Millie’s mind whirled. Andy left the ship early the same morning Clarissa’s body was found. Andy had a bruise on his head and a scratch on his arm. Siren of the Seas arrived in Southampton only days before the strangler reappeared and murdered his next victim.
“What’s wrong?” Cat asked.
“I…” Millie did a mental shake. “Nothing. I just remembered something. I need to run back to the apartment to check on Scout.” She hastily said goodbye and then hurried out of the shop.
Back home, Millie made a beeline for the computer and did a quick search for a picture of the charm bracelet the strangler reportedly took. Her heart sank when she discovered the authorities had not released a photo or confirmed the bracelet had been taken.
Millie needed to narrow down the list of suspects. Unfortunately, two of her favorite people, Andy and Thomas Windsor, were at the top of the list.
Her last break arrived, and she thought about heading down to the crew dining room but changed her mind and stopped by the galley instead. Millie found her friend in the pantry, taking inventory. “Knock, knock.”
Annette pivoted, peering at Millie over the rim of her reading glasses. “Hey, Millie. What’s up?”
“Not much. I’m on my dinner break and thought I would stop by to chat and maybe grab one of the RTG meals. You don’t have any left.”
“I can’t keep those in stock. I guess I’m not the only one who wants nutritious meals they can grab and go.” Annette placed her clipboard and pen on top of a row of canned vegetables. “What sounds good?”
“Something quick and easy and not a lot of trouble.”
“I was thinking about eating, too. Let’s see what we can find.” Annette, with Millie’s help, whipped up a quick meal and then they gathered at the center counter.
After they finished praying, Millie filled her friend in on what she’d learned, how Clarissa may have unwittingly placed herself in a dangerous situation. “I spoke to some of her traveling companions. According to what they told me they have no idea what she was doing in the hours leading up to her death.”
“So, Clarissa may have tracked down some clues about the killer, possibly even confronted him or hinted she was onto him and he killed her.”
“That’s what I think.” Millie savored a spoonful of gazpacho, the tangy tomato and garlic tickling her tastebuds. “You make the best gazpacho.”
“Thanks. It’s one of my favorites now that I’m trying to eat healthier.”
“How do you think you’re doing?”
“I give myself a seven out of ten.” Annette tipped her hand. “I still get stressed but then it kinda goes with the territory.”
“A seven is fair.” Millie finished her soup before reaching for her sandwich. “I’m also thinking either “a,” the strangler strategically left Clarissa’s body near the port, knowing the authorities might suspect he or she boarded a ship or “b,” he didn’t plan on killing her and it threw him, or her, off. In other words, the strangler got spooked.”
Annette reached for her napkin. “Does it strike you as odd that her traveling companions continued on instead of staying behind?”
“It would, except for the fact Annabel Ponsford told me her in-laws were closer to Clarissa than they were.”
“Do you still think it could be Thomas Windsor?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Hilda Ellis told me Clarissa was attracted to Thomas.” Millie mentioned her discovery about his wife’s suicide. “What if she didn’t commit suicide?”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the strangler take souvenirs from his victims?” Annette asked.
“At first they said the strangler had, but they’ve since backtracked and now claim they’re not sure. The jogger was missing a blue tennis shoe and the uni student was missing a charm bracelet. I…”
“What?” Annette prompted.
“Nothing.” Millie lowered her gaze.
“You were going to say something else. Is there another person you suspect?”
“Yes.”
“And…”
“It’s Andy,” Millie blurted out. “He gave Cat that bracelet. It has diamonds. He recently gave her a charm to add to the bracelet.”
“And it matches the description of the bracelet the strangler took from one of his victims?”
“I don’t know.” Millie, losing her appetite at the thought, pushed her plate away. “The authorities asked Andy to submit a set of fingerprints.”
“I’m not surprised, considering he was in the area shortly before her body was found. “Have you asked Andy about it?”
“No. I mean, I feel terrible even putting his name out there.”
Annette motioned to what was left of Millie’s sandwich. “You gonna eat the rest of your food?”
“No.”
Annette polished off Millie’s leftovers. “You and I both know Andy didn’t kill anyone. If you think this Thomas Windsor dude is a potential suspect, then find out.”
“You mean, sneak into his cabin and look for clues, like a charm bracelet and a blue shoe? Believe me, I’ve already thought about it.”
“So, what’s stopping you?”
“I might not like what I find,” Millie said miserably. “I don’t want it to be Thomas.”
“Look at it this way, you would eliminate a suspect.”
“True.” Millie hopped off the barstool and carried their dirty dishes to the sink. “Thanks for lending an ear.”
“You’re welcome.” Annette trailed behind. “Have you asked Cat what she thinks?”
“No. She’s already kinda bummed about it.”
“Cat hasn’t had much luck with men. I’ll never forget how her ex tracked her down and tried to kill her.”
“I’m glad he’s back in prison where he belongs.” Millie rinsed the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. “I feel somewhat responsible for encouraging her and Andy’s relationship.”
“Andy’s no killer.” Annette balled up her napkin and tossed it in the trash. “At least I hope not. That would mean I’m a terrible judge of character.”
“Me too.” Millie thanked her again and began making her final rounds, starting on the top deck and working her way down. She hovered in the doorway of the comedy club, catching a few lines, and could feel her eyelids drooping.
She did a mental shake and then headed to the nearby side stairwell. It was past midnight, and the shortcut to the upper decks was quiet and empty.
Millie grasped the handrail and began climbing.
Ting.
She paused; certain she’d heard a tinging sound.
There was nothing but silence.
Millie kept climbing and reached the next landing.
Tap. Tap. Instead of a ting , she could’ve sworn she heard footsteps.
Millie stopped. The footsteps stopped.
Convinced she was being followed. Millie fumbled for her stun gun, taking the steps two at a time.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She was in between decks now, and the tapping was growing louder.
Millie raced to the corner and slipped behind a large easel board display of a dark-haired woman in a relaxed pose, her eyes closed with a tranquil ocean as the backdrop.
Her hand trembled as she clutched the stun gun. There was no ting , no tap. In fact, it was eerily quiet.
All she could hear was her own heart beating loudly. Millie began counting and then eased her way out from behind the sign. You’re getting paranoid, Millie. Just like Hilda Ellis.
She relaxed her grip on the stun gun and began climbing again.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Millie sprinted up the steps as she fumbled with the stun gun’s safety switch. She reached the bridge deck and cast a furtive glance behind her.
Not paying attention to where she was going, she tripped on a safety strip, instinctively squeezing the stun gun’s trigger as she crashed head-on into someone who was standing on the landing.
Zap.