Berth Mark (Large Print Edition)

Olivia was worried that this might be the end of her contract on the SS Starlight. Now she's worried it may be her last voyage ever.

With the suspicious death of a crew member and a series of strange events, it quickly becomes clear that something sinister is at work.

With her beloved parrot Chico by her side, she must make it through the cruise and discover the truth behind the mysterious events.

Will Olivia and Chico make it through the cruise alive?
Will her contract be renewed?
Will Chico ever get enough snacks?

Find out in this captivating cozy mystery!

Join Olivia as she navigates the unraveling story and discovers a truth that will forever change her life onboard the SS Starlight.

“Oh!” Olivia took the handle of the elderly man’s suitcase and lifted it onto the end of the gangway. “Here, let me help you.”

“Ah, aren’t you a darlin’?” He rubbed his arm. “I think I over-packed a bit. Wasn’t sure how I was going to get the suitcase up there.”

“No problem at all.” Olivia pulled the suitcase behind her up the gangway. She realized he wasn’t following her and turned.

The man lifted his foot but wasn’t quite able to make the step.

Olivia backed down the incline, rested his suitcase against her leg, and reached out to him with both hands.

He took her hands in his and she pulled as he stepped up. “I think you are my good luck charm! I’m Harry.”

“Olivia.” She smiled. “Excited for your cruise?”

“Oh, yes! Have you ever been on a cruise before?” He shuffled up the gangway behind her.

Olivia chuckled, “Yes, I’ve taken quite a few cruises.”

“Lovely. What do you think of this cruise line?” Harry paused to catch his breath. “I’ve never sailed on this line before.”

Olivia pulled his suitcase off of the gangway. It hit the floor with a thunk. She turned, reached for Harry’s hand, and guided him off the gangway. “It’s one of my favorites. I am sure you will enjoy your cruise.”

“Good to hear, miss.” Harry fumbled in his pocket for his travel wallet.

Olivia flashed her ID at the security staff. She scanned the area, but Alex wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

Olivia handed Harry the handle of his suitcase. “I hope you have a wonderful trip.”

“You, too, young lady. It’s been a pleasure.” Harry tipped his fedora and shuffled into the lobby.

“Do I have competition?”

The hairs on Olivia’s neck tingled from his warm breath. Olivia whipped around. “Oh, it’s you!”

Alex tilted his head. “I saw you holding hands with another man. Should I be jealous?”

Olivia held back a smile. “That was Harry. I was just helping him up the gangway.”

Alex leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Harry had better keep his hands off my girl.”

Olivia grinned. “He’s old enough to be my grandpa.”

“Who are you calling grandpa, son?” A deep voice bellowed at Alex.

Alex and Olivia looked around the security area. Victor, Alex’s assistant security officer, took onboarding paperwork from a man in his early 30s. The man nodded at Alex and Olivia and shuffled through his travel bag.

Alex looked at Olivia questioningly and shrugged. “Any word on your contract from Tristan?”

“I can’t breathe!”

Alex whipped around, his eyes raked the area. Victor caught his eye, his eyebrows knit together.

The man picked up his suitcase and smiled as he passed Olivia.

“I need air!”

“Excuse me, sir?” Alex tapped the man on his shoulder. “Is someone in your suitcase?”

The man cocked his head. “Someone in my suitcase? Why would there be someone in my suitcase?”

“I can’t breathe!” A voice called out from his suitcase.

Alex’s eyes widened. “Sir, I’m going to need you to open your suitcase.” He led the man over to the security table.

The man looked at Olivia and winked.

Olivia’s eyes darted toward Alex and she stepped away from the man.

He lifted the case onto the table and unlocked the latch. He raised the lid a couple of inches.

“Oh, thank goodness. It’s hot in here.”

Olivia’s eyes widened like saucers.

“Shut up, Bob.”

“Bob?” Alex put his hand on his radio and lifted the lid of the suitcase.

The man reached into his suitcase. “This is Bob.”

“It’s about time. Next time we join a ship, I demand I get a seat with you in coach. No more of this flying in cargo.”

A guttural laugh escaped Alex. “Welcome aboard, uh, Bob.” His eyes lit up as he grinned at Olivia.

“I’m Marcus. I’m the new variety act.” The man put his ventriloquist doll back in the suitcase and closed the lid.

“I can’t breathe!”

Marcus patted the suitcase. “You’ll be fine until we get to our cabin.”

He showed his boarding pass to Alex. Alex directed him to his cabin. He waved to Olivia and Alex as he headed into the lobby.

“Well, you don’t see that every day!” Alex shook his head and chuckled. “Glad we didn’t have a kidnapping situation on our hands.”

“Do you think he’s my replacement?” Olivia shoved her hands in her pockets. “They haven’t renewed my contract yet.”

“He’s not a magic act.”

“No, but he’s a variety act. Some ships only have one of those at a time.”

“Ah, there you are!” Tristan, the cruise director, waved and crossed the lobby toward Olivia and Alex. “I need to speak with you, Olivia.”

“Coming.” Olivia glanced up at Alex and bit her lip. “Oh, boy.”

Alex squeezed her hand. “Good luck.”

Olivia crossed the lobby.

Tristan motioned her to follow him into his office.

Olivia glanced back at Alex and took a deep breath.

Tristan offered her a chair and sat down at his desk. He shuffled through a stack of paperwork on his desk and pulled out a folder. “Ah, yes, here it is.” He opened the folder.

Olivia’s hand trembled as she reached for it. “Is it the manifest for signing my magic equipment off the ship?”

“I bloody well hope not.” Tristan raked his hand through his blond hair. “Why would you think that? Are you quitting the ship?”

Olivia took a deep breath and let it out. “I just met Marcus and, uh, Bob, the new ventriloquist act. I figured they were replacing me.”

Tristan gestured toward the paper she held in her hand. “Read it. It’s your contract extension.”

Olivia let out her breath and picked up the paper. This was the first contract where her name was listed instead of Peter’s. Her name wasn’t buried deep in the contract as Peter’s assistant. It was at the top of the contract. Olivia Morgan, Headliner Entertainer.

Olivia sniffed back a tear.

“Are the terms acceptable?” Tristan handed her a pen.

Olivia grabbed the pen and scrawled her name on the signature line. “I guess I should look at it more carefully, but I’m just so relieved to be able to stay on board.”

“Your reviews are excellent. Home Office is pleased with the feedback about your act.” Tristan raised an eyebrow. “I am a huge fan of your act as well.”

Olivia’s face fell. “Is my contract being extended because of you and Hayley?”

Tristan shook his head, “Oh no! Obviously, I’m partial to anything Hayley does, but my feedback to the Home Office on your show is strictly professional. I have multiple passengers a week come up to me after your show to ask about Chico. They don’t believe he really talks. I assure them that Chico talks even more when he’s offstage. That parrot is your secret weapon. All the ladies love him.”

Olivia smiled. “Adopting Chico was the best decision I’ve ever made.” Olivia pushed the contract across Tristan’s desk.

Tristan stood up and reached across his desk. “Glad to keep you on board.”

Olivia shook his hand. “Thank you. I’m so glad to be here.” She turned toward the door.

“Oh! I almost forgot.” Tristan tapped his pen on the desk.

Olivia turned back toward Tristan.

“We’re going to do entertainer introductions tonight at the Welcome Aboard show. Can you and Chico do a quick bit? Just three or four minutes.”

Olivia nodded, “Of course. No problem. I’ll see you at the show tonight.”

Olivia practically floated out of Tristan’s office.

Alex caught her eye as she crossed the atrium. He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Olivia grinned and held up her copy of her contract renewal.

Alex took a deep breath and sighed in relief. He pulled Olivia into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “You did it.”

“Well, Chico, Hayley, and I did it.”

“I get off at twenty-one hundred hours. Can I take you out for a drink to celebrate?”

“Yes, I’d love that.” Olivia’s face fell. “Actually, no.”

Alex took a step back, he pulled his shoulders back and straightened his back. “Oh.”

Olivia shook her head. “No! I want to celebrate with you. I just can’t.”

“Can’t?”

“Can’t.” Olivia gestured toward Tristan’s office. “Tristan wants Chico and I to do a bit in the Welcome Aboard show tonight.”

Alex took Olivia’s hands in his. “Meet me in the Crow’s Nest after?”

Olivia nodded. “I’d love that.”

Victor called Alex over.

“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you then.”