Page 18 of Waylaid in Whittier (Cruise Director Millie Mysteries #5)

“Alex Smith, the gold mining show’s producer, lives in LA but made a comment about having a cabin here in Whittier,” Millie said. “How interesting.”

“I guess it would explain him wanting to produce a show about gold mining in this area,” Danielle said.

“True. Let’s look at some others.” Millie moved on to the next person in the group, another local but without a lot of background information available.

Ditto for the next person and the next.

They reached Wanda’s name. Millie already knew some information about the woman, including where she lived. Nothing hit her radar. “She doesn’t have a lot of information out there.”

“Try social media,” Danielle suggested.

“Good idea.” Millie pulled up a popular social media site and typed Wanda’s name into the search bar. Her profile appeared. She listed a few friends and ticked the box, stating she was single.

The profile included several snapshots. Standing with a group of women in front of what Millie recognized as her apartment building. A photo of Wanda beaming and holding a whopper of a salmon caught her eye. “She looks like an outdoor gal.”

“I was thinking the same thing. You said you talked to Wanda’s neighbor. She didn’t seem to think there was anyone who might have it in for her?”

“Nope. Although she mentioned Alex the producer and Carter, the co-producer had both visited Wanda at her apartment recently,” Millie said. “She didn’t strike me as being thrilled with her having people coming and going.”

“Maybe it was her,” Danielle said.

“Her the neighbor lady?” Millie arched her eyebrow. “She looks like she’s in her eighties.”

“You don’t think she would be strong enough to whack Wanda in the head?”

“I suppose it’s possible. I don’t think it was her. We need motive. Attacking your neighbor for having visitors isn’t a motive.”

“I dunno. I’ve seen shows about feuding neighbors. To me, it would depend on how annoying Wanda may have been.”

“We’ll put her on the list of potential suspects, but I’m almost certain it wasn’t the no-name neighbor lady.” Millie finished working her way to the bottom, reaching Carter Morley last. She clicked on his profile and found, like Alex, he had ties to Whittier.

Danielle peered over her shoulder. “He’s a hottie.”

“He’s a nice looking guy, clean cut and polite,” Millie said. “I thought he was from somewhere else, but it appears he’s also a local. No doubt he’s interested in gold mining.”

“I think it would be one of those things where, if you found a nugget, it would get in your blood. Brody said the dig site Elvira is staking a claim to…”

“Mount Baldie.”

“Mount Baldie is in the middle of nowhere.”

“I haven’t made it there yet, but based on the pictures I’ve seen, I wouldn’t be surprised.” Millie pivoted. “Elvira is packing up and plans to sail south with us.”

“You mentioned that before. She’s leaving her promising site behind? I would think she would settle in for the winter.”

“Elvira said the roads will be impassable. Plus, she claims even though Brody, Cat and Annette noticed someone digging around in the general vicinity, she doesn’t seem to think anyone will find her exact spot.”

“Unless they followed her.”

“I suppose it’s possible. She’s coming back here next spring. If she’s allowed to leave Alaska. It all hinges on clearing her name.” Millie scrolled through the screen, noticing several stories about the Gold Grade Mining Group and television series.

The women skimmed through each, searching for clues. Nothing struck Millie as being significant. “I’m stumped. Anyone on this list could have been behind Wanda’s attack, but why her?”

“If we can figure out the why, we can start narrowing it down.” Danielle reached for the list. “Some event triggered Wanda’s attack. Refresh my memory. What were Wanda and Elvira talking about right before they argued?”

Millie repeated what she remembered about the confrontation at the bar. “Wanda knew about Mount Baldie. She point-blank asked Elvira if she found something. Elvira accused her of spying on her and told her to watch her back. They said a few more unpleasant things to each other and Wanda left.”

“She argued with Elvira and walked right out the door.”

Millie blinked rapidly. “To be honest, I’m not sure. Let me ask her.” She sent a brief text, asking Elvira if Wanda had left right after they argued.

Her reply was quick: She went over, said something to Alex and the others, and then left.

Millie: Did anyone follow her out of the bar?

Elvira: I don’t know. I went to the bathroom. When I finished, I caught up with the others. We stood chatting until the cops showed up and we found out about Wanda’s attack.

Millie: Meaning, someone from your group could have left right after or even before you argued and you would not have known?

Elvira: It’s possible. The details are a little fuzzy.

Millie: Did anyone see you go into the bathroom?

Elvira: Another woman was in one of the stalls. I have no idea who she was.

Millie thanked her and put her phone on the desk. “Can I get you something to drink, maybe a bottle of water?”

“Sure. Thanks.” Danielle took the seat Millie vacated and reached for the mouse.

She returned and handed her the water. “What are you doing?”

“Delving a little deeper. I’m working my way back down the list, thinking maybe we missed some minor detail.” Danielle typed Carter Morley’s name into the search bar.

The stories she and Millie had already read appeared. She scrolled through the first page and clicked on page two. Near the top was a news article about Morley Mines.

“What is that?” Millie tapped the screen.

“Let’s find out.” Danielle clicked on the article. At the top of the page was a photo of a miner. Vivid blue eyes stared back at them through bushy brows. Deep creases lined his forehead. Sparse tufts of gray hair poked out from beneath his hardhat.

Millie’s first impression was the man had lived a hard life. He stood in front of what appeared to be the entrance to a mining shaft. She read the caption aloud, ‘“Local miner Gold Morley ends his mining career with a pot of gold.’ What are the odds this man and Carter Morley’s last name are the same?”

“I’m sure they’re related.”

“I agree.”

The story stated the Whittier local, who owned several plots of land and had mined for decades, was preparing for his retirement when he hit on a vein of gold. The lucky strike led to him finding larger nuggets near the banks of a nearby river.

He claimed he’d been working the spot for years, convinced he was close to striking it rich. The article gave a brief history about how Morley’s father had moved his family to Alaska when he was a child. “Morley Mines is the key to Whittier’s gold,” he insisted. “I believe generations of Morleys, including my grandson, will continue to find gold in this area. In fact, I’m certain of it.”

“Ten bucks says Carter Morley is Gold Morley’s grandson.” Danielle scrolled to the bottom of the article and found another photo of the man. He stood leaning against a sprawling two-story metal structure. “It says he passed away about a year ago.”

The building reminded Millie of an old warehouse, perfectly square and surrounded by water. A long ramp was at one end of the building, resembling a metal arm. On the opposite end was some sort of conveyor belt. At the tippy top of the structure were metal beams forming a square and protruding out, almost like a deck but without wooden floorboards.

“That’s one creepy looking building.” Danielle shivered involuntarily. “Imagine wandering around at night and stumbling upon that old place.”

“I wonder where it is.”

“147 Port Park Road.”

“Is it in Whittier? Maybe it’s close to the ship.”

“Already on it.” Danielle’s fingers flew over the keys. “It’s less than two miles from here.”

Millie hovered over her shoulder. “Click on the satellite image, please.”

Danielle did as she asked, zooming in on the exact location. “It looks like a remote spot.”

“Morley claimed his mine is the key to finding gold in Whittier. I think we should check it out.” Millie consulted the clock. “The evening events are covered, which means we can skate out of here without anyone noticing.”

Danielle’s eyes grew round as saucers. “You want to check out this creepy mine tonight?”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Millie pointed out a small note at the bottom of the story, an update to the original. “I bet this place is abandoned.”

“And if not?”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”