“I’ve noticed how your fingernail polish always matches your outfits,” Nancy continued, “so I was really surprised the other day when you came back on the ship in Alpena and it didn’t.”
Laura looked at all three of them for several seconds, then started laughing. “I suddenly feel as though I’ve been taken down to police headquarters for questioning,” she said. “What’s going on?”
“We’re just very much aware of fashion!” Bess said, smoothing the waves.
“Yes,” George chimed in. “You have such great taste that we just can’t help but notice everything you wear.”
“Honestly, though—we have been spying on you!” Nancy said. “We were trying to help Bess learn as much as possible about what you like to wear so she can design a wardrobe that you just can’t resist.”
“Oh, that is so sweet!” Laura said. She patted Bess’s hand. “I feel bad about not paying more attention to your designs. Right after I talked to you, some personal problems came up, and that’s all I could focus on.”
George kicked Nancy under the table to remind her of what she had said previously—but Nancy was well aware of it. This whole situation with Laura Houston was like a roller coaster.
Their lunch came, and the conversation turned from fashion to food. Laura told them about the New Orleans recipes that she liked to use. She made the dishes—and the whole city—sound so appetizing that by the time they were having dessert and coffee, Nancy and her friends had decided that a trip to New Orleans was in order.
Nancy glanced at her watch. “We need to get back to the ship,” she said. “If we’re late again, I don’t think the captain will be too happy.”
Laura looked puzzled. “Late again?” she said. “When were you late before?”
Either Laura knew nothing about the incident in Alpena, Nancy thought, or she was a great actress. She quickly recounted what had happened in the shop after Laura had left them.
“Oh, my goodness!” Laura exclaimed. “That’s terrible!”
“Anyway,” Nancy continued, “we made it back to the ship just in time.”
Laura looked at the check the waiter had left. She then took several bills out of her purse and laid them on the table.
On the way back Nancy thought about how the day had gone. Now she was even more puzzled than before. She’d talk to Craig about it later tonight. There was still something about Laura that concerned her. Nancy felt she had always had good instincts about who might or might not have committed a crime, but Laura Houston was someone she couldn’t get a read on.
As she followed her friends up the gangway Nancy saw Amber talking to the captain. She looked very distressed.
“Something must have happened,” Bess said.
“Yeah,” George said. “Amber certainly looks upset.”
“Do you know that girl?” Laura asked.
Nancy nodded. “We met her in River Heights,” she said. “She’s friends with one of the crew members.”
“Well, I hope nothing serious has happened,” Laura said, turning to leave. “It was a wonderful day, and I’m glad we spent it together. I think I’ll head to my cabin now and rest a bit before dinner tonight. I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks again for lunch,” Nancy said.
“Yes,” Bess added. “That was so nice of you!”
Laura smiled at them. “The cruise isn’t over,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll have some more fun times together.”
When Laura was gone, the girls hurried up to where Amber was standing. She was still talking with the captain.
“What’s wrong, Amber?” Nancy said.
“It’s Craig,” Amber said. “He’s disappeared!”
11
Amber’s Confession
Nancy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What do you mean he disappeared?” she said.
Amber wiped her eyes with a tissue. “I need to sit down,” she said.
“Why don’t you go to the lounge on deck 3?” the captain suggested. “It’s very close.”
Nancy knew where the lounge was; they had passed it many times on their way to the restaurant. She led George, Bess, and Amber that way.
Nancy focused on this new development. She was sure that Craig’s disappearance had something to do with the investigation of the diamond robberies. Before she made any decision about what she should do next, though, she needed to hear Amber’s version of the incident.
Nancy was glad to find that no one else was in the lounge. They sat on a couch near the door so she could hear if anyone else was coming in.
“Quick, Amber—the ship is supposed to leave in just a few minutes. Tell me what happened,” Nancy said. “Maybe we can still locate Craig.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Nancy. Craig’s not going to be on this ship when it leaves Port Huron,” Amber said. “He’s gone because he doesn’t love me anymore.”
Nancy looked at Bess and George.
“How do you know that?” George asked. “Did he tell you?”
