand dollars cash.”

  Ella shrugged. “Okay. It didn't just disappear.”

  “Maybe,” Charlie said, “someone came in and stole it.”

  “That can't be, surely. Look, we still have our credit cards. The trip isn't ruined. Let's go to dinner and see if we can sort this out later.”

  “I at least want to call the front desk,” Charlie said. “They should be notified in case this has happened to anyone else.”

  Ella nodded and Charlie dialed the phone.

  “I need to report some stolen money,” he said.

  After he explained the situation, he hung up the phone.

  “They're sending someone up right now. It should be a given that when one gives one’s money to stay at a premier, five-star hotel that the staff of said hotel is part of a trusted and honest business relationship.”

  “You're right, honey,” Ella said. “We probably just should have put the money in the safe, like you said.”

  Charlie began to pace the room. A moment later there was a knock at the door. Charlie was met by a young woman from the front desk, dressed in the hotel uniform; a blue jacket with the hotel emblem on the lapel. The name tag read 'Rachel'. She was accompanied by one of the hotel security guards, a young man of slight stature with a trim haircut, who seemed to be barely out of his teens.

  “Are you the manager?” Charlie asked the young woman.

  “No sir, but I can assure you I do have full authority to process a claim for lost or stolen items. My name is Rachel and this is Officer Paul.”

  Charlie turned and exchanged a look with Ella, who suppressed a giggle into her hand.

  “We will need to take a report if you don't mind,” the young woman said.

  “Is Mitch Berger available? He's my uncle. Can someone call him?” Ella asked.

  “I'm sorry; the tech department is gone for the day. He's not scheduled back until tomorrow.”

  The young security guard spoke next.

  “Can you tell when you last had the belongings?”

  “This morning,” Ella said. “I got a little bit of cash out for the breakfast buffet. I saw it in the bag then. After that, we went to the pool area until a couple of hours ago.”

  Rachel from the front desk took a note on her clipboard and exchanged a look with the security officer.

  “Listen,” Charlie said, tension evident in his voice, “I'd really prefer if we could speak to a manager about all of this.”

  “Once the hotel procedures have been completed, we will be happy to contact management at that time, sir,” said Rachel. “Our process involves filling out a report, conducting a search of the room to determine if there is any evidence, and then potential interviews with staff that had access to the room during the time of the alleged disappearance of the items. The form will be submitted to the head of security for a thorough internal investigation.”

  Charlie and Ella exchanged another glance, communicating in a moment what they both thought: that the hotel staff was not taking the complaint seriously. Charlie waved his hand at the two for them to enter the room.

  “Fine,” he said. “Do what you need to do. Look, my wife is ill. Are we required to be here for the investigation?”

  “Perhaps you would like to have a complimentary beverage in the lobby bar,” the young lady said, producing a couple of drink vouchers for them.

  “Then,” Charlie continued, his face a mask of anger, “I'd insist that we see a manager, as soon as possible.”

  “Of course. Yes, sir. I'll see if he can be contacted after we have inspected the area and conducted an internal investigation of the premises.”

  Ella placed a hand on Charlie's arm.

  “When we get in touch with Mitch tomorrow, I'm sure he will help get this sorted out. There's really no reason to get upset at this point, Charlie. We have some time before the dinner begins. Help me up and we'll go to the lobby.”

  He gave her a thin lipped smile, and supported her arm as she stood. She leaned on his shoulder as they walked into the hallway and toward the lobby. The ornate decorations as they walked through the hotel echoed the ancient artifacts that Charlie knew would be displayed within the museum that was being celebrated that evening. Ancient Mayan masks hung along the walls, glinting gold reflections on the floor and ceiling. Replicas, Charlie could only hope. He knew from his previous visit that it was not beyond the scope of the hotel owners to flaunt genuine antiquities as part of the décor. The sight of the masks added to his concern for his wife's vertigo and did little to alleviate his mood.

  “Charlie, I really think if I just eat something, I'll be fine,” Ella said.

  He steered her to the nearest seat along the bar of the lobby hotel. They sat down and he ordered them some glasses of water and an appetizer sampler for Ella. Across the expanse of the marble floor, Charlie noticed the other two front desk employees glance their way; two young men wearing crisp white shirts and black jackets with an emblem of the hotel emblazoned upon the right lapel. One leaned over and said something to the other, who then laughed. Ella nibbled on a potato skin and they waited. Charlie's ire grew with every passing minute.

  Finally, outside the glass doors of the hotel front entrance, a young man driving a golf car pulled up onto the grassy patch and parked the vehicle. The young man wore white slacks, a red polo shirt and a pair of two-tone golf shoes. He removed his sunglasses, tucking them into the collar of his shirt and donning a pair of spectacles as he entered the revolving doors. Upon spotting the couple, he headed toward them with a plastic smile on his face.

  “Hi,” the young manager said, his hand extended. “Are you Charlie and Ella Colton?”

  “Yes,” Charlie replied.

  “I wanted to apologize for the delay. I was finishing up the back nine.”

  He nudged Charlie's arm with a hearty chuckle.

  “I'm sure you understand that, right? I hear that you have something missing from your room. Is that correct?”

  “What we have missing,” Charlie began, “is over a thousand dollars in cash.”

  “I trust the staff is conducting the investigation right now, of course. While that is going on, perhaps I could offer you some complimentary passes to the shark corridor.”

  “We already have those,” Charlie said, his voice rising. “You know what? At this point, I think I would just like to go to the police. The manner in which the staff has responded to our complaint has ranged from nonsensical to just plain lazy. I'm not thrilled with the prospect of any kind of 'internal investigation' turning up any results. Now if you don't mind, I'd like the number of the local police department.”

  “But sir...”

  Charlie took a breath to reply, but Ella placed a hand on his arm. She turned to speak to the manager with a saccharine smile.

  “Sir, is there a telephone I could use?”

  Charlie noticed some of the color had returned to her cheeks.

  “Right this way,” he directed her to a telephone at the end of the bar.

  Picking up the line, Ella dialed the directory number.

  “May I be connected to the nearest police precinct, please?”

  Upon hearing these words, the manager turned to Charlie.

  “I really recommend that you wait until our investigation is complete within the hotel. I didn't realize your wife would call the police. Can't you do something?”

&nbs
p; Charlie shrugged, reaching into his pocket.

  “I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps these drink vouchers will make up for it.”

  Behind the men, Ella had taken down some information on a small notepad that the bartender had given her. She ripped off the top page, hung up the phone and said,

  “Here we are, Charlie. I have the address to the police station.”

  She then turned to the manager and said with obvious sarcasm, “Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter. Your prompt response has been quite helpful.”

  Ella took Charlie's arm and without a backwards glance at the befuddled manager, the couple walked toward the revolving doors of the hotel lobby and hailed the nearest taxi.

  Chapter Three

  The sights and sounds of the Cayman Islands drifted past the taxi as they traveled the few blocks to the police station. The salty ocean breeze met their senses through the driver's open window. As they passed the outdoor fruit market, Ella marveled at the rich tapestry of colors in the mangoes, cassavas, and plantains displayed on the wooden tables, attended by native women wearing equally colorful clothing and scarves. Ella slowly began to feel more alert as her senses became refreshed.

  The taxi pulled up to a small gray building, parking in the gravel lot in the front. Blue lettering along the wall of the building read “Royal Cayman Island Police Department.” A shield-shaped emblem graced the glass front doors of the building. Ella and Charlie exchanged a glance. One abandoned police car was parked in front, but the windows looked dark despite it being the middle of the day.

  “The hotel tipped them off,” Charlie said. “They told them we were coming.”

  “Honey, that might be a bit paranoid perhaps; it's just a small station anyhow. They probably only have two officers on duty at any given time. I wouldn't worry so much,” Ella replied. To the driver she said, “Sir, can you wait here a moment?”

  The driver nodded. Ella and Charlie exited the car and approached the darkened building.

  “This is bizarre,” Charlie muttered. “It isn't as if there are ATM machines on every corner here.”

  “Maybe they're on patrol or something,” Ella suggested.

  She walked up to a window, shaded her eyes and peered through the darkened glass.

  “I don't see anything. It looks abandoned.”

  “I know the scuba place doesn't use a credit card reader, so that day trip is out the window.”

  He pounded a fist on the front door of the station.

  “We haven't talked to Uncle Mitch yet,” Ella reminded him. “He knows the area. He probably has some resources that we don't know about.”

  “Yeah,” Charlie agreed. “What do you want to do?”

  Ella looked around and took a deep breath.

  “The fresh air has been good for me, I think. I am feeling much better. Listen, we can't really do anything about this right now. We can still make the dinner. Why don't we finish getting ready and enjoy a night out. This is our honeymoon after all. We should at least try to have a good time.”

  “I suppose you're right,” Charlie said. He could see that Ella was feeling better and he wanted her to enjoy the vacation. “Let's go.”

  They returned to the taxi and headed back to the hotel to get ready for the night out.

  ***

  Flames leaped into the air from the darkened stage surrounded by an arena of fully set dining tables. Pyrotechnics illuminated the large space in which many resort patrons milled before the evening’s show. The well-dressed people clinked beverages and laughter erupted like the island volcanoes. In the arena rising up from the empty thrust stage, people begin to settle at their tables, preparing for the night’s entertainment. Light danced off of the crystal wine glasses, porcelain dishes, and polished silver. Ella and Charlie entered the room from one of the side entrances, weaving their way through the aisles toward their table. Across the stage, they saw Benjamin Lee, owner of the resort, settling into his table with a raven-haired Asian woman next to him. The venue had been set up for the performances to occur just after the delivery of the main course. The tables all faced toward the stage, allowing four to a table. Couples would be seated with another couple to fill each table. When Ella and Charlie arrived, they were the first to be seated at their table. Two empty place settings sat across from them. They watched the pyrotechnics in amazement as people filtered in around them, the sound of dozens of conversations filling the arena. At some cue, which Ella could not determine, the designated time had arrived. Restaurant servers, wearing crisp white shirts and dark pants, streamed through the doors carrying large trays of various types of meats, mahi-mahi, seared tuna, pulled pork, rich and dripping with exotic sauces and garnishes.

  A tray was set down at each table, while another server offered a choice of red or white wine to the diners. Bowls of roasted vegetables followed. The food filled the air with succulent aromas which made Ella's mouth water. A short time after she and Charlie filled their plates, the lights in the arena began to dim. A resonant drumming echoed throughout the performance area. Six large horses trotted into the stage area with brightly colored acrobats standing on their backs. Well-muscled dancers, women and men, whose bodies looked chiseled and defined in the dim light, leaped from horseback to another horseback, then back again. The presentations took Ella's breath away. The performers wore tight fitting gymnastic leotards covered with native inspired decorations, feather garlands around their heads like colorful halos, with ceremonial lines of paint across their faces and arms.

  “Is this seat taken?” Carol Chapman asked with her hand on one of the empty chairs at their table. She wore a semi-formal black pants suit with a diamond-encrusted broach on her lapel. “It seems this is where I'm reserved to sit.”

  “Please.” Charlie stood and pulled the seat out for her. Ella smiled at the woman and reached to offer her some food.

  “Oh, no thanks,” she said in hushed tones as to not disturb the performance.

  When she was seated, she poured herself a glass of red wine.

  “Carol,” Charlie said. “This is my wife, Ella.”

  “It's nice to meet you,” Carol said, giving her a cool glance. “Charlie spoke so much about you when we worked together on the museum acquisition. Of course, you were still only his girlfriend then. Congratulations on your recent wedding.”

  “Thank you,” Ella said. “It's nice to meet you and congratulations to you as well. I understand this evening is a celebration of some of the museum's newest collections. My uncle is Mitch Berger and he says that Benjamin Lee speaks very highly of you. I can see your unique sense of style must influence the architecture.”

  “Thank you,” Carol said, taking a sip of wine. “But the real star is here: Charlie Colton, famed archeologist, living and breathing right here in front of me. Your name is famous in design circles.”

  Ella noticed her lightly touching Charlie's arm as she spoke to him, as if to draw him in.

  “Charlie, darling,” Ella said, “I don't think I'm feeling well. I'm still a bit lightheaded. The chemicals from the pyrotechnics seem to have aggravated my vertigo again. I'd better go back to the hotel to lie down.”

  “Oh dear, I'm so sorry,” Carol crooned. “The best part is coming up; a solo dancer. She's a native Caymanian and her performances are stunning!”

  “What a shame,” Ella said holding her forehead. “Charlie, can you walk me out?”

  “Honey, if you're not feeling well, I'll come with you. I shouldn't leave you alone.”

  “Nonsense,” Ella said. “You can't leave Carol sitting here alone. That would be rude. You stay and enjoy the performance. Carol, it was wonderful to meet you.”

  Ella rose to exit, and Charlie followed her out with a steadying hand against her lower back. Once they cleared the doorway into the outer arena area, Charlie spoke.

  “Are you sure you don't want me to come?”

  Ella turned to him with a playful glare.

  “Of course not. Char
lie, she's a source. See what you can find out about the acquisition. Besides, she's obviously attracted to you. She's more likely to talk if I'm not there.”

  “Are you serious?” he said.

  “Of course I'm serious. If there is something going on with relics being smuggled or forged, she's going to know about it. You already have a rapport with her from working together. She's more likely to talk to you if the two of you are alone together. Now get in there and turn on the charm!”

  “Ella,” Charlie said. “I don't know if I've ever loved you more, but I don't think I will ever begin to understand you.”

  “Just save some of that charm for when you get back tonight.”

  She kissed him on the lips and left with a coy smile.

  Charlie returned to the table in the darkened arena a moment later.

  “Is she going to be alright?” Carol said.

  “Yes, it’s just a headache,” Charlie answered. “More wine?”

  Carol accepted and then raised the glass.

  “A toast,” she said, leaning in slightly. “To new beginnings.”

  “To new beginnings,” Charlie echoed.

  They watched the performances for a little while longer. The gymnasts had changed into ancient native masks that covered their faces. Charlie leaned forward as if to get a better look. He couldn't help but notice the authentic look of them. Carol watched his reaction to the dancers, leaping about in tight fitting clothing. The women's bodies toned and scantily dressed, yet his eyes stayed on the masks.

  “I find it interesting,” she said, leaning in to his ear to be heard over the dancer’s music. “You are so passionate about archeology. Have you always been interested in it?”

  Charlie leaned back in his chair and lifted the glass of white wine to his lips, only wetting them. If he were playing a part this evening, he wanted to have a clear head. He took a breath.

  “I grew up in Jamaica. Not many people know that about me.”

  Carol adjusted her position to listen to the story. Charlie continued.

  “When I was a child, we went to the beach a lot. It's really all there was for us to do. We didn't have much in the way of entertainment. I loved going to the beach; just the endlessness of the water and sand. I felt as if I stood on the edge of the world. One day, I was walking along, collecting sea shells, when something in the distance caught my eye. I knew it wasn't a shell. It glinted bright and yellow in the sun. I walked up to it...” he paused.