Read Online Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark - Free Book Online

people see you, they expect to see Santas roaming around the ship. Don’t try to run away from them.”
    Highbridge cursed under his breath.
    He’s changed, Eric thought. There was something in his voice that was both chilling and threatening. Eric’s instinct was immediately justifiedwhen Highbridge said, “My people will get you if Tony’s don’t do the job. Count on it.”
    It took less than a minute but felt like hours before they were in the corridor that terminated at the Chapel of Repose. Eric pulled open the heavy wooden door, flicked on the light, and glanced inside. The chapel was the Commodore’s pride and joy. It had an arched ceiling with stained-glass windows on either side. A carpeted center aisle separated six rows of white oak pews and led to a raised area suggesting a sanctuary. The altar, a long table covered by a floor-length velvet cloth was the focal point. An organ was off to the side.
    â€œGet in,” Eric said quickly, then shut the door behind them. “Go sit on the floor behind the table. If you hear the door open, scoot under it. I’ll be back as fast as I can after dinner.”
    â€œMake sure you bring food when you get back,” Bull’s-Eye ordered as he ripped off his beard.
    â€œI will. I will.” Trying not to break into a run, Eric turned off the light, left the chapel, and hurried down the corridor.
    Alvirah and Willy were waiting for the elevator. “Oh, glad to see you, Eric,” Willy said. “Alvirah found a deck of cards in the night table by the bed. We were wondering if they were yours?”
    â€œNo, they’re not,” Eric snapped. Trying to soften his tone, he moved his lips in an attemptedsmile and said, “Even as a kid, I was always an outdoor guy. I could never sit still long enough to play cards.”
    â€œWell, then I guess I’ll see if I can get a card game going on the ship,” Willy said.
    Five minutes later when he was in the shower, a thought hit Eric like a thunderclap. Bull’s-Eye had slept in the bed. By any chance did the deck of cards belong to him?
    And if so, would he want them back?

12
    T he predinner cocktails were being served in the spacious Grand Lounge adjacent to the dining salon. At the entrance, a photographer had set up his camera and a backdrop showing the railing of a ship against a star-spattered sky. There, at eight P.M., the Commodore would begin to pose for pictures as the cruisers filed into dinner.
    The walls of the lounge were decorated with a variety of framed articles and photographs, all of which were a testament to the philanthropic efforts of the honored guests. One woman, Eldona Dietz, had been chosen because the newsy Christmas letter she sent out detailing every single activity of her children’s lives for the past twelve months had won an award from a family magazine. An enlarged and framed version of the letter was displayed prominently on the wall. To make sure no one missed it, a smaller version was a centerpiece at all the cocktail tables.
    The Commodore was speaking in a low voice to a flustered-looking Dudley, and it was obvious he was not happy with whatever Dudley was saying.
    â€œThe reason we only have eight Santa Clauses here is because two of the suits are missing, sir.” Dudley had planned to try to find the perfect moment to break that news, but unfortunately the Commodore had already counted the bearded and costumed figures Ho-Ho-Hoing through the room and instructed Dudley to tell the other two to hurry up and get in there.
    â€œHow could two suits be missing?” the Commodore demanded. “The door to the supply room was locked, wasn’t it?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWas the lock picked?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œThen unless I’m delusional, someone with a key entered the supply room and stole the costumes.”
    â€œThat would seem to be the case, sir.” Dudley watched as the