Chapter 7 More Twists in the Plot
Cruise ship
Saturday Afternoon
1:00p.m.
They followed him to the scene of the crime and looked round in horror at the sight around them.
"Who would do this?" Harm asked devastated as he looked at the area. Half of the state-of-the-art gym had been burned down people were still moving in and out with fire extinguishers and buckets of cold water. Smoke was still rising off from the charred equipment and Mac coughed as she breathed in some of it. Seconds later a fan came on sucking the smoke out of the room.
"When we got a call saying that there was a fire in the gym, we came right away," said the officer standing next to them.
"Officer Alex and I saw someone in a hooded jacket fleeing the scene of the crime but, we lost him in the elevator. We came and shut the elevator down but when we got there the person had vanished up the elevator lines that run up into the ship," Marks said.
"It was as if he disappeared," Alex said, as he helped throw water on some of the sizzling exercise equipment.
"We'll help you check the gym to see what started the fire," Mac volunteered.
"Thank you," said Marks. "We could ready use the help."
"This is a disaster!" The captain said entering the room and headed towards them.
"I guess we can rule out the possibility that this was just part of a series of accidents," Harm said.
"I want this person found!" The captain said. "I don't want the lives of the passengers and crew put in danger because someone wants to shut us down!"
"We were just getting ready to check the scene for clues," Marks said.
"Then why are you standing here?" The captain barked.
"Look at this," Another security officer said ten minutes into their search. "I found the source of the fire."
They gathered around the officer wanting to see what he found.
"My guess is that this is what started the fire," he said holding the match up. Harm noticed something out of the corner of his eye and looked down. Something shinny was laying next to his shoe. He bent down and picked up the object. It was a small black button.
"Find something?" Mac asked coming to stand over beside him.
"Yeah, this could have fallen off whoever started this fire."
"Or, it could have fallen off the last person who used the gym equipment," Mac said.
"Keep an open mind. I think this might be important," Harm said dropping the button into an evidence bag. "My guess is that when we find the shirt or jacket this button belongs to we'll find the sabotager."
Later on after the search…..
"We need to find whoever is doing this before somebody really gets hurt," Mac said, as she slid her key card into the lock and opened the door.
"Oh my…." Mac said joining Harm at the door. 'The fire must have been a diversion. The real attack must have been to hit our room.'
Harm slowly entered their room while Mac closely followed behind him.
"Who could have made such a big mess in such a short time?" Mac asked, as she spotted most of her clothing scattered around the place. Chairs were knocked across the room. Pillows were slashed and torn open. Their bed had been pulled apart and many other belongings were lying in different spots across the room.
"It looks like a hurricane swept through the place," Harm said in disbelief, as he and Mac started picking up their things.
'That must be the biggest understatement of the year,' she thought. 'I mean look at this room! OMG,' Mac thought, as she made her way over to the bathroom and stepped inside.
"Harm, you better take a look at this!"
Harm rushed to her side and looked in. Words in blood colored ink were scribbled on the bathroom mirror and all over the walls.
You're not needed here. Stop investigating or face consequences, was written on the mirror. And rather colorful swearing and warnings were written all over the walls.
'I'm shaking!' Mac thought trying not to let her emotions show. "Do you know what this means? Whoever is doing this knows that were investigating."
"So much for undercover," Harm said. 'We could end up like the last investigators. 'Or worse,' she thought.
Harm could sense the uneasiness in her voice and said, "Mac your not scared, are you?"
"Why would I be?" She asked, as her Marine kickass attitude came back.
"No reason, just that you have nothing to worry about. This person is obviously trying to scare us into leaving."
"Right," Mac said. "We've been in tighter situation. Besides, I can take whatever they throw at me. At us," she corrected.
They stepped away from the bathroom and started picking up their belongings once again. Mac found the room phone and said, "I'd better call Marks and let him know what happened."
"Good idea. I'll help pick up this stuff," He said carrying an arm full of clothing back into the bed room. "Uh...Mac?" He asked a few seconds later.
"Yeah?" She asked looking at him. 'Why is he blushing?'
"Where do you want me to put….uh...this?" He asked her, as he held up a very revealing piece of lingerie.
"Just put in on my side of the bed and I'll put it away in a second."
"Sure," he said trying the make up for his embarrassment by acting casual.
Mac shook her head and turned back to the phone. 'Men these days.'
Mac called Marks afterwards she helped Harm straiten up the room. The door was slightly open and a few seconds later they heard a voice at their door.
"It took us about forever, but we were finally able to find your room." Renee said throwing the door open. Then she gasped, as she looked into their room.
"What are you guys doing here?" Harm asked.
"We were going to ask you two to join us in a game of tennis but a better question is what happened to your room?" Brumby asked, as he took a look around.
"Someone ransacked it," Harm explained.
"Who could have done this?" Renee asked.
"My guess is that whoever has been sabotaging the ship found out we were investigating."
"Oh, so that's why your guys are here," Brumby replied. "I just knew you knew more then you were telling us."
"It looks like you guys could use some help now." Renee said stepping into the room.
"You really don't have- Harm started to say.
"Nonsense," Renee said interrupting him. "Besides we are all in danger here until this person is found."
"Yeah, the least we can do is help," Brumby said picking up the lamp that had been knocked over.
They continued to clean up the room and pretty soon things were back in order. Mac went to grab one of her shirts from out from under the table and saw something wedged under the top of the table.
She picked up her shirt and grabbed at whatever was sticking out from the table. 'What is this?' She thought. It had been cleverly hidden and if she hadn't gone to pick up her shirt she wouldn't have seen it under there. But it was stuck under there and it took her a minute or two but finally it came out.
"Harm, take a look at his."
Harm, followed by Renee and Brumby came over to see what she had found.
"Where did you find this?" Harm asked.
She handed him the gun but turned the journal that had been found with it, in her hands.
"It was under the table along with this," she said holding up the journal.
Marks suddenly appeared at the door. "My guess is that it belonged to Barry and Cabe."
"The other investigators?" Harm asked startled.
Marks nodded before coming in to look at the room.
"You gave us their room! You just signed our death certificates!" Mac yelled, shocked at Marks stupidity. 'Ok I'm being dramatic but no wonder this person knew we were investigating,' Mac thought.
"Calm down, Mac," Harm said putting a hand on her shoulder.
'Like hell I will. Our lives were put in danger.' Mac continued, "We're supposed to be here undercover and you give us the exact same room the other two investigators had!"
"Pretty stupid," Renee agreed.
Marks now noticed Renee and Brumby. "Who are you two?"
"We are old acquaintances of the Colonel and Commander," Brumby said.
"Are you sure you trust them?" Marks whispered.
"More than we trusty you at the moment!" Mac said still kind of angry.
"You can change rooms if you would like," Marks said realizing the mistake.
"I think that would be best," Harm replied.
"I'll get someone to help you clean up and move your things out of the room."
"No," Mac said. "We can move our stuff out ourselves."
"Then I'll just get the concierge to changer your room," Marks said taking that opportunity to leave the room. In seconds he had left and was headed down the hall.
"Thank you guys for helping us," Harm said when Marks had left.
"It's the least we can do," Renee said. "Besides now that we're involved we can help with the case and see what's in that journal."
"So do you think it really belonged to the last investigators?" Brumby asked curiously.
"It must have been," Mac said.
"Let's talk about this after we change rooms," Harm said. "There's something about this room that is bothering me."
"Can I use your bathroom?" Renee asked, walking in before they could even reply.
"No!" Harm and Mac yelled at once.
"Awwwww!" Renee screamed is surprise, as she ran out.
"You're bathroom…it...it."
"We know," Harm and Mac said comforting the shocked Renee.
"What's wrong with your bathroom?" Brumby asked.
"We'll apparently whoever trashed our room decided to leave us a message."
"Not good?" Brumby asked.
"No, not good," Mac agreed, as she felt a shiver run down her back.
End of chapter.
AN: I know that there are probably spelling errors or grammar errors but we are all human right? We all make mistakes, and this hasn't been betaed. So please be nice and more will come soon. I don't know how soon but soon. :)