Cranberry Surprise & Murder by Susan Gillard

Author:Susan Gillard [Gillard, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Guardian Publishing Group LLC.
Published: 2018-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

Baggage

“Perfect timing,” Chief Chet said when the trio of investigators came over to meet him. “Chip, Kelly and I just finished the bag search.”

“And?” asked Heather.

“And nothing,” said the chief. “We didn’t find the gun.”

“Because the killer must have chucked it over the side,” said Amy.

“I guess it’s good that we don’t have to worry about the killer still having the weapon,” said Heather.

“We checked everyone’s bags, purses, and pockets,” said Chief Chet. “And there’s no sign of the gun.”

“Do you think the killer could have hidden it somewhere on board?” asked Ryan.

“We sent the bartender to go check the ship in any places that someone could have hidden it,” said Chief Chet. “Several of the people we checked vouched that the bartender was behind the bar during the entire incident. And because he works on the ship, he might know some likely places where it could have been stored. I was going to have Chip assist him once we were finished, and we just finished.”

“We’d like to talk to Chip first,” said Heather. “If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. He’s been very helpful so far,” said the chief with a nod. “He’s a good kid.”

Ryan gestured that they should move away from the stragglers who remained from the baggage search. He headed toward the railing and Heather, Amy, Chief Chet, and Chip followed him. Kelly also joined after a moment.

“So, the baggage search didn’t reveal anything?” asked Amy.

“We didn’t find the gun,” said Chip. “But no one refused to have their bag checked. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”

“I hope so,” said Heather.

“I did have one woman who acted a little strangely,” said Kelly.

“How so?” asked Heather.

“She seemed very nervous. And she kept clutching her bag. She was the one who was rather insistent on our offer that a woman search her purse,” Kelly explained. “But once I looked inside, I didn’t see anything unusual. There was no weapon. And there weren’t any feminine items that I thought could have been her reason for embarrassment. I don’t understand her reaction. That’s why I thought it was worth mentioning.”

“Thank you,” said Heather. “We probably will want to talk to her. Maybe there was something in her bag that can’t be seen by the naked eye that made her nervous.”

A smile formed on Kelly’s lips. “I actually did sniff the bag when I checked it to see if it smelled of gunpowder residue. I guess I’ve been married to a police chief for long enough that I thought to check, but I didn’t notice any trace of the scent.”

“Smart thinking,” said Heather. “And did anyone else act strangely?”

“A red-headed lady was really upset,” said Chip. “There was a handsome guy trying to comfort her.”

“Yes. Another woman seemed upset too,” said Chief Chet. “I could point her out to you all. She went through the metal detector when we were helping Chip. She was with the fellow with the belt.”

“We spoke with Lorraine and First Mate Simmons,” said Heather. “They don’t know

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