Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark Read Free Book Online

for people over the years. . . . I feel fine. Why do you ask?”
    Highbridge’s longtime girlfriend is in Aspen with B–list actor Wilkie Winters. “I won’t have anything to do with a convicted felon,” she said piously, flashing the jewelry Highbridge is known to have bought for her.
    Regan was reading over Jack’s shoulder. Her fingers played with the necklace he had given her for Christmas. “I hope I’m never going to have to say that about you, ” she joked.
    Jack gave her a look and they both continued to read.
    Based on his wealthy family’s impeccable reputation, forty-four-year-old Highbridge was able to attract numerous gullible investors in his Ponzi scheme. He was convicted of stealing millions of dollars from them. He was about to be sentenced and was expected to receive a minimum of fifteen years in prison. The trial of Bull’s-Eye Tony Pinto, charged with ordering the murder of rivals in the construction business, was to have begun on January 3rd.
    Jack shook his head. “Those guys both knew their goose was cooked. I had dealings with Tony when he was up in New York, but we could never get enough evidence to present to a grand jury. I was glad to see one of his guys ratted him out.”
    Regan sat on the bed. “They’ve got to be headed someplace where there’s no extradition. But they’d have to have surrendered their passports as a condition of bail.”
    â€œWith security so tight they won’t get away with phony passports,” Jack said. “I’ll see what the office knows about it.” He picked up his international cell phone and dialed. Keith, his number one guy, picked up on the first ring.
    â€œJack, you’re supposed to be on vacation,” he said when he heard his boss’s voice.
    â€œI am on vacation. I’m also looking at the Internet. I see Bull’s-Eye Tony has flown the coop. I’ll never understand why they didn’t keep him in jail. If anyone’s a flight risk, he’s it. Have you heard anything about him or Barron Highbridge?”
    â€œAn informant claims that Pinto was trying to make contact with someone who could get him out of the country. The Feds have the airports covered. It’s possible that either or both of them might be heading to one of those places in the Caribbean that has no extradition treaty with the United States.”
    â€œIs Fishbowl Island one of them? That’s our only stop.”
    â€œI’ve got a list,” Keith said. “Let me take a look.” He laughed. “Guess what? Fishbowl Island is on it. So keep an eye out for Tony.”
    â€œWe will. Anything else going on?”
    â€œNo, Boss. Relax and have a good time with your bride. How’s the cruise ship anyway?”
    â€œDon’t ask,” Jack said with a laugh. “One of the waiters jumped ship while we were still in port. He was arrested for nonpayment of alimony. And the cruise director fell off the rock-climbing wall.”
    â€œSounds like you’ll be safer on your skis this weekend.”
    â€œMaybe so. Keep me posted about anything I’d want to hear.”
    â€œWhich is everything,” Keith cracked. “I’m sure we’ll be hearing lots more about Pinto.”
    Jack stared at the photograph of Pinto, which had just come up on the screen. “I’d hate to see him get away. He’s as bad as they come.”
    As he closed his cell phone, an announcement came over the loudspeaker. “Attention Santa Cruisers! Commodore Weed here. We are about to have a mandatory lifeboat drill. All passengers must attend. No excuses. The life this drill saves may be your own. Grab your life jackets, and please don’t trip on the belts. Crew members are ready to direct you to the dining room, where you will receive general instructions, then be led to your lifeboat station. Let’s not have any Nervous Nellies—this