Read Stranded for Free Online Page B

paced. “What do you know about the case she’s working?”
    â€œNot a lot. She didn’t want to explain over the phone—was going to fill me in once I got on board. We were supposed to meet last night, but she never showed.”
    â€œAnd the woman that went overboard? Was that her?”
    â€œI don’t know. I had Landon call Kodiak Hospital, but—”
    â€œWait . . .” Gage cocked his head. “Where does Landon come into this?”
    â€œWhen the Bering docked in Yancey this morning, I went to see Landon.”
    And she hadn’t bothered to drop by and say hi? How could she have visited Yancey without seeing him, even if the visit had to be brief? Guess he knew where he stood. “Was Landon of any help?”
    â€œHe tried, but there is no record of Abby, or anyone for that matter, being brought in after falling overboard or nearly drowning last night.”
    â€œHow can that be?”
    â€œI don’t know. That’s what I’ve got to figure out.”
    â€œYou think it was Abby that went overboard?”
    â€œI’m not sure. I mean, it’s the only thing that makes sense timing-wise, but why isn’t there a record of her at Kodiak Hospital?”
    â€œHave you talked to the onboard medical clinic? Surely they’d have some kind of record.”
    â€œNot necessarily. Not if she was treated elsewhere.”
    â€œOkay, but there has to be a record of the rescuers. Can’t you just talk to one of them?”
    â€œI’m going to try, but I have to keep my cover intact. I can’t go around demanding answers the cruise line’s clearly not in any hurry to provide. I mean, did you see the way Mullins cut me off when I tried to gently press?”
    Sadly, for Darcy that was gentle. To most, it was dogged. “She’s just trying to protect her ship’s image. The last thing Destiny’s going to want is the adventure journalist they hired to garner good publicity shifting her focus onto someone going overboard.”
    â€œYeah, I suppose you’re right. It would be bad press, but how hard is it to simply acknowledge if it was Abby or not?”
    â€œDo you have any information about what she was investigating?”
    â€œPretty much nothing.”
    â€œYou agreed to help without knowing what the case is?”
    â€œOn Abby’s last call, which was super brief, she told me she’d initially thought it was like San Diego, but she was wrong. She said it was much worse.” Darcy bit at her thumbnail.
    â€œWhat does that even mean?”
    â€œSan Diego was the last undercover investigation case Abby and I worked for the Watch .”
    â€œAnd what kind of case was it?”
    â€œA nasty corruption case involving drug running.”
    â€œSo Abby suspects some of the Bering ’s crew members are running drugs?” It happened on Caribbean cruises all the time, but Alaskan?
    â€œShe said it was much worse.”
    â€œSo . . . what’s worse?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Darcy ran a hand through her hair as she stalked back and forth. “I don’t know if she meant it was worse because of who is involved, the amount being trafficked, or if they are running something a lot more dangerous.”
    â€œLike what? I mean, what could you smuggle on a cruise ship? Everyone has to go through security when they board, crew included. The metal detectors would pick up any weapons.”
    â€œAny traditional ones.”
    â€œMeaning, what? Chemical, biological?”
    â€œThe ship runs between the United States and Russia. The black market in Russia is huge. Mafia practically runs the country.”
    â€œSo what are you going to do?”
    â€œTry to pick up where Abby left off.”
    â€œAnd Abby?”
    â€œI’m praying when we dock in Eagle Cove tomorrow that Landon’s sent word she’s in fact safe and sound at Kodiak Hospital. Better