After breakfast the next morning Nancy went to the ship’s library and searched the Internet for a list of the cruise staff. She wanted to find out a bit more about Craig.
Scanning the screen, Nancy saw that Craig was the assistant shore excursion manager. That meant he coordinated the activities of the passengers when the ship docked at the various ports of call.
Now Nancy was even more confused. Why is it that Craig doesn’t have enough time for Amber? she wondered. Nancy was sure that Craig’s busiest time would be when the ship was in port. When the ship was on the water, he’d still have work to do to make sure the passengers would have successful days onshore, but Nancy couldn’t imagine that Craig was so completely tied up that he couldn’t at least spend a couple of hours a day with Amber. Plus, he was the one who had asked her to come on the trip—and had even purchased her a ticket for less than the original cost.
Nancy knew that the reception desk was just past the elevators on deck 3. She decided that the best course of action would be to go there to ask about what kinds of tours were available when the ship stopped at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She was hoping that maybe Craig would be available to talk to her and that she could get a sense of what he was like from their conversation.
Unfortunately, when Nancy got to the reception desk, she saw that it was being manned by a young woman. Her name tag said SHEILA DOUGHTERY.
When Nancy told Sheila what information she wanted, Sheila said, “The shore excursion manager is in a meeting, but his assistant, Craig Oliver, is around here somewhere.” Nancy could detect just a hint of disdain in her voice. It was obvious that Sheila didn’t think too much of Craig’s work ethic. Nancy was beginning to form a mental picture of him just from the little she had been able to glean from Amber and now Sheila—and she didn’t particularly like what she was seeing. “I’d page him for you,” Sheila continued, “but the last time I did that, he bawled me out.”
“I think I know what he looks like,” Nancy said. She described the man she had seen Amber talking to right after they boarded the ship.
“That’s Craig,” Sheila said. She took a quick look around. “When you find him, you might tell him that you’re the fifth person already this morning who’s been looking for him!”
Nancy grinned. “I can probably work that in somehow,” she said. “Any idea where I should start looking?”
“Well, he likes the sundeck,” Sheila said. “Maybe he’s there?”
“Thanks,” Nancy said.
“I hope he gets in trouble,” Sheila said, just loud enough for Nancy to hear.
“You never can tell,” Nancy said.
Nancy took the elevator up to the sundeck. George had been swimming laps in the pool since breakfast that morning, and there was a crowd cheering her on. Craig Oliver wasn’t part of the group, so Nancy continued her search, heading toward the Palm Garden Café. She entered by the fitness center and, not seeing Craig, exited by the pool bar. Just as she rounded the corner she spotted him. He was leaning up against a wall with his back to her.
What’s he doing? Nancy wondered.
Suddenly, Craig turned his head. When he saw Nancy, he jumped.
Nancy decided to say nothing and keep walking. She rounded another corner and almost collided with two men who also looked surprised to see her. They immediately hurried off.
Nancy stood where she was and looked at the retreating men. Right away she knew that Craig had been listening to their conversation and that she had interrupted them. Nancy walked to where Craig was still standing.
“You’re Craig Oliver, aren’t you?” Nancy said.
“That’s what my name tag says, yes,” Craig replied. “Why?”
“Do you always answer passengers’ questions in such a hostile manner?” Nancy asked.
Craig took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Ms.…”
“Drew. Nancy Drew,” Nancy said.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Drew,” Craig said. “You startled me, that’s all.”
“Did I interrupt your eavesdropping on the conversation those two men were having?” Nancy prodded.
Craig’s face turned a bright red. “How dare you accuse me of something like that!” he said forcefully. “Who do you think you are?”
“Actually, I’m a friend of Amber’s. She told me and my friends that you were ignoring her, after you went to all the trouble of getting her a reduced rate for this cruise,” Nancy said. “So I was just doing a little detective work. That’s all.”
Nancy noticed a definite change in Craig’s demeanor. Now he seemed more confused than angry. “Did Amber put you up to this?” he asked.
Nancy shook her head. “No. I offered,” she replied. “Amber said you were acting mysterious. I told her that I had solved some mysteries back home in River Heights, where my friends and I live. She asked me if I could help her solve this one.”
Craig eyed her steadily. “And do you think you’ve solved it?” he asked.
Nancy shrugged. “Well, I caught you listening in on the conversation of a couple of the passengers,” she said. “I don’t think your superiors would be happy if they found that out.” She paused for a minute to see if Craig would defend his actions. When he didn’t, she added, “You’ll have to admit that it looks suspicious. What were you trying to find out?”
Instead of answering her question, Craig said, “I’m curious, what gives you the right to go snooping around to solve mysteries in River Heights?”
“My father’s a lawyer. He’s worked on a lot of famous cases over the years that needed some detective work,” Nancy explained. “That’s how I grew up. I was surrounded by mysteries that needed solving.”
“Then you’ll understand that I’m not really eavesdropping on the passengers for my own gain, Ms. Drew. I’m doing some detective work too—for the ship. It’s part of my job. Our final port of call is Toronto, Canada,” Craig said. “I have to make sure that there is no suspicious activity on the ship that would in any way damage international relations.” He smiled, thinking—Nancy was sure—that his explanation was more than sufficient for her. “So if you’ll excuse me, I need to go about my work.” He gave Nancy a slight nod and headed toward the elevators.
Now what? Nancy wondered. What Craig said could be true, but there’s something that’s not adding up here.
As Nancy circled back around to the pool area she noticed George getting out of the water to the applause of a sizable crowd. “George!” she called.
George dried herself off and came over to Nancy. “What’s wrong?” she said. “You look like you’re mad about something.”
Nancy nodded. “I just met Craig Oliver. It’s put me in a bad mood.”
“I want to hear about it!” George said. She looked toward the huge refreshment table that was being set up on the other side of the pool. “But first let me get something to eat. I’m starved. Do you want something?”
“Not now,” Nancy said. “But go ahead. I’ll just sit here in one of the deck chairs and get some sun.”
While George hurried toward the other side of the pool, Nancy sat down and closed her eyes. She could feel the warmth of the sun starting to penetrate her muscles and relax her.
Nancy opened her eyes.
Craig was standing in front of her, blocking the sun. “May I join you?”
“Sure, why not?” Nancy said, acting nonchalant.
Craig sat down next to her. “What I’m about to tell you is in confidence,” he began. “I just got off the telephone with my superiors at Interpol. Have you heard of us?”
Nancy was stunned. She sat up and looked at Craig. “Of course I’ve heard of Interpol. It’s the International Criminal Police Organization.”
Craig nodded. “Most of the countries in the world are member states,” he said. “The national police groups of the different countries share information about worldwide crimes. We help one another catch criminals who cross borders.”
“What are you doing on this ship?” Nancy asked.
“Before I tell you that, I also need to tell you that I discussed with my superiors the idea of asking you to help,” Craig said. “In other words, I checked you out. And it looks like you’re as famous as your father, the great Carson Drew.”
Nancy smiled. “Why do you need my help?”
“I can’t tell you everything right now,” Craig said. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
“Do you have any identification on you?” Nancy asked.
Craig looked around to see if anyone else was watching them. When he felt the coast was clear, he pulled his credentials out of his pocket and opened them up for Nancy to examine.
“Looks real,” Nancy said.
“They are real,” Craig assured her.
“What’s the gist of the problem?”
“What I told you earlier was true. Interpol is involved because this ship’s final port of call is in Canada,” Craig said, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Basically, we’re trying to catch a fugitive who has robbed jewelry stores in Mexico and the United States of millions and millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds.”
Nancy cocked an eyebrow. “So you think that this fugitive is on this ship?” she said.
“If he’s not now, he’ll probably come aboard at one of the ports of call,” Craig said. “We received a tip that the fugitive would be trying to escape to Canada this way. It made sense. Who’d think of using a cruise ship? I mean, after all, it’s not the fastest way to get to Canada.”
“You’re right about that,” Nancy said. She thought for a minute. “How do you know it’s a he? Couldn’t it just as well be a she?” she asked. “You know what they say: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
Craig shook his head. “This time the song doesn’t fit,” he said.
“You seem to have a good part of this mystery figured out already,” Nancy said. “How can I help you?”
Craig hesitated for a moment. “Well, some of this concerns Amber, whom I’m very much taken with, whether she believes it or not,” he began. “I know now that it was a mistake to bring her along, but… well, I made the offer because I really do want to get to know her better. I think something very good can come out of this relationship. I’ll admit it: I was being a bit selfish. I knew that I’d be working on this case, but I didn’t want any other guy moving in on her.”
“I guess I can understand that,” Nancy said, “but, yes, asking her to come with you on a cruise and then ignoring her isn’t the best way to start a relationship.”
Craig smiled. “You don’t have to beat me up about it, Ms. Drew,” he said. “I’ve already been doing that myself.”
“It’s Nancy,” Nancy said. “What do you want me to do?”
“Okay, Nancy. I’d like for you and your friends to continue to include Amber in your activities. Try to keep her attitude toward me positive. I’ll do my part too. I’ll try to spend more time with her,” Craig said. He leaned over closer to Nancy’s ear. “But when I’m with Amber, I need you to help me find the person responsible for stealing all those diamonds.”
“Nancy?”
Nancy looked up to see George standing in front of her, holding a plate piled high with food. Craig had moved back away from Nancy, but she realized how strange it must have looked having him that close to her face.
“Great—you got something to eat,” Nancy said.
“Yes,” George said. She was looking at Craig. “Is this Amber’s boyfriend?”
Craig stood up and nodded at George. “I sure am,” he said, “and Nancy here has been giving me an earful!”
“Really?” George said.
Craig nodded. “She’s been telling me how badly I’ve been treating Amber, and I’ve told her that’s going to stop.” He looked at his watch. “My colleagues will be wondering where I went.” Looking directly at Nancy, he added, “I’m sure this is going to work out just fine.”
Nancy returned his look. “I hope so,” she said.
As Nancy watched Craig disappear it suddenly hit her: Someone on the ship could be an international jewel thief.