Calamity (and a Danish) (A European Voyage Cozy Mystery—Book 5)

C A L A M I T Y

(A N D   A   D A N I S H)

(A European Voyage Cozy Mystery —Book Five)

B L A K E   P I E R C E

Blake Pierce

Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books; of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising five books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2021 by Blake Pierce. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Sean Pavone, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES

HER LAST WISH (Book #1)

HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)

AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES

CITY OF PREY (Book #1)

CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)

CITY OF BONES (Book #3)

A YEAR IN EUROPE

A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)

DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)

A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)

SCANDAL IN LONDON (Book #5)

AN IMPOSTOR IN DUBLIN (Book #6)

SEDUCTION IN BORDEAUX (Book #7)

JEALOUSY IN SWITZERLAND (Book #8)

A DEBACLE IN PRAGUE (Book #9)

ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)

GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)

GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)

GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)

GIRL ERASED (Book #6)

LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ALREADY GONE (Book #1)

ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)

ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)

ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)

ALREADY DEAD (Book #5)

EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES

MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)

DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)

CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)

MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)

CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)

MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)

ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES

LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)

LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)

LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)

LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)

LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)

LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)

LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)

LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)

LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)

LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)

LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)

LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)

LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)

THE AU PAIR SERIES

ALMOST GONE (Book#1)

ALMOST LOST (Book #2)

ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)

ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES

FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)

FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)

FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)

FACE OF FURY (Book #5)

FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)

A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)

THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)

THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)

THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)

THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)

THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)

THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)

THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)

THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)

THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)

THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)

THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)

THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)

THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)

THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)

THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)

THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)

THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)

CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

NEXT DOOR (Book #1)

A NEIGHBOR’S LIE (Book #2)

CUL DE SAC (Book #3)

SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)

HOMECOMING (Book #5)

TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)

KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES

IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)

IF SHE SAW (Book #2)

IF SHE RAN (Book #3)

IF SHE HID (Book #4)

IF SHE FLED (Book #5)

IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)

IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)

THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES

WATCHING (Book #1)

WAITING (Book #2)

LURING (Book #3)

TAKING (Book #4)

STALKING (Book #5)

KILLING (Book #6)

RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES

ONCE GONE (Book #1)

ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)

ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)

ONCE LURED (Book #4)

ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)

ONCE PINED (Book #6)

ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)

ONCE COLD (Book #8)

ONCE STALKED (Book #9)

ONCE LOST (Book #10)

ONCE BURIED (Book #11)

ONCE BOUND (Book #12)

ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)

ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)

ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)

ONCE MISSED (Book #16)

ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)

MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES

BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)

BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)

BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)

BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)

BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)

BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)

BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)

BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)

BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)

BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)

BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)

BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)

BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)

BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)

AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES

CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)

CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)

CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)

CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)

CAUSE TO SAVE (Book #5)

CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)

KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES

A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)

A TRACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)

A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)

A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER ONE

The crisis hit while London Rose was finishing breakfast in her stateroom. Her buzzing cell phone interrupted the last few bites of delicious Eggs Benedict, but when she saw who was calling, she knew she had to answer.

The familiar English-accented voice sounded more flustered than she could remember it being before.

Eh, Ms. Rose, there seems to be …um … I hope I’m not calling too early.

Not at all, Captain Hays, she replied. What can I do for you?

Well, it’s not exactly easy to explain …

The captain’s voice faded. London thought the normally unflappable gentleman actually sounded alarmed.

We’re having a bit of a problem, I’m afraid, he finally said. "What you might even call an emergency. Could you kindly come up to the Rondo deck immediately?"

London was starting to feel anxious herself. What sort of problem could possibly unsettle the captain like this, short of hitting an iceberg? And what could she, as the ship’s social director, do about it?

I’ll be right there, she replied quickly, ending the call.

She took a last sip of coffee, then ducked into her bathroom and ran a brush through her tousled short auburn hair. Meeting her own bright blue eyes in the mirror, London said, That will have to do.

When she came out of the bathroom, her little Yorkshire Terrier was sitting in front of the door, ready to go with her.

Not now Sir Reggie, she said. The captain sounds really upset about something. You should stay here.

Sir Reggie whined.

Besides, the added firmly, you haven’t even finished your breakfast.

The little dog grumbled, but he stood aside and didn’t try to follow London as she hurried out into the corridor. She knew he could use his little doggie door to leave the room, but his breakfast would probably come first.

Her stateroom was on the Allegro deck, the lowest level of the touring riverboat. The fastest way up to the top Rondo deck would be the elevator at the end of the hallway. As she headed there, she heard the captain’s voice over the public address system.

"Good morning, Epoch World Voyagers. I have a rather urgent request to make … er, more of an order, actually. Any passengers currently on the Rondo deck must leave there immediately. Passengers elsewhere should stay away from the Rondo deck until further notice. And …"

The captain paused again, then said, Above all else, do not be alarmed by any, eh, changes or disturbances or … peculiar phenomena. No one is in any danger. That is all for now.

 London doubted that the captain’s announcement would succeed in calming anybody. Some of their passengers were already agitated because the riverboat Nachtmusik was crossing rougher water than usual. Since their departure from Amsterdam, they’d been sailing the open sea on their way to Copenhagen. Although specially designed ballast and propulsion systems made that possible for the yacht-like riverboat, the craft did rock a bit from time to time.

Some passengers had gotten seasick, and others were just annoyed. Fortunately, most of them, like London herself, had done plenty of traveling by land, rivers, lakes, seas, and air, and weren’t prone to seasickness. 

When London got to the elevator, she saw that it was already in use. 

She turned aside to take the spiral stairway upward, but then she heard a racket coming from the stairwell above her. Apparently a lot of people were using both the elevator and the stairway, either to get clear of the Rondo deck or to return to their staterooms.

Or, she thought, maybe they’re headed to the bar.

She just hoped there wasn’t going to be a stampede.

She heard the elevator door open and turned back that way. Several passengers whose staterooms were here on the Allegro level stepped out, looking rather frightened.

London, what’s going on? one asked.

What did the captain mean? another asked.

London fumbled for the right words—but of course, she didn’t really have an appropriate response ready, since she didn’t know yet what was going on.

I’m—I’m sure everything will be all right. Just stay calm. And please let me through.

The group parted, allowing London to enter the elevator, and she used her official card to make an express trip to the top deck.

Her concern was growing as the elevator made its climb. The captain wanted her up on the Rondo deck, but at the same time he was telling everybody else to stay clear of it. She wondered what sort of task he had in mind for her.

When the elevator door opened, London stepped out quickly because several anxious passengers stood there waiting for the car. She saw that others were crowding into the stairwell to walk down.

She hurried onto the open-air deck, then stared with astonishment at her surroundings. Even at this early hour, the Rondo deck was normally a bustling, happy place, with passengers enjoying the fresh air in deck chairs, swimming in the small plunge pool, or playing on the shuffleboard court.

Instead, crew and staff members were darting to and fro folding up deck chairs and umbrellas and clearing the deck of anything that wasn’t bolted down. The portly, middle-aged captain was dashing about, his walrus-style mustache in constant motion as he gave orders. 

He snapped at a couple of straggling passengers with uncharacteristic sharpness.

You two! Didn’t I just tell all passengers to go below?

London knew the two passengers quite well and wasn’t surprised when the black-clad man with the thick dark hair didn’t move.

A tall woman with a shock of curly hair tugged on his sleeve.

Maybe we should do as he says, dear, Audrey Bolton suggested.

Nonsense, Cyrus Bannister retorted with his typical supercilious smirk. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.

The captain shook his head with frustration as London approached him.

Sir, what’s going on? London asked him.

"That’s what’s going on," the captain said, pointing out over the water.

No land was in sight. But London’s mouth dropped open with amazement at what she did see. A helicopter was flying toward the Nachtmusik. She hadn’t heard the distant buzz of its engines over the turmoil of clearing the deck, but now the sound was becoming louder by the very second.

We must prepare for a landing! Captain Hays shouted before darting away to give further orders.

A landing? Nonsense! Cyrus said with a sardonic chuckle. A helicopter like that would scuttle this boat if it tried to land here. I’m expecting something quite different—and a lot more exciting.

More exciting than a sinking ship? London wondered.

Cyrus was something of a patronizing, disagreeable know-it-all filled with expertise about an endless variety of subjects, ranging from classical music and great painters to dog breeds. But he often knew what he was talking about.

I guess he’s an authority on helicopters too, she figured.

I really think we should leave, Audrey insisted to Cyrus.

Oh, no, my dear, Cyrus replied. You won’t regret staying to see this, I promise.

Meanwhile, the ship itself was slowing to a near stop in preparation for whatever was about to happen.

Quickly, the helicopter came more clearly into view. On its side was a familiar company logo with the name Epoch World Cruise Lines. The aircraft descended toward the deck as it approached, and its rotating blades raised up a powerful wind that rattled the stacked furniture and whipped around the people remaining on the deck.

The noise was nearly overwhelming, and London had to plant her feet firmly just to keep her footing. She was grateful that the crew had managed to move everything loose to safety, otherwise everything would be flying all over the place and overboard.

The helicopter descended until it paused and hovered about 75 feet above the deck—none too steadily, London thought.

This is going to be a close one, Cyrus shouted over the roar of the propellers.

A close what? London wondered.

Cyrus added, It would be easier if the pilot waited until the ship came to a full stop. That would take several more minutes. But I guess somebody must be in a hurry. This is going to take some expert flying.

Then the door on the side of the chopper slid open.

Good God! shouted Audrey. Is somebody going to jump out?

Cyrus chuckled haughtily.

In a manner of speaking, you might say that, he shouted back. But don’t worry, nobody is going to go splat against the deck—at least I don’t think so, not if they know what they’re doing.

It was the only time London could remember wishing that Cyrus sounded more certain about something.

A cable fell out of the helicopter door, dropping almost to the deck. A man wearing a helmet and a khaki coverall flight suit appeared in the doorway, letting his legs dangle in the air.

I hope this chap has had sufficient training, Cyrus said, starting to sound just a little bit apprehensive. I’ve never tried rappelling from a helicopter under quite these conditions.

London realized she shouldn’t be surprised to hear that Cyrus had done this before himself.

Is there anything he doesn’t know about? she wondered.

Then the man pushed himself out of the chopper and into midair.

London gasped with horror as he seemed to fall like a rock.

But he swiftly brought himself under control as he descended along the cable, braking little by little until his feet hung just a foot above the deck.

Then he dropped, landing in a crouch.

He released the cable, which ascended rapidly back into the chopper.

The man stepped toward London, Cyrus, and Audrey, smiling rakishly.

Quite exhilarating, that! he spoke over the sound of the engine. And such lovely weather, too!

London gasped aloud as she recognized that calm, cultivated voice.

She grabbed her cellphone and called Amy Blassingame, the ship’s concierge.

Amy, we’ve got to carry out the Beethoven Plan! she said. And fast!

CHAPTER TWO

In spite of the racket from the hovering helicopter, London could hear the concierge’s gasp over her cell phone.

"Do you mean he has arrived? Amy asked. Already?"

Yes, just this minute, London said.

But how? I thought he wasn’t going to join us until we were in Copenhagen. Does this have something to do with all the weird noise?

Yes, it does. He just arrived by helicopter.

"By what?"

Amy, I don’t have time to explain. Just get going on the Beethoven Plan. And get it done as soon as you can.

I will, Amy said.

By the time they ended the call, the newcomer had undergone a dramatic transformation. He had shed his helmet and his flight suit and was standing there in a velvet smoking jacket, a colorful silk scarf, comfortable pleated pants, and a pair of house slippers. It seemed almost impossible to believe he had just made a daredevil descent out of a helicopter. In fact, he looked exactly as if he might be comfortably at home in a luxurious New York penthouse.

Which was exactly where he’d been when London had seen him before. The man was unmistakably Jeremy Lapham, the CEO of Epoch World Cruise Lines.

London had never met Mr. Lapham in person, only via video chat, and even then she had seldom seen his entire face. His camera was usually oddly tilted so she only viewed his cleft chin and his thin, aristocratic lips.

Now she could see his full visage, which included smiling gray eyes and a sleekly groomed mane of steel gray hair. He wasn’t a young man, but he definitely seemed energized rather than fatigued from his mode of arrival.

London and Captain Hays both hurried to greet him, and he shook their hands eagerly.

No introductions needed, I’m sure, Lapham said in a voice loud enough to overcome the noise overhead. "It is my pleasure to meet you, London Rose, and you, Captain Hays, in person at long last.

Then he added, Although I do wish the circumstances weren’t so worrisome.

Both Cyrus and Audrey seemed to be very impressed.

Very well done, sir, Cyrus Bannister said. A masterful descent.

Truly awesome! Audrey Bolton said to him, then added to London, Aren’t you going to introduce us?

Please do, Mr. Lapham said to London.

London did her best to make introductions over the roar of the engine.

So you’re Jeremy Lapham himself! Cyrus said, looking even more impressed than he’d been before. I’ve been following your business dealings in the financial news for years.

Oh, dear, how boring for you! Mr. Lapham said, laughing.

You certainly know how to make a dramatic entrance, Audrey Bolton added.

Mr. Lapham shrugged and said, I like to stay in practice. Life in a boardroom can be dreadfully sedentary.

Then the CEO turned his attention back to the helicopter. What looked like large pieces of luggage were being lowered and members of the ship’s crew were making sure they landed safely and then disconnecting them from their cables.

The CEO said to the captain, Make sure Siegfried gets aboard safely.

Siegfried? asked Captain Hays, looking up as if he expected another man to descend from the helicopter.

You’ll know him when you see him, Mr. Lapham said with a chuckle.

Very well, Captain Hays. Since this is your first time aboard your very own tour boat, I’m sure you’d like to have a look around. London here will be glad to oblige you.

Captain Hays tossed London an urgent glance signaling how anxious he was to keep Mr. Lapham happy. She could understand why the captain felt this way. Mr. Lapham was here to decide the future of the Nachtmusik’s voyage—and consequently, the future employment of all the staff and crew. London hoped she was up to the task of nudging him in the right direction.

Of course, London replied.

Perfect, Mr. Lapham said to London, then added to the captain, "London and I will visit you in your stateroom as soon