Curse of the Arctic Star by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page B

eggs, Danish, or fruit salad. I even spotted Tobias’s parents, though the little boy was nowhere in sight.
    We continued past the door to the employees-only entrance. As soon as we pushed it open, a cacophonyof sounds and smells struck us—the sizzle of butter, the smell of bacon and eggs, the shouts of a dozen or more kitchen workers asking for more pancake batter or whatever. The hustle and bustle was a stark contrast to the serene peace of most of the ship.
    “Now what?” George murmured in my ear. “Someone’s going to notice us and kick us out soon.”
    I hardly heard her. I’d just spotted a familiar face. It was Mr. Hawaiian Shirt. Today’s shirt bore a different raucous pattern from yesterday’s, but otherwise he looked exactly the same. He was leaning against a stainless-steel countertop, stroking his mustache with one finger as he talked to a couple of young kitchen workers washing dishes nearby.
    That was kind of weird. The first time we’d encountered him, he’d acted as if he didn’t know his way around the ship. And last night he’d been sitting in the dining room like just any other guest. Could he actually be some kind of supervisor or something? He didn’t exactly dress like the rest of the crew, but years of amateur sleuthing had taught me to assume nothing.
    “Excuse me,” I said, stepping over to him. “Do you work here?”
    He blinked at me. “Oh, hello again,” he said. “No, I don’t work here. I just came back here to thank these hardworking people for their efforts and let them know it’s appreciated by someone.” He waved one meaty hand to indicate the kitchen staff, though the workers nearby had turned away and seemed to be pointedly ignoring him. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need some coffee.”
    Pushing past us, he hurried out of the kitchen. Bess stared after him.
    “That was kind of a strange answer,” she said.
    George shrugged. “He seems like kind of a strange guy.”
    I tapped the nearest worker on the shoulder. “Hi,” I said. “I don’t mean to bother you, but I wonder if I could ask you a few questions.”
    The worker, a short, swarthy man with intelligent dark eyes, shrugged. “I’m sorry, miss,” he said with a shy smile. “Guests should not be back here.”
    “I know. This’ll just take a moment.” I made mysmile as ingratiating as possible. “I was just wondering if there’s been any trouble around here lately. In the kitchen, I mean. Anybody not getting along?”
    “I would hope not,” the worker responded. “If anything is upsetting you, however, the cruise staff is always available for complaints.” He picked up a stack of dripping pans. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”
    He hurried off before I could respond. I frowned, glancing around for another victim. At that moment the door swung open behind us.
    “This way, kids!” a cheerful voice sang out. “Next I’m going to show you where all the food on the ship is prepared! If you’re good, you might even get some samples!”
    “Yay, samples!” several childish voices cheered.
    “Good,” another kid said. “I’m starved.”
    That last voice sounded cranky. And familiar. Turning, I saw that a whole group of kids had just entered the kitchen, led by the youth activities coordinator Becca had pointed out to Tobias’s family yesterday.
    And speaking of Tobias . . .
    “This is boring,” Tobias went on, scowling at the coordinator. “When are you going to show us something cool?”
    The coordinator’s smile barely wavered. “Now, now, Tobias,” he began. “The tour’s barely started. Just give it a chance, and I’m sure you—” He cut himself off as he noticed my friends and me. “Oh, hello,” he said, hurrying over. His name tag identified him as Hiro. “You must be lost. Are you looking for the café?”
    “No, we were just looking around,” I said. “Thanks.”
    Hiro looked uncertain. “Um, passengers really shouldn’t be back