Santa Cruise Read Online Free PDF

home?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Nora answered for all of them. Ivy Pickering nodded happily and rushed away.
    A man with a camera on his shoulder was being led in their direction by an energetic young woman with a microphone. Her first question was for Nora. “What do you think of the idea of Commodore Weed honoring people who do good?”
    Regan could swear she heard her father murmur, “She’s against it.” She knew that if there was one thing her father couldn’t stand it was a stupid question.
    Nora was saved from answering by the arrival on deck of two police officers. They were heading straight for the waiter who was approaching their group with a tray of champagne and a dorky smile. When the waiter saw the whole group staring, he turned his head to see what was of such interest. When he caught sight of the policemen, he dropped the tray, spun around, and ran down the nearest companionway to the lower deck. Before his pursuers even reached the companionway, they all heard a loud splash.
    â€œMan overboard!” Ivy Pickering yelped.
    The Commodore looked down at the mess at his feet. Why did I waste my money on the good stuff? he wondered mournfully.
    Everyone ran to the rail to observe the activity below.
    â€œBoy can he swim fast!” someone remarked.
    Seconds later the wail of an approaching police boat suggested that no matter how fast the former waiter swam, he would be plucked from the water before he could make his escape.
    Other waiters were rapidly scooping up the broken glass and mopping the deck. The Commodore hurried across to where Dudley, enveloped in a safety harness, had been about to give a demonstration of the rock-climbing wall. “I don’t know what the problem could be,” Dudley stammered. “He wanted the job so much and said that he used to work at the Waldorf.”
    â€œFor all we know he’s an ax murderer,” the Commodore snapped. “Who else did you hire on faith?” The microphone where he had made his welcoming address was in front of the rock-climbing wall. He picked it up.
    â€œWell, well, I promised you an exciting cruise . . .” But it took a few minutes to get everyone’s attention. They were all fixated, watching the progress of the escapee. The Commodore repeated himself and added, “And we certainlyseem to be embarking on an exciting cruise, heh, heh, heh.” He paused. “Yes indeed,” he finished lamely.
    A young officer approached the Commodore and whispered something in his ear. The Commodore’s worried frown began to ease. “I see. Perfectly understandable. Some women have no patience.” He turned to the crowd. “The poor fellow was a bit behind on his alimony payments, it seems. No threat to anyone. He took a chance on love, and, oh well, ’tis better to have loved and lost . . .”
    The Commodore had to restore the feeling of conviviality. “Now let’s refill our glasses and turn our attention to the rock-climbing wall behind me. Our cruise director, Dudley, will demonstrate for us the fun you can have as you imagine you’re climbing Mount Everest.”
    With a flourish, he turned to Dudley. “Reach for the stars,” he ordered. Dudley bowed as deeply as he could, considering the fact that he was in the harness. The crew member assigned to hold the safety rope picked it up with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.
    Dudley put his right foot on the lowest prong attached to the wall and began his climb. He reached above his head, grabbed another prong, and started to pull himself up.
    â€œDon’t you try that,” Willy whispered to Alvirah.
    â€œRight foot, left foot,” Dudley muttered to himself as he started to break a sweat. His right foot was searching for the next prong when he felt the one supporting his left foot start to wiggle like a loose tooth. “This can’t be,” he moaned.
    But it was.
    As he tried