Page 27 of Millie's Cruise Ship Mysteries
“Great. I better get on it.” Mouthy stomped toward the door.
Patterson stopped him. “We’ll need your information before you leave.”
“You can’t make me.”
The head of security’s voice was calm and even. Too calm, based on Millie’s past experience. She braced herself for what was coming.
“Either you give me your information, or I'll lock you up until you change your mind.”
The blonde made a gagging sound. “You’re throwing us in jail because we needed to be rescued?”
“For safety and security, we require your personal information. We can’t have heavens knows who lurking about the ship,” Oscar said. “You could be transporting drugs, weapons, or be involved in human trafficking.”
“This is ridiculous,” Mouthy spat out.
Patterson shrugged. “It’s up to you. Give us your personal info or I’ll presume you would rather have three hots and a cot.”
Blondie picked up a pen and began writing. She finished and handed the notepad to the brunette, who promptly provided her information. The second male passenger was next. He finished and held it out.
Mouthy stared at the pad, refusing to take it.
Patterson nodded toward Millie. “If you don’t mind giving me a hand, cabins C119-C122 are empty. Please show the others to the cabins. They’ll also need toiletries and clothes.”
Millie gave their guests the once-over. “We have plenty of clean clothes in the lost and found bins. I’ll bring what I think might work.”
The passengers began making their way out of the office.
Mouthy, who was farthest from the door, was last.
Patterson blocked his path, pointedly tapping the top of the notepad. “I’ll reiterate your choices. Either give us your personal information or I’ll lock you up until you’re inclined to cooperate.”
“I’ll have you fired for this,” he threatened.
“You seem to know a thing or two about the law. Surely, you understand the legal requirement that we have the names of all passengers on board the ship.”
“Ridiculous.” Mouthy snatched the pad from Patterson’s hand and began scribbling. He finished and unceremoniously dropped it on the desk. “Happy?”
The head of security calmly picked it up and glanced at the sheet. “ID please.”
Mouthy lifted his chin. “I don’t have it.”
“I can see a wallet in your front pocket.”
Millie tensed, watching as the two men faced off. Finally, Mouthy caved. He reluctantly reached into his front pocket, removed a thin wallet and handed it to him.
Patterson flipped it over. “Just what I thought. You misspelled your name, Jeremy Manning.”
Oscar, curious to find out what the belligerent man had written, picked up the notepad. “Christopher Columbus.”
“C’mon, Jeremy,” the blonde pleaded. “Your dad’s going to find out sooner rather than later. Call him and explain what happened. The rest of us will back you up.”
“He’s gonna be so freaking ticked.”
The way he said it, Millie almost felt sorry for him.Almost.
“James has the yacht heavily insured,” his friend said. “At least I hope he does.”
“I’ll show you to the cabins and then track down some toiletries.” Stepping into the main corridor, Millie led them to the stairs and down one deck to the crew’s quarters. “We have four empty cabins.” She counted heads. “For seven people.”
