Chapter 24

Everyone was seated there, including Maria and Jason. We were a little surprised, as we weren't sure if Maria would feel like coming to dinner; but as well as Jason, she had her daughter Marcy for support.

Kat asked Maria, "How are you doing? You look happy and peaceful tonight."

"I'm doing okay. The Captain has assured me that my necklace is still on the ship, and he guarantees me that he'll find it. He said no one will be allowed to disembark until the necklace is found. And if we come to the end of our cruise and it still hasn't been found, every bag and suitcase will be thoroughly checked. And if needed, every passenger will also be strip-searched!"

With that, she gave out her wonderful laugh. We all joined her, even though I was uncertain that the Captain's powers extended that far. But perhaps with two murders on board, he might be able to enforce such an action. Anyway, it broke the ice and helped us become more relaxed and enjoy our dinner time together.

Nick noticed Kat's earrings and commented on how beautiful they were. She smiled. "They're a gift from Kit for our six month anniversary."

Amy said, "Wow, I wonder what he'll give you for your one year anniversary."

Everyone smiled in agreement.

Maria said, "May I see one of them? I love the design, and the way the hearts and diamonds go from small to large. The last diamond looks like it's about a carat."

As Kat took one of them off and handed it to Maria, she said, "Kit designed them for me. It matches the necklace I have on. That was a wedding gift from him."

I smiled at Maria. "You're correct, Maria, about the diamond. You sure know your jewelry."

Nick asked, "When you're through looking at it, and of course with Kat's permission, may I see it?"

Maria looked at Kat, and Kat smiled and nodded. As Nick was looking at it he remarked, "These diamonds are very high quality. They're perfect blue white diamonds, and the settings are made extremely well."

We all looked at him, and Kat touched my leg. I looked at her and knew exactly what she was thinking. Our jeweler. I shook my head, remembering what Inspector Rashan had said. "There are no jewelers on board."

Then Nick said, "Before I became a teacher I owned my own store of diamonds, gold and precious stones. I became quite a connoisseur of diamonds."

Kat again touched my leg. This time I nodded my head back at her, but very cautiously.

Nick handed the earring back to Kat, but as she was putting it on, it fell from her hand and went under the table. Everyone at the table took in a deep breath.

"It's okay, I can see it," I said, as I got out of my chair.

The earring had gone further under the table than I thought, so I got down on all fours and retrieved it. I was glad all the ladies had on long dresses, otherwise I would have been rather embarrassed – and so might they!

Nick asked, "Did you find anything else under there?"

"Nope, just the earring."

Everyone laughed again. I handed the earring to Kat, and while she was putting it back on I showed everyone my beautiful cuff links.

We had a fun time, and it was obvious that everyone enjoyed themselves. We all had two rounds of the lobster. Kat wanted to go for three, but everyone said, "No, one steak and two lobster tails are all we can take."

And since it was dessert time, Kat didn't want to be the only one eating three lobster tails. So she declined the third. They brought Kat and me a special dessert, and the servers and our new friends all sang happy anniversary to us.

After we ate, we went back to our cabin to change our clothes. We were going to meet everyone at the Disco Lounge. Tonight was Who Wants to be a Millionaire? We were all hoping that one or two of us would be chosen to be a contestant.

When we were changing, Kat picked up one of her shoes. "Kit, look I've lost a bow. It must be in the dining room by my chair somewhere. Would you please go look for it? They're special decorations for my many different shoes, and I'll probably never find another pair just like them again."

"Of course. You wait here, and I'll go see. I'm already changed, so I'll wait to meet you at the Disco Lounge if that's okay with you."

"Good, I'll see you there. And thanks, Kit . . . I love you."

I walked over to her and gave her one of those short kisses. "I love you too."

I hurried as quick as I could. I wanted to get to the dining room before the second seating began. I knew I would feel awkward if I had to crawl under the table when everyone was already seated. I told Charles the maître d' about my dilemma, and he graciously said okay, but to please hurry.

I looked around Kat's chair and mine, but couldn't find the bow. So again I got down on all fours and crawled under the table. I could see what I thought was it, but it was right in the middle of all the chairs. I couldn't quite reach it, so I crawled further under the table. I reached for it by stretching out my arm and hand. It felt soft and slimy. It was a big black olive!

Since I was under there, I did a further search and saw the bow toward the end of the table. I picked it up and backed out. Then I bumped my head and shouted out loud, "Ow!"

I rubbed my head where I'd hurt it, and then looked up to see where I had hit it. That's when I saw the manila envelope taped under the table.

I wondered why anyone should have done such a thing. Then I noticed a little hole in the corner of the envelope and a sparkling diamond protruding from that hole.

That's when I knew that I had found Maria's necklace.