Free Portside Peril (Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries Series Book 2) by Hope Callaghan Page B

straight, dark hair.  “What do you think?”
    “I’m not sure about the young man’s death but I don’t think the young woman committed suicide.”
    Sarah set the brush down and stared at her reflection. “Why do you think that?”
    Millie sighed as she sank down on the edge of the bed.  “Because I was the last one to see that poor girl and she was in no condition to commit suicide.  She had passed out on the bed.”
    Sarah straightened her nametag.  “Are you a suspect?”
    Millie was certain that even if she wasn’t a suspect, Dave Patterson would be tracking her down soon to ask her what she knew. 
    After Sarah left, Millie slipped off her shoes and lay down on the bed. She stared up at the bottom of Sarah’s bunk.  The last 24 hours had been harrowing. She was beginning to wonder if she was coming or going. 
    The good news was, she wasn’t being fired.  The bad news was, the more she learned about Kyle and Courtney, the more suspects that kept popping up:  Chloe, the twin sister. Zack, the ex-boyfriend.  Courtney herself, even though she was no longer around to defend herself, God rest her soul.
    Millie’s eyes narrowed.  But what about the couple’s friends?  Adam and Melissa.  Millie was a good judge of character.  She would be able to tell right off the bat if the two of them were hiding something. 

Chapter 12
     
    Millie’s eyes flew open.  She must have dozed off.  She glanced down at her watch.  It was almost four.  Almost time to start her doggie duties and she didn’t want to be late! 
    She slipped her feet into her shoes and stepped over to the mirror.  Her hair stuck out in all different directions. Millie quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail, twisted it in a tight bun and stuck a hair clip over the top.  She grabbed her radio and raced out the door. 
    Millie made it to the bridge with a minute and a half to spare!  Captain Armati was standing in the middle of the bridge, in front of the large panel of gadgets. He turned when he saw her.  “Scout’s ready to go.”
    He walked Millie down the small hall to the door that separated the bridge and his apartment.  He pressed the buttons on the keypad and pushed the door open.  Scout was waiting on the other side.
    Millie covered her mouth to stifle her laugh.  Scout, decked out in a miniature sailor suit and round white sailor cap, wagged his tail when he saw Millie.  He trotted over and climbed up on her foot.  “Woof!”
    She picked him up and held him close.  “Look at Mr. Spiffy, all ready to see the sights.”
    Captain Armati patted the top of his head.  “I think he knows.  Somehow the crazy dog knows.”
    Millie grabbed Scout’s bag and the two stepped into the bridge.  “What time should I have him back?”
    “Your shift ends at…”
    “10:30,” Millie told him.
    “Right.  Just bring Scout back after you’ve finished your shift.”
    He gently tugged Scout’s ear.  “Behave,” he warned him. 
    Scout was a bit of a wiggle worm as they walked.  He knew he was going somewhere.  Somewhere he’d never been. 
    Millie shifted the bag on her shoulder and pulled Scout close.  It was time to set the ground rules.  “You need to stay with me.  This is a big ship and I don’t need you getting lost,” she told him.
    “Yip!”
    Happy hour trivia wasn’t scheduled to start for another hour. Millie’s stomach growled.  She remembered how she hadn’t finished her pizza, thinking that she was about to be canned.  “Let’s go grab a bite to eat.”
    Millie took the outside deck as she headed toward the buffet.  It would give Scout a chance to enjoy some fresh air.  Millie clipped the leash to his collar and set him on the ground.  The doggie leash was almost as big as he was. 
    Scout’s little tongue hung out of his mouth as he trotted next to Millie.  His brown eyes darted back and forth, as he tried to take everything in.
    He got a few looks from passengers, which quickly turned to