Vanishing Vacationers (Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 5)

by Hope Callaghan

  Her mouth watered as he centered the plate in front of her.

  The cook placed a wrapped set of plastic silverware next to her plate. “Enjoy!”

  Annette eyed the food. It looked delicious. It smelled heavenly. She glanced at the cook. “Can you make one more?”

  Again, the cook smiled. “Yes mum.” He wasted no time cooking an identical breakfast for Annette and placed it in front of her, along with a set of wrapped silverware.

  The girls bowed their heads. “Dear Lord, thank you for this delicious food. I pray You bless it to our bodies to keep us strong and healthy. Amen.”

  “Perfect.” Annette rubbed her hands together. “You covered all the bases.”

  The girls devoured the delicious meal and left not one single crumb on either of their plates.

  Millie wiped her mouth and placed her dirty silverware and napkin on top. “This was one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time…”

  “Except for yours,” she told Annette.

  “Thank you for the compliment. I am Stefan.” The man placed one arm across his middle and the other behind his back and bowed. “Chief cook and bottle washer.”

  Millie unzipped her purse and reached inside. “How much?”

  “Tree fifty each,” Stefan told them in his island accent.

  It was a bargain. Millie slapped a five on the counter. “Keep the change.”

  Annette left him a five-dollar bill, too and then slid off the stool.

  “You are here to search for the missing Americans?” Stefan blurted out.

  Millie slowly turned. “No.”

  “Yes!” Annette said.

  Millie gave her a quick look. Had Annette had a sudden change of heart?

  Stefan pocketed the cash and reached for the dirty plates. “Yes. They eat breakfast here before they go off into the jungle, never to be seen again.”

  Millie shifted her purse. “Really?”

  Stefan nodded. “Yes. The mon. He is okay, but the woman?” Stefan rolled his eyes. “She was very…” He seemed at a loss for words.

  “Difficult?” Millie suggested.

  “Rude,” Annette guessed.

  Stefan smiled and nodded. “Both, I would have to say. The woman, she not want to go to the jungle but the others, they want to go.”

  He pointed at his chest. “I tell them, do not go. It is Tarry of the Fifth Moon but they don’t listen to Stefan.”

  “So you think the gods took them, too?” Millie asked.

  “Maybe,” he nodded. “Either that or they were robbed and murdered.”

  Millie’s eye began to twitch. “The island isn’t safe for tourists?”

  Stefan lowered the dirty dishes into the stainless steel sink next to the grill. “It ‘tis safe if you are smart, but the man, he show large wads of cash.” Stefan shrugged. “Not all islanders are good people. Most, but there are always one or two.”

  “You think someone followed them into the jungle, then robbed and killed them?” Annette asked.

  Although it sounded horrible, it was better than “the gods” using the family as a sacrifice. On top of that, it was more believable.

  “Maybe,” Stefan said. “The woman, she wear a lot of expensive jewelry, too. She may as well have worn a sign that say, ‘rob me.’”

  If true, it was a shame the family’s lack of common sense put them all in danger. During the first night of the cruise and the Welcome Aboard show, Andy warned guests to use common sense, to keep their cash hidden and to leave their valuables onboard, securely locked in the cabin safe.

  Apparently, not everyone heeded the sage advice.

  “Stefan does not tink you should wander into the jungle by yourself,” he said.

  Millie did not intend to do that. “We don’t plan to. In fact, we’re on our way back to the ship now.”

  They thanked him once again and headed out onto the dirt road – the main road back to the ship. Millie wondered if the new investigators, hired by the family had already begun their search. She was certain they had…after all, they would want to make the most of their precious time.

  Millie also wondered if Danielle had left the ship and started her own search. She hoped not. The island didn’t sound safe. Millie offered up a small prayer for Danielle’s safety.

  The girls were the only two in line to board the ship. The massive cruise ship was virtually empty.

  Millie had an hour left before she needed to report to work. She slipped into the cabin, placed her drug store purchases in the bathroom and settled into the chair.

  She pulled her handy dandy notepad from the desk drawer, flipped the top and reached for a pen.

  At the top of the empty sheet, she wrote, “Roush Investigation.”

  Millie marked a bullet point. “Tarry of the Fifth Moon disappearance.”

  Underneath, she wrote, “Robbed and murdered?”

  She tapped the side of her pen on top of the pad. Even if someone had robbed and murdered the family of four, what happened to the two investigators who also mysteriously vanished? They weren’t “taken by the gods.” Had they inadvertently stumbled upon something in their search?

  Millie glanced at the wall. Danielle’s lanyard was still gone and she was certain the young woman hadn’t returned yet. She hoped Danielle wouldn’t mysteriously vanish, as well.

  It was crazy for Danielle to wander off in search of these people all alone. She was an attractive young woman and an easy target for would-be criminals.

  Of course, beneath the surface, Danielle was hard as nails so she would always have the element of surprise.

  Millie grinned at the thought of Danielle taking down a thug.

  She flipped the top on the notepad, opened the drawer and shoved it inside. It was time to get back to work.

  Chapter 11

  Millie did a quick top to bottom inspection of the ship. Most of the passengers had gone ashore and the pool deck was quiet…as was the buffet area and the grill.

  She was still full from the delectable breakfast Stefan had prepared and felt perfectly fine. Millie was glad she stepped out of her comfort zone to try a little local cuisine.

  If the ship ever docked in St. Parrot again, Millie vowed to stop by Stefan’s place again.

  Near the aft pool deck, one of the crew was hosting the “Mixmaster Competition.”

  Mixmaster Competition was a contest where guests created frothy, tropical (and almost always) alcoholic drinks several judges – other passengers - tasted and then selected a winner. The reward for winning the contest was a special card, which allowed the cardholder to order complimentary drinks for the remainder of the cruise. It was a very popular contest and Millie spotted several contestants at the front of the small stage.

  Millie didn’t slow as she passed by the area to check on the Tranquility Deck. Several guests were enjoying the quiet adults-only area and two of them were the Kingmans…Courtney and G’ma Rae.

  Millie stooped over to pick up a dirty towel someone had left on the steps leading to the hot tub.

  G’ma Rae set her e-reader on her lap when she spied Millie. “Hello, Millie.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Kingman. I see you’re enjoying this lovely day.”

  The woman nodded. “Yes. It is lovely. This is the perfect spot to read.”

  Millie had never stopped at Tranquility for more than a minute or two. The area was off limits to crew and staff and specifically designed for guests only.

  Millie dropped the dirty towel in the towel bin and reached for an empty drink glass tucked under one of the lounge chairs.

  G’ma Rae shaded her eyes. “I hope the boys are having a good time with Danielle.”

  Millie tightened her grip on the plastic drink glass. “The boys went with Danielle?”

  G’ma Rae shifted in her lounger. “Yes. Remember when we talked yesterday and I told you Danielle was taking the boys on an island excursion?”

  Millie’s brows formed a deep “v.” Danielle had lied to her! Her heart began to
race. “How…when?” She took a deep breath. “When did they leave?”

  G’ma Rae glanced at Courtney.

  Courtney lifted her sunglasses and settled them on top of her head. “Oh! It was early. I mean, we weren’t even up yet.”

  She glanced at Millie. “The boys said they were to meet Danielle near the gangway at seven this morning.”

  Millie did some quick mental calculations. Danielle had been out of the cabin before seven! Had she lied to Millie’s face and waited for the boys near the exit after promising Millie she wouldn’t take the boys with her?

  Millie was certain they wouldn’t wander off the ship if Danielle wasn’t there! This meant only one thing…she had taken them with her!

  She forced the deer-in-the-headlight look from her face and lightened her tone. “I’m sure they’re having a ball,” she said aloud. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how she could track them down.

  She remembered Annette had loaned Danielle a tracking device. She pasted a smile to her face. “I better get back to work.”

  G’ma Rae nodded and picked up her e-reader.

  When Millie was out of sight of the adults-only lounge area, she ran across the deck and down the steps that led to the galley. It wasn’t time to raise the red flag…yet.

  Millie found Annette in the kitchen chopping vegetables.

  She zigzagged around the gleaming counters as she made her way over to her friend.

  Annette set the knife down. “What happened?” She could tell from the look on Millie’s face something was wrong…terribly wrong.

  “The tracking device. You loaned one to Danielle, right?”

  Annette nodded. “Yes. She stopped by here early this morning to pick it up.”

  “How early?”

  Annette stared at the ceiling, as if the answer would magically appear. “Gosh! Six fifteen or so.”

  “Was she alone?”

  “Yeah,” Annette replied. “She was alone. Why?”

  “Because the two Kingman brothers told their grandmother and sister this morning they were meeting Danielle out by the gangway. They’re gone!”

  “You’re positive?” Annette asked.

  “Well, not 100%,” Millie admitted. There was always a chance, albeit a slight one, the boys hadn’t found Danielle and were wandering around the ship having a grand old time. “I wish I knew for sure what time they got off the ship.”

  Annette picked up a paring knife. “There is a way security can tell you if the boys left the ship. They would have to swipe their cards to get off. Security should even be able to tell you what time. The machines have a time stamp.”

  “Sweet!” Millie turned on her heel and raced to the door. “You’re an angel, Annette,” she called out over her shoulder. She barreled out of the galley and into the hall.

  Millie forced herself to walk…swiftly…across the lobby, down the steps and to security. She prayed Dave Patterson, or someone from security was in the office and able to help.

  When she reached the door, she noticed the light was on, which was a positive sign. Millie lightly tapped on the frosted glass, grasped the handle and pushed.

  Dave Patterson was not at his desk but Millie could hear someone shuffling around in the back. “Hello?”

  Oscar, one of the security men on board and Patterson’s right hand man, popped out from the back. “Hello Miss Millie. How are you today?”

  “I could be better,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m hoping you can do me a huge favor.”

  Oscar grinned. “Sure. You working a new case?”

  “No. I mean, I don’t think so,” she said. “I need you to check your computer to see if two young guests got off the ship earlier today.”

  Oscar pulled out Patterson’s chair and sat down. He dragged the computer keyboard to the edge of the desk. “Yes. Of course. What are their names?”

  Millie perched on the edge of the seat across from Oscar. “Nathan Kingman and Brandon Kingman.”

  Oscar typed the first name into the system. “Nathan Kingman left the ship at approximately 6:22 a.m.”

  He cleared the screen and started again. “Brandon Kingman left the ship at approximately 6:22 a.m. They left at the same time.”

  Oscar looked from the screen to Millie. “Do you need anything else?”

  She needed to find out what time Danielle clocked out. “Danielle Kneldon. Is she off the ship and what time did she leave?”

  Oscar turned his attention to the computer once again. “She punched out at 6:20 a.m.”

  Millie wiped a sweaty palm on the front of her slacks. “Have any of them come back on board?” She hoped they had…prayed they had…

  Oscar clicked a couple keys and then shook his head. “No Miss Millie. None of them have come back yet.”

  It was almost four in the afternoon now, which meant the three of them, had left the ship almost ten hours ago!

  Millie placed her forehead in the palm of her hand and stared blankly at the computer. “I wish I knew if the three of them were together!”

  “That should be easy, Miss Millie. Last week we installed surveillance cameras at each of the exits.”

  ***

  Millie’s head shot up. “Oscar! You’re my hero! Can you do me a huge favor and check the footage to see if the two boys and Danielle left together?”

  Oscar nodded. “You will owe me one Miss Millie,” he teased.

  Millie snorted. “Owe you one? Why, I’ll marry you if you help me out of this mess,” she insisted.

  Oscar’s olive colored skin turned a tinge of pink. Millie had made him blush!

  “Captain Armati would not be pleased,” he said.

  It was Millie’s turn to turn red.

  Oscar placed his hand on the mouse and clicked the button a few times. “I think we have something.”

  He shifted the computer monitor so Millie could view the screen. The image on the screen wasn’t crystal clear but it was clear enough to tell who was exiting the ship.

  She watched closely as Danielle swiped her card and scurried down the ramp and off the ship. She glanced around furtively and then hurried out of view.

  A couple minutes later, two brown-haired boys darted to the exit, quickly swiped their cards and full out ran down the gangway and out of sight. “I don’t think they left together,” Oscar surmised.

  Millie would have to agree. It appeared to her Danielle had tried to give the boys the slip but they were smart cookies and on to her scheme to give them the slip. Unfortunately, it didn’t help Millie feel the least bit better.

  The three of them had still not returned. Millie placed both hands on the edge of the desk and pulled herself from the chair. “Thanks, Oscar. You were a huge help.”

  Oscar stood. “I heard Miss Danielle is searching for the missing family.”

  Millie nodded. Her shoulders sagged. “Yes, I am afraid she is.”

  Oscar pointed at the computer screen. “The boys, they should not have gone off the ship.”

  “No, Oscar. They shouldn’t have, but it’s too late now. All we can do is pray they return safely.”

  ***

  Danielle Kneldon tugged the black ball cap down on her forehead. She darted down the gangway and cast a furtive glance behind her. It was still early…the skies still dark.

  She shivered despite the humid temperatures. For a split second, she wondered if she was making a big mistake.

  Danielle pushed the nagging doubt from her mind and picked up the pace. She was glad Millie had talked her into leaving the boys behind. Danielle would never forgive herself if something happened to Brandon and Nathan.

  Although they may have been helpful…both boys were smarter than a whip. Danielle had street smarts. These boys were wise beyond their years.

  She glanced back at the ship again and crossed the dock. She slipped into the shadows of the large warehouse on the other side. Her goal was to blend in, try to remain as low key as possible. It was a little hard to do since she stuck
out like a sore thumb with her light hair and pale complexion.

  A local or “islander” she was not.

  She made it to the edge of the tourist area and paused. Her sharp ear tuned in to a noise behind her.

  Danielle spun around and peered into the dusky street.

  She listened intently. The noise stopped.

  Danielle pushed on and briskly walked through the tourist area to the other end of the small village. She stepped off the main road and made her way over to the dim street light that illuminated the dark alley.

  Her scalp tingled and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Her gut instinct told her she was being followed.

  She slid her hand into the pocket of her jacket and wrapped her fingers around her Taser. Danielle studied the alley and then glanced at the street before reaching into her front pants pocket for the sheet of paper. It was a rough sketch of the island. She had drawn it the night before, based on her limited research of the island.

  Danielle had managed to wheedle out of Donovan Sweeney the last place the Roush family had been spotted. It was on the edge of town and right about where Danielle was now standing.

  During her research, she had unearthed a brief news story about the missing family. One local mentioned the family had disappeared during the “Tarry of the Fifth Moon.”

  The islanders believed Tarry of the Fifth Moon was a time when the gods roamed the island in search of a human sacrifice.

  The local village people believed the family was the sacrifice. The story also went on to tell locals interviewed believed the Roush family had gone to “Hassadona Pass,” the point of no return, which was exactly where Danielle was headed. The only difference was Danielle had every intention of returning!

  She studied her crude map for a moment, carefully folded it and shoved it back inside her pocket. She was on the right track.

  Danielle adjusted her dark cap and stepped out of the alley, coming face-to-face with the two young boys she had attempted to leave behind!

  Chapter 12

  Danielle’s mouth dropped open. “What…what are you doing here?”