Portside Peril (Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 2) by Hope Callaghan Read Free Book Online Page B

think she killed Kyle, either.” He wadded the tissue in a ball.  “Think about it.  Kyle was way bigger than Courtney.  Do you really think she would have the strength to push a big guy like him overboard?”
    Millie wasn’t sure how much she should be telling Zack, but she had to get his thoughts.  After all, he knew Courtney better than most.  “I met Courtney last night up near the scene of the accident.  She was drunker than a skunk.  She mentioned feeling threatened.  It was almost as if she thought someone was trying to kill her.  Kill them,” Millie added.
    Zack slowly nodded.  “Courtney wanted to talk to me.  She left me a message saying it was urgent.  That’s why I was up on deck, to try to track her down.”
    “What about her sister, Chloe?”
    Zack shook his head. “I can’t see Chloe as a killer but then you never know.  She dated Kyle for about a year.  When they broke up, Kyle started dating Courtney.”
    “How did Chloe feel about that?”
    Zack shrugged.  “How would anyone feel if you were madly in love with a guy and he broke up with you only to turn around and propose to your twin sister?”
    That’s what Millie suspected.  A love triangle gone wrong, but to what level was the hurt and hate?  Was it deep enough to kill someone? Millie was about to find out.
    Zack extended his arm. “Chloe was so in love with Kyle, she had his name tattooed on her arm.” He pointed to the inside of his arm, just above his elbow.  It was in a place one would not be able to see unless the under arm was visible.  “Right there.”
    “Is Chloe capable of murder?” He shrugged. “I don’t know.  All I do know is it wasn’t me.”
    Millie wanted to believe him.
    “Can you help me get out of this mess?  Andy told me they might fire me if they can’t clear my name soon.”
    Her heart sunk because she didn’t want to see Zack go.  He was one of her favorite staff on board.  Always upbeat, trying to help Millie adjust, giving her tips, encouraging her, pushing her onto the stage when she froze…
    She patted his hand.  “I’ll do whatever I can to get to the bottom of this,” she promised him.
    Millie got to her feet. “First, I need to talk to the friends.  Do you know their names?”
    Zack grabbed another tissue and dabbed at his eyes.  “Adam and Melissa West.” 
    That should make it easy for Donovan to find their room. She repeated the name in her head, hoping she wouldn’t forget it!
    She whispered it under her breath, all the way to the guest services desk.  She must have looked a bit weird talking to herself as she walked. She did get a few odd stares, not that she minded.  It was more important to remember the names than to worry about appearances.
    Her eyes scanned the customer service desk.  Donovan wasn’t on duty.  She grabbed a pad of paper and pencil to jot down a note.  “I need to talk to you ASAP.” She folded the message in half and stuffed it in Donovan’s cubby. 
    Millie turned to go and ran smack dab into a woman that could have been Courtney Earhart’s twin.  It had to be her twin sister, Chloe! 
    Millie shifted to the side. Chloe stepped to the counter.  The only other person working behind the counter was busy helping another passenger.
    Millie seized her opportunity.  “Can I help you with something?”
    Chloe gave Millie a sideways glance.  “I-I was gonna see if they might let me into my sister’s cabin.  Courtney Earhart.”  The girl pulled a card from her pocket.  “Here.  Here’s my ID.”
    Millie glanced at the key card: Chloe Earhart. 
    Millie handed the card back and reached for the lanyard around her own neck - the one that gave her access to all areas of the ship, including passengers’ cabins.  “Is there something inside you need to get?” 
    Millie wasn’t sure if they still considered Courtney and Kyle’s cabin a crime scene and if it was off-limits. She was torn.  She could open the door to Courtney’s