Gone in a Flash Read Free Page A

fear.
    “Tell me everything,” he demanded.
    “Andy was playing in the water. The next thing I know, he’s hollering and some guy has him and is trying to hold on to him.” A satisfied glint came into her eyes. “Andy was squirming pretty good, and with all of the sunscreen I put on him, I guess he was a little slippery. Andy slid right out of his hands and landed back in the pool. I ran toward them and the guy took off.” Her face dropped. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
    Andy still clutched his little truck. He ran it over his father’s head and said, “Vroom!” Then giggled.
    Samantha patted his little back. “Well, he doesn’t seem terribly upset about the ordeal, but we’re going to have to keep a close eye on him. Closer than usual.”
    “Why would someone try to take your boy?”
    The question came from her left and she realized Officer Ponder had been listening and taking notes.
    Samantha narrowed her eyes at the man. “I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the disappearing dead man. Whoever killed him obviously didn’t want him found. But he knows Andy and I saw him.”
    “So he kidnaps Andy, threatens him if you say anything else . . .” Connor said.
    “Or wants me to recant my story,” she said.
    “I’ll talk with the captain,” Officer Ponder said softly. “We’ll search the ship and see if we can find anything.”
    His sudden cooperative spirit sent Sam’s brows north. “You believe me?”
    “It’s not that I didn’t believe you before, but with no evidence . . .” He spread his hands in a gesture that asked for their understanding. “You’re asking me to search people’s personal space. To check each and every stateroom, explain that something is wrong on the ship. I must be very careful how I approach that and I must have a good reason for it.”
    Sam mulled that over and her eyes met Connor’s. The man was right. “All right. I get that. I’m thinking the body wouldn’t have been stashed in a stateroom. They’re cleaned every day, right?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “So, my suggestion is to search every place that isn’t well-traveled. Staff-only areas.”
    “What if he tossed him overboard?” Connor murmured.
    Sam thought about that. “No. There are too many people. That’s a big risk. Even from a stateroom balcony, I would think that would be too risky.”
    Officer Ponder nodded. “Fine. I will gather my staff and instruct them where to search.”
    Connor asked, “Could we have a look at the blueprints of the ship?”
    The officer’s brow rose. “A most unusual request.”
    “And I wouldn’t make it if I didn’t think I could help.”
    “I will have to clear it with the captain, but I’m sure he’ll say yes, and I will welcome your help.”
    Sam was a little surprised at the easy capitulation, but apparently once the man decided to take action, he liked to delegate. Which would work well for her and Connor.
    After making sure the guard would stay with Andy and Jenna, Samantha and Connor followed Officer Ponder back to the security office. He pulled out the blueprints and lay them across the desk.
    Connor looked at the massive sheets. “This is going to take forever.”
    Samantha agreed. “We’ve got to figure out a better way.”
    “I will have security on each floor start covering the staff-only areas of the ship.” He turned and picked up the radio that would allow him to speak to every security officer at once.
    While he did that, Samantha studied the blueprints. “Where would you stash him?” she asked Connor.
    “Somewhere out of the way, somewhere that would allow the ship’s operations to continue without interruption and with no chance of him being found.”
    “And someplace where he wouldn’t cause a stink.”
    Connor’s eyes met hers. “A freezer.”
    “It would have to be.” She pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures of the blueprints, going in a specific pattern so she would know which