The Case of the Lady in the Luggage: A Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery (Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mysteries Book 4) by Cheri Baker

Author:Cheri Baker [Baker, Cheri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cruise ship mysteries kindle, cruise ship cozy mysteries, funny cozy mysteries, funny cruise ship mysteries, clean cozy mystery
Publisher: Adventurous Ink, LLC
Published: 2020-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

MURRAY OPENED HIS STATEROOM DOOR just a crack. He peered through the opening, and when he saw who was waiting, he flung the door open wide with a sunny smile. “Mr. Gumbs! Always a pleasure. I take it that you’ve received my complaint? Please, come inside.” He swept his hand back as he stepped backward, revealing the living area as if it were a stage of his own design.

Paul glanced at Ellie as they stepped inside, and his expression seemed to say that any complaint was news to him. Murray went into the kitchenette where he reached into his mini fridge, his bottom sticking out as he felt around inside the cold compartment. Something clinked, and he stood up, holding a tiny bottle of cognac. He unscrewed the top and sniffed it before lifting it up. “Would you like a drink?”

“No thank you,” Ellie said. Melanie was nowhere in sight, but her bedroom door was shut tight, and it sounded like someone was running her shower. “We have news about that body in the suitcase, and we wanted to ask you a few questions,” she said.

Murray came back with the tiny bottle of booze and a clean glass. He poured the brown liquid into the tumbler and eyed it disapprovingly before downing it in one gulp. “I see.” He addressed Paul. “As you’ve brought a representative from guest services, perhaps she could note down a suggestion. For what we’re paying for this room, I should be able to enjoy a drink of adult size.” He shot Paul a mild glance. “So, the woman in the luggage? Well, I’m not sure what any of this has to do with me but share away!” He put the empty bottle on the table and sat back in an upholstered chair.

“You know, I’m right here,” Ellie said, sitting on the couch, adjusting the cushion behind her back for maximum comfort.

“Excuse me?” Murray looked over, his expression blank.

“You suggested to Officer Gumbs that I note down your suggestion.” She smiled sweetly at him. “But you can speak to me directly. I’m right here. In front of you. With eyes and ears of my own.”

He looked surprised, only that she’d challenged him, she suspected. Where was this attitude of his coming from? And what complaint was he referring to? Murray had been reasonably charming at karaoke night, and she’d felt badly for him at the time. But his stock was dropping fast.

Paul was still standing. “Sir, the victim had your room number clutched in her hand. You can’t blame us for inquiring.”

“Actually, I can.” Murray swirled the last few drops of brown liquid in his glass. “Here’s how I see it. First, I was harassed by your port staff. They wouldn’t allow my emotional support animal on board. That was unacceptable, but is Murray the Magnificent petty? No. He is not. I let it pass. But then there was that nasty business with a dead body outside my suite. And that suitcase was just sitting there, where anyone could trip over it.

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