Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark Page B

Eric’s head.
    â€œHe seems alone,” Eric said solicitously. “Is he traveling with anyone?”
    â€œNo,” Gephardt answered slowly. “He really puzzles me. His back is certainly in spasm, but he’s not as sickly as he appeared. His body is surprisingly muscular and all his vital signs are perfect. I can’t understand why he was wearing a grayish makeup on his face. Underneath it, his skin is ruddy, but that stuff makes him look like a cadaver.”
    Eric glanced down at Gephardt’s desk. Crater’s chart was right there, his cabin number next to his name. “You’re definitely keeping him here overnight?” Eric asked.
    Gephardt nodded solemnly. “At least overnight. I know he’d prefer to be back in his own room, but with that shot I gave him he’ll be lights out until tomorrow morning.” He then smiled. “Can you believe the Deitz children’s mother already had them make Get Well cards for him? He tore them up unopened.”
    Eric laughed, pretending to share a moment with Gephardt.
    â€œNow, Eric, if you’ll excuse me, I have a waiting room full of patients,” Gephardt said briskly.
    For a split second Eric was angry at being dismissed by a nerd like Gephardt when he was dying to get out of there anyway. But the anger passed quickly. Now at least he had a plan.
    Moving even faster than before, he hurried back up the companionway to the Lido. It was nearly empty. “Not too many takers for the buffet tonight?” he asked one of the waiters.
    â€œNot with this weather.”
    â€œI thought I’d see some of the Santas up here,” Eric said, trying to sound casual. “So many people were talking to them at dinner, they didn’t get much chance to eat.”
    â€œTwo of them came up here really early. We weren’t even set up yet. They took some grapes and cheese.”
    Eric’s pulse quickened. That had to have been Bull’s-Eye and Highbridge. “Did they sit in here?”
    â€œNo, they took the food with them and went out the back.” The waiter turned his attention to the buffet table. “We’re starting to put everything away early. Can I get you anything?”
    â€œNo, thanks,” Eric answered quickly. “See you around.” He knew the waiter would think he was insane if he went out the back door into the rain. Instead, he took the inside archway that ledto the bank of elevators, strode past them, and exited through a side door that opened onto the deck. A driving rain immediately soaked his uniform. Getting on his hands and knees so the waiters wouldn’t see him walking around in the rain like a lunatic, he headed toward the back of the ship. If Bull’s-Eye and Highbridge were hiding out there, he’d have to let them know he was in the vicinity.
    He waited until he got to the sports area before he started singing, “Santa Claus is comin’ to town.”

23
    R egan and Jack escorted Alvirah back to her room.
    â€œGet right to bed, Alvirah,” Jack said. “The way this ship is rocking, it would be very easy to fall.”
    â€œDon’t worry about me,” Alvirah said. “For forty years I stood on wobbly tables to dust chandeliers. I always said I could have been a tightrope walker.”
    Regan laughed and gave Alvirah a peck on the cheek. “Take Jack’s advice. We’ll see you in the morning.”
    Alvirah let herself into the room and was comforted by the sight of an almost invisible Willy wrapped up in the blankets and the sound of his rumbling snore. The desk lamp was on. I’m too wound up to sleep, she told herself. And anyhow, I want to record everything that happened today while it’s still fresh in my mind. My editor, Charlie, said if I could get an exciting story out of this cruise, he’d be interested, but he didn’t want atravelogue or just a feel-good piece. “I appreciate all the good deeds