When they got back to their stateroom, while getting ready for bed, Regan and Jack chatted about their first day at sea.
“I can’t believe Alvirah talked us into this,” Regan said, standing in the doorway of the bathroom as she was brushing her teeth. “I can just imagine what my father is saying to my mother.”
“We both know that Alvirah is a magnet for trouble,” Jack said as he kicked off his shoes. “But I will say that for a cruise that’s supposed to be a tribute to the ‘milk of human kindness,’ there’s a lot of strange stuff going on.”
“I agree,” Regan said. “If one of the crew members had problems with the law, that should have been discovered before he was hired. Who knows who else might be on board this ship? Whoever stole the Santa suits is obviously still with us, and if Ivy did really see someone, he obviously doesn’t want to make himself known.”
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll see if I can get a passenger and crew list from Dudley. The office can do a quick check on everyone to see if any red flags come up.” Jack flipped on the television. The news segments that were fed to the ship repeated over and over. A photo of Bull’s-Eye Tony Pinto came up on the screen again. “Regan,” Jack said. “Come here.”
Regan stepped out of the bathroom. “What?”
They both listened as it was reported that Tony Pinto’s fellow criminal, Bingo Mullens, was suspected of being the one who arranged his escape. “Look at his face, Regan,” Jack said. “Bull’s-Eye certainly does look a lot like that prizefighter author, doesn’t he?”
“He sure does. And he’s on the loose.” Regan raised her eyebrows. “Maybe he’s the one Ivy saw tonight.”
They both laughed.
The ship gave a particularly strong lurch. “If he is on board, I hope he doesn’t run into Alvirah,” Jack commented. “Let’s go to bed.”
Regan smiled. “An offer I can’t refuse.”