Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 03 - Secrets at Sea Read Online Free

I’ll watch Shelby. You may have to buy me new tires for my wheelchair when you get back. You know the way she likes to bite them when I’m trying to get around.”
    “Thanks, Justin, you’re the best.”
    “I know. When are you going?”
    “Tomorrow.”
    “Wow, that’s quick.”
    “Yeah, I’ll drive down to Long Beach, stay in a motel, and board the boat the next afternoon.”
    “Sounds like a plan, Teach.”
    “Hey, how am I going to get the information from you about Adam?”
    “They have complete Internet access on the ship. I’ll just email you the info.”
    “That’s great, Justin. Do you want me to bring Shelby over tomorrow?”
    “No, leave her at home. I’ll come and get her later in the day. I’ll be over at the high school in the morning.”
    “Using their high-speed Internet?”
    “Yes,” he laughed. “Super Cyber Sidekick, away!”
    I went to my bedroom and started packing. There were two formal nights on the weeklong cruise, so I packed my long black skirt and two tops, one black lace and the other black with gold sequins. I filled the suitcase with shirts, shorts, pants, light jackets, underwear, nylons, shoes, and socks
    I tucked one set of the cruise photos between several pairs of shorts. In the end, I had to sit on the suitcase so I could zip it closed.
    Hungry again, I ate the rest of the chicken salad I made earlier. If it was good for one meal, then it surely was good for two. Afterwards, I packed a small bag to carry onto the ship. It was one of the things my mom used to complain about. You give them your luggage at the port and you don’t see it again for hours. I wanted a fresh outfit to wear to dinner and also to hand-carry my make-up. I didn’t wear it often, but didn’t want it spilling inside my suitcase, either.
    I got my driver’s license and credit card from my wallet and put them with my passport, which I had gotten several years ago but had never used. It would be nice to finally get a stamp in it. I put the documents into my carry-on’s inner pocket. I could lose everything, my knock-off Guess purse and all my clothes, but I didn’t want to lose my driver’s license, credit card, or passport. Everything else I could buy again.
    I put the second set of cruise photos inside the small suitcase. There really wasn’t a need to take both sets, but I figured if I ran into any of my parents’ friends, I’d give them a copy. Just like my mom used to do.
    It got late and I hadn’t heard from Tom. I guessed he couldn’t get the time off. Oh well, I was going anyway. Besides, he might get in the way of my investigation. Sometimes it’s hard to ask people questions when they know you have a cop standing next to you.
    It was after midnight when I crawled into bed. I was exhausted, probably from all the crying earlier. I lay my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. There were no tears left, but I thought about my mom and dad and how life had been before they died. Both retired, they would travel between Jordan’s home in New York and mine in California. They’d come in like a whirlwind, turning my world upside down. The entire time they visited we would run here, there and everywhere, trying new restaurants, museums, and amusement parks. My dad loved roller coasters, the faster the better. He’d fly us down to Disneyland or take us to Great America every weekend. I was always exhausted and sad when they left.
    I fell asleep dreaming about Space Mountain at Disneyland. Enjoying the speed, taking the curves and feeling the wind rushing through my hair - it was fabulous!
    Suddenly I startled awake. Someone stood in my bedroom’s doorway. I screamed.

Chapter 3

    My screaming set off Shelby. She barked, jumped from the bed, and charged the intruder.
    I heard Tom’s loud and stern voice. “Shelby! Get back on the bed!”
    She stopped, turned quickly, and came flying onto the bed and into my arms.
    “Don’t yell at her.” I petted the dog. “You scared her.”
    “I