Mango Chili Cruiser: A Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery (Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) by Leena Clover

Author:Leena Clover [Clover, Leena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

The Empress Cleopatra had sailed some time during the night, headed to its next destination. The ship wasn’t supposed to dock until 10 AM so the Firecrackers slept in. They had decided to skip the breakfast buffet and eat on their own veranda.

Cassie stretched lazily as their cabin steward rolled in a cart loaded with all the goodies they had ordered. There was the usual selection of fruit and pastries with fresh squeezed juice. Meg had ordered a stack of chocolate chip pancakes, while Cassie and Anna opted for Eggs Benedict. Julie went for the stuffed French Toast.

“Isn’t it great we can get a hot breakfast right here?” Anna beamed. “I just feel bad for Gino. Maybe we should invite him.”

“No way,” Julie vetoed her. “This is girl time. I’m not even dressed yet, Anna.”

Meg couldn’t stop talking about her night at the theater.

“Did you know, it’s just like the movies. The music, the sets, the dresses, except it’s all real.”

“So how much trouble did you get into last night?” Cassie goaded Anna.

“Hush, girl!” Julie widened her eyes. “Don’t you see she’s blushing?”

Everyone other than Anna dissolved into laughter.

Anna told them about the spa and their run in with Fred Gold.

“Poor Uncle Fred!” Cassie stuck her fork in Meg’s syrup drenched pancakes. “He was always nice to us girls.”

“Is he a frequent liar?” Anna quirked an eyebrow.

She told them about his nocturnal visit to the Empress Suite.

“And you believe this maid but not Fred?” Cassie frowned. “Why, Mom?”

“If the maid said he was in there for twenty minutes, he must have been,” Anna said stoutly. “Why would she lie to us?”

“Just for fun?” Meg argued. “There’s no reason for you to trust her.”

“Do you seriously suspect Jojo’s uncle?” Julie wanted to know. “He seems like a gentleman, based on what I have seen.”

“Was he flirting with you?” Meg winked.

“Let’s be serious for a while.” Anna sipped her mimosa. “Fred Gold is Jojo’s only living relative.”

“That’s right, Mom.” Cassie tore a croissant and slathered it with pineapple jam. “They were family. Fred adored her. I don’t think he would ever do anything to hurt her.”

Anna told them how Fred was putting off retirement and going back to work.

“My guess is he’ll get everything now.”

Julie wasn’t about to give in.

“You know how much Gold Labs is worth, don’t you? These people are rolling in money. Fred’s approximately our age, right? How much more money can he want?”

Meg was reading the ship’s daily newspaper that had been dropped off earlier.

“I can’t wait to get ashore.” Her eyes were bright with excitement. “Did you know there’s a lighthouse and an old cathedral? We’re definitely visiting those.”

Julie wanted everyone to taste her French Toast.

“I love your cooking, Anna. But this is so delicious. So is the uncle your only suspect? What about Jojo’s young man?”

Anna cut into her poached egg, tasting the hollandaise sauce. The yolk burst open as expected.

“Ricky went in there with her,” she mused. “And according to his account, he passed out.

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