A cruise with a corpse, p.1
A Cruise with a Corpse, page 1
A Cruise with a Corpse
Madde Wolff
Wilken Publishing
Copyright © 2022 Madde Wolff
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Cover design by: WilkenGraphics
Chapter 1
Agnete
Agnete opened her closet for the third time, only to close it again with a sigh. She had been looking forward to this trip for so long. Imagining herself posing in front of the great Sphinx dressed in a light flax outfit with a scarf casually draped around her hair - like in old photos of Hollywood starlets. How come she hadn’t been shopping for something more suitable to wear? She didn’t even have a headscarf, and her shelves were full of big jumpers and jeans. Nothing right for this kind of journey. Perhaps she could find what she was missing in one of the airport shops?
She loved to travel. The excitement. The adventures. New people. Food. But this time felt different. It was the first holiday James and she would spend without Kamilla, their daughter. She had turned 18 last month, so she was officially not a child anymore, and she was busy with school, her boyfriend and lots of parties and friends to see. It just seemed wrong to leave her behind, to start new adventures without her. As Agnete was folding the sweaters and pushing them into the suitcase, she assured herself it would be okay. James and she still enjoyed each other’s company, and she was sure they’d have a wonderful trip.
They’d never been on a cruise before, so when she stumbled upon the small advertisement online, she was thrilled. A cruise on the river Nile sailing from Luxor to Aswan. The website described the cruise ship as cosy, with only eight guest cabins and a selected crew. Furthermore, there was a full-time guide staying on the ship who knew all about the history of Egypt. It would be both a lovely holiday and an opportunity to learn about the fascinating ancient civilisation. The ship’s captain had sailed on the Nile for 25 years. He was originally from London, but now lived in Egypt. They would be in the best of hands - and when she booked the tickets, she had been filled with excitement for the upcoming trip.
“Honey, do you know where my white travel shirt is?”
James called from the kitchen.
“I think it’s in the box on top of your wardrobe, with the rest of your summer clothes.”
The suitcase was full, and she pushed the lid down so she could close it. They’d needed this time off from their daily lives. If you weren’t careful, every day would end up looking like the day before and finally you wouldn’t be able to tell the days apart. You had to do something different to break up the routine - and it was so much easier on a holiday. Tombs and crocodiles were about the furthest thing from grocery shopping and cooking dinner.
Thursday
A warm gush of dry air welcomed them as soon as the door to the plane opened. They had left their home, the rainy city of Copenhagen, behind them and were now greeted by the busy and loud Cairo airport; the heat just adding to the exotic feel. Agnete had actually been cold on the flight, but now she was standing on the hot asphalt of the landing field, and she was sweating.
“Oh dear, it’s going to be a hot holiday.”
James smiled and took her bag.
“I think there’s a pool at the hotel, and room service.”
It had been peculiar at first to have a stranger sitting next to them. In Kamilla’s seat. But it had been nice to chat with James and it almost felt like when they first started travelling together, before they had Kamilla. So perhaps it would be all right.
It was dark when they exited the airport, the city still buzzing with sound and movement. There were bright lights, McDonald’s and ancient ruins all mixed in a delightful chaos. The traffic was kind of crazy, and Agnete was relieved they decided to take a taxi to their hotel. James had this thing for local transportation Agnete didn’t always share. It felt much safer and more comfortable to sit in the nice taxi without having to figure out how to get to the hotel on their own. She could see the charm in it sometimes, when the transportation became part of the adventure, but on the first night, she really didn’t need that much adventure. She only needed to find the hotel, check in, and perhaps inspect the pool.
✽✽✽
“Do you think I need a hobby?”
Agnete had just come out of the shower after a nice dip in the hotel pool. James was lying on the bed trying to find a channel that wasn’t in Egyptian. He hadn’t been lucky so far, so he turned the TV off.
“A hobby? Why? Do you have anything in mind?”
“It’s just with Kamilla off on her own. I feel empty - and kind of useless, to be honest.”
James came over and gave her a hug.
“I know how you feel, but I’m sure we’ll figure something out. Let’s enjoy this wonderful little break and see if any ideas pop into our heads while we’re thinking of something completely different.”
Agnete hugged him back and looked over at the phone on the night table.
“Should we call her?”
Still hugging her, James moved closer to the phone, both of them giggling.
Friday
One thing Agnete appreciated about travelling was the hotel breakfast. She normally skipped the meal at home, but on holiday, she loved to go all in. There was something so calm and luxurious about walking down to a set table. White tablecloth and crisp napkins waiting for her. Usually, when they all travelled together, Kamilla, James and her, she would be the first one down and enjoyed the calmness of the morning with a fresh cup of coffee. The two others being incorrigible late sleepers. But today they needed to leave very early if they wanted to avoid the crowds at the Pyramids.
James took his seat and asked for a cup of tea, then he started studying the guidebook. He hadn’t had time before they left, and he preferred to come prepared. Agnete filled up her plate with fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a delicious-looking scone. Last but not least, she got a nice, big cappuccino. The dining hall was busy considering the hour, but she figured everyone here planned to visit the Pyramids just like James and her.
“I think we should start with the Sphinx. The guidebook says the lines there are shortest early on.”
Giza wasn't a part of the cruise they booked, but Agnete had insisted they included it in their tour. What’s the point in visiting Egypt and not seeing the Pyramids? They’d planned it so they arrived late Thursday and after a full day in Cairo, they would leave first thing Saturday morning, taking a plane to Luxor. Here, they would embark on the cruise with the rest of the passengers.
✽✽✽
James had found them a seat at the front of the bus, the transportation to Giza being complementary with hotel stay, and they sat watching as the other guests walked past them. Most Agnete recognised from breakfast, but the last passenger seemed out of place. He didn’t appear to be a guest at the hotel, more like an acquaintance of the driver. She guessed him to be local, perhaps in his 60s and he sported a rather full moustache. As he stood staggering, trying to hold on as the vehicle moved, she noticed his long brown duffle coat that seemed to warm in the Egyptian heat. The overcoat was bulky. He kept it closed with a firm grip, all while scouting out of the door, searching. The driver was speaking to him in Egyptian, so Agnete couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it was clear he wasn’t happy with the ride-along. She recognised the word Luxor before the chauffeur shook his head and broke off the conversation. The man stayed where he was and when they finally stopped; he jumped off and started sprinting. It was a strange sight seeing this older gentleman in a long coat, holding on to whatever he was carrying underneath it. He was shooting in and out of the crowds lining up for tickets. Agnete leaned forward, her gaze following him as he ran. That’s when she saw the police setting after him, shouting and waving their hands.
“Did you see that, James?”
Agnete was all excited, but James had his head in his guidebook and hadn’t even noticed the strange passenger.
“Sorry dear. Who did what?”
He looked out the window, but both the man and the police were gone.
✽✽✽
It was a funny place, Giza. In pictures, you always saw the Pyramids with an endless desert in the background. In real life, it was the smell from KFC that hit you first. To maintain the illusion of walking through history, you needed to keep your eyes firmly locked on the Pyramids. Luckily, it was an easy enough task. You didn’t want to turn away from the impressive structures. As soon as they got inside the perimeter Agnete walked fast, only focusing on her mission; a picture of her with the Sphinx. She had found the perfect scarf at the airport and was ready. As ready as she could be, anyway.
“James, hurry, there’s a line forming behind me and I want it to look like I’m all alone.”
Agnete couldn’t help feel stressed as the people moved closer. She kept looking back over her shoulder, eying the queue. It wasn’t easy, but she tried her best channelling a young Marilyn Monroe as James pushed the camera on the phone. She was imagining how she would show Kamilla the picture and could almost hear her daughter’s amazement as she marvelled over how much her mother looked like a Hollywood starlet. But the wind had other plan s. The scarf flew up in front of her face and she struggled as she attempted to clear off the fabric. James fumbled with the phone. The line caught up - and the moment was gone. She walked away from the great Sphinx, feeling down. It would certainly be a memorable photo, but she wasn’t sure it was this particular moment she wanted to remember.
“You looked lovely, dear.”
James tucked his phone away and put his arm around her.
“Ready for the Pyramids?”
It was amazing to see these ancient monuments up close. Agnete soon got over her missed photo opportunity and marvelled at the sights. It was like strolling through history. Even though there were lots of tourists, the area was so extensive there were parts where they felt almost alone. They were wandering in one of these secluded spots, admiring the enormous structures and wondering how it had been possible to build them, when a young man with a headscarf appeared as if out of nowhere.
“Souvenirs?”
It’s like you read my mind, Agnete thought as she stretched her neck to see what interesting things he had with him.
“He’s not allowed to sell inside the premises.”
James grabbed a hold of her arm so she couldn’t approach the vendor. She stopped abruptly, quite annoyed.
“Oh, what’s the harm in me buying a little something? It won’t hurt anybody.”
But as she turned back towards the man, he had multiplied, and instead of one, a crowd of eager traders had materialised. They were coming straight for them, holding up various baskets and trinkets. She got a fright, and they both started walking backwards.
“Why did you have to be so interested when he showed up? I’m sure everyone selling anything in all of Egypt is going to be following us for the rest of the trip. You have to learn to play it cool.”
James was a little displeased with her, but she could sense he still found it funny she loved her souvenirs so much she couldn’t help herself.
It wasn’t particularly funny now, though. The sheer number of traders made it scary, and she contemplated running when the group dissolved just as suddenly as they had appeared. They were both standing, wondering what had happened, when they heard someone behind them.
“Have you seen this man?”
A police officer in a crisp white uniform stood in front of them, holding a picture of a man with a big moustache. They both shook their heads, and the officer nodded as he continued to the next group of people.
“Actually, I think it was the man from the bus, the one I saw running. I’m not sure. I didn’t get a good look, but it would make sense, wouldn’t it?”
Agnete confided in James when the officers were out of hearing range. He shook his head with a smile.
“You have only been in the country for a day and you’re already getting mixed up with the police.”
He took her hand and together they walked on to join the line of people waiting to get inside the Pyramid of Khufu.
✽✽✽
They were on their way out of the giftshop, the last stop before leaving the grounds. Agnete had found the most amazing novelty pyramids and had bought one for herself and one for Kamilla. While walking around the shop, she had thought about getting more, but wasn’t sure what she would do with them once she got home. So she had constrained herself and only bought the two. Egypt had so far exceeded her expectations and she was getting more and more excited about the coming cruise. The only downside to the holiday was that she missed Kamilla a lot, and she was having a hard time coming to terms with this being a holiday they would tell Kamilla about, not one their daughter would experience herself.
Chapter 2
Agnete
Saturday
“I’m sure the email said the driver was supposed to meet us in the arrival hall.”
They had just landed in Luxor, and Agnete was scanning the terminal building. There were people all around them walking, talking, greeting each other. A loud announcement over the speakers encouraged some lost traveller to find the nearest information desk, but nowhere could they see anybody searching for them or holding a ‘Green Cruise’-sign.
“Could it be the wrong airport? Or did we mixup the arrival time?”
Agnete slowly began to panic and clumsily started pulling stuff out of her shoulder bag, looking for the papers she had printed out on their home printer before they left. James stood with all their bags stacked up around him, almost sealing him in - and making him seem slightly more lost than he had to.
“I’m not sure. Didn’t they include a number to call? Or an address we can go to?”
There wasn't much hope in his voice and he started moving the suitcases around, trying to put together a make-shift stool.
“I can’t find the papers. I don’t think there was any contact information other than the email. Should I write them?”
They were looking at each other, trying to figure out what to do next, when they heard a voice behind them.
“Excuse me, are you the Quist’s? I’m so sorry for the delay, but the traffic was extraordinarily bad this morning.”
A jolly-looking man in a driver’s uniform greeted them with an over the top smile. He was in his late 40s or early 50s and looked like a man who enjoyed his food. The button right over his belly was fighting a brave fight to keep the two sides of the jacket connected.
“Let me take your bags.”
He offered and turned towards James and the pyramids of suitcases surrounding him. The driver corrected himself.
“Let me find a trolley for your bags.”
He disappeared into the crowds, and Agnete leaned closer to James.
“I got myself really worked up there. Of course, he was just late.”
It looked like James had been matching her nervousness. It was not always a joy to travel; you had to be ready for anything. Luckily, now they only needed to be ready for a relaxing cruise.
The man introduced himself as John Smith, driver and ship’s cook.
“I do a bit of everything on the boat. It makes every day interesting and keeps me on my toes.”
Agnete couldn’t really imagine him on his toes, but he seemed like a nice enough man. He navigated the trolley in between the crowds like an expert, obviously used to the chaotic scene, and steered them to the parking lot in record time.
The car was not so much a car as a small bus, which left plenty of room for both James, Agnete, and their tower of luggage. John kept up his pace as he got behind the wheel, and they had to hold on tight to avoid rolling around the cabin. A sharp turn made Agnete bumped hard into James. The driver had been about to speak when something had attracted his attention on the road. Realising it was too late to break, he had made a hefty swing to stay clear of an old woman crossing the street in front of them. With one hand locked on the car’s horn, he yelled out of the open window.
“Bloody Mary and her disciples!”
Then he turned towards them with a big smile, as if he just then remembered he had guests with him.
“Sorry about that. The traffic here is something, yeah?”
✽✽✽
They had left the airport behind and were on the road towards the river. The route took them through green fields and small villages, an interesting mixture of old world meets modern living. Agnete was excited to get to the cruise ship. She imagined the luxurious decor and fine dining, the fancy people in beautiful evening gowns. Perhaps a chandelier with lit candles, soft music, and sunsets. The more she thought of it, the more romantic it felt. Just what James and she needed on their solo holiday. She glanced over at her husband sitting beside her in the dusty bus. His profile looked almost majestic, with the palm trees in the background. His gaze locked on the landscape, changing as they moved forward. He was as good looking as he had been when they first met. He’d only got more distinctive and wiser with age. She felt very lucky as she sat there, with a private driver on her way to her luxury cruise with her handsome man by her side.
“Almost there.”
John said as he glanced back at them over his shoulder.
