Page 32 of Tiki Hut Tragedy
Millie shifted her gaze to the splotch of blue. “Were you able to get a good look at the…person?”
“Yeah.” Sharky described Dixie. “Hopefully, the rescuers can get over there before the rope works its way loose, and she floats away.”
“I see a jet ski heading our way.”
Sure enough, a red rescue vehicle skimmed across the water, passing less than a hundred feet from where they were. Dropping anchor, the pair on board dove into the water and swam to the jetty.
Things moved fast as the marine rescuers removed Dixie’s lifeless body and placed it in a makeshift raft. They attached the raft to the rescue vehicle and began making their way toward shore.
“This wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for,” Sharky said.
“You mentioned it was chaotic when the tiki hut tipped. Do you think during the panic, Dixie hit her head and drowned?”
“It’s the only thing I can think of. I know I didn’t hit her.”
During the return ride to the ship, Millie mulled over what had happened. Astrid mentioned a reptile or snake. The only way to find out for sure was to question those who were on the tiki hut during the fateful trip.
An inkling of suspicion crept back into Millie’s mind. The Belly Busters were fiercely competitive. Dixie was a top contender, and many of those women probably believed she was a shoo-in to win. What if one of them came up with a plan to get rid of her? It was possible. Anything was possible at this point.
Back on board the Siren of the Seas, Millie and Sharky went straight to Patterson’s office. They arrived to find he wasn’t alone. A distraught Astridand sullen Wendy the Wolfette Jorgensen were seated across from him.
“Hello.” Millie cautiously greeted them.
“Come in.” Patterson waved them inside. “I gave Ms. Pace and Ms. Jorgensen the news we may have found Dixie Trent’s body.”
“Do you think she hit her head and drowned?” Wendy asked.
“Could be,” Millie replied. “Only an autopsy and investigation will determine what happened to Dixie.”
“We were having a good time, enjoying the beautiful weather. Zema, who I’ve heard is the owner of the tiki hut, was personable and attentive. Things were going great and then suddenly.” Astrid snapped her fingers. “Pure chaos.”
“Dixie freaked out,” Wendy said. “She started yelling. Next thing I know, everyone is running to the side.”
“Tipping it so the group ended up in the water,” Astrid added. “We were all trying to get away from it. Zema kept yelling there wasn’t anything and helping the women back on board when the man on the rescue vehicle arrived.”
“Me,” Sharky said. “I helped him pull people from the water.”
“You didn’t see a reptile or whatever may have startled Dixie?” Patterson asked.
“No, but by then the hut was rocking back and forth. It could have slithered off the side with everyone else.”
“It’s a terrible tragedy.” Astrid clutched a crumpled tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “Poor Dixie.”
“She’s the one who tipped the tiki hut in the first place,” Wendy said. “Maybe she was popping too many stomach relaxers and got sick.”
“Sick?” Patterson echoed.
“Dixie was complaining about not feeling well, like maybe she ate something bad, and wanted to go lie down. I can tell you that those little peppermill pills that relax the stomach muscles can do a real number on you if you’re not careful.”
Millie perked up. “Peppermill pills?”
“They’re a natural stimulant, to increase your appetite and stretch your stomach. All completely acceptable in the food-eating competition world. However, like Wendy said, taking too many can make you ill,” Astrid said. “This is the first I’ve heard of Dixie not feeling well.”
“She said it loud enough. I thought everyone heard her,” Wendy said. “Or it could have been the spicy jalapeno omelet she had for breakfast. They mess my stomach up every time.”
Patterson reached for his pen and began jotting notes. “The deceased complained about not feeling well shortly before she thought something was crawling on her. I’ll be questioning the others in your group. Perhaps one of them saw or heardsomething you may have missed.” The head of security asked a few more questions and told them they were free to leave.
Millie waited until they were gone. “What do you think?”
