Haunted Cruise: The Shakedown Read online

  Haunted Cruise

  The Shakedown

  Tanya R. Taylor

  Copyright© 2016 Tanya R. Taylor

  All Rights Reserved.

  No portion of this work may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the

  expressed, written consent of the Author.

  Multiple times #1 international bestseller.

  EVIL LURKS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES.

  Can this town be saved or will it go straight to Hell?

  (A Religious Thriller)

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  COMING SOON. RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY!

  You won't want to miss this.

  WATCH BOOK TRAILER

  Never push a woman to her limit when all she knows is pain.

  Synopsis for 10 Minutes before Sleeping

  10 Minutes before Sleeping is a powerful story of a young woman named Eva left on the doorstep of a neighbor as a child by her very own mother. She is abused, neglected, rejected and without a legal footing in the only place she knows as “home”. All the odds appear to be stacked against her and those looking from the outside in seriously wonder how one human being could be expected to battle such atrocities without making a fateful decision to end it all far quicker than it ever began.

  As a young girl, Eva struggles to obtain an education at the resistance of a woman who was left with the responsibility to raise her, but years later finally finds what she believes is true love. This event, ironically, progresses to a further downward spiral that costs this young woman her three most precious gifts in the world, thus evoking a snap decision that occurs ten minutes before sleeping. WATCH OUT FOR THIS POIGNANT NOVEL TO BE RELEASED IN EARLY 2017.

  10 Minutes before Sleeping is now available to pre-order. Reserve your copy HERE.

  NEVER MISS A NEW RELEASE!!!

  Dedication

  This one's for Christian, my wonderful son,

  on his fourteenth birthday. I love you.

  Chapter One

  "I've had enough of you! You'll never change. And for your information, I fell out of love with you ages ago!" Dellie snarled, looking squarely into her husband's hazel eyes. He had never remembered her being so angry.

  "How can you say that?" Rob replied with disappointment that heavily weighed on him. "We've built a life together for seven years. Seven years!"

  "You've built a life for yourself, Rob Hayworth. You've walked all over me and treated me like a friggin' doormat. What else did you expect?" She scanned his face for a logical response. "Did you think I'd let your ice-cold treatment of me all these years with you showing up at all hours of the morning just slide by? For Heaven's sake, you walked in with a freakin' smile on your face countless times after I've been sitting up half the night waiting for you, wondering if you'd had an accident. And you didn't even have the decency to pick up a phone and call. You're an evil man, a monster, my greatest enemy and I hope you rot in hell!"

  She turned away and picked up her suitcase. "While I'm gone, think about finding someplace else to live. I don't want you here when I get back."

  "Dell… let's just talk about this. You know what kind of life I've had before I met you. I'm trying. What more can I do?" He raised his hands hopelessly.

  "You weren't trying hard enough and that last show of disrespect toward me as your wife was the last. You can be with that tramp because we're over!"

  "But we never did anything, Dell. I keep telling you that! Someone told you they saw us holding hands and you want to throw away our marriage for that?"

  Dellie dropped her suitcase and stood boldly in front of him. "I didn't throw anything away, Rob. You did! And don't pretend like you haven't had affairs before. You've treated me like trash for far too long and now that I'm standing on my own two feet with a good, steady job, you suddenly think I'm worthy of respect? I'm now worthy to be your wife? You must be kidding!"

  She turned away and Rob reached for her arm.

  Dellie glanced at his hand, then looked into his eyes. They no longer made her feel all tingly inside like they used to. As handsome a man that Rob was, nothing about him was appealing to her anymore. "If you don't get your hand off of me at this very moment, my martial arts training will come in handy just about now," she calmly said.

  Although the little lady's skills were no match for his physical strength and stature, Rob slowly released his grip.

  Dellie picked up her suitcase again and headed for the front door.

  "Dell, I'm…"

  "Save it!" she said before slamming the door behind her.

  Rob went after her, but halted as far as the doorway. He stood watching as she headed toward the silver Chevrolet parked out front. The car's engine was running and the morning air held a slight mist that gathered around the hood of the vehicle. Dellie, dressed in a pair of loosely-fitted, washed-out blue jeans, a white pullover with sleeves rolled up to her elbows and a black cap on her head, walked hurriedly toward her ride. Gwen was at the wheel looking as she approached, glancing back a couple of times at Rob standing in the doorway.

  "Dell!" he called again as his wife hopped inside the car.

  Gwen sat there unsure of what to do.

  "Let's go," Dellie told her.

  Gwen looked back at Rob one last time before pulling off. She glanced at her friend a few yards down the road. "I suppose you told him."

  Dellie's focus was straight ahead. "Yeah. I did." She sighed.

  "Guess he didn't take it well at all, huh?"

  "No."

  Gwen could sense that the decision was a difficult one. She touched Dellie's arm. "Everything will be all right. It'll just take time."

  "I know," Dellie replied softly. "I know."

  Chapter Two

  They drove into the extensive parking area situated just behind the loading dock. There were large, maroon crates neatly lined up and stacked one on top of the other on the western and southern sides of the lot just behind a twenty-foot high fence which bounded them off. Gwen pulled into a spot near the front entrance facing an unpainted, unwelcoming concrete wall.

  The women stepped out and seemed to pause for a moment to inhale the fresh, morning air. Dellie looked at Gwen from across the hood of the car. "So this is it. We're finally doing this after so many months of preparation."

  Gwen sighed with a slight smile. "Yes, indeed. Are you looking forward to it?"

  "What? Fourteen days away from home? Sure. Why not?" Dellie thought the answer to be obvious.

  "Okay, then. Let's go." Gwen led the way. Dellie caught up to her and they made their way around to the main Plant along a chipped and dented sidewalk. Dozens of workers were heading into the Plant almost hurriedly, but Dellie knew that only a handful of them would be going on the journey in the newly constructed Caesar.

  The cruise ship was proudly docked in the massive shipyard. Dellie gazed at the gigantic structure, in awe of its domineering elegance, as its shiny, white coat glistened in the protruding sunlight. This baby appeared to be larger than life, just like its owner, Clyde Dragos Sr.

  Gwen checked her wristwatch as they entered one of several buildings in the huge facility. The meeting was set to be held in an area where hydraulic equipment was stored and stacked along the sides of the wall, leaving a good-sized space in between for whatever was necessary.

  "We have a little time to burn," Gwen indicated after they walked in.

  "I'd better grab a cup of coffee then," Dellie returned.

  "Great idea. Once we get to the meeting before Dragos does, we're cool."

  They made a right turn towards the cafeteria where a number of workers were already lined up for service. The men, which made up about ninety-eight percent of the staff populati
on often walked right back out after their purchases and didn't bother to use the tables. However, Dellie and Gwen made use of them every chance they got.

  "Ready to sail?" Jack Andrews, a long-bearded hillbilly type said to Dellie.

  "Ah, yeah," Dellie responded, barely cracking a smile. She was standing just behind him at the counter and Gwen was behind her.

  "What do you think about doing this shakedown with Dragos?" he asked.

  "I guess it'll be like any other shakedown," Dellie answered nonchalantly.

  "Well, how many have you been on?"

  "This'll be my second."

  Jack laughed. "You kidding me?"

  "Nope." Dellie shoved her hands into her pants pockets.

  Jack looked at her as if trying to figure her out. "Well, I think you're nervous as hell! No one here, as far as I know, has ever been on a shakedown with Dragos, especially the newbies. And I call newbies anyone who's been working at this shipyard for five years or less."

  "Well, that's your opinion, Jack."

  It was Jack's turn to be served and Dellie was sort of glad that it was as he had to pay attention to someone else now. He grabbed a coffee and cinnamon bun and turned to Dellie again.

  "See you at the ship."

  "What? You're going too?" She was surprised.

  "Sure am. This'll be my first shakedown with Dragos. Hardly ever been around the chief and I put in fifteen years here already. Hope it all goes well."

  "Yeah. Sure."

  Dellie stepped up next and glanced back at Jack as he headed for the door.

  "Talkative guy; ain't he?" Gwen commented as Janet, the assistant server, got a coffee for Dellie.

  "I've gotta avoid him like a plague."

  "Knowing Jack, I wish you the best with that."

  The women grabbed a table alongside the glass window near the entrance of the cafeteria. Their location allowed them to see inside the Plant as employees busied themselves with various duties. Most of it was manual labor performed by helpers, overseen by engineers that had their own tasks in front of them.

  "Did you ever wonder how we landed a job here in the first place?" Gwen asked as she looked at the busy scene. "We're terribly out-numbered, you know."

  "Yeah. I wonder sometimes. Maybe Bradley in H.R. isn't as sexist as most people think he is. Pretty much hired me on the spot," Dellie answered.

  "Why wouldn't he hire you right away? Have you seen yourself, Dell? You're a gorgeous brunette with a killer shape and perky boobs. If I were a guy and you came for an interview - qualified or not - I'd hire you."

  Dellie managed a smile. "Thanks, but you're full of crap, Gwen. My killer shape and perky boobs didn't seem to work on all the interviews I went on in previous years. God probably came down and told Bradley to give the poor damsel a chance 'cause she lucked out everywhere else! Furthermore, I told the guy I'd take pretty much anything and that I'm a hard worker. Guess he had pity on me."

  "It's the economy, Dell. Everyone out of a job is having a tough time these days finding work. There are more blue-collar jobs around here than office work and most of these fellas think you and I, and the six other girls in our section should be sitting behind a desk - not doing manual labor and sailing the seas as deckhands and maintenance workers. To hell with them! They don't pay our bills!"

  "Chill! Don't get so hyped about it. Don't want you to get worked up and your blood pressure sky-rocket over these people who mean absolutely nothing to our lives," Dellie said.

  Gwen took a sip of coffee. Her hand was trembling slightly.

  Dellie watched her with concern. "You drink too much of that thing. How many cups have you had for the morning?"

  Gwen's eyes darted around the table, suddenly avoiding her friend's. "A couple," she replied.

  "As in two?"

  "Three."

  "What the hell are you doing, Gwen? It's only after seven o'clock and you're on your fourth cup?"

  "I couldn't sleep much last night. Was up from a little after three."

  "So, you just sat up drinking cup after cup?" Dellie was flabbergasted.

  "Pretty much."

  "Well, I'm sure you noticed your hand is trembling again. You can't sleep at night because you're always loaded with caffeine, Gwen! If you don't stop, you're gonna kill yourself! You're gonna let coffee be the end of you."

  "I think you're the one that needs to chill." Gwen checked her watch. "Especially now since we have to head over for the meeting with Dragos in five minutes."

  Dellie leaned back to a more comfortable position.

  "Furthermore, you have enough on your hands already than to worry about me and my coffee addiction."

  "So, you finally admit it?" Dellie started to get up.

  Gwen smirked, following her lead.

  The area sectioned off for the meeting was near the exit that led out to the dock. The Caesar graciously "styled and profiled" about two hundred yards away from the side of the building. Approximately fifty chairs were lined up for the workers and mostly all of them were already occupied. Everyone was reasonably quiet as they knew that at any moment the chief was going to walk in. Gwen and Dellie sat in the front row which seemed to have been avoided like a plague, other than by a few men who probably were unable to find any alternative seats near the back. On sitting down, Dellie felt a light brush of her neck. She turned around immediately.

  "Just me," Jack whispered. He was seated directly behind her.

  Dellie faced the front again. "Just my luck," she mumbled under her breath.

  Gwen leaned in closer. "Real catch you've got there." She spoke softly. "Can't seem to avoid him if you tried." She chuckled.

  "I don't think it's funny." Dellie rarely ever smiled, yet Gwen knew she had a hidden sense of humor and a heart of gold.

  There were five executive-type chairs lined across the front of the room. No one had occupied any of them as yet. A few minutes after Dellie and Gwen arrived, Adam Lutwig, a rather small man with short, straight black hair, smooth olive skin and narrow features advanced from the northern entrance of the room and made his way all the way to the front. He said a general Good morning to everyone.

  He cleared his throat and took the first seat up front; crossed one leg over the other and pulled out his mobile, quickly searching through. Then four men dressed in dark colored suits advanced from an adjacent room near the exit. Adam stashed his phone into his pocket and immediately got up again as the men quietly took their seats up front.

  A podium with an attached microphone had been brought out of storage just for that occasion as the warehouse sometimes echoed. Adam made his way over to the light brown podium and stood in front of the mic.

  "As you all know, today is a very special day in the life of Dragos Incorporated," he started. "Many of you have been a part of our family here for many years, doing your part in the construction of ships that made voyages around the world. We are one of the largest international manufacturers of luxury cruise ships and yet, we have never constructed one for ourselves - until now, that is. As you all have been recently informed, our president and founder, Mr. Clyde Dragos Sr. has now entered the tour business himself and has modeled a special vessel for use in the industry: The Caesar. Docked out front is the ship we should all be exceptionally proud to say we've had a hand in building. You all have been selected to make the shakedown of all shakedowns. The only thing is: this shakedown will be more like a maiden voyage as you will spend fourteen days in travel across the Atlantic into Finland and back. As you've been informed already, many of you will serve in a capacity or department other than what you're currently attached to here at the shipyard. It will be like a cross-training exercise and all of this is a part of what's necessary for what will take place when you return here to Periudin. You will each serve in your capacities with excellence as some of you will be further selected for transfer to our sister company: Dragos Cruises." Gwen and Dellie glanced at each other. Gwen was obviously excited, but Dellie's face was unreadable. "Those
who stand out most during this voyage will be considered for higher paid positions at Dragos Cruises and others will be promoted here at the shipyard," Adam continued. He smiled slightly, eyeing the visibly excited audience. "Of course, in the end, more than fifteen hundred employees will sail along during regular voyages. Many of those employees will be hired outside of this shipyard. We've already done our homework, people. You're making this shakedown for a reason. I know that right now many of you are on the lower end of the pay scale here in your various departments, but you've shown promise and so you've each been carefully hand-picked for this voyage. Mr. Dragos, our president, will now have some words with you."

  Adam waited for Dragos Sr. to arrive at the podium before humbly taking his seat again.

  Clyde Dragos was a tall man with a full head of white hair, white eyebrows and moustache. He was an exceptionally comely man, even at his age, and had an air about him that commanded great respect. He looked around at the workers for a moment before attempting to speak.

  "Good morning, everyone." His voice sounded much younger than he looked. "I am very happy today as you can probably imagine. This is a particularly special day for me as I've finally ventured into what was birthed as a childhood dream. As I have come from a family of shipbuilders, my personal dream was to one day build my very own cruise ships whereas I not only built them for mega rich cruise ship entities, but that I offer these voyages myself. After years of just thinking about it, I have actually embarked upon it and because of that, I am very proud." He cleared his throat. "I would like to personally congratulate each and every one of you for having been selected for this voyage because of your exceptional work ethics and productivity here at Dragos Incorporated. I hope that each of you are able to secure a spot for Dragos Cruises after this shakedown is complete. You might find this surprising today given the excitement of such a venture, but unfortunately, I will not be joining you on this voyage. My son, Clyde Jr. will ably take my place."