Page 12 of Tiki Hut Tragedy (Cruise Director Millie Mysteries #6)

“Where are you taking me?” Pastor Haakenson hurried to keep up with Millie’s fast pace.

“To one of the most exciting areas of the ship,” she joked.

Reaching deck zero, they made a sharp left and continued down the long hall.

“The recycling center?”

“Close. You would be surprised if you knew what went on behind the scenes and the excitement that takes place down here. The maintenance department, recycling center. We’re not far from the security department, not to mention the holding cells.”

“Ah. I remember touring this deck during my orientation,” he said. “I haven’t been back since. Part of my job requires counseling, not only for crewmembers but for passengers who might need someone to talk to, including those who find themselves behind bars.”

“Which could be a good thing…you steering clear of this deck, I mean,” Millie said. “Having to meet with the head of security or the head of the maintenance department on any given day is a sign of trouble.”

Reaching the maintenance office, Millie noticed the lights were on and the door ajar. Peeking her head around the corner, she found Sharky standing off to the side, his radio in hand.

He gave her a quick nod and continued his conversation. “The Quadski is sitting on the ramp, ready to head out at a moment’s notice.”

Millie immediately recognized the voice on the other end. “Grand Turk Marine Rescue has requested us to search a specific area,” Patterson replied. “We think it’s possible the passenger drifted away from the area where the incident occurred.”

“Drifted?”

“Our security team noticed something unusual not far from the rocks that protect the barrier reef. Unfortunately, the marine rescue’s jet ski is currently unavailable.

They’re working on securing a second vessel to access the spot.

In the meantime, they’ve asked if we could send someone over to check it out. ”

“I’m on it.” Sharky promised Patterson he would head out shortly. He ended the call and held up his finger. “Hang tight. I got one more call to make.”

“Take your time.”

“Oscar, do you copy?”

“Go ahead, Sharky.”

“Patterson wants me to take the PRV out again.”

“I’m at the docking ramp now. Your guys can have it ready to roll in less than five. ”

“10-4. I’ll meet you there.” Sharky set his radio on the desk. “Sorry about that, Millster.”

“We have a small favor to ask, but it can wait.”

“It’ll take a few minutes to get the rescue vehicle ready. What’s up?”

She introduced the pastor and explained how his coffee maker had quit working.

“Let me take a quick look.” Sharky removed it from the box and placed it on top of the filing cabinet. “This is a nice machine but on the temperamental side.”

He filled the reservoir with water and pressed the start button. Nothing happened.

He pressed it a second time. It made a loud grinding noise, but the water refused to percolate, leaving the pot empty. Sharky unplugged it from the wall. “I’ve had a couple of these come through my office in the last month. The heating element is fried. ”

“Can you fix it?” the pastor asked.

“Yeah. As a matter of fact, I have a spare part around here somewhere. Give me a day or two and I’ll have it percolating to your heart’s content.”

“This is great news.” The pastor gave him his cell phone number, asking him to call when it was fixed so he could run down and pick it up.

Millie motioned to the radio. “Patterson is sending you back out to search for the missing woman.”

Sharky grimaced. “It ain’t lookin’ good. She’s part of a group on board.”

“The Belly Busters,” Millie said. “I was there when it happened. The tiki hut tipped, and the women fell into the water.”

“It was mass confusion. People screaming, trying to grab hold of the PRV. It’s nothing short of a miracle one of them didn’t get run over. ”

“Do you think that’s what happened to the missing woman…that she may have gotten struck, hit her head and drowned?”

“Not by my Quadski. The poor guy who was in charge of the hut did his best, but those women were in full panic mode by the time I showed up.” Sharky slipped his helmet on and motioned to Millie. “I gotta get going. You wanna go with me?”

Millie grimaced. “Riding on the PRV?”

“Sure.”

“I dunno.”

“Let’s talk and walk.” Sharky hurried to the door and into the hall with Millie and Pastor Haakenson trailing behind. “I know what area Patterson wants me to check. It’s rocky and a little rough. I could use an extra set of eyes.”

A cluster of crewmembers gathered near the inflatable ramp. The Quadski sat near the top, gassed up and ready to roll .

Millie grimaced, warily eyeing the PRV. If she knew one thing about her friend, it was that he had a need for speed, whether it was via his scooter, the Flamethrower, or the PRV.

“I’m not dressed to go out on the water, not to mention I’ve already funny flopped into the lido deck pool and had to change my clothes. ”

“You took a dip in the pool?”

“It’s a long story,” Millie said. “Perhaps Pastor Haakenson can accompany you.”

Sharky gave the tall man the once-over. “I’m pretty sure he’s not gonna fit in the wetsuit.”

“We already know it fits you, Miss Millie.” A crewmember held out a wetsuit, similar to the one she’d donned when Sharky coerced her into helping him with practice rescues.

Millie reluctantly took it. “How long will we be gone? ”

“You heard Patterson. I’m guessing an hour or less. We’ll check the jetty and rocks and then cruise along the coastline.”

She hesitated. On the one hand, Millie would love to help, especially if there was a chance of rescuing Dixie. On the other, she knew exactly what she was getting into when accepting any assignment involving her friend.

“C’mon, Millie. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I’m not so sure about this.”

“I promise I’ll bring you back without getting a drop of your hair wet.”

“What about my phone?”

Sharky removed a Ziploc bag from the storage compartment and held it out. “You can keep it with mine.”

“You have an answer for everything. ”

“And you have an excuse for everything.” Sharky began making squawking noises.

She playfully punched him in the arm. “I’m not chicken.”

“You could’ve fooled me.”

“Fine.” She sucked in a breath. “I may live to regret this, but I’ll help you search.”