The Case of the Red Phantom: A Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery (Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mysteries Book 5) 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, locked room mystery
Publisher: Adventurous Ink LLC
Published: 2021-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

“LET ME MAKE SURE I understand,” Roberta said slowly, leaning back in her chair. “We thought Teddy McIntyre killed himself after dinner the first night of the sailing. But Paul got a bee in his bonnet about handprints, and you asked Strunk to bust out his chemistry set. Now he says the blood in Teddy’s room came from a cow.”

“Yes,” Paul said.

“Ellie, what do you think happened?” Roberta asked sharply.

“Don’t mind me,” Paul muttered. “I’m just the head of security.”

Roberta shot him a flat look. “I’ll get to you shortly. I figured I’d let Ellie unspool her wild theories and you’d tamp her down. Respect the process.”

“Paul’s already figured it out. Someone wanted us to believe Teddy went over that balcony. And did you hear what Chryss Tiano did during his séance last night?”

Roberta shook her head. Ellie filled her in. By the time she was done, Roberta’s expression was pure exasperation. “So now you’re telling me the medium is in on it? How far does this conspiracy go?”

“Paul thought it might be aliens,” Ellie quipped.

He shot her a brief glare. “The drama at the séance might be relevant, or it might not. We stopped the ship while we searched for Mr. McIntyre’s body, remember? Mr. Norris and Mrs. McIntyre knew what had happened, and they could have talked to anyone. Possibly some of the crew overheard details on the radio. You know how fast gossip moves on a cruise ship.”

“I doubt Chryss Tiano was involved,” Ellie said.

“You’re defending him?” Roberta was incredulous. “The last time we talked, you could barely say his name without rolling your eyes.”

“I’m not defending anyone. I’m just saying we don’t know where he got his information. Chryss Tiano insists that he was channeling Teddy’s spirit. The man may be a few crayons short of a full pack, but I don’t think he’s malicious.”

Roberta winced. “So much for seeing our ship and crew on national television! I don’t see how Greg can continue filming under these circumstances.” She glanced at Paul. “I don’t suppose we could just let this one go? If it weren’t for your meddlesome curiosity, I’d be at my massage appointment right now and we’d be none the wiser about that bloody cow.”

“Roberta,” Ellie warned.

“I know. I just needed to say it out loud, once. Sit, you two, you’re making me nervous.” She crossed one leg over the other. “Tell me what you’ve learned so far. I presume whoever made a mess in Teddy’s suite knew him, or else, why bother? Did any of Teddy’s companions have something against him?”

Ellie nodded. “Apparently Mindie and Teddy were having lunch every day behind Ariana’s back. They had an argument this morning in the Teppanyaki kitchen.”

Roberta pursed her lips. “Are we looking at some sort of sordid love triangle?”

“Mindie swore up and down that she and Teddy were just friends. And there’s something else. Ariana and Teddy were planning to divorce when the show was over. I got the sense that the divorce wasn’t Ariana’s idea.

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