Vendetta: Mexican Standoff

Chapter 1

Tucker stared down at the rolling black water far below for a long moment before releasing his grip on the silver rail and turning away. He opened the sliding glass door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him. His mind was made up. He walked slowly across the room toward the small table near the bed. Hand trembling, he lifted the bottle from the table, poured the pale amber liquid into a large white foam cup and drank it down in one quick motion. He glanced around the small room. Then he poured more into the cup and drank again. He knew what he had to do and knew it had to be now.

Tampa-Earlier that week:

The couple stood motionless, waiting in the long line that led up the zigzag ramp to the huge white cruise ship floating gently beside the dock. Both Tucker and his bride-to-be Susan were thinking about the path that had led them to this point in their lives. They had been together for nearly two years and in that time had come to love each other deeply. As private investigators they traveled the southeastern United States by motorhome enjoying life and adventures together. A case several months earlier in North Carolina had led them to this ship where they were to be married.

The line began to move forward, waking the daydreaming couple. They walked with the crowd, Tucker looking around wide eyed, smiling a small boy’s smile. Susan looked up at the towering ship and turned toward Tucker.

Our first cruise together. Your first cruise ever. I’ve been on lots before but I just know this will be the best. What better place to get married than on a cruise ship. I love you for thinking of it! It’s so romantic. I’ve never been to Cozumel either. I love you, Tucker! Susan gushed like a schoolgirl.

You know this is my first cruise so be patient with me. When will I get to taste that famous food everyone talks about?

Soon enough! After our bags get delivered we’ll have plenty of time to check out the food and even have a drink or two. Let’s just walk around the ship for now and I’ll give you a grand tour while we wait for our baggage. OK, Love?

Sounds good. said Tucker, holding Susan’s hand as they moved through the door in the side of the large ship into a large multistory open area with a glass elevator on one side and a spiral staircase on the other. Lights flashed from the rails surrounding the open space as passengers crowded to these rails to look down on the lower levels.

Acting the part of a tour guide, Susan asked. How do you like the view here? Wait until we’re up near the top floor, I mean deck, and you look down. You can see the decorations, the people, everything. It’s beautiful.

Let’s go up there now. Here’s the elevator. said Tucker.

No, I don’t ride on glass elevators! It makes me dizzy.

Tucker laughed to himself at this little piece of intelligence he had just learned about his wife to be. Hard to believe one of the bravest people he knew was afraid of heights.

As the couple rode the hallway elevator up to the upper levels, avoiding the glass elevator, Tucker put his arms around the petite blond woman at his side and kissing her on top of her head, he grinned and said.

Nothing can ruin this trip. By the time we get back to Florida you’ll be Mrs. Susan Tucker and I’ll be the happiest man on earth. He caressed her shoulders gently and his hands began to wander down.

Susan looked up into his eyes, Hold on big boy! We’re not in our stateroom yet!

They walked around the entire ship with Susan explaining all about life at sea to Tucker. When they reached the top level of the ship she guided them back to the stern. Looking back of the ship they watched the big white clouds drift overhead and on the far horizon could see another giant ship plowing its way in the opposite direction. Accompanying the roar of the ship’s engines and the sound of water off the ships hull were the clanking of the bells on the buoy markers and the occasional ship’s horn sounding warnings.

I wonder if anyone got married on that ship. Susan commented.

"If they did I hope they’re as happy as we are, baby.’

A long time passed in silence. Both of them were content that their adventurous life as investigators was on hold. Time now to spend together, worrying only about each other and no one else. Tucker looked down at Susan and without a word pulled her toward him and kissed her passionately. She responded in kind.

They eventually made it to their stateroom where they found their luggage waiting beside the king size bed and a towel, folded into the shape of an elephant, looking up at them from the pillow. A young man stood at attention just outside the door. In poorly spoken English he welcomed them on board and offered his services for the duration of the cruise.

Tucker slowly closed the door to the cabin. He reached for Susan and led her to the patio door for a view of the docks and the shops nearby. He leaned down to embrace her. They kissed and after a few moments went back into their cabin.

Later that evening the couple dined at the open buffet on an upper level of the ship. After eating entirely too much, they enjoyed drinks served in small ship’s smokestacks and sat people watching. The ship moved quietly through the water, disturbing the reflection of the lights from the port of Tampa. They said little as they sat watching passengers parade by, each lost in thoughts about the voyage and their upcoming nuptials. With a serious look Tucker asked.

Susan, sweetheart, are we doing the right thing? We’ve both done this before with no success.

I love you with all my heart. I believe you feel the same way about me. I know you do! Married we’ll make a wonderful team. Yes. It’s the right thing to do!

Susan reached for Tucker’s hand and smiling, continued.

Are you getting cold feet? I’m not at all. This is what I want!

Tucker grinned broadly and with a flourish rose to address the people walking past them on the deck.

We’re getting married tomorrow night at the piano bar on the main deck. Everyone is invited! Bring your friends, everyone you can find. It’ll be a real party and the first round‘s on me!

Susan blushed and pulled him down to his seat before whispering in Tucker’s ear.

So much for a nice quiet wedding! Can’t back out now! I love you!

Tucker and Susan made their way through the crowded main lobby of the ship. Stopping for a moment Tucker’s eyes followed the glass elevator as it made its way up and down soundlessly. He noticed a man standing near the top of the spiral staircase. A familiar looking man. Because of the distance, Tucker was unable to make a positive identification but was sure he’d met the man before. When he raised his head for a better look the man was gone and after a few minutes the incident was forgotten in the joy of the moment.

Chapter 2

Tucker and Susan decided to forgo the formal dining experience on their first morning at sea and visit the upper deck where the open buffet was already waiting when they arrived. Standing in the omelet line, looking around at the tourists they both realized how fortunate they were to have the time and money to enjoy this experience. They shared small talk with the couple ahead of them in line, exchanging comments about the wonderful time they were anticipating on the cruise.

Their chatter was interrupted by an accented call from the cook behind the counter, What omelet you want?

All four laughed, smiled at the cook and ordered breakfast.

Sitting at a small table positioned for a view of the pool area, they ate quietly, each lost in thought.

Tucker’s mind wandered back to his days as a detective in Salisbury.

His thoughts returned to the small brick house where he had lived, located near the college in town. He remembered the time spent watching the young men and women walk the sidewalk to class. His recalled the local hangout he’d been called to so many times when the students got a little rowdy. He and his first wife had struggled on his meager paycheck to make ends meet, even in the small town. He thought about how tempting it had been to take the large sums of cash he’d sometimes been offered to look the other way on some things. He had watched his marriage deteriorate as the job consumed him and he grew more and more distant. His most vivid recollections were of the night he’d been shot and the months of recuperation and therapy that had been the final blow to a shaky marriage. Eventually the marriage ended and he’d been retired as physically unfit for duty. He’d recovered both his life and happiness while helping the FBI on two murder cases. It was during the first case that he’d met Susan and on the second they’d both become private investigators. He had fallen in love after being convinced that would never happen again. Their marriage, taking place that evening, was a double wedding for Tucker. Both his second and his last!!

Susan’s thoughts were of a completely different nature as they ate. She chose to focus on the recent months after she’d met Tucker. Dwelling on her past would have meant thinking about things she’d made peace with. Mistakes she’d learned from. By the time her ‘B’ movie leading lady career in Hollywood had ended she’d married three times and had three divorces. Not bad men in the sense they’d hurt her but just men with no integrity. She’d been looking for a man like Tucker all along, a man whose moral character was without question, who could be counted on to do the right thing and would protect her as they aged together. She was excited to marry for the fourth time and determined to make Tucker as happy as she was. The wedding scheduled for that evening made her both nervous and excited in anticipation.

As they were finishing their meal, Tucker grasped Susan’s left hand and with a quick move placed on it the ring he’d been palming for the last few minutes. He touched her chin to raise her eyes to meet his and poke quietly so only they could hear.

Susan Brown. Will you marry me?

With tears in her eyes but a large smile on her lips she replied, I was wondering if you were just taking everything for granted since you hadn’t officially asked me. Of course I’ll marry you. The captain expects it. Plus you announced it to the world last night. What choice do I have?

I did that just in case you were thinking of backing out! You’d be too embarrassed now to not go through with it.

Susan looked intently into his eyes and with a husky voice said, I‘m not superstitious so seeing you on our wedding day is no problem. Let’s go to our room and celebrate this moment. I love you so!

They quietly left the restaurant and disappeared down the elevator to their stateroom.

The Hispanic man who’d been sitting just four tables away from the couple waited until they’d disappeared in the elevator before rising and walking down the stairs to his stateroom. He activated his computer and began searching. He was pretty sure he recognized the man but it had been some time since they’d had an encounter. As Google searched the web the man’s face became darker, more creased, and his teeth clinched making a grating sound in the small room. When the screen finally stabilized on the picture the man was searching for, he smiled and leaned back in his chair. He reached for the bottle on his table and poured a stiff shot of tequila into the foam cup resting there. This would be a cruise to remember.

Chapter 3

That evening, as scheduled, the captain arrived down the spiral stairs to greet the passengers there for the wedding and the party afterwards. Word of the event had traveled through the ship grapevine and the resulting crowd was backed up each hallway opening into the atrium on both the lower floors. There appeared to be hundreds of people waiting and Tucker silently cursed himself for inviting the entire ship to the party. Fortunately, Susan’s divorce settlement from her last husband, the mob accountant, had left her a millionaire many times over and the expense of a round of drinks for the crowd would not be a problem. Besides, she was as thrilled as he was to have everyone focused, even for a moment, on their wedding.

The crowd parted allowing the captain to step onto the raised platform normally reserved for entertainers and their equipment. The din in the room slowly diminished as the captain held his hands up indicating he needed silence. After some moments, the crowd quieted down and the captain began to speak. His accent made it clear he was Italian. His accent and deep romantic voice were perfect for a wedding. The sound carried throughout the atrium, making a microphone unnecessary.

We are fortunate tonight to participate in the wedding of two of our passengers. This seldom happens, so it is a very special occasion. Mr. Tucker and Ms. Brown, please step up here?

Susan was radiant in the short, form fitting, sleeveless white dress she’d selected for the occasion. Tucker had said exactly the right thing when she’d tried it on for him back on the mainland. Wow, that dress fits you perfectly! Or is it that you fit the dress perfectly. When she reached for Tucker’s hand, the white pearls she wore contrasted perfectly with the black tuxedo she’d finally been able to talk him into wearing. They were dressed to the nines but after all, it was their wedding, a huge event for both of them.

Tucker and Susan walked together up the short staircase onto the platform and turned their backs to the crowd to face the captain. Tucker wondered if the captain would forgo his full name as he’d requested. The marriage license, which the captain held, had Tucker’s entire name on it but Susan hadn’t seen the paper as yet. Oh, well! he thought.

The captain began by introducing the couple to the crowd.

"Welcome to the festivities. I would like to introduce Mr. Rufus Fonroe Tucker and Ms. Susan Wynn Brown at this time.

Tucker cringed as he heard his full name announced and glanced at Susan who winked. Smiling she whispered, I already knew!

Tucker could only smile back and hope no one in the crowd knew him.

The ceremony proceeded and in just a few short moments the captain pronounced them man and wife. He again introduced the couple to the crowd this time as Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Fonroe Tucker. Tucker quickly yelled out, Drinks all around! and he and his new bride began to circulate through the passengers, accepting congratulations and listening to the light hearted ribbing about Tucker’s name.

The DJ had the entire room up dancing before long, including the newlyweds. Disco music, followed by eighties rock, and as the evening waned, romantic ballads echoed through the atrium of the large ship.

The evening came to a close for the couple with the playing of the Eagles Best of my Love. The dance floor cleared as the crowd held back to allow the newlyweds room to move around. The big man leaned down and held his petite bride carefully as if afraid he might hurt her. As the couple moved slowly in time to the music it was obvious to everyone how much in love they were. Several people in the crowd were moved to tears by the view of the dancers looking into each other’s eyes and smiling gently. The DJ had unknowingly selected the song the couple viewed as theirs. The party went on for hours but Mr. and Mrs. Tucker managed to escape, married now, to the privacy of their stateroom.

When they opened the door to their room both were surprised to see the chilled bottle of champagne on the table and the rose petals that decorated their bed. Each assumed the other had made this arrangement and smiled.

Tucker reached behind his new bride and began to unzip her dress, moving his hand down her back to rest on her hip. He bent down to kiss her and she rose up to her toes to meet him. Even though they’d been together for some time, this was the first night of their married life and each was determined to make it memorable. It would be!

Looking down on the crowd from the second floor, Orlando Ruiz was almost overcome with excitement as he saw the couple below. He’d known someday he’d have another chance to take his revenge on Tucker but this was almost too good to be believed. Remembering the pain Tucker had caused, Ruiz again vowed to make the cop pay. He would hurt Tucker by first killing the woman while he watched, and then killing him. He grinned slightly but his eyes were blazing black with anger as he turned away from the open area and walked toward the casino. It was his lucky day. Perhaps the cards would be good to him as well.

Chapter 4

Tucker heard the knock on the door and was immediately awakened from a sound sleep. He realized it was just room service with coffee and juice and rose from the bed to greet the day. After pulling the covers over Susan’s still form he allowed the steward to place the tray on the small table near the couch in the stateroom. Grinning, the steward turned and closed the door behind him quietly.

Tucker returned to the bed and began to rub his new bride’s back, knowing how this affected her. She turned toward him with sleepy eyes and reached out to touch him in return.

Sometime later the couple, dressed casually for a day at sea, left the room and headed out to spend some time near the pool to people watch and soak in some sun. Tucker, still a cop at heart, enjoyed imagining the life of each interesting looking person that passed by. During their time as investigators, they’d both come to love doing this together. It was, after all, their honeymoon and enjoying each other was the only thing on the agenda. After moving through the long line at the breakfast buffet, they headed toward the pool area.

Pulling two lounge chairs together Tucker arranged them to allow full view of the pool festivities and they settled in to watch the Hairy Chest contest on the small stage. As the ship’s crew delivered drink after drink, many in coconut shells and miniature ships, the crowd got louder and louder. After some time Susan turned to Tucker and with a mischievous grin asked,

Why don’t you enter? You could win! I’d vote for you.

Did you see the way the women judge the contestants? I just couldn’t have some strange woman rubbing my chest that way. Especially on our honeymoon!

They both laughed and continued watching the contest. Eventually, they’d had enough of the raucous laughter and noise of the pool area and retired to the quiet spot at the stern of the boat where adults only came for peace and quiet. Before too long the sun’s rays and the gentle movement of the large cruise ship had lulled them both to sleep.

After the initial shock of seeing Tucker on the ship, Ruiz decided he could take his revenge on the man without interrupting the mission that had brought him on this cruise in the first place. Buying the champagne and roses and following the steward who delivered it had gotten him the stateroom number of the couple. He’d risen early and hung around the hall waiting that morning for a chance to see them. He wanted to be sure they were traveling alone before he made his move on them. It would be tricky to pull off his plan but he could not take the chance the couple would stay onboard when the ship docked in Cozumel. His intention was to jump ship in Cozumel using the false identity he had set up and make his way back to Mexico City to complete the major buy the cartel had arranged. This