Southampton Strangler Read online

  Southampton Strangler

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series

  Book 21

  Hope Callaghan

  hopecallaghan.com

  Copyright © 2021

  All rights reserved.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Although places mentioned may be real, the characters, names and incidents, and all other details are products of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual organizations, events, or actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

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  Visit my website for new releases and special offers: hopecallaghan.com

  CONTENTS

  Cast of Characters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Annette’s Healthy Greek Salad Recipe

  Meat Marinade Recipe

  Annette’s Tzatziki Recipe

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  Meet Hope Callaghan

  Cast of Characters

  Mildred “Millie” Sanders-Armati . Millie, heartbroken after her husband left her for one of his clients, decides to take a position as assistant cruise director aboard the mega cruise ship, Siren of the Seas. From day one, she discovers she has a knack for solving mysteries, which is a good thing since some sort of crime is always being committed on the high seas.

  Recently married to the ship’s captain, Millie has embarked on a new adventure on board Siren of the Seas.

  Annette Delacroix . Director of Food and Beverage on board Siren of the Seas, Annette has a secret past and is the perfect accomplice in Millie’s investigations. Annette is the “Jill of all Trades” and isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and help out a friend in need.

  Catherine “Cat” Wellington . Cat is the most cautious of the group of friends and prefers to help Millie from the sidelines, but when push comes to shove, Millie can count on Cat to risk life and limb in the pursuit of justice.

  Danielle Kneldon . Danielle first found her way on board Siren of the Seas working undercover. After her assignment ended, she snagged a position on board the ship and joined Millie and the gang to round out their “Super Sleuths” to a team of four.

  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 NI

  Chapter 1

  “ If you move a bit more toward the middle, I’ll be able to get a great deal of Stonehenge in and a fantastic shot of the clear skies, a blessing for us these days,” their guide drawled in his utterly charming British accent.

  Millie, Annette, Cat and Danielle squeezed in even closer, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site directly behind them.

  “Perfect. Lovely.” He finished taking the photo and handed Annette her cell phone. “Is there anywhere else round Salisbury you would care to visit?”

  “I think I’ve seen enough, and my feet are getting sore.” Annette’s eyes swept across the vista. “It is a sight to behold, but I’m ready to go home.”

  “Me too.” Millie was equally excited yet sad that Siren of the Seas’ summer season in the British Isles had come to an end.

  The last group of cruise passengers had disembarked that morning. Within hours, the ship and crew would welcome a new set of passengers, those embarking on the thirteen-day voyage across the Atlantic to the Port of Miami.

  It had been a wonderful summer, full of amazing sights and adventures, memories Millie would treasure forever. But she was eagerly looking forward to new adventures in the “ABC Islands,” islands she’d never visited before.

  “It’s been an eventful summer,” Cat said. “A lot has happened.”

  “Including a new beau for Cat,” Danielle teased.

  “Now that you mention it,” Cat smiled, “Andy’s planned a surprise excursion for us this afternoon. He told me to wear sneakers, pack a pair of flip-flops, a windbreaker and an umbrella.”

  “So, expect a little of everything,” Millie teased. “Sun, rain and wind.”

  “I have a hunch he’s taking me to a museum and then out for a late lunch to sample some authentic Scottish or British dishes.”

  “If it’s Scottish…a word of warning,” Danielle said. “Skip the haggis.”

  “I’ve heard of haggis but can’t remember much about it,” Millie said. “What is it?”

  “Disgusting,” Annette chuckled. “Unless you’re Scottish, of course. It’s sheep guts ground into sausage.”

  Cat’s eyes widened in horror. “Seriously? I won’t eat that. Is there anything else I should avoid?”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “I tried Cullen skink. It’s fish soup,” Millie said. “Speaking of fish, you can’t go wrong with fish and chips.”

  “Fish and chips sounds safe. I think I’ll stick to something I know.”

  “Millie and I are hosting a small bon voyage party in the galley.” Annette explained that they had invited Halbert Pennyman, the homeless man who lived in a warehouse a stone’s throw from the dock, along with the security guards he had befriended over the summer months, to join them for a goodbye luncheon in the ship’s galley.

  During the luncheon, they planned to surprise Halbert with a few parting gifts.

  “I’m going to miss Halbert.” Millie could feel her throat clog at the thought of saying goodbye to her friend, certain that today would be the last day she would ever see him.

  “It will be a little sad.” Annette slipped her arm through Millie’s arm. “And on that note, it’s time for us to head back.”

  Roland, their tour guide, began leading them back to the main path.

  “You went on a lot of excursions, Millie. Which was your favorite?” Cat asked.

  “It’s hard to pick just one. I loved visiting Blarney Castle with Amit. Loch Ness is high on the list. The countryside was amazing.”

  “I figured you would say Skara Brae,” Annette joked.

  Cat made a choking sound. “Don’t remind us.”

  “Skara Brae, by far, was the most memorable. Being trapped in a haunted house and having Siren of the Seas leave us behind is something I’ll never forget.”

  “Thank God Nic rescued us,” Cat said. “We would probably still be there.”

  Millie grew quiet as she thought about all the wonderful British Isles’ ports, the excursions, not to mention the adventures. “I’m sure Sharky will never forget Southampton.”

  “Where he was kidnapped and held for ransom.” Annette veered off the path to avoid a large rock. “I bet he’ll never fib and tell a woman he’s captain of a cruise ship again.”

  “Now that you mention Sharky, I wonder what his surprise is.” For days now, the ship’s maintenance supervisor had been anxiously awaiting their return to Southampton. He’d spent countless hours with Donovan, going over what he claimed was a valuable tool for not only maintenance, but also for the ship’s security and safet
y department.

  “Donovan stopped by the gift shop last night and made a comment that Sharky was driving him nuts,” Cat said.

  “I can’t wait to find out what it is.” Millie turned her attention to Annette. “So, what about you, Annette? What was your favorite port or excursion here in the British Isles?”

  “That’s a no-brainer…this! I’ve had fun exploring this pile of rocks and, of course, spending time with my friends.”

  Millie had to agree. It was a fitting last day, to be outside enjoying the fresh air, considering they would be stuck on board the ship for several long days with no land in sight. It had been a picture-perfect day spent with her besties.

  During the ride back to the port, Roland pointed out several landmarks and areas of interest.

  Millie took it all in, briefly wondering if she would ever visit again. She and Nic had tried to plan a trip to Bertoli, the small Italian fishing village where he’d been born and raised, but it hadn’t worked out and the couple decided that, during their next break, they would travel to Michigan to visit Millie’s family. From there they would fly to Italy, splitting their break between both of their families.

  As they drew closer to the port, Millie spied the smokestacks of another cruise ship docked nearby.

  “I wonder if we’ll be back again next year.” Cat echoed Millie’s thoughts.

  “Nic doesn’t seem to think so. I heard Alaska is being considered for our next summer season.”

  “Alaska? Are you serious?” Danielle playfully punched Millie in the arm. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

  “It’s only talk right now, so don’t get your hopes up. Alaska is one that’s being discussed although a decision will have to be made soon. From what little my tight-lipped husband is sharing, we’ll for sure be based out of the World Cruise Center.”

  “Where’s that?” Cat asked.

  “Los Angeles,” Millie and Annette said in unison.

  “LA?” Cat wrinkled her nose. “Yuck.”

  Annette pursed her lips. “Why is it yuck? LA gives us several options. Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska.”

  Danielle clapped her hands. “We could do the whole Love Boat itinerary.”

  “Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco,” Millie said. “I love to watch the re-runs when I have time.”

  “You should write a book,” Annette said. “Since you’re such a snoop, you could call it Murder She Wrote Meets the Love Boat. We could pitch it to some literary agents and try to get it turned into a television show.”

  Cat laughed. “Millie has had enough adventures to release a whole series. She would be famous.”

  “Ha. Ha. Very funny.” Millie changed the subject. “I think any of those sounds like fun…Mexico to follow in the footsteps of the television series. Hawaii or Alaska because they sound amazing.”

  “If you have any pull at all, I’m rooting for Hawaii,” Cat said.

  “My vote is Mexico,” Danielle said.

  “Put me down for Alaska,” Annette chimed in.

  Cat tapped the window with her fingernail, pointing to Siren of the Seas’ smokestack rising majestically off in the distance. “We’re almost home. I see our ship.”

  The friends grew quiet as their van rounded the bend, passing by the National Oceanography Centre. On the opposite side of the street was Queen’s Park, a small, picturesque park Millie and Scout had visited many times.

  “Uh-oh.” Annette craned her neck. “Something’s going on over at the park.”

  “You’re kidding.” Millie’s heart sank at the number of patrol vehicles across the street from the port…mere steps from Halbert’s home.

  Chapter 2

  Millie scrambled out of the van as soon as it stopped, hastily thanking Roland for the private tour and rewarding him with a generous tip before making a beeline for the Queen’s Park entrance.

  She, along with the others, edged past a group of onlookers, including several of the ship’s crewmembers, circling around until they reached an empty spot near a cluster of uniformed officers. Millie let out a sigh of relief when she spotted Halbert standing between two of them.

  The ship’s head of security, Dave Patterson, was also there.

  “Can you see anything?” Danielle squeezed in next to Millie.

  “No.”

  “Something went down.” Annette pointed to yellow flags dotting the area.

  “You’re right.” An oddly shaped chalk line was next to one of the flags.

  “My first thought was that something had happened to Halbert. I’m glad to see he’s all right.” Cat glanced at her watch. “I need to head back to the ship to get ready for my day date with Andy.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Danielle said. “I need to catch up on some laundry.”

  “We’ll let you know what we find out,” Annette promised.

  The crowd thinned, and Millie was finally able to catch Halbert’s eye. He made his way over. “Hey, Millie.”

  “Hello, Halbert. What’s going on?”

  “The Southampton Strangler struck again.” Halbert told Millie and Annette he could’ve sworn he saw the strangler the previous night. “I’m almost sure it was him. If only I had a way to call the police, this may have been prevented.”

  Millie and Annette exchanged a quick glance. One of Halbert’s farewell gifts would take care of that problem.

  “He murdered Clarissa Sinclair.” Halbert eyed them expectantly.

  Annette shaded her eyes, watching as Patterson stepped away from the others and began talking on his cell phone. “Who is Clarissa Sinclair?”

  “A London socialite turned reporter.”

  “Interesting,” Millie murmured. “So, perhaps she was investigating the strangler and ended up being his next victim.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about such a sad ending to our time in Southampton,” Millie said. “Now that we’re here, are you ready to head over to the ship for our bon voyage party?”

  A look of uncertainty clouded his face. “I-I was going to change my clothes.”

  Millie recognized the shirt and slacks he was wearing as ones she had given to him after cleaning out Nic’s closet. “What you’re wearing is just fine.” She motioned toward the authorities, still gathered in a semi-circle. “Perhaps you should make sure the police don’t need you any longer.”

  “Right.” Halbert hurried toward them. After having a brief word, he returned. “They told me I could leave.”

  Millie guided Halbert out of the park, and Annette fell into step on the other side as they began making their way across the street to the security checkpoint.

  She flashed her badge, briefly explaining she had obtained clearance from Donovan Sweeney to bring Halbert on board the ship.

  “Ah.” The guard grinned. “Halbert’s getting the VIP treatment today.”

  “I am.” The old man smiled back. “I’m gonna miss you, Kev.”

  The guard’s smile vanished as he motioned toward the commotion across the street. “I heard the strangler struck again.”

  “It appears that way. I’m gonna miss you, my friend. Stay safe.”

  They passed through the gate and Halbert greeted several more members of the ship’s security team, friends he had made and crewmembers who had made it a point to check on the homeless man during their months in port.

  Suharto waved the trio through as they made their way up the ship’s gangway. Once on board, Annette and Halbert stepped into the elevator while Millie darted up the stairs, reaching the elevator doors as they opened.

  Halbert’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide as he gazed around in wonderment. “This is the bee’s knees. I always imagined what the inside of a fancy cruise ship might look like.” He ran his fingertips along the polished handrail as his eyes traveled to one of the ship’s twinkling chandeliers at the end of the corridor. “I cannot even imagine living on board this luxury liner. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “You’
ve been like our guardian angel, watching over us this summer. Because of you, Sharky has Finn and we have a new friend.” Millie eased the galley’s swinging door open and led him inside while Annette brought up the rear.

  Sharky, Finn and several of the security guards Halbert had befriended, along with Oscar, Patterson’s right-hand man, were waiting inside.

  Amit stood in front of the counter, which was filled with food. “Welcome to Annette’s galley, Halbert.”

  Halbert hesitated, taking in the crisp, white linen tablecloths, the clusters of colorful balloons, the side table filled with drinks, surrounded by crewmembers who were there to say goodbye to their friend. “What…”

  “The party is for you, our fond farewell to the British Isles and to our friend, Halbert.” Millie patted his arm. “We will miss you.”

  “Yes,” Oscar echoed. “You have become a friend, Halbert.”

  The old man’s hand trembled as he rubbed the tip of his nose. “You’ve touched an old bloke’s heart.”

  The guests feasted on hamburgers, hotdogs, and brats, crispy French fries, an array of creamy salads, chocolate chip cookies and parlies, a shortbread biscuit. There was tea, canned sodas, coffee and a Victoria sponge cake, a decadent dessert Annette had been perfecting during the season’s teatime.

  While they ate, Halbert’s friends presented him with gifts, special mementos, each as individual and thoughtful as the giver.

  Annette and Amit’s gift was a portable cooler, something they knew he could use since several of the dock area employees often stopped by Halbert’s place to drop off food and bottled water.

  Sharky’s gift was a handheld crank radio with a flashlight. “This is from Finn ‘n me. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have my sidekick.”

  “Who also helped rescue my pup, Scout, from the dognappers,” Millie reminded him. Her gifts were last, and she’d spent several days deciding what to give him, all items she was certain Halbert could use.

  He teared up again when he unzipped the backpack and removed a package of socks, something Millie had purchased after discovering socks were one of the most requested items for the homeless.