Read Death on the Bella Constance (A Jesse Watson Mystery Series Book 6) for Free Online

physically.”
    Billy and I turned our sights to the man and woman across the
room.
    Jacob was probably close to thirty, tall and well-built.
Allison was my height, stern looking, with a toned body to match. They both
were dressed in shorts and polo shirts. It would have been hard not to miss
their physiques if we had been paying attention.
    When Billy and I walked out of Bella and Loukas’ stateroom,
we didn’t speak until we were sure we were out of earshot.
    “I never paid a bit of attention to Jacob and Allison. I was
too enthralled with Bella and Loukas.”
    “We slipped. That’s not good. We won’t let that happen
again.”
    “We can’t. Our lives could depend on it.”
    As the saying goes—never could a truer statement have been
made.
    Billy and I returned to our room in a hurry. We were both
anxious to see what Bella and Loukas had in store for us. Considering the fact
that they have more money than we’ll ever see, we were sure we’d get top of the
line stuff. And we were right. When we entered the room, our attention went
immediately to the large desk that had been set up against the left wall. An
electronic empire sat on the desk, with other gadgets sitting on the floor on
either side. A note was left by the keyboard.
    Billy quickly closed the door behind us.
    When we looked around the room, I pointed out that the two
chairs and small table that had been where the desk was now had been moved to
the other side of the room in front of the port window. A bottle of champagne
in a bucket of ice sat on the table. Those were the only things that had been
changed… so far.
    “Look, Billy,” I said, pointing to the bottle. “ Champagne ! Compliments of Bella and Loukas,
I’m sure.”
    “I must pass,” he said as he walked over to the desk and
started punching keys on the keyboard. “Come, `ge ya. Let us investigate.”
    His Cherokee accent was coming into play again, so that only
meant one thing—he was going into the hunt/detective mode. Billy does that when
he’s deep in thought about a case. He’s probably already planned out his
strategy, and will let me know all about it shortly.
    He reached over, picked up the portable telephone and handed
it to me. “We have it all,” Billy said. “It’s a satellite phone. According to
this note, all you have to do is hit the number seven for a pre-programmed
number, which probably is an international number, and then dial the area code
and the phone number. Go ahead. Call your mother.”
    “It looks weird. What’s this thing sticking out?”
    “It’s the built in antenna.”
    “Hmm. But I thought we promised…”
    “We must do what we want to do, and I know you would love to
talk with your mother.”
    “Okay,” I said, taking the phone. “But only for a minute.” I
punched in seven, the area code, and then the number. The phone rang shortly
after I punched in the numbers.
    “Hello,” Mom said, nonchalantly.
    “Mom, it’s me, Jesse.”
    “Jesse!” she said, excitedly. Then she started yelling to
whoever was in the background that I was on the phone. Chatter on her end
ensued.
    “Mom! I can’t stay on the phone all day!”
    “I’m sorry, honey. I’m excited. I bet this call is costing
you a bundle. Your cell phone bill is going to be outrageous.”
    “I’m not using my cell phone,” I replied. “I’m on a satellite
phone, compliments of Bella and Loukas Constance.”
    “I didn’t expect to hear from you until the cruise was over.
You said…”
    “I know, Mom,” I said, interrupting her. “But we had a chance
to call. How is everything… and please make it brief.” Mom has a tendency to go
on and on when you get her on the phone.
    “Everyone’s fine,” she said, hurrying right along. “The kids
are great. Eddie, Geneva , and Helene are here. We’re having a
wonderful time. No one’s been murdered since you left.” She snickered.
    “Oh, you’re so bad, Mom.”
    “I can’t help it. I’ve been around you and Billy too