Sterling Silver took a last sip of coffee and patted his mouth with the napkin. “Don’t look so worried, Red. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for that pesky waiter. After all, you’ve got a large staff. Wellington may not remember every new guy.”
“I suppose that’s possible. Yeah, not worth agonizing about.”
Everyone at the table exchanged “good nights” and “so nice to have met you” platitudes, vowing to have more dinners together during the cruise. Lola and Clayton were the first to leave and the men at the table watched with obvious admiration as Lola’s derriere wiggled toward the exit.
“Hey, Red, suppose we could scout up a few table scraps for Waldo? He’s been cooped up in the cabin and I’ll bet he would really love a nice bone. Even better if it has some meat left on it.”
“You bet. We’ll fix him up.” Red motioned the head waiter over and said, “Mr. Wellington, do me a favor and find a couple of nice bones with meat on them for their service dog, okay?”
“Sure thing, Cap’n.”
“Glad you thought of that. We’d just throw it in the garbage anyway, and I can picture Waldo licking his chops already. That dog is a real hoot, you know.” Red’s eyes lit with amusement. “I swear, sometimes it sounds like he’s really talking. He’ll probably howl something like Gooood Meeaat when he sees those prime ribs.”
As they strolled back toward the cabins carrying a nice bag of bones for Waldo, Sterling said, “I’m really glad Goldie figured out how to get Waldo on the ship. I have to admit, I would have hated to miss this. I’m looking forward to the return trip, too.” The old man’s eyes took on a dreamy look. “We’ll be hobnobbing with all those magicians—talking shop, trading tricks. Yep. Just like the old days when we were headliners.”
The salty aroma of a cool sea breeze scented the air. Flossie gave a little shiver, and pulled her sweater tighter. “Such great memories! By the way, if you think Goldie came up with that service dog idea, you’re way off base. My Goldie isn’t that sneaky. I’ll bet you five bucks Godiva put the bug in her ear. Whadda ya say?”
“I say that’s probably a sucker bet and for once I’m absolutely in agreement with you.”
When they opened the cabin door, Waldo ambled over, took one sniff of the bag of bones and wiggled like a kid begging for a candy bar. Sterling motioned Waldo to sit. He reached into the bag, brought out a prime rib bone and held it up. “Here, chew on this while Flossie and me go next door for a minute. Gotta get your dang service vest. Then we’ll go for our little walk. I’ve got another bone for you when we get back.”
Goooood. Waldo picked the bone up gingerly, walked over to the door and out onto the little balcony.
***
The two oldsters and Waldo headed back from the doggie potty at a leisurely pace. Then, all of a sudden, Waldo strained at his leash, pulling it from Sterling’s hand. He set off at a fierce run, headed directly for a man strolling along the deck. He moved so fast the oldsters couldn’t keep up with him.
“What the...” Sterling huffed, forging ahead as fast as he could.
Flossie shuffled along behind him. They caught up with Waldo just as he had backed a young man in a waiter’s uniform against the railing. A bag fell out of his hand and slammed to the deck with a thunk. When Waldo barked and bared his teeth, the young man slid to the deck.
“Waldo! What the devil has gotten into you? Leave that fella alone.”
Flossie tugged at Sterling’s arm. “Look, that’s the waiter Mr. Wellington didn’t know about.”
Holding onto the railing for support, Sterling bent to pick up the bag on the deck while Waldo continued to bark at the frightened man. When he opened it, Sterling let out a low whistle. “Holy cow, just look that this.” He reached into the bag and pulled out two wallets.
Flossie clicked her tongue and took one in her hand. “Nice wallet, but don’t you think it’s a little funny for a guy to carry two wallets in a bag? Most men carry their wallet in their pants.”
“That’s just it, Old Girl. These two aren’t the only ones. Judging by all the wallets in this bag, it’s a sure bet they’re not his. I think this guy is a pickpocket—a thief. And old Waldo sniffed him out.”
“A thief?” She opened the bag wider and saw it contained at least ten wallets and some other items. “Oy vey. I’ll bet that’s why he was hovering around the tables. This schlemiel wanted to get close enough to grab some valuables without anyone noticing. He sure didn’t look like much of a waiter, but I just figured he was new.”
Sterling patted the bag. “But obviously not new at this. Probably thought he could pick up quite a few goodies before he was discovered. Then, before things heated up, he would just get off at the next port and ‘poof’ he’s gone, just like one of our disappearing acts.”
Waldo stopped barking and gave them a doggie grin, then turned to bare his teeth at the quivering young man again.
Sterling looked down at the thief, now huddled in a fetal position against the railing, then grabbed the fire extinguisher off a nearby wall. “Listen, Waldo can keep him at bay, and if he gets out of line I’ll just blast him with this. You go find someone to take this guy off our hands.”