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

by Hope Callaghan

  The doctor rushed to the passenger side and helped Cherelle out of the cart.

  Millie hopped out of the cart, raced over and hugged her gently. “Thank you for your bravery, Cherelle. You helped save Cat’s life.”

  The young woman nodded. “You’re welcome mum.” She shivered involuntarily and eyed Jay warily. “Tis one bad man. If not for you, we would surely be dead by now.”

  Millie turned to the doctor. “Take good care of her. She’s a hero.” She watched as the doctor led Cherelle inside the small clinic and closed the door.

  Millie returned to her seat and Oscar pulled out of the gravel lot and back onto the main road of Kiriban.

  News of the daring rescue spread like wildfire through the small town and the townsfolk lined the street, clapping and cheering as the caravan of golf carts passed by.

  Millie smiled and waved at the friendly faces. It was a shame she hadn’t had more time to get to know the good people of the island.

  Her smile faded when she remembered the family that had lost their lives because of their foolish actions.

  The cart jostled along the rutted road, passed by the police station and headed down the cement dock until it reached the Siren of the Seas where two gun-toting solemn-faced officers met them.

  Patterson hit the ground first. He yanked Jay Beck from his seat. “Take him down to cell #1. Keep a close eye on this one. He appears to be on something,” he warned.

  The rest of the rescue party trailed behind. Millie was relieved to be back on board the ship; relieved not only that Danielle and the boys had been rescued, but also that they had found Cherelle and Cat alive. She prayed again that Cat would be all right.

  Chapter 23

  Annette and Millie headed straight to the crew quarters. Millie was hot, sweaty and dirty. A nice long shower and clean clothes were in order.

  When Millie reached the cabin, she inserted her key card and opened the door.

  Danielle was at the desk, staring at her cell phone when Millie stepped into the cabin. “Did you find Cat?”

  Millie rubbed a weary hand across her brow. “Yes. She’s on her way to St. Rochelle…to the nearest hospital.”

  Danielle sucked in a breath, her eyes widened. “Oh no! W-what happened?”

  Millie told Danielle the story of how Annette and she, along with Rick had gone to the airport, that Rick had a used a hidden key to get inside the hangar where they were ambushed by Jay Beck, Cat’s ex-husband.

  “How…did you escape?” Millie was good but when a lunatic was holding a gun to your head, it limited one’s options.

  “Thank God we told Patterson where we were going. When we didn’t come back, he and some of the other security men, along with Cherelle’s brother, came to our rescue.”

  Millie was 100% certain had it not been for Patterson and his men, she would be dead by now.

  “What happened to the crazed ex-husband?” Danielle asked.

  “He is being held in the ship’s jail until we return to Miami where he’ll be turned over to authorities and hopefully charged with attempted murder…murders.”

  Fatigue from the last two days’ events began to catch up with Millie. She leaned her shoulder against the wall and turned her focus on Danielle. “Now for you, young lady!”

  Danielle’s lower lip trembled and she began to cry. “I am so sorry to cause so much trouble…again.”

  Millie bent over and wrapped her arms around the girl’s shaking shoulders. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said.

  Danielle sobbed. “That poor family. I felt so helpless. Then, when we were stuck on the ledge, I kept telling the boys someone would find us, but even I wasn’t convinced. On top of that, you all put your lives in danger over my foolish behavior.”

  That part was true. Still, Millie patted her back. It wouldn’t help to heap even more guilt on top of what Danielle already felt.

  Millie stayed by Danielle’s side until the weeping subsided. She glanced at Danielle’s phone on top of the desk. “You said you had pictures.”

  Danielle wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Yeah. I tried to get a couple quick photos to show authorities, but didn’t want to make a big deal about it in front of the boys. I still don’t think they knew the poor family was at the bottom of the cliff.” She pressed the power button, tapped the screen and handed the phone to Millie.

  “You can see a blob of pink and orange, the same color the wife, Bianca, had been wearing the day they disappeared.”

  Millie slipped her reading glasses on and studied the photo. Off center and to the right was the pink and orange. Her eyes shifted. “I see blue.”

  Danielle nodded. “Yes. I think that was Mr. Roush. If you look at the next picture, I was able to get a better shot.” Danielle swiped the screen.

  She was right. Millie spied a large splotch of blue. It wasn’t far from the pink and orange. “Did you see anything else that may have been the two children?”

  Danielle frowned. “Nope. The ground was covered with so much foliage; I’m surprised I saw what I did. If those investigators made it to Hassadona Pass, I’m certain they met the same fate we almost did.” She shivered involuntarily. If not for Millie and the other searchers, they would be goners.

  She went on to tell Millie that after the three of them had slipped off the path and landed on the ledge, she tried to climb the 20 or so foot back to the top but every time she made it even a few feet, the rocks crumbled and she slid back down.

  Danielle turned her hands over to reveal long, deep scrapes on the palms of her hands.

  “I almost packed a rope to take with me but I was in a hurry to get off the ship before the boys caught up with me and I didn’t have time.”

  Millie remembered the deadly snake, hanging mere feet above their heads. “Did you see the snake?”

  Danielle groaned. “Yes. I hate snakes, too, but I wasn’t sure how the boys would react if they knew the snake was up there so I kept an eye on it and kept my mouth shut.”

  Millie hated snakes. She would have totally freaked out.

  Danielle took the phone from Millie, set it on the desk and closed her eyes. “It got cold when night came…cold and creepy. Do not ever let me wander off into the jungle again.”

  “Two for two,” Millie reminded her. She glanced at her watch. “I better jump in the shower. I’m anxious to get down to Patterson’s office to see if he has heard from Doctor Gundervan.”

  She reached for the bathroom door handle and paused. “You’ve talked to Andy, I assume?”

  Danielle frowned. “Yeah. He put me on probation…permanently.”

  Millie grinned. She remembered the time Cat, Annette and she had snuck into Donovan Sweeney’s office. After they had been caught, all three were placed on probation and Millie’s access card and privileges taken away. “Welcome to the club!”

  Millie stepped into the small bathroom, peeled off her filthy, stinky clothes, turned the shower on and stepped inside. The cool water felt wonderful.

  She showered for a long time, until the last of the grit and grime washed down the drain.

  Millie shut the water off and reached for her towel. She dried off; towel dried her hair, pulled it back in a tight ponytail and bunched it in a messy bun. She slipped into a crisp, clean uniform and stepped out of the bathroom.

  The cabin was empty. Danielle was gone.

  Millie hoped she was working…or at the very least, staying out of trouble. She wondered for the umpteenth time if Andy had any inkling what he had done. Now, not only did he have to worry about Millie getting into trouble, he would have to worry about Danielle, too.

  Millie dropped her lanyard around her neck, slipped her feet into her work shoes and headed out the door.

  She headed to the lido deck to check on the sailaway party and stood near the railing watching as the ship drifted away from the dock.

  Off in the distance, a speck in the sky appeared. It was a helicopter. The copter hovered near St. Parrot fo
r several moments and then floated out of sight. Millie wondered if it might be a recovery copter, brought into retrieve the Roush family remains.

  Millie said a small prayer and turned away from the railing. It was time to track down Dave Patterson.

  ***

  Bright light beamed through the frosted glass pane of Patterson’s office.

  Millie tapped the glass, grabbed the doorknob and twisted. She peeked around the corner of the door.

  Patterson was sitting behind his desk, talking on the phone. He waved her inside.

  Millie tiptoed into the room and settled on the edge of the nearest chair. “Yes, Captain Armati.”

  Millie’s heart skipped a beat.

  Patterson grew silent as he listened. “Yes. You guessed right. Millie was right in the thick of things.” He winked at Millie who groaned.

  “Nope. She’s safe and sound.”

  More silence on Patterson’s end. “Yes sir. We are anxious to have you back on board, as well.”

  Patterson hung up the phone and turned his attention to Millie. “He said if you don’t stop getting in trouble, he’s gonna have to transfer you to another ship.”

  Millie’s mouth fell open.

  Patterson grinned. “I’m kidding. He said he can’t wait to return to work and that he misses everyone. He also said somehow he knew you were involved in the latest investigation.”

  Patterson changed the subject. “I talked to Doctor Gundervan. He’s on his way back to Kiriban.”

  Millie leaned forward. “How is Cat?”

  “Cat has a broken arm, a concussion, a chipped tooth and a bruised spleen. They’re going to keep her in the hospital in St. Rochelle for the next couple of days to make sure she is on the mend and then Majestic Cruise Lines will fly her back to Miami.”

  “Is she coming back to work?” Millie asked.

  Patterson shifted in his chair. “As soon as she started to come around, she tried to leave the hospital and fly back with Doctor Gundervan.”

  That sounded like Cat! A look of relief filled Millie’s face. Tears burned the back of her eyes and she blinked rapidly. They had almost lost Cat.

  Patterson slid out of his chair and shuffled around the side of his desk. He put an arm on Millie’s shoulder. “You are a wonderful person and good friend,” he said.

  Millie dropped her head in her hands and burst into tears.

  Patterson knelt down and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “It’s all over now Millie. Everyone is safe and sound.”

  He reached across his desk, grabbed a tissue and handed it to Millie.

  Millie cried for several more moments before dabbing her eyes with the tissue. “I-I’m sorry. I guess I am just so relieved.”

  “I am, too,” Patterson admitted. “This has been a tough few days.”

  He went on. “A special copter is on the way to recover the family and search for the investigators.”

  Millie told Patterson that she had spotted a copter a short time ago and he told her that was probably the one.

  Millie twisted the damp tissue around her finger. “What about Jay Beck?” The thought of the crazed man onboard the ship gave her the creeps. At least Cat wasn’t on board.

  “Authorities will be waiting for him when the ship docks. I’ll have the necessary paperwork faxed to Miami-Dade police by the end of the day.”

  A wave of relief swept over Millie. Never again would Cat have to look over her shoulder and wonder if Jay was stalking her.

  A light tap interrupted their conversation and Oscar stepped inside the office. He took one look at Millie and began to back out. “Sorry boss.”

  Millie popped to her feet. “No! Stay Oscar! I have to get back to work.” She gave Patterson a watery smile and headed for the door.

  She impulsively reached out and hugged Oscar, who turned three shades of red. “Patterson is lucky to have you,” she said.

  Millie didn’t wait for a reply. She left Patterson’s office and headed to the back of the theater. It was time to get back to work.

  Chapter 24

  “What do you mean it needs more salt?” Annette demanded.

  The dish was perfect. Millie was trying to get Annette’s goat and it was working like a charm. “Just a pinch.” Millie demonstrated by squeezing her index finger and thumb together, leaving a small space in between.

  “Amit?” Annette turned to her right hand man.

  Amit popped a spoonful of the delicious cheesy baked dish in his mouth. “Mmm. Miss Annette…it need nothing.”

  Annette whipped her head around. “See?” She glanced at the other taste-testers. “Anyone else think it needs more salt?”

  The rest of the group, not daring to brave Annette’s wrath, solemnly shook their heads.

  Courtney and Annette had spent yesterday afternoon whipping up samples of her mouth-watering, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast casserole and Annette was certain the result was the epitome of perfection.

  They had had to let the casserole marinate overnight and then popped it into the oven first thing this morning.

  Annette had called together her taste-testers…Amit, Danielle, Millie, G’ma Rae, Brandon, Nathan and of course, Courtney.

  She pushed the basket of fresh-from-the-oven biscuits across the counter. “What about these?” She gave Millie a look that dared her to critique them.

  Millie grinned. She plucked a warm biscuit from the basket, broke it in half and reached for the butter. “So far, so good. Nice and flaky.”

  Danielle picked at her biscuit and nibbled the edge, her mind on the family she had caught a glimpse of at the bottom of the rainforest. “Have you heard if authorities have been able to reach the family?” She left out “dead” as she glanced at Nathan and Brandon, not sure how much G’ma Rae had told the boys.

  Millie nodded. “I talked to Dave Patterson first thing this morning. He said a recovery team from St. Rochelle, hired by the Roush family brought in a special chopper and reached the…site not long after we set sail yesterday.”

  There was more, but Millie thought it best to wait until the boys were out of earshot.

  She spread a thick layer of butter on half her biscuit and nibbled the edge. It was delicious, just like the casserole. The buttery biscuit melted in her mouth. “This is the bomb,” she admitted.

  G’ma Rae had to agree. “This is one of the best breakfast dishes I have ever tasted,” she declared.

  Brandon scooped a huge fork full into his mouth and nodded. “Mmm Mmm!”

  Nathan had already gobbled his and he slid his empty plate across the counter. “Can I have more please?”

  Annette reached for the plate. “You sure can!” She gazed at Millie triumphantly.

  Millie laughed. “I was kidding. It’s fabulous, like everything you make,” she said sincerely.

  The boys gobbled the rest of their breakfast and placed the empty plates in the large sink. “We’re gonna head up to the basketball court,” Brandon announced.

  The women and Amit watched as the boys darted out of the galley and disappeared through the side door.

  Millie pressed the bottom of her index finger on the plate, lifted a large crumb and licked her finger. “The recovery team found all four family members close together. None of them survived the fall.”

  Danielle lost her appetite and pushed her plate with the half-eaten biscuit away. “What about the original investigators?” She hadn’t seen hide nor hair of them when the boys and she had been trapped on the ledge.

  “They found them, too. Not far from the family.”

  All eyes turned to Millie. She shook her head. “No one survived the fall to the bottom.”

  Danielle shuddered. That could have been her…and Nathan and Brandon.

  “God rest their souls.” Annette reached for the empty plates and stacked them in a pile. She turned to face G’ma Rae. “So what’s on the agenda for the rest of your cruise?” she asked.

  G’ma Rae glanced at Danielle out of the corner of he
r eye. “Danielle promised not to get the boys into any more trouble so I think we will kick back and enjoy the last couple days of our trip.”

  All eyes turned to Danielle, who shrugged her shoulders. “I’m gonna try, that’s all I can say. After all, how much trouble can I get into in the middle of the ocean?”

  Annette and Millie both groaned. If only she knew…

  The end.

  The series continues. Look for Book #6, coming early, 2016.

  If you enjoyed reading Vanishing Vacationers, please take a moment to leave a review. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  Click Here To Review The Book Now!

  FREE Books and More!

  Sign up for my newsletter for special offers and soon-to-be-released books!

  Click Here To Get My Other FREE Books

  Annette’s Awesome Breakfast Bake

  Ingredients

  1 pound ground pork sausage (or turkey sausage)

  1 teaspoon mustard powder

  1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

  8 eggs, beaten

  2 cups milk

  2 stalks chopped scallion (optional)

  7 cups frozen hash browns

  8 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, shredded (or sharp cheddar)

  Directions

  Crumble sausage into a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat until evenly brown; drain.

  In a medium bowl, mix together mustard powder, salt, eggs and milk. Add the sausage, hash browns, cheese, and scallion and stir to coat evenly. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight.

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  Cover and bake 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover, and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until set.

  *My husband (aka the foodie) substitute directions:

  Crumble sausage into a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat until evenly brown; drain.