Portside Peril (Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 2) (3 page)

Millie grabbed the phone from Andy. She slipped her reading glasses on and stared down at the screen.  Sure enough, right there, front and center, was Zack!  What in the world was he doing up there?  Andy was right.  He should’ve been back stage practicing!  Why hadn’t Millie noticed him when she was up there?  Here she thought she was honing her sleuthing skills and now this!

Millie scrolled through the rest of the pictures, looking for other familiar faces.  There were two other staff and crew but she didn’t recognize them right off the bat. 

“I never noticed Zack up on the deck.  Of course, there was a lot going on.”

She could tell by the look on Andy’s face he was going to have a chat with Zack.  She touched his arm.  “Maybe you should wait until the show is over.  It might throw him off during the performance,” she pointed out. 

The singers and dancers were gearing up for the grand finale, which was right after the comedian finished his routine.  If Andy and Zack got into it – it might throw not only Zack off, but anyone else within earshot.  “You’re right,” Andy agreed.  “I’ll wait until it’s over.”

Millie watched as Andy headed to the dressing room to wait for the end of the show.  She wanted to be anywhere but here. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her!  Zack was her friend, and now he would think she had set him up.  But she hadn’t meant to!  She hadn’t even known he was up there!

This sleuthing thing was a tough business.  First Cat and now Zack!  By the time she was done, she wouldn’t have any friends left!  She would be public enemy #1!

Her shoulders drooped. She picked up her radio, trudged down the stairs and out of the theater.  There was nothing left to do but wait for the chips to fall as they may – right on top of Millie’s head!

Back in the lobby, Millie glanced down at her watch.  She really needed one with glow in the dark hands so she could read it. In dark theaters, during stakeouts and hunting down criminals. 

Andy had mentioned that the man overboard was a 25-year old American by the name of Kyle Zondervan.  He was on the cruise with his 24-year old fiancé, Courtney.  The couple had boarded with friends.

Millie reached for her cell phone and studied the pictures.  She was certain the one set of witnesses were friends, the ones who mentioned Kyle by name. 

Maybe they could shed some light on what might have been going on in the mind of young Kyle. Millie had heard the stories of folks who drank a bit too much on board and either jumped from the ship or pushed overboard by someone else in the heat of an argument. 

She shuddered as she thought about what must have gone through the young man’s mind on his way down, before he hit the water. Her stomach churned as she wondered if he felt anything. 

She thought about her own children, just a few years older than Kyle and her heart went out to the family.  Did they even know?  Millie sent up a small prayer for his parents and family – and his fiancé.

She closed her eyes as she tried to memorize some of the faces.  She still had an hour before she met Cat and Annette in front of the library.

She wandered past the shops and casino toward the other end of the ship.  She passed the piano bar.  The sound of music drifted from the open door.  Guests were inside the bar singing:  loud and off-key. Millie stepped inside the open door.  The bar was packed. Judging from the looks on the faces, the crowd was having fun. 

She scanned the room.  None of the faces looked familiar.  She slowly backed out of the room. 

Her next stop was the Tahitian Nights Dance Club.  She could feel the music as it shook the floor beneath her.  Millie opened the door and stepped inside.  She spied the bartender, Robert, in the back of the bar. He gave Millie a quick nod as he poured a drink for one of the passengers. 

Millie studied the crowd as she wandered over to a nearby stool and hopped up.  He grabbed a towel, wiped his hands and stepped over.  “Hey Millie…what’ll you have? The usual?”

Millie raised a brow.  She was impressed that she’d only been in the bar once or twice and he remembered her name.  Did he actually remember what she drank?  There was only one way to find out.  “Sure.  Thanks, Robert.”

Robert grabbed a clean glass from under the counter and filled it with ice. He reached inside the cooler and pulled out a can of Diet Coke.  He popped the top and poured the glass full before sliding it in front of her.

She plucked a straw from a nearby container and tore the wrapper off.  “How do you do that?”

“What?  Remember names or remember drinks?”

“Both.” Maybe he could give her a few pointers.

He tapped the side of his forehead and smiled.  “Sharp as a tack.  I have a photographic memory. Mind like a steel trap.” He rubbed an imaginary mark off the counter with the towel.  “That and you’re wearing a nametag
and
I can count on one hand how many people come into this bar and order a Diet Coke.”

He wiped away a small puddle of water.  “You hear about the MO?”

“You mean man overboard?  The young man that went over?”

Robert tipped his head and nodded toward a dark corner.  “Yeah. The girlfriend and some of her friends are over there.”

Millie followed his gaze.  A cluster of people huddled around a table near the back of the nightclub.  She watched one of the girls in the middle of the fray down a shot.  “Is that her?”

Robert nodded his head.  “Yep.  She’s had…” He looked up for a magical number written on the ceiling. “Oh, at least four of those.”

“What are they?” Millie was curious.  She knew nothing about shots.  Only that they were popular with the younger crowd.  At least, that’s what her children told her.

“Fireballs.  They taste like cinnamon candy,” he explained.

The small group began laughing loudly.  The laughter echoed above the pulsing beat of the music. “I hope they don’t get out of hand.”

Robert smiled.  “That’s what old Brody is for.”

“Who is Brody?”

“My unofficial bouncer.” Robert pointed. “There he is now.”

A burly man sporting a crew cut lumbered through the double doors.  He reminded Millie of a wrestler.  Or a marine.  Either way, he was a big dude.  One that Millie wouldn’t want to mess with.

He stepped over to the counter and grunted at Millie.  He glanced at her tag.  “Who are you?” Apparently, pleasantries were not his strong suit.  Millie scrunched up her nose.  “Millie Sanders.”

He nodded.  “Huh.” Then the light bulb went off in his head.  “Hey, you’re that nosy new assistant CD.”

Millie sipped her Diet Coke.  “That’s me.” Her reputation preceded her. 

Robert poured a Sprite and set the glass in front of Brutus…err…Brody.  He sucked the drink down in one long gulp and slammed the empty glass on the counter. 

Robert poured another.  This time, Brody took his time and downed only half the glass.  “Always loved me a good mystery.”

This was taking an interesting turn.  Bouncer turned detective.  Maybe he was an ex-cop. Brody leaned his elbow on the bar top and studied Millie.  “What do you think of the guy who went over?”

Millie twisted her drink straw. “Not sure yet.  I need to talk to a few witnesses.  Talk to the deceased’s family.  You know, kind of see what was going on.”

“Huh.”  Apparently, that was one of Brody’s favorite words:
huh
.

He finished the rest of his drink and took a step back.  “Let me know if you need any help on this one.  Heard you’re pretty good at figuring stuff out.”

Millie thanked him and filed his name in the “he might be useful” category.  One could never have too many people on your side, especially one Brody’s size. 

Millie slid off the barstool.  “I better head out.” Her eyes wandered to the corner crowd.  The pitch was rising, just a bit higher.  “Brody may want to stick around.”

Robert nodded.  “That’s why he’s here.  He usually rolls in around 11:30 – 11:45 when the drinks start kickin’ in.”

Millie glanced down at her watch.  It was time to meet the girls. 

By the time Millie made it to the library, Cat and Annette were already waiting outside. 

Millie had passed by the library a bunch of times but had never gone inside.  It was cozy and inviting. 

Millie loved libraries – and books.  They took her to so many places.  Places she’d never been.  Of course, now she was actually going to some of the places she had only read about in her books!

Millie used her keycard to unlock the door.  She pushed it open and stepped inside. Cat and Annette trailed behind.

The girls headed to a section behind the center bookshelf, out of sight of people passing by. 

Annette grabbed a pad of paper and small pencil from a basket nearby.  She rolled up her sleeves and plopped down.  “Well, what’ve you got?”

Millie turned her phone on.  She scrolled to the pictures and handed the phone to Annette.  “I took these earlier when I was up on deck; right after the poor young man went over.”

Annette grabbed the phone and stared down at the screen. “Heard his fiancé is getting off in Nassau in the morning.” She passed the phone to Cat.

Millie had heard the same thing.  She wished she had a chance to somehow get close to Courtney Earhart, maybe talk to her. Get a feel for what she was thinking.  Find out if she knew anyone who had motive.  Of course, it was quite possible that she herself had done him in. She certainly had the opportunity.

The girls studied the pictures while Millie told them what she had overhead. “So we need to talk to the people that saw the couple just moments before the unfortunate incident.”

Cat tapped a long, perfectly manicured red nail on the table.  “Let me see the pictures again.”

Millie turned the phone and tapped the screen.  She handed the phone to Cat.

Cat pointed to the couple Millie had overhead.  “I think I saw them in the gift shop earlier,” she told them. “They were buying – uh - .”

“Well?” Annette prompted.  “What were they buying?”

Cat averted her eyes.  “Personal protection supplies.”

Millie shook her head.  “Flashlights and nightlights?”

“No.” Cat rolled her eyes.  “C-o-n-t-r-a-c-e-p-t…”

Millie held up a hand.  “Oh! Gotcha!”

“Anyways.  We don’t sell too many of those. I mean, most people bring their own. That’s why I remember it.”

“Can’t be that unusual,” Annette chimed in.  “After all, in the rush to pack I’ve forgotten my toothbrush before.”

Cat shrugged.  “Either way, I can count on one hand how many of those personal products the ship sells. At least by me,” she added. She nodded to the phone.  “Now that I have the faces, I’ll see what I can find out next time they come into the store.”

“You mean you think they’ll come back to buy more? How much of that stuff do you need for just one week?” Annette was stunned.

Cat shook her head.  “No! No, I mean if they come in to buy souvenirs and such!”

“Good plan.” Millie could see that Cat would be a valuable member of their little detective team.  She had the most contact with passengers, other than Millie herself, of course.

“What can I do?” Annette wondered.

Millie didn’t have a good plan for her.  Not yet.  “I’ll have to get back with you.”

Although Millie didn’t have an assignment for Annette, but she did have a plan for herself.  Head back to the scene of the incident, and there was no time like the present!

The spa deck was empty.  Millie took the steps two at a time, passing by the deserted VIP area on her way.  She shivered in the damp evening air.  It was a bit creepy being up there all alone, knowing that only hours earlier a young man’s last few moments on earth had been spent right here.

She wandered over to the railing and rested her elbows on the top rail.  The ocean below was dark – almost black.  Black like death.  She stared at the waves, wondering how many people were lost at sea each year.  How many dead bodies were at the bottom of the ocean.

Her mind took a dark turn.  Maybe sharks or other sea creatures ate them. Millie shook her head to clear it. 

She needed to focus.  Millie forced herself to study the area.  It wasn’t large.  Only enough room for maybe a dozen people if they were crammed in kind of tight.  No.  This area was more for intimate moments - for couples.

She studied the railing.  It was high.  Too high for someone to accidentally “fall” off.  One would either have to climb up on the rail and jump or perhaps taken off guard and pushed. 

She wandered along the sides and took one last look at the water before turning to go.  She took a step down and stopped.  Someone was coming up.  Millie backed up. 
Who would be coming up here this late at night?
She wondered.

She melted into the shadows, listening to the light “tap, tap” as someone made their way up the stairs.  The little bit of light from the moon outlined a silhouette.  It was a woman. The figure swayed when it got to the top step, reaching out to grab the handrail as the person fought to regain their balance.

When the woman took a step closer, into the light, Millie’s eyes widened.  It was the girl – the fiancé!  She was alone.  The woman teetered back and forth, as she stumbled forward and almost fell. 

Millie caught a whiff of cinnamon.  She was certain the young woman was drunk! 

She didn’t notice Millie as she staggered toward the railing. Her back was to Millie now. 

Millie watched as the young woman leaned over the rail and heaved, which made Millie’s own stomach wrench.  Millie had a bit of a weak stomach and watching someone vomit made her want to hurl.  The sight of blood did, too. 

Millie cleared her throat.  The girl spun around.  Well, not really spun. More like drifted to the side while still gripping the handrail.  “Wh-Who’re you?”

“Millie, the assistant cruise director,” Millie replied.  “Are you alright?”  She glanced down at the young woman’s silky blue summer dress and the fresh stains now darkening the front. 

Millie swallowed hard and tried to focus on the girl – not the vomit. 

“My bo-frend.  Uh, I mean fe-ance.” Courtney hiccupped and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.  “He drown.” She began to cry.  Huge, gulping sobs wracked her body.

Millie’s heart wrenched. She stepped closer.  She leaned forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, careful to steer clear of the stains.  “I’m sorry to hear that, dear.” She patted her back, not sure what else she could say that would help.

The girl dropped her head on Millie’s shoulder. Tears soaked Millie’s shirt, dampening her skin.  She wished she had a Kleenex, something she could hand the poor thing. 

Courtney hiccupped again. She raised a tear stained face and looked into Millie’s eyes.  “He dint kill himself.” She swayed ever-so-slightly. Millie reached out to hold her steady.  “Sum-sum body PUSHED him over.”

She stumbled back and pointed a crooked finger to the water.  “I went to the baf-room and when – when I came back, he was gone.” She stared out at the black water.  “I heard him scream just before he hit the water.”

She swayed back around to face Millie.  She leaned in so close; her forehead almost touched Millie’s.  Her big blue eyes, pupils dilated, bore holes.  “What if I’m nex?”

Millie put both hands on her shoulders to stop her from pulling both of them to the ground.  “Why would you think you’re next?”

“Cuz they tole Kyle he was gonna die.” She slapped her hand over her mouth and stumbled to the railing where she threw up again.  Millie looked away but she could still hear it.  She wasn’t sure what was worse – seeing someone toss their cookies – or hearing it. 

She clenched her own stomach and willed the churning to stop.

Courtney was done. She wiped her mouth on the top of her dress, which now had even more stains. 

“Who told Kyle he was gonna die?” Millie asked.

Courtney shook her head.  “I better not say.” Her eyes darted around the deck.  She waved her hand.  “I’m leeveng ina mor-morning. I should go pack.”

The poor girl was so drunk she could barely stand.  “Let me help you back to your cabin,” Millie offered.

Courtney nodded.  “Yur a nice lay-dee.” Her head rolled forward.  She squinted at Millie’s tag.  “Whas your name?”

“Millie.” 

Millie helped Courtney down the steps and it was a good thing.  There were a few times that Courtney almost tripped both of them. Millie nearly lost her hold and they lurched forward. 

“What’s your cabin number?”

Courtney lifted a hand. She extended her index finger and began to count. Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at her wavering finger.  “One. Two. Three. Four.” Her knees started to give out. Millie wedged her shoulder under Courtney’s arm in an effort to keep her upright. 

“I’m in forty-two, ohhhhh. Four!”  Courtney smiled, proud that she remembered her cabin number. 

Millie headed for the nearest bank of elevators, half-dragging, half-carrying young Courtney.  They were halfway home!  Millie jabbed the down button and waited.  When the door opened, Millie sent up a small prayer, thankful that no one was inside to witness the scene.

Millie forced herself not to focus on her recent run in with the elevator in the atrium as the women stumbled inside. Millie pressed the close button. 

It took all of Millie’s strength to keep Courtney from sinking to the floor.  When the doors opened, the two of them stumbled out and into the hall. 

They wandered down the long hall to the aft of the ship. 

Courtney pulled her key card from the top pocket of her dress and dropped it into Millie’s open hand.  Millie slid the card into the slot and pushed the door open. 

The room was lit up like a Christmas tree.  Every single light in the entire place was on.

“’fraid of the dark,” Courtney mumbled.  Millie couldn’t blame her.  Especially considering her fiancé had just died and now the girl thought someone was out to get her.

The girls half-stepped, half-stumbled across the threshold.  Millie helped guide her across the short distance and over to the bed.  Courtney fell forward, face down on the bed, and then lay motionless. She was so still, Millie wondered if she was still alive. 

She leaned forward and studied the still figure.  She let out the breath she’d been holding when she saw Courtney’s chest rise, ever-so-slightly. 

Millie gently shook her shoulder.  “Courtney.” No response.  She leaned closer.  “Courtney!” Still nothing.  The girl was out cold. 

Millie grasped her shoulder and gently rolled her to the side.  At least if she was on her side and she threw up again, she wouldn’t suffocate, Millie reasoned. 

Millie grabbed the pillows from the bed and propped them up and around her to keep her in place.

Millie straightened.  She stuck a hand on her hip and studied the young woman’s still form.  Satisfied Courtney wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, she offered up a quick prayer.

Millie placed the young woman’s key card on the dresser and slipped out the door, tugging on it to make sure it locked behind her.

It was late.  Millie was exhausted.  Turnover day had taken a turn for the worse.  As she crawled into bed, she had a bad feeling that tomorrow wasn’t going to be much better. 

Millie prayed for Kyle, the young man who had lost his life, and his family.  It was hard to imagine the heartbreak his family was going through right now.  She also prayed for young Courtney.  The poor thing had some rough days ahead of her. 

As soon as Millie unclasped her hands, they fell to her side and she was out, not unlike poor Courtney.