The Necklace Read online

  Marissa wished she had some other credits to stand on, like an Ivy League education or a super high IQ. But, by all comparative standards, she was still a rookie learning the trade.

  She’d just obtained her doctorate from UCSD. Most of her colleagues were at least five to ten years older in experience than her twenty-six years.

  The only feather in her in her cap came from being in league with one of world’s finest marine biologists, Dr. Jonathon Nash.

  Her association with the noted biologist opened an avenue to the competitive world of academia, and a much-needed job in one of the finest institutes in the country, The Hearder Institute of Aquatic Life.

  But she knew, without Jon, none her limited success would have been possible. No one else would have given her a second glance.

  Nepotism, no matter how well deserved, didn’t set well with her.

  For years, she been trying to shake the stigma, but it stuck like a piece of gum on a shoe.

  She loved her work. Nothing thrilled her more than studying the intricate nuances of marine biology. It was exciting. She really had a knack for it. Marissa just wished she could prove that to everyone else.

  Frowning down at the gleaming beauty of the ocean she loved, she wondered why she had to be prohibited from fully enjoying her job? A lot of people worked in professions dangerous to their health. Policemen, firemen, soldiers—all risked life and limb.

  Why do I have to be any different?

  Groaning aloud, she remembered the heated arguments with Jonathon.

  At first he wouldn’t even listen to her pleas to join the research team. She spent twelve long, infuriating days arguing her case.

  Eventually she wore him down, and he reluctantly agreed to let her come on board.

  He wasn’t happy, but she guessed he relented because she’d been adamant.

  Of course, she did have to swear to stay off the lower decks entirely and only walk about on the upper decks in protective clothing.

  Sighing, Marissa pinched at the thick material of her cotton jacket. Her insides were baking. Sweating like a pig, she yearned to strip down to the jeans and t-shirt underneath. But the last thing she wanted to hear was Jon bitching. If he saw her without the shielding gear, he’d be sure to have an apoplectic fit.

  Gawd! Why does everything have to be so hard?

  The Suzy wouldn’t even be out here if it weren’t for her. She deserved more than anyone else to be one of the first to view the new species up close. If only she could get Jon to stop thinking of her as a surrogate daughter.

  I’m twenty-six years old, for crissakes! Old enough to make my own damn choices!

  Dismissing her depressing thoughts, Marissa smiled when a bottlenose surfaced next to the vessel, the high-pitched squeaks and ticks from her silver companion lightening her mood.

  “Lean over any closer, and you’ll be joining him.”

  Startled from her reverie, she turned to greet Dr. Shannon Winters, leading marine archeologist on board the Suzy.

  “You scared me,” she muttered, stepping back from the guardrails.

  “Sorry, I thought you heard me stomping.”

  Marissa sneered. “Naw, I was just thinking.”

  “Looks like you were talking to a friend.”

  “I was wishing I could join you guys tomorrow,” she said forlornly, frowning when the dolphin dove deep under the blue, murky waters.

  “Marissa, you’re the best marine biologist I’ve met in a long time. You’re talented and smart. The fact that you can’t go into the open ocean doesn’t diminish your skills. I think it makes you better because you have a deeper affinity for the life you study.”

  “Tell that to Brian.”

  “Who cares about Brian? He’s an asshole, who thinks Yale turned him into Superman. Without your research we wouldn’t even be here.”

  Marissa raised her eyebrows, concurring with Shannon’s sentiments. “Yeah, but you guys will be the first ones to see it up close. The closest I’ll ever get is pictures and blood samples.”

  “Well, it could be worse. You could be deaf, dumb, and blind. Then where would you be?”

  Marissa shook her head, marveling at her friend’s strange wit. “Yeah, I guess it pays to look on the opposite side of the fence.”

  “Definitely.”

  “So, where’s everyone now?”

  “Eating in the galley. Nash decided to break out the champagne in celebration.”

  Marissa turned away from the ocean, glaring at Shannon. “They haven’t even found it. Don’t you think a celebration is a bit premature?”

  “No one asks me, Marissa. I’m just an archeologist,” Shannon smugly replied. “They won’t care about my opinion till some bones are found.”

  “I guess we’re just the two stragglers on board, right?”

  “It would seem so.”

  “Well, I don’t think we should miss out on the fun.” Marissa’s voice dropped into a faux British accent. “I say we go and join them, my dear. What say you?”

  Shannon grinned, linking her arm to Marissa’s, her voice dropping into a similar fake intonation. “Yes, my dear, let’s be off. We shan’t let them drink all the spirits without us.”

  Marissa smiled back, before taking the lead toward the large, industrial-size galley located three decks below the observation level.

  Although she had spent hours memorizing the layout of the research vessel, nautical landmarks weren’t needed. The raucous sounds of high-pitched voices, along with the thrumming sounds of rock music echoed throughout the windowless confines of the ship.

  “Wish I had a camera,” Shannon mumbled. “The way they’re in there partying, you wouldn’t believe this boat is full of researchers and scientists.”

  Marissa smirked as she moved a stunned gaze around the room.

  Everyone appeared to be having a good time, laughing with drunken exuberance. Even the eminent Dr. Nash, premier authority on marine life, held a plastic champagne flute.

  Pausing at the threshold, Marissa debated joining her colleagues. She didn’t really want to. She would have preferred to be out on the deck looking at her beloved ocean, or in the lab, studying.

  Partying had never been her forte.

  “I think I’ll leave this to you, shipmate” she said over her shoulder, moving to the side, intent on returning to the observation deck.

  “No way, Jose, you’re coming with me,” Shannon quickly replied, grabbing her hand in a firm grip.

  “Marissa… Shannon, so, nice of you to join us,” Dr. Nash said, waylaying the two women shortly after they stepped into the galley.

  “Well, it’s not like we had any other place to go,” Marissa retorted, unfazed by Jon’s gruff tone.

  She’d known the man her entire life, seen every one of his varying moods. She attributed his wily nature to the greatness of his intellect, or at this moment to the amount of alcohol he imbibed.

  “Your mother would kill me if she were alive. I can’t believe I agreed…”

  “Why don’t you get me a drink, good doctor? And save the impassioned speech for another time,” Shannon interrupted.

  Jon looked like he had more to say, but Shannon continued to yank on his arm, leading him toward a table of hors d'oeuvres.

  Marissa sighed, glad her friend had dragged him away. Wearily, she sent an astonished look around.

  Hugging, laughing, partying, all things scientist didn’t do, abounded. But the joy of the moment did not lift her mood.

  She’d always be an outsider, even if she tried to fit in.

  “How are you enjoying the celebration, Mar?”

  Marissa cringed, turning unhappily to meet Brian’s leering voice. “Obviously not as much as you,” she groaned, backing away from the reeking smell of alcohol.

  “You know, I’m normally not into blondes, but I could make an exception for you.”

  Marissa laughed, lifting her lips in what she hoped imitated a smile. “I wouldn’t want you to make an excepti
on for me, Brian,” she rejoined, enjoying the brief moment of shock passing over his sunburned face.

  “You know, Mar? Nash won’t be the director of the institute forever. If I were you, I would think about ensuring my position at the center. Your disability is a … hindrance … in this line of work. You might want to help yourself out by trying not be such a bitch all the time.”

  Marissa gasped, counted to ten in her head, desperately trying to ignore Litchfield’s bait.

  Failing miserably, she snapped, “Fuck you, Brian.”

  Turning on her heels, she walked away, not wishing to spar with the pompous prick any longer.

  Looking to the far side of the galley, Marissa smiled.

  Jonathon and Shannon were enjoying a bit of a laugh. She took two steps forward to join them, but stopped suddenly, as the confining atmosphere of the Suzy began to weigh on her shoulders.

  Shaking her head, she turned to exit the galley.

  Five minutes later, lounging against the railing of the observation deck, listening to the sounds of steel slicing through the water, she savored the peace of nature.

  The sun had dropped below the horizon. The sky shone a brilliant shade of reddish-orange. The stillness and harmony of the moment filled her with a deep contentment.

  “I’d thought I find you out here.”

  Marissa jumped, pressing a palm to her chest. “Doesn’t anyone announce themselves these days? You scared me half to death,” she muttered, looking over her shoulder at her friend and confidante, Dr. Jonathon Nash.

  “I could have announced my presence with a bullhorn, and you wouldn’t have heard me.” Jon took up a position next to her, turning his head to peer at her strangely. “You’ve been acting very weird, Marissa. I wanted to make sure everything was all right.”

  “I’m fine,” she lied.

  “No, you’re not. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She closed her eyes, trying to block the visions that plagued her. “Nothing. I guess it’s just taking a while to get my sea legs.”

  “Marissa, when your mother died, I promised to take care of you, protect you. If something’s going on, I need to know what it is.”

  Unconsciously, Marissa smoothed her long, blonde tresses behind her ears. “Why am I so different, Jon? I just don’t understand it.”

  “You’re special, Marissa. More special than you know.”

  “But, I feel like such a foreigner. Like I don’t belong.”

  “Is this about you not being able to go out with the team tomorrow?”

  “That’s part of it,” she replied hesitantly, not wanting to go in detail.

  “Marissa, I can’t let you go out there tomorrow. I shouldn’t have even let you come on board. But I know this is your discovery. Understand. It’s just too dangerous. I would if I could.”

  “Why can’t you? I’m a grown woman, Jon. I’m capable of making my own choices and decisions. Why can’t you understand that?”

  “You’re like a daughter to me. And I love you. I don’t ever want to see you hurt.”

  A faint smile touched her lips. She knew he did what he did to protect her, but the smothering security was stifling.

  She had lived her whole life restrained under dictates, first by her mother and now by him. Now, something inside of her ached to be free.

  Forcing her lips to lift at the corners, she smiled, hoping it looked convincing. “And, you’re like a father to me, Jon. The only one I’ve known,” she paused, resting her hand on top of his. “Thanks for letting me come out here. I’ve been feeling a little melancholy lately. Don’t worry about it.”

  Jon sighed, his expression one of concern. Marissa frowned at the familiar pose.

  Lord. She just wanted a few more minutes alone to think. Unsure of how to convey that message to Jon without being rude, she inhaled deeply.

  “If you ever need to talk to me, Marissa. I want you to know that I’ll listen. Don’t be afraid to talk to me,” he said, before disappearing through the hatchway.

  Marissa watched him go, pondering his words. Turning her attention back toward the sea, she was glad he decided to leave on his own.

  Shifting her head back toward the ocean, she glanced at the sea.

  Darkness covered the sky like a rich, thick mantle, though the water remained calm, peaceful. Strangely, she felt a stirring in her mind, that sixth sense telling her someone was watching.

  Moving away from the railing, she called out, “Is anyone there?”

  Silence answered, but the bizarre feeling remained.

  Walking back toward the gray metal bars guarding the edges of the ship, she looked down into the ocean’s depths below.

  “What are you hiding down there?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  “We got it! We got it!” Brian Litchfield yelled at the top of his lungs.

  Marissa had no idea what he was talking about, but the pandemonium of the returning research team seared her with envious emotions.

  All eight crew members were smiling, happy, their faces ablaze with shiny delight.

  “What did you get?!” she hollered, pushing her way through the crowd.

  “We didn’t get a blood sample, Mar. But, we do have a live sample!” Brian yelled above the din.

  “Live sample?” Marissa grimaced, trying to move closer to the vessel.

  She caught a glimpse of a tightly wrapped bundle, but couldn’t see anything more over the heads in front of her. Frustration began to eat through her nerves. She barely resisted the urge to jump for a better view.

  “Move out of the way. We have to get it to the lab.”

  Recognizing the commanding tones of Dr. Nash, she moved quickly as the rest of the team members exited the raft.

  It was then that Marissa got her first true glimpse of the bundle they were holding.

  Wrapped in thin, light brown plastic, whatever it was looked to weigh over one hundred pounds. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought it was a small child, but a protruding large gray-blue fin dispelled that idea.

  Eager for a closer look, Marissa nearly tripped over her own feet.

  “What is it?” she questioned, turning her face toward Jon, hoping he could hear her above the clamor.

  “We don’t know yet, but get upstairs. I’m going to need you soon.”

  Marissa’s eyes widened as she jumped to attention, running full tilt out of the holding deck, taking the steep ladderwell two steps at a time.

  Excitement, anticipation, as well as a host of other emotions raced through her body.

  Beads of sweat dotted her forehead when she finally lifted the lever opening the hatchway to the laboratory. Looking around her sterile workspace, she wondered if she had enough equipment on hand for a thorough, live inspection.

  She hadn’t expected them to bring the creature back.

  God! She just hoped she’d packed enough of the essentials for a passive exam.

  The extreme quietness of the moment began to steal through her. Marissa took a moment to gather her thoughts. After the excited tension down below, she doubted she could achieve anything close to a calm demeanor.

  The sudden creaking and groaning from the ship’s lift announced the coming of the research team. Inhaling deeply, she walked toward the cavernous opening.

  Looking down, careful to hold onto the chains, she watched the large piece of flat steel holding Dr. Nash, Dr. Litchfield, and the brown, plastic wrapped package rise closer and closer into view.

  Anticipation began to eat away at her nerves again.

  Turning, she marched around the laboratory.

  Tools, she thought hastily, I need tools.

  Of course, it would be hard to know what she might need till she got a closer look, but she had to do something to keep from jumping up and down like an excited schoolgirl.

  “I’m ready, Jon!” she yelled, walking back toward the elevator shaft, barely able to contain her excitement.

  “That’s great, Marissa,” his voice echoed up.
“Is anyone else up there with you?”

  “No.”

  “Good, keep it that way. It’s already spooked.”

  Marissa nodded, walking quickly toward the hatchway, dogging down the locks.

  The mechanical groans of the lift drew closer.

  Her heart started racing faster.

  Gloves, I need my gloves.

  Moving across the small, makeshift laboratory, Marissa grabbed the box of size small, elbow-length latex gloves.

  Damaging two pair in haste before finally managing to don the stretchy blue material. Marissa wished she didn’t have to wear them.

  For a second, she wondered about putting on her specially-made dry suit, but quickly dismissed the idea. This was her time to shine. She wouldn’t give Litchfield, or anyone else for that matter, any reason to belittle her competence. Not to mention, she didn’t have enough time or privacy to don the complicated equipment.

  Finally, a loud clank sounded.

  Turning rapidly, almost forgetting to breathe, Marissa watched in fascination, her mouth open, as Brian and Jon struggled with their squirming bundle.

  Wrestling it across the room, they finally deposited it in the nearby observation tank.

  “My God,” she uttered, eyeing the creature splashing in the large, makeshift aquarium.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Marissa didn’t comment on Nash’s statement because she barely heard him. His voice sounded far away, like he stood at the end of the ship, whispering the words.

  Where before her heart had beaten a rapid pace, it now thumped slowly, struggling to push blood through her body. She could feel the shock, the tension, humming from her limbs as she moved toward the twenty-by-twenty acrylic tank. Resting a shaking hand on the thick, transparent shield, she inhaled several deep breaths to regain control.

  Marissa had never seen anything like the small creature swimming around. It had the body of a dolphin, but its beak was elongated, fleshy like a whale. The dorsal fin on the top was sharp, pointy like a shark, but the tail was heart shaped, protruding from its body like a fish.

  However, it wasn’t the unusual physical aspects of the creature that caught her attention. Her gaze continually drifted toward what looked to be a small scar etched into the spine.