Murder of a Needled Knitter by Denise Swanson Page A

She tapped the page. “I bet that’s where security will announce Guinevere’sdeath and question us about our movements during the time she was murdered.”
    â€œI’m betting that Dad won’t want to go to that,” Skye said, knowing Jed’s opinion of standing around trying to balance a drink and a weenie on a toothpick while making inane small talk with strangers.
    â€œYou’re right,” May confirmed. “We were going to skip the party, but maybe one of you—and I mean Skye—could go with me.” She stared meaningfully at her daughter.
    â€œThat’s a good idea.” Wally stroked Skye’s knee. “And while you’re at the party, I’ll check out the scene of the crime.”
    â€œBecause there’s a good chance the majority of the security staff will be occupied interviewing the knitters,” Trixie guessed.
    â€œExactly.” Wally patted his shorts pockets, then made a face and asked, “Anyone got paper and something to write with on them?”
    â€œHere’s a pen.” Owen flicked open the pearl snap on the pocket of his Western-style plaid shirt and handed Wally a ballpoint.
    â€œYou can use the back of this flyer advertising the art auction.” Skye slid him a sheet of paper extolling the value of investing in fine paintings. No matter how often she tossed stacks of circulars into the wastebasket, whenever they returned to their suite another pile was waiting for them in the diamond-shaped holder outside their door. “And if you run out of room on that one, there’s a brochure from the spa and one from the jewelry shop.”
    â€œLet me see that last one.” Trixie held out her hand, but let it fall to her side when Owen glared at her. “Hey, I was just going to look.”
    â€œSo we have Skye and May at the cocktail party gathering intel.” Wally jotted down a note. “I’ll be at the nightclub looking over the crime scene.” He added that information to his list. “Trixie and Owen need tomake hard copies of the photos she took.” He narrowed his eyes, then shook his head. “On second thought, it’s probably not a good idea to use the ship’s photography studio for that, even if they agreed to do it for you.”
    â€œMaybe after the four of us do the Rhino Rider Boat Adventure tomorrow on St. Maarten, we can find someplace to print out the pictures ourselves,” Owen suggested.
    â€œIn the meantime,” Skye said, leaning forward, “Trixie and Owen can track down that man we saw arguing with Guinevere at the Coronet Brasserie.” She reminded Wally, “The guy she wasn’t happy to see.”
    â€œDo you remember his name?” Wally asked. “I can’t think of it.”
    â€œSomething fancy like Ashby or Emerson or Cullum.” Skye tapped her chin. “I thought of the
Little Mermaid
when I heard it.”
    Both men’s expressions went blank.
    After a second Trixie suggested, “Prince Eric?”
    â€œNo.” Skye shook her head. “Not Max or Chef Louis or Ollie either.”
    â€œWhat other male characters were there?” May asked. “Surely not Dudley?”
    â€œSebastian,” Skye burst out. “The crab who was King Triton’s court composer.”
    Wally and Owen exchanged perplexed looks, but Trixie and May nodded.
    â€œHow are we supposed to find this Sebastian the crab guy?” Owen demanded. “Does he wear a shell or something?”
    â€œHe works for the cruise line,” Skye offered, ignoring Owen’s sarcasm. “But he isn’t an officer or a part of the crew.” She paused, thinking. “And he eats at the Coronet Brasserie, which means someone there should be able to tell you who he is and maybe even give you an idea of where he’ll be.”
    â€œOkay.” May stood. “We all have our assignments.” She checked her Timex.