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    Seeing the Unseen
    Seeing the Unseen
    Seeing the Unseen
    Ebook308 pages4 hours

    Seeing the Unseen

    By Anthony Van

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    About this ebook

    What is strange about white sock marks, missing slippers and slightly rumpled clothing in the deceased’s wardrobe? Most crew members who saw the same things didn’t see the relevance. In truth, many of the observations that created a hint of suspicion in Inspector Burton’s mind, remained unseen by those around him.
    Here he was trying to enjoy his holiday and set aside his all-consuming curiosity about how his homicide team was managing without him when he was invited to assist with an on-board puzzle. To work on a ship where none of the protocols for preserving a crime scene were kept, added to the degree of difficulty. In addition, the suspect list included the security officer Adrian worked with and the interim captain. Ally was compensated for her husband’s absence when Lani, their daughter, joined them in Tahiti. Added to her entertainment was the developing relationship between Lani and Second Officer Gary Leonard, a past interest keen to re-establish their friendship.
    The questions that dogged the inspector were: How did the captain die? What was he investigating? And who was stalking them aboard ship?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAnthony Van
    Release dateSep 18, 2020
    Seeing the Unseen
    Author

    Anthony Van

    What does a retired teacher do? Especially a teacher with a hyperactive imagination and ingrained work habits. Well this one writes. And being a Christian, each novel I have written necessarily is pieced together from a Christian perspective.I have a broad range of interests which include science and technology, mathematics, travel, sports and the interrelationship of people. Much of what intrigues me about people is that some pursue truth with the determination of a bloodhound while others almost ignore existential ideas and while away their short time spent on earth being distracted by people or pleasures or possessions or power.Writing is a hobby. It allows me to research and self educate, and it also permits me to refine my perspectives of concepts existential and theological.

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      Book preview

      Seeing the Unseen - Anthony Van

      Seeing the Unseen

      Published by Anthony Van at Smashwords

      Copyright Anthony Van 2020

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favourite authorised retailer. Thank you for your support.

      Chapter 1

      25th March Morning

      Fourteen days since he went on vacation. Already almost a week away, the sixth day on the luxury ocean liner and Adrian was only now freeing himself from the tenacious limpets of investigative thought. Rolf had assured him that everything was ticking along smoothly in the homicide squad. He said they had survived two weeks without the inimitable Inspector Burton and he saw no reason why they shouldn’t manage another ten. There was clearly a hint of sarcasm in the observation. Rolf refused to update him on their case load saying that they would contact him if anything urgent or untoward happened.

      And besides… he contested, Michaels said he’d come down and consult if we needed him.

      That had made Burton smile and wince at the same time. It meant that Rolf had conferred for support from the superintendent and had bypassed Gordon who was chief inspector. It was a blatant acknowledgement that Gordon had little stomach, and acumen, for down to earth police work, preferring the esoteric vagaries of administrative bureaucracy.

      So, Inspector Burton was acclimatising to a temporary civilian role as holidaymaker. He was on the cruise with his wife, Alison. The two had flown to Sydney and spent a week there enjoying the sights. They then boarded the ship the eighth day. They had already been to New Zealand and were now heading to French Polynesia. By the time they reached Hawaii they would have been at sea seventeen days and Ali had argued that they would need at least four days on the island to readjust to terra firma. Burton had gone along with the notion, happy to indulge his wife a few more days of respite at a tropical resort. It was the very least he could do for all the years of domestic upheaval he had inflicted upon her due to the demands of his job. Once back in Australia they would have seven weeks on the road taking advantage of a fair portion of his accrued leave.

      All would have been delightful except he had developed a heavy cold and struggled to breathe. He could do little without coughing or spluttering or having to blow his nose. He consciously tried to keep his germs to himself, and, while Ali swam and went to evening shows and engaged in physical activities, he remained inactive, reading, sunning and trying to sleep. To redeem the situation a little he did make an effort to eat meals with his wife. It was only on this sixth day on the ship and thirteenth day of his holiday break that he ventured into one of the hot spa tubs and wallowed in the anaesthetising balm of the bubbling water.

      Ali walked up behind him as he dreamily leaned against the edge with his eyes closed.

      You’ll look like a prune if you stay in there any longer. Her abrupt intervention into his womblike bliss made him jump.

      Oh…don’t do that Sweet. I was almost asleep.

      You’re not meant to spend so much time in there…Share it around.

      But it’s therapeutic, he objected, even as he raised himself and climbed out of the spa. Alison handed him his towel and they walked slowly back to their cabin. For the first time on the cruise Burton had developed something of an appetite. He wasn’t famished but he was happy to negotiate a light buffet luncheon of cold meats and fruit with Ali.

      ***

      Macey Bellamy, the staff captain and second in command of the ship, Paradise Queen, stood outside the captain’s door. She had knocked twice and he hadn’t responded. Captain Stefan had not turned up for his duty inspection tour from the bridge through to engineering, it was one of the many inspections he did, accompanied by his staff captain. What compounded the unprecedented breach now was that he was absent from taking the helm. At present Chief Officer Cutler was taking the helm at Macey’s instigation as she had been standing in for Oliver who was ill. Cutler filled in while she found out what was keeping the captain. Wilson was on watch duty and Graham would follow so she had no qualms there. If Leonard was on duty, she would have felt the need to occasionally check on the bridge, merely because he was recently upgraded.

      She knocked again and reflected that she wouldn’t be deterred. Earlier, she had sent Cadet Officer Rooney to check on the captain and the junior had returned slightly abashed that she had failed to rouse the ship’s preeminent ranking officer.

      Macey tried the door. It was locked from the inside. That was not unexpected. Many crew locked doors solely from habit. What was unprecedented was Rudy being late for duty. She feared he was unwell.

      As staff captain and second in command, she had access to and authority to use her master key on any door with the possible exception of the captain’s quarters. At this juncture she was rehearsing her justification; it was motivated by her concerns for the captain’s well-being, and the good of the ship required knowledge of the captain’s status and health.

      Uncertainty seeped into her mind like a turbid stream that loses clarity in a downpour. All at once she was second guessing herself. What if the captain was in a compromising situation? What if he had overindulged and was drunk? She cast aside the speculations as spurious. Captain Stefan had been nothing but a stickler for regulations, order and protocol. Should she consult the chief officer, her immediate junior? The answer crystallised then. She would only diminish her authority and the confidence of others in her if she didn’t act decisively and within her rights. Macey selected the master key card from her small wallet. She placed it into the lock aperture and turned the handle. Cracking the door open a little she called out, Captain…are you here…Captain…you’ve missed your duty turn to.

      There was no reply. She called out more insistently, fearful now that something was amiss. Captain … are you all right? She moved inside the motel-like cabin, once more appreciating its furnishings and ample space. As a member of the executive Macey had attended several small management meetings with other officers so she was familiar with its space, comfort and its utility, which was a reflection of the captain himself.

      Edging over toward the bedroom, she scanned the large living area and then turned to take in his bookshelves and desk in the corner.

      Captain Stefan … it’s Macey…are you in here?

      There was still nothing. The hum of the air conditioning and the slight vibrations of the ship engines were the only sounds. The more private areas of the bedroom and bathroom provided a psychological barrier that the staff captain was in the process of rationalising away when she spied that the sliding door of the captain’s private sundeck was ajar. Tentatively she approached the door. The instant a splayed hand became visible on the decking, Macey knew the captain was in trouble.

      She rushed to the door and saw Captain Stefan’s prostrate form and a grotesque contortion of his body. Her first move was to feel for a pulse. Neither his wrist nor carotid gave any evidence of life. She instantly summoned the chief medical officer, Doctor Anders, on the phone.

      Jake, get to the captain’s cabin immediately…he’s collapsed…I think he may have had a heart attack, she ventured.

      While she waited it dawned on her that she was now master of the ship. She was in charge and it was all down to her. Taking a deep breath, Macey tried to order her thoughts. A death at sea posed substantial challenges for the captain. In this case it wasn’t a passenger with next of kin on board, so those challenges didn’t arise. This, however, was beyond her experience; the captain of the ship dying posed significant questions. Would he be off-loaded at the next port as is customary with deceased passengers? A death certificate would have to be obtained from Papeete. Would head office want him to remain on board in the morgue? And how did he die? It appeared to be natural causes; his quarters were locked after all. Would they want to do an autopsy?

      Macey’s mind raced. She would contact New Zealand—their last port of call—and Papeete, their next scheduled stop, still five days away. Head office in Sydney would have to be informed so they could advise and also contact next of kin. She recalled something about contacting the flag country under which the cruise line was registered and decided that head office could deal with those details. Macey was all too aware that the Bahamas was purely a flag of convenience, with registration being purely economic rationalism.

      She went to the door, wondering what was keeping Anders. There was almost a collision at the door as the doctor and two other medics bustled into the cabin. They brought with them medical bags and a defibrillator.

      Did you try and resuscitate him? quizzed Anders.

      He had no pulse…I have no idea how long he’s been lying there? Macey was immediately feeling defensive.

      He’s still warm…but he’s been here in the sun so that doesn’t tell us anything. He gave an injection, compressed his chest several times as the paddles for the defibrillator were readied by a female medical officer.

      As a matter of course the doctor and his assistants then gave him several jolts to try and restart his heart, all to no effect.

      Anders looked at his watch. He shook his head as if conceding that there was nothing to be achieved in continuing their treatment.

      Twelve twenty-four…official declaration of death…though I’d hazard he passed away from a massive heart attack more than an hour ago.

      Why’s that Jake?

      ...Degree of rigor mortis … pallid skin and the dryness of his eyes. It all suggests some time has passed. It’s no surprise that his body temp was still up… he was lying out in the sun, so we wouldn’t expect that to be very useful as an indicator.

      No…not the time…Why a heart attack?

      Isn’t that what you said?

      Yes…but I was only guessing…It seemed the only thing that makes sense except…except, Rudy was a fitness fanatic. He’d be close to the last person I’d expect to have a heart attack.

      ...Doesn’t always work that way. I’m only guessing too. I mean, there’s no visible cause of death. Without an autopsy there’s no way of knowing for sure…and, even then it’s not always certain.

      Doctor Anders fixed his eyes on Macey. He knew what this meant. She was now in charge. He asked pointedly, What do you propose to do now?

      Macey clenched her teeth. She had to deal with these little tests people presented her over the last fifteen years. Even if they knew the answer—and they usually did—she would be expected to prove her competence.

      You know very well, she countered. You’ll need to fetch a body bag and get Captain Stefan into the Morgue…and Jake … be discreet. The last thing we want is anxious passengers witnessing the captain’s funeral procession.

      Macey’s slightly more demanding tone was a direct result of his prodding inquisitiveness that presupposed her limited competence. She didn’t elaborate on the other steps she would take to inform the company and the last and next ports of call. It was none of his business. And she wasn’t in the business of defensively justifying her intended actions to a junior officer who exhibited a lack of respect.

      Macey instructed Anders that the captain’s quarters would be locked and under guard after he had finished, and his handling of the body would be supervised by the second officer. She then ordered him to hasten. When he left with his underlings Macey gave a call for the second officer deck crew, Gary Leonard, to come immediately to the captain’s cabin. She waited impatiently, going over the key considerations of accountability, until Leonard arrived.

      He arrived with the customary grin on his face. His salute was crisp as he greeted her.

      What can I do for you Ma’am?

      Macey returned the salute as a matter of form. She appreciated his attention to protocol and his consistent recognition of her rank without partiality. He would make a good captain one day.

      Let’s dispense with the formalities, Gary. You’re not on watch. She clenched her jaw briefly. I need you to secure the captain’s quarters. Captain Stefan has suffered a medical episode and has died… She hesitated as Leonard drew in a sharp breath and his eyes goggled momentarily. I want you to witness the bagging of the body and deposition into the morgue to give an account that everything is done to regulation…and we need to have a twenty-four-hour rostered guard to keep this area free from altering the scene.

      Are you saying it’s a crime scene?

      No…Doc says it was a heart attack…but I think we should treat it like a crime scene just in case…We don’t know what the authorities in Papeete will do when we make port. If they have any suspicions it would be best if the scene is untouched.

      The second officer nodded slowly. It was clear he was processing what he had been told.

      I’ll get Blake and Clark to watch the cabin while I’m gone and then Blake can organise a roster.

      Good. Macey knew Gary would have it under control quickly. Blake, being the chief security officer, would be delegated the task but he had to report to Gary, which would make it one less thing that she would have to monitor as she took the reins of captaining the ship.

      While the second officer was enlisting help, Macey looked at the lifeless form on the private sundeck. How could one so alive, so vital, such a short time ago be snuffed out so suddenly? She decided that Papeete authorities would be required to perform an autopsy, if only to satisfy the company that all was above board. Doc Anders said it was a heart attack and she had no reason to doubt him but it wouldn’t hurt to get a second opinion based on clinical evidence. A contrary thought arose. It was Tahiti. The French gendarmes were not known for being cooperative. Captain Stefan, himself, had related the passing of an elderly passenger who they were compelled to keep in the ship’s morgue till they arrived in Hawaii. According to them it was a case of not being in their jurisdiction.

      The two medical staff arrived at almost the same time as Blake and Clark, and Macey deferred her considerations of dealing with Tahiti until more immediate matters were addressed. Behind, Doctor Anders trailed up slowly as well.

      Do we do this? he almost sounded belligerent and Macey shot him a hard look.

      I said the second officer would supervise…no foul ups. She turned to Gary.

      Thank you, Mr Leonard. I’ll leave the arrangements with you. Mr Blake will ratify that everything is done in order. Mr Clark can secure the Captain’s quarters until a roster is established. I’ll need to organise a staff conference and bring everyone up to speed…but first I’ll speak with head office.

      No problems, Ma’am. He again saluted but more perfunctorily, acknowledging his task.

      Foremost in her mind was letting Noel Cutler know that he was now acting staff captain. The others would learn of their new roles at the staff meeting.

      ***

      Moving into the bridge the new ship’s master cast her eyes about. All was running quietly and efficiently. Cutler was versing a junior officer on the instrumentation available at the helm. Apart from the GPS display, he indicated that consultation was necessary with navigation, meteorology and engineering to finesse optimal efficiency from their course parameters. Headwinds, weather systems, current charts and known marine obstacles were all taken into account when calculating most economic use of fuel. The attractive brunette giggled as he pointed out the radar and suggested that out in the Pacific, where they were, it would be easy to forget about monitoring the instrument.

      It would be embarrassing to bump into another ship out here. We neglect it at our own peril.

      It was at that point that the junior officer noticed Macey and suddenly became officious. Cutler looked up and his demeanour changed instantly. Something was wrong.

      Is Rudy okay?

      Macey ignored his casual reference to the captain in front of a subordinate.

      Miss Rickard, I need to speak with the chief first officer. Please leave us. Her instruction was slightly more abrupt than usual but the situation demanded to be addressed with alacrity.

      Yes Ma’am. She saluted and left. The young woman had a pained expression as if trying to determine what conventions she had flouted.

      What’s up? Concern showed on Cutler’s face. Macey drew him aside some distance from Wilson and his junior watch officer who were also engaged in developing competencies.

      Captain Stefan has suffered a medical episode…I’m afraid he passed away.

      He’s dead! How? What happened?

      Macey tried to stifle his loud apprehension, playing repeated chords on an invisible piano.

      Doc’s best guess is a massive heart attack…of course we don’t know and we can’t be sure until there’s an autopsy…maybe Papeete or…if the French are true to form, we might have to keep him in the morgue till Honolulu. In some ways I’d prefer that.

      Rudy’s dead! I can’t believe it…That makes you captain!

      Acting...Uh huh…and you will move to staff captain…I’ll have to set up an executive meeting and we’ll alert everyone to their new roles…Er, if you can take the bridge for another couple of hours while I make a few calls, I’ll pick up the captain’s duty from then on and we’ll keep the same roster with the new temporary ranks after that.

      Who will join the roster?

      ...Delaney, second navigation officer. Oliver has him pinch hitting already anyway and he can get one of the junior deck third officers to start their watch experience.

      She was referring to Dean Oliver the first navigation officer and chief officer of the watch. Theoretically he would move to chief officer in Cutler’s stead but she didn’t want to change too many duties all at once. She was especially cautious of adding to Gary Leonard’s job description since he had been in the second officer role for only a few weeks. Promoting him to a higher rank was not essential since there was still one senior second officer, Gavin Graham, who was next in line to Oliver. She figured that the transition could be meted out gradually as long as the essential management tasks were taken up. Gary might be a little tetchy that the promotions stopped before getting to him but she was under no compulsion to expedite any rankings. In reality they would all be in acting positions anyway. No rank was official until ratified by the company.

      Macey glanced around once more and then nodded to Cutler.

      I’ll relieve you at fifteen hundred…then you won’t be on again till my next watch.

      ...Sounds good to me. It was the expected reply. Cutler was not like Leonard who would have objected and insisted on doing the whole duty. No, he did what he had to do; he was a work to rules man and not keen to appear overzealous or volunteer for additional assignments.

      It was a troubled walk to her quarters. There were a range of actions lining up as her thinking tried to establish a priority value for each. As ship’s captain, Macey knew that she had authority over what should be done about Stefan’s body. To her mind it would be best to keep it in the morgue and let the company deal with it in Honolulu. This course was guided by the lack of confidence in French Polynesian authorities and avoiding the hassles of eventually transporting the body back to Norway. They could probably provide a death certificate easily enough but she was convinced that major autopsies were deferred to the French mainland. The counterpoint to her position was that delayed tests due to extended time in cool storage might compromise some analyses for the cause of death.

      Once in her room she grabbed her phone. She needed a satellite link with head office Australia. After selecting the option on her phone, Macey checked the number. A deep breath was required. Her thoughts were ordered. Glancing at the notepad, she determined it was best to make a list. It would be no good umming and ah-ing when important questions needed clarification. Fifteen minutes later there was a comprehensive range of queries before her. It gave her confidence to proceed.

      Even as Macey listened to the dial tone she had second thoughts about the number of questions. Now, being master of the ship, she needed to portray an image of competence and confidence. Maybe phrasing some of the questions in terms of intended actions would produce endorsement or a negative response. The phone was answered.

      Yes…This is Staff Captain Bellamy on the Paradise Queen…Could I speak with Captain Langdon please…Yes I’ll wait.

      Captain Emmet Langdon was the senior liaison officer for Seven Seas Cruises. He was first port of call for all regulations nautical, and was also a confidential adviser to many captains of the cruise line. The secretary hadn’t realised it but it was uncommon for anyone but the ship’s captain to contact Langdon, and that was purely for chain of command etiquette. Macey was fortunate that the captain had been a mentor of sorts and would, at least, be interested enough to find out what the call was about; she hoped.

      Staff Captain Bellamy…I hope Rudy knows you’re making this call. The abrupt opening was unexpected but Macey quickly deduced he was being protective. If she was infringing protocol there would be consequences.

      Er…no Captain Langdon, that wasn’t possible…you see… He cut her off.

      Macey…think very carefully if you want to be doing this…Can’t Captain Stefan make the call on your behalf?

      To Macey, it was clear what Langdon was doing. He had made a mental leap that if the captain wasn’t part of the process and he was deliberately being bypassed then a subordinate was about to make a complaint about a commanding officer. Such actions were generally frowned upon. After a long pause to ensure she wouldn’t be interrupted, Macey spoke, "Captain…Rudy Stefan is dead…Our medical

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