Free A Special Delivery To Die For (A Rockcrest Cove Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Emily Page

suspect?”
     
    “Absolutely. He certainly has the motive and I believe that Ana may have been blackmailing him for something, but I can’t get him to really open up.”
     
    “You will,” Eleanor encouraged. “You will. You have that way about you that makes everyone want to open up to you. Just be yourself and they’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
     
    “I hope you’re right, Ellie,” Maddie said exasperated. “But we’ve still got a little bit more digging before we can root out the killer. Right now there are too many possibilities; we need to narrow it down even further.”
     
    “You’re right,” Eleanor agreed. “Can I make a suggestion?”
     
    “I’m open.”
     
    “Why don’t you get with the Captain and the deputy sheriff and give them a list of your top suspects. Then have them all invited to a private room for cocktails, that way you can scrutinize them without distraction from the other guests on the boat.”
     
    “That’s an excellent idea!” Bailey said. “We’ve already ruled most of them out anyway.”
     
    “I wish I was there with you!” Eleanor whined.
     
    “You are,” Maddie encouraged. “You are with us, but Ellie, I think there’s just one more thing I’m gonna need you to send me.”
     
    “Sure thing sweetie. What’s that?”
     
    “The picture of the earring that we found on the bottom of my shoe. Can you send that to me as well?”
     
    “Sure thing. I’m going to send them all to your I-Phone like you wanted, but I’ll also fax them to the Captain’s cabin, too. That way you can print them out and have a hard copy to work with.”
     
    “Sounds like a good idea.” Maddie took a deep breath, “Well, here goes. By this time tomorrow, we’ll be back home with the case closed—we hope.”

Chapter Nine
     
    The small room off the Captain’s quarters was a welcome relief for Maddie and Bailey both. It was a quaint little private dining room the Captain often used to entertain his more elite guests when on the water, though only large enough to hold a group of about ten people comfortably.
     
    The Captain stood by the doorway to greet his guests in his official uniform—a  black, well-fitted captain’s jacket with the four epaulettes on the shoulders and a snappy captain’s hat held securely under his arm. His curiosity was definitely piqued as he stood at the door awaiting his guests.
     
    Maddie had approached him to tell him her plan. Captain Evans had reservations about the whole affair, but was definitely intrigued by this tiny woman attempting to solve a murder on her own. He agreed to the private party on the condition that he have his own ship security in the room with the suspects, who would only be informed of their role in the fiasco after they’d arrived.
     
    She had arrived earlier that evening to make sure that everything was ready. A folder with all the information she needed was tucked safely away behind the bar and she was quite sure that the killer would reveal him or herself long before it was needed, but it was always safe to have a good back up plan. Deputy Sheriff Fellows was to be her escort for this small and intimate cocktail party and the only ones that knew what was to happen was the Captain, the deputy, Bailey, and herself. Even then she felt a little uncomfortable, but the Captain insisted it had to be that way.  The only thing she could do was comply with his orders.
     
    As expected, Thomas was the first to arrive. He appeared a little miffed that he was not allowed to have a hand in planning this intimate affair. After all, it was his travel agency that had booked the cruise and he felt slighted that the Captain would call a private affair without consulting with him first. He wore a nicely tailored navy blue leisure suit that was far removed from his usual flamboyant style of dress. It gave off a very professional image that spoke of his newfound position in the company. Bailey entered with her hand on his