“It gets better,” George added.
Nancy turned back to Amber. “Let’s hear the rest of it,” she said.
Amber explained to Nancy how one of Craig’s friends had told him what incredible valuables people brought on board cruise ships. The friend was sure that these were mostly people from small towns who saw the cruise ship as a place to show off their expensive clothes and jewels.
Together, Craig and Amber concocted the elaborate Interpol story so that Craig would have what looked like a legitimate reason to sneak around—just in case anyone became suspicious. Amber said Craig was really proud of his Interpol ID because it looked so real.
“I don’t understand, Amber,” Nancy said. “Where is Craig now?”
Amber shrugged. “Craig’s plan was to steal a few big-ticket items right before we docked in Port Huron,” Amber said. “I was to rent a car and meet him in front of a restaurant downtown. From there we’d drive south to Detroit, hide out for a few days with some friends of his, then decide where we wanted to end up. I rented the car, drove to the restaurant, and waited. Craig never showed up.”
“Why didn’t you just leave?” Nancy said. “Why did you come back to the ship?”
“I was telling you the truth about that, Nancy. I really don’t have anywhere to go,” Amber said. “Everything I own is in this cabin. I thought I’d at least have a place to sleep for a few days until I could decide what to do next.”
Nancy shook her head. “This is so bizarre,” she said. She stood up and started pacing back and forth. “Amber, if Craig did steal anything from the passengers, it won’t be long until the losses are discovered,” she said. “We’ll have to tell the captain about your part in this crime.”
“But he’ll throw me off the ship right away if you do that. I’d end up in jail!” Amber cried. “I only agreed to come along because I love Craig and because he thought I’d be a good cover for him.”
“Nancy, what if Craig didn’t steal anything?” Bess said. “What if he decided it wasn’t going to work and then just dumped Amber?”
“I was thinking about that,” Nancy said. She looked at Amber. “Okay, we won’t say anything to the captain just yet, in case Craig did get cold feet and didn’t end up stealing anything.”
“Maybe he really is a creep, Amber, and he just skipped out on you,” George said. “If that’s the case, you’re much better off.”
Amber stood up. “I think I need to take a hot shower and go to bed,” she said. “I’d better enjoy these accommodations while I can, because in a few days I’ll be on the street.”
The girls stood up.
“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen,” Bess assured her.
Nancy didn’t chime in. She wasn’t feeling quite as optimistic as her friend.
“If you need anything tonight, just call our suite,” George said. “We’ll do our best to help you.”
“Thank you,” Amber said. “I can’t even begin to tell you three how much I appreciate what you’re doing.”
On the way back to their suite George said, “This cruise is getting stranger and stranger.”
“That’s the truth,” Bess said. “I don’t know what to think about Amber, Craig, Laura …”
“Well, I may have a solution to this in a few minutes,” Nancy said. “I called Dad in Toronto and asked him to find out what he could about an Interpol investigation into diamonds stolen from jewelry stores in Mexico and the United States. He should be calling soon.” She looked at Bess, who was clearly trying to keep quiet. “Don’t say it—I know I should have done it sooner.”
As Nancy inserted the key in the lock on their suite’s door, the phone rang. She quickly opened the door and grabbed the phone.
“Hello? Oh, hi, Dad!” Nancy said. “Did you find out anything?”
Nancy listened for several minutes, then said, “Well, that does shed some new light on the case.”
“Well?” Bess asked after Nancy had hung up.
“There is an Interpol investigation of jewelry store robberies,” Nancy said, “and the lead investigator is a Craig Oliver, but…”
“But what?” George said.
“Dad couldn’t get a description of him,” Nancy said, “so now I don’t know if the man we thought was Craig Oliver really is Craig Oliver.”
12
Overboard!
“Well, if the Craig Oliver we know isn’t the real Craig Oliver, then where is he?” Bess said.
“Only the phony Craig Oliver knows that, and he’s back in Port Huron,” George said. “Right, Nancy?”
Nancy didn’t say a word. Bess had to break the silence. “Nancy?” she said.
“Maybe the Craig Oliver we know is the real Craig Oliver after all,” Nancy said.
“But that would mean that Amber is lying,” Bess said, “and I don’t think she is.”
“She was really upset, Nancy,” George said. “That didn’t seem like an act to me.”
“You’re right, it didn’t,” Nancy said. “But how can these two men have the same name?”
“Amber’s boyfriend did something with the real Craig Oliver and took his name,” Bess suggested. “Amber only knew him as Craig Oliver.”
