Zipline Zinger on Deck: Cruising Cozy Mysteries Book 1 by L. . Marie

Author:L. . Marie [Marie, L. .]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Millie's face was a picture of intense curiosity as she leaned forward, eager to hear Nancy's explanation.

Nancy, her expression serious, began to unravel the mystery. "Millie, I've been suspecting that the puzzle was incomplete from the beginning. There seemed to be no clear motive for Antonio's death. We've spoken with our 'suspects', but none fit the profile of a murderer. We were at a dead end."

Millie's eyes widened in anticipation. "So, what changed?"

"Nancy sighed, her gaze distant as she recalled the day's events. "Today, when that passenger nearly lost his life, I knew I had to act fast. A flash of Thomas's worried expression crossed my mind, his words from this morning on the deck echoing in my ears. The symptoms... they were exactly as he had described."

She paused, taking a moment to steady her voice. "That's what I told the medics, and he understood instantly. Then I rushed straight to the bartender. He shared a startling revelation. The drink that nearly killed the old man wasn't even meant for him; it was intended for someone named Raymond Goodwin.

"Raymond Goodwin?" Millie echoed, her brow furrowed.

"Yes," Nancy continued. "The old man had overheard the call for Raymond Goodwin and, noticing no one claimed the drink, he asked if he could have it, as he wanted the same one. The bartender, thinking it harmless and willing to prepare another, agreed to give Raymond Goodwin's drink to him. Tragically, neither the man nor the bartender knew that the drink had been poisoned in the meantime."

A look of realization dawned on Millie's face. "So, the intended target wasn't the old man... or even Antonio?"

Nancy nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and frustration. "Exactly. That's when I knew we had to check the zip line records. And guess whose name was first on the list yesterday?" She handed a file to Millie.

Millie opened it, her eyes scanning the page before she read aloud, "Raymond Goodwin."

"Right," Nancy said. "He booked it for his son and his two friends. The killer's true target was Raymond, and Antonio's death was a tragic accident."

Millie's eyes narrowed in thought. "So, who could have poisoned the drink?"

Nancy leaned back, her mind racing. "That's the problem. Many heard about the poisonous plant on the deck. It could be anyone."

Millie's voice rose in frustration, mirroring Nancy's. "And at the bar... again, it could be anybody!"

The room was silent for a moment as both women grappled with the gravity of the situation. Nancy finally broke the silence, her voice steady but tinged with unease. "We're dealing with a clever killer, Millie. Someone who's hiding in plain sight. We need to be careful and think this through."

As the ship sailed through the starlit night, the two women sat in deep thought, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together, yet the picture they formed remained disturbingly unclear. Who was Raymond Goodwin? Why was he a target? And who among the multitudes of people on the ship wanted him dead, and why?

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