Chapter 31
Cat strolled down the gangway, coming to a sudden stop when she noticed the head of security standing next to Millie. “You’re uh…” A look of confusion flitted across her face.
“I’m accompanying you and your sidekick on the quest to track down the person who purchased the burner phone and called in a bomb threat to corporate,” Patterson said.
“I mentioned you had a friend, a store owner, and how we wanted to do a little digging around,” Millie explained.
“I’ve already called Juji. She’s waiting for us at her shop in Cockburn.” Cat looked from one to the other. “We’ll need a ride.”
“Which is arriving as we speak.”
Oscar sped toward them, seated behind the wheel of a cream-colored golf cart. He parked a few feet away and hopped out. “Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all,” Patterson said. “This is our ride?”
“All charged up and ready to roll.” He turned to go.
Millie stopped him. “Why don’t you go with us?”
“Me?”
“Sure.” Patterson warmed to the idea. “You can witness firsthand one of Millie’s epic misadventures.”
“We don’t have epic misadventures.”
“At least not often,” Cat laughed.
Patterson rocked back on his heels, pinning her with a pointed stare.
“I’ll admit we get into a little hot water now and then, but always—and I do mean always—wiggle our way out of it.”
His stern demeanor vanished. “I’m not trying to bust your chops.”
“Good, because in the last twenty-four hours, I’ve had my keycard and cash stolen, rescued my cousin who was locked in a lighthouse, scaled the side of the ship to board only to turn around and escort dozens of passengers to shore because of a bomb threat.”
“It’s been a rough day,” he conceded.
“A rough couple of weeks starting with the Bautista brothers, which is why I would like nothing more than to figure out who is behind the bomb threat. Siren of the Seas is paying big bucks for this prank,” Millie said.
“You and me both.” Patterson climbed in next to Oscar, who offered to drive while Millie and Cat hopped in the back.
“Which way, Cat?”
“To Cockburn Town. Juji’s Whatnot Shop is in the heart of downtown.”
During the drive, Millie and the others threw out ideas about who might be behind the hoax.
Disgruntled crew member? Possibly.
Mischievous prankster? Maybe.
A spoiled and unappreciative yacht passenger? More than likely, at least in Millie’s mind. Her gut told her that not only had Jeremy Manning stolen her keycard and cash, but the troublemaker was also behind the vandalism on board and the bomb threat.
Unfortunately, hunches and conclusive evidence were two entirely different matters. Although the voyage was winding down and they were on their way back to Miami, there was still plenty of time for a mischief-maker to continue causing trouble and engage in destructive behavior.
The expenses of the vandal, thief and culprit behind the bomb threats were starting to add up. Returning to Grand Turk’s port cost Majestic Cruise Lines lots of money. Because of the late departure, the ship would have to travel full steam ahead, wasting precious fuel to make up for lost time.
“Juji’s shop is right there.”
Oscar made a wide turn and pulled alongside the curb.
“I’ll make sure she’s still here.” Cat bounded up the steps and trekked into the store. She popped back out a few seconds later and waved them in.
Millie crossed the street, studying the main drag, a mixture of single story and two-story buildings. Spacious sidewalks meandered past British colonial and Bermudian-style architecture with wide verandas and covered porches, offering shade from the intense Caribbean sun.
“Good day, mum.” A thin woman with inquisitive brown eyes, welcomed Millie and the others. “You brought the whole crew, Cat,” she observed in a clipped tone. “I heard your ship left and returned to port.”
“Not by choice. Someone called in a bomb threat.”
Juji’s hand flew to her throat. “You had a bomb on board?”
“Thankfully, no.” Cat explained that bomb-sniffing dogs had thoroughly searched the ship. “Nothing was found. We’re waiting for clearance to depart. Because the call came in from a 649 number, Dave Patterson, our head of security, is here to inquire about burner phones.”
“We sell a few.” Juji slipped her reading glasses on. “I am not sure if we sold any today.”
“Could you check?” Cat asked.
“Of course.” Humming under her breath, the store owner adjusted the computer screen and reached for her mouse. “I did not sell any phones today.”
“I’m wondering if you have any idea how many other shops on the island sell cell phones,” Millie said.
“A handful.”
Patterson twirled his finger. “Here in town or in other parts of the island?”
“It ‘twould only be in Cockburn Town. I know all the other store owners who sell similar products. It will take some time to stop at every store.”
“The one thing we don’t have a lot of,” Oscar said.
Millie opened her purse and began counting her money. Thirty-seven dollars. Not nearly enough cash for Juji’s time.
Patterson elbowed her. “What are you doing?”
“I was thinking if we offer Juji some cash, she might be willing to do the groundwork for us.”
“Excellent idea.” He pulled his wallet from his pocket. “We are very much interested in finding out if the phone used to place the call was purchased in Grand Turk. Would it be possible for us to compensate you for your time and have you do a little checking around?”
“Possible?” Juji smiled widely. “I would certainly be able to help.”
“I have some cash, too.” Cat dug into her backpack and pulled out a small stack of money.
Oscar removed several bills from his wallet.
Pooling their funds, they came up with a little over a hundred dollars.
“Will a hundred and ten American dollars be worth your time?”
“Most definitely.” Juji held out her hand while Patterson counted the cash. “I typically close after cruise ships leave for the day so I was gettin’ ready to head home. I will contact the other shop owners immediately, to see if anyone sold a burner phone.”
Patterson removed his business card from his shirt pocket. He flipped it over and jotted his personal cell phone number on the back. “Do you think you’ll have an answer today?”
“If not this evening, first thing tomorrow morning,” Juji promised.
Cat tapped her phone. “You have my number, Juji.”
“I do. If I can’t reach Mr. Patterson, I will call you.”
Patterson shook the store owner’s hand. “You’ll be doing us a huge favor.”
“That ‘tis what friends are for. You will hear from me soon.” Juji escorted them out and locked the door behind them.
The group climbed into the golf cart and backtracked toward the ship.
“Well?” Millie prompted. “What are our chances of getting a match?”
“Fifty-fifty,” Oscar said.
“I say we have a seventy-five percent chance,” Patterson said.
“Not me.” Millie glimpsed her beloved Siren of the Seas off in the distance, reliving the terrifying moments, wondering if a bomb would go off, injuring or even killing people she loved, and it made her mad.
“I would say more like ninety-nine percent. I think whoever called in the bomb is on the ship right now.”
As soon as they were back on board, Millie called Gloria to check on Lucy.
“We’re upstairs in the suite, waiting on her hand and foot,” her cousin joked. “And wondering about the bomb threat. The ship is still in port. Is there something we should know?”
“Nic is waiting for clearance from local authorities and Majestic Cruise Lines.”
“Do they have any idea who was behind it?”
“No, but I have my suspicions.”
“Jeremy the troublemaker,” Gloria guessed. “He was the first person who came to mind.”
“I have some time to kill before my next hosting event. If you don’t mind, I would like to stop by.”
“We’re here.”
“On my way.”
Gloria must’ve been keeping an eye out for Millie because as soon as she stepped in front of the door, her cousin opened it. “We took a vote on which of us thought the spoiled rescued passenger is behind the incidents.”
“And?”
“We’re all in agreement except Liz,” Gloria said. “She seems to think it’s the yacht captain, not Jeremy.”
“Suspect the least suspicious,” Liz said. “He flies under the radar. Plus, the drug thing. You don’t know for sure Jeremy planned to go to Nassau to score drugs. Maybe it was Tohan, trying to shift the blame on the boy.”
“He’s not a boy. He’s a grown man with a bad attitude.” Millie reminded them of what happened in Bimini, when Jeremy acted like he was going to toss Scout overboard.
“True. I forgot about that. Anyone who pretends they’re going to hurt an innocent little dog is a monster in my book,” she insisted. “It’s him.”
“Destroying ship property, stealing, and now calling in a bomb threat,” Lucy said. “I would be concerned about what stunt he might pull next.”
Millie told them about the 649 number, driving to Cockburn Town and hiring Juji to find out if the phone had been sold that day. “My gut tells me it was purchased today for the sole purpose of calling the cruise line.”
“Because…” Dot prompted. “I mean, what’s his motive?”
“Jeremy is being vindictive. He’s not happy about being stuck in a crew member’s cabin.”
Millie’s radio blared. It was Annette. “Hey, Millie.”
“Go ahead, Annette.”
“Where are you?”
“In Gloria and Liz’s suite, checking on Lucy.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Knock. Knock.
“That was fast.” Gloria hustled to the door, eased it open and ushered Annette inside. “You must’ve been right around the corner.”
“Close,” Annette said. “I talked to Cat. She brought me up to speed about what’s going on. Jeremy Manning has been ordering room service every morning and afternoon after his twice daily workouts.”
Millie interrupted. “Twice daily workouts?”
“In the fitness center, at least this is what he bragged about to Barty, who has been delivering his double latte with fresh cream, grilled chicken and a side of sweet potatoes,” Annette said. “Anyway, Barty delivered food a little while ago and seems to think the guy is up to no good.”
“I’m almost certain Jeremy is behind what’s been going on,” Millie said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s plotting another destructive act.”