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

Armati into the living room.  Scout was a bowl of wiggles and jiggles when he spotted Millie.  He pranced in a circle, which made Millie dizzy just watching him.
    The captain picked Scout up and held him close before handing him over to Millie.  “No. I am afraid I would roll over and crush him in my sleep,” he admitted.
    Which would be Millie’s fear, too.  Scout was so small, yet he was wiry.  He was definitely a bundle of energy as he pawed at her cheek, licked her chin and tried to climb up her neck all at once. 
    Armati crossed his arms and watched the happy reunion.  “How is the investigation going?”
    Millie peeled her gaze from the dog and glanced at the captain.  Of course, he would know all about it.  He had probably already talked to Dave Patterson and knew that Millie had been in Courtney’s room the night of her death.  “The list of suspects is growing.”
    “Hmm.”  He picked up Scout’s bag and held the door for Millie to follow him out.  “We never had – uh – a death on board until the day you arrived and now we’ve had three right in a short amount of time.”
    Millie had to admit it did seem kind of like too much of a coincidence.  First Olivia LaShay and now the young couple.  She shot him a glance.  Hopefully he didn’t think she had anything to do with the murders. 
    Of course, she had been in the vicinity of all three incidents or had been the last person to see them alive, which would cause anyone concern.  “I-uh.  Yeah, it does seem like more than a coincidence.” Millie shifted Scout and reached for his bag.
    One of the employees was heading their way.  Captain Armati patted Scout’s head.  “Behave yourself,” he told the pooch. 
    Millie and Scout stepped into the hall.  It was time to head down to the theater for the square dance class!  Alison and Tara were already on stage, stomping around in their cowboy boots when Millie and Scout arrived.
    Scout peeked his head out of the half window to catch a glimpse of the commotion.  When he saw all the activity, he began to head butt the front of his carrier.  Millie slipped her hand between his head and the carrier.  “Scout!  You’re going to hurt yourself,” she scolded him.
    Alison stopped stomping.  She strode over to Millie.  “I heard a strange rumor about a pint size pup.”
    Alison twirled over in her western skirt.  The skirt was cute.  The material consisted of alternating strips of denim blue jean and red bandana. She dropped to her knees and put her hand inside to pet Scout.  “Oh my gosh!  He’s adorable!” she gushed.
    Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Millie.  “Can we take him out?”  Millie didn’t have the heart to say no.  Plus, she wasn’t sure who was more excited: Scout or Alison!  She nodded.
    Alison carefully unzipped the carrier and scooched back.  She patted the stage floor.  “C’mon out,” she coaxed.
    Scout hung back for a second, which surprised Millie.  The dog was not shy!  At least not around Millie.  Finally, she was able to persuade Scout to leave his carrier. He wandered over to Alison and began to wag his tail, which shook his whole body. 
    Tara dropped down beside Alison.  “This has to be the cutest Yorkie I’ve ever seen.”
    “Miniature Yorkie,” Millie told them.  “He belongs to Captain Armati.”
    Alison lifted her head and raised an eyebrow.  “This is Captain Armati’s dog?  But how…” her voice trailed off. 
    “Ohhhh.” Tara slowly nodded. “Captain Armati likes Millie,” she teased.
    Millie’s face turned bright red.  About the shade of the red in the bandanas on the girls’ skirts.  “My, my.  I’ve never known him to take a liking to any of the staff.” Alison waved her hands.  “Millie’s cast a spell over Captain.”
    “No!” Millie protested, “He just asked me to entertain his dog.” It sounded lame.  Even to Millie.  Captain could have asked a hundred other people to do the exact