Chapter 25

25

TUESDAY AFTERNOON

More officers arrived and Martin Grey was marched off the Regal Princess in handcuffs, while Guido went through to the saloon and announced to all the guests and crew that they had nothing more to fear. The captain insisted on opening several bottles of champagne, but I limited myself to just one glass because the next thing on my agenda was to drive back to Anna in Florence. Billy Webster gave me a bear hug that threatened to crack my ribs and Tamsin and Louise gave me somewhat more restrained hugs and kisses. The same boat that conveyed the murderer to the harbour also brought back a very relieved and a very emotional Susie Upton, who for some reason decided to smother me in kisses when she saw me.

Needless to say, Oscar was not excluded from the festivities and he looked remarkably happy to be on the receiving end of hugs and kisses of his own. I still hadn't really had time to think through his intervention back in Beaumont's cabin. Maybe he'd just been trying to tell me that it was lunchtime and that he was hungry as usual. To that end, he had felt that directing my attention to a steak knife would be the best non-verbal way of communication. Alternatively, could it really be that my dog was developing into an accomplished detective in his own right? Either way, I knew that we owed him, and his reward didn't take long to arrive.

A few minutes later, his happiness swelled – along with his stomach – when he was brought a large helping of what looked like fillet steak with the compliments of the chef and the sous-chef. The blissful expression on his face as he hoovered it up was a sight to behold and I, for one, didn't begrudge him a single mouthful.

When the Carabinieri officers and I finally left the yacht, we could hear the powerful engines already being started up. The GreyratTV cruise was back on course and I hoped it would prove to be far less eventful than the past few days. I phoned Anna from the boat and left a message on her answer phone saying that I hoped to be in Florence by early evening.

Back on dry land, I headed straight back to my van. As I passed the little handbag shop, I hesitated and glanced in the window. Maresciallo Veronese, noting my interest, produced an unexpected piece of information.

‘This shop belongs to my sister-in-law. She makes a fortune out of charging silly prices to silly people.'

I grinned at him. ‘One of those people is my girlfriend – although she's far from silly – but there's no way I can afford to buy her one of these.'

He and the lieutenant exchanged glances and then, without hesitation, caught hold of my arms and dragged me into the shop. A cheery woman came over to greet both officers with kisses and to shake my hand.

‘ Ciao , Giovanna, my friend wants to buy a handbag for his girlfriend.' Veronese caught hold of her arm and pointed across at me. ‘He's a hotshot detective from England who deserves the very, very best price you can possibly manage. Which bag did you want, Commissario ?'

I pointed it out to him, and his sister-in-law went across to the window to retrieve it. She handed it to me and, seeing me gulp when I handled the price tag, she then proceeded to astound me by naming a price that was less than half of what it said on the label. I made a weak attempt to object but the deal was very quickly done and the precious bag was put in an equally flashy carrier bag for me. But the generosity didn't stop there. After a brief exchange between the three Italians, Giovanna disappeared into the stockroom and re-emerged with a beautiful leather dog collar with Gucci emblazoned across it. Guido held it out for Oscar to sniff and added his own thanks.

‘This is the very least I can do for the two of you. God knows what carnage that crazy man could have wreaked with a knife in a confined space. Look after him well, Dan; he's a treasure.'

Oscar was busy scratching his ear at the time and he didn't react. Besides, he already knew he was a very good dog.

Guido dropped the collar into the carrier bag, waved away my further protests, and accompanied me back to the van. When we got there, I shook hands with the maresciallo and was about to offer my hand to Guido when he grabbed me and gave me a hug and a grin.

‘Thanks, Commissario . If there's ever anything I can do for you, you have my number. Come back and see us.'

As I drove back along the tortuous coast road towards Rapallo, I reflected that I was leaving, not only one of the most picturesque little villages I had ever visited, but also a number of good friends. I glanced in the rear-view mirror at the black nose resting on the seat back and addressed myself to my dog.

‘Nice people, Oscar, shame it took two murders for us to get to know them.'

For a moment, I swear he nodded in agreement before disappearing from sight. There was a heavy thump and a heartfelt sigh as he settled down for three hours' sleep, no doubt filled, not only with dreams of swims in the sea and squirrels, but now also of fillet steak and designer collars. I hoped his brief spell in the millionaires' playground wouldn't go to his head but, when all's said and done, he's worth it.