Drama in the Bahamas Cruise (Cruising Through Midlife: Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Book 9) by Addison Moore

Author:Addison Moore [Moore, Addison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hollis Thatcher Press, LTD.
Published: 2024-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

The ghost of Beatrice Fiddlefae and I follow along with the group just as the tour guide announces we’re heading to Ben’s Cave, right here on sunny Grand Bahamas.

The cavern looms ahead with its dark maw set into the lush landscape while promising us mysteries that are both ancient and recent. As we near it, the guide begins his spiel with enthusiasm and a touch of reverence.

“Ben’s Cave is one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world,” the guide, a lanky older man with a deep complexion and gorgeous teeth, explains as he gestures toward the entrance. “It was named after Ben Rose, a legendary diver. The cave features a unique halocline, a layer where freshwater and saltwater meet. These caves are home to rare crustaceans, and dare I say the fossilized remains of the Lucayan people, who were the original inhabitants of these islands.”

A collective gasp culminates in our small group as we take a steep staircase down and end up on a wooden platform with just enough room for the lot of us. I note Bess and Nettie have made their way down here as well—with Bess’ wide-brimmed straw hat they were easy to spot—but that doesn’t stop me and my friendly ghost by proxy from moseying on over to where Hetty stands admiring the view from the front row.

The smell of mustiness takes over, but that doesn’t take away from the crystal aqua waters below that seem to have mesmerized us all.

“Legend has it”—the guide continues as his voice booms inside the cave and gives a slight echo—“that these caves were used by the Lucayans for shelter and, some say, for sacred rituals. The combination of the freshwater lens and the saltwater makes it a unique ecosystem, attracting divers from all over the world. But those are the pros. We bid you to look at the waters but not enter them. Swimming is strictly prohibited, as the tunnels which go on for miles can be dark and disorienting. Please take your time and enjoy the natural beauty of the wonder before you.”

Everyone pulls out their phones at once, and soon the cave is lit up with enough bolts of faux lightning you’d think the paparazzi were on the hunt for a famous celebrity.

The crowd breaks out into murmurs as I sidle up next to Hetty.

“Enjoying the tour?” I ask, trying to sound cheerful as if I’m not about to threaten to toss her over the railing and send her to the water below if she doesn’t confess everything she knows about Lucy Taylor and her would-be killer.

Hetty jumps slightly, her eyes darting to mine before she forces a smile. “Oh, Trixie, hi!”

She gives a little laugh and it looks painful with her face so bloated and full of fillers. Her lips are pretty puffy, too—and not in a good way. It’s what Stanton used to call the deflated balloon look. He said it was a sure sign that they had too much plumper injected into their lips at some point, and continued to do it for years.

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