Page 70 of Tiki Hut Tragedy

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“I have to say, as far as solving mysteries go, this one was tricky,” Annette said.

“My first inclination was to suspect Wendy, Dixie’s cabinmate,” Millie said.

“Who was actually the one to tip us off and get the ball rolling,” Cat reminded them. “Albeit anonymously.”

“All the clues pointed to her, for sure,” Danielle said. “She had motive and opportunity.”

“I know one thing…I won’t be in a hurry to take a tiki hut excursion anytime soon.” Cat shivered involuntarily. “Those things are dangerous.”

“It wasn’t an ideal situation. The women were drinking, spinning around and around and then arguing with each other to top it all off,” Sharkysaid. “If they confirm Astrid was responsible, she practically had the scene handed to her on a silver platter.”

Annette leaned her hip against the counter. “I’m still a little fuzzy about why Astrid wanted Dixie dead.”

“Wendy told me she overheard Astrid and Dixie talking. Astrid wanted to cut a deal. She had figured out a way to throw the contest and let Dixie win. Dixie threatened to report her to Amerifinest. From what we can piece together, Astrid needed money to pay off a substantial gambling debt and figured she could cover it if she and Dixie split the pot,” Millie said. “She didn’t know Wendy inadvertently overheard the conversation.”

“Why did she hang out in the casino as herself and not mousy Astrid?”

“Patterson and I wondered the same thing. From what we learned, it had something to do with a ‘code of conduct.’ Basically, Astrid, as the host signed an agreement to abstain from certainactivities while supervising the group, including gambling.”

“Not to toot my own horn, but I was instrumental in solving this one.” Sharky puffed out his chest.

Annette tilted her head. “There’s something different about you. You have a new look.”

Sharky ran his hand over his cropped locks and strutted in a slow circle for all to see.

“Your fin is finito,” Danielle teased. “I like it.”

“Seeing how we’re back in the sweltering Caribbean, it helps keep my noggin cooler.” Sharky made googly eyes at Annette. “I heard Danielle isn’t the only one who likes buzz cuts.”

“Oh, brother.” Annette rolled her eyes. “I made a comment about how it was an improvement over the spiked look, not that it made me swoon over you.”

“Elvira,” Millie reminded him. “You’re already spoken for.”

“I like it. It gives you a hint of Kojak swag,” Danielle said.

“Who loves ya, baby?” Sharky shot back in a raspy voice. “Anyway, I’m finding chicks dig the new look, so I think I’ll keep it.”

Millie sobered. “Thank you for stepping up and offering to help. If not for your GoPro and other…tools, we would never have figured out Astrid was betting heavily in the casino.”

Ting-a-ling.Millie's phone alarm chimed. “The eating competition is getting underway. Is there a television around here?”

“Behind the cabinet doors.” Pastor Haakenson opened the doors, revealing a large, flat-screen television. He turned it on, flipping through the channels until he found it. They all grew quiet, their eyes glued to the screen.

“I need another piece of cake.” Sharky grabbed a generous slice and dug in.

The contestants approached a large scale, each weighing in.

“Look.” Amit’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Do you see the size of the slices of pizza they will eat?”

“They’re huge.” Millie grabbed the remote and turned the volume up.

“…consuming nine-pound pepperoni pizza slices,” the announcer explained.

A second group of contestants arrived, ones who were not part of the Belly Busters. They formed a semicircle, and each contestant stepped in front of a ginormous slice of pizza. The buzzer rang. The women grabbed the slices and began eating.

“Wendy’s technique is to take a bite and sip some water,” Danielle said. “I think she might be onto something.”

“It’s kept her in the top five,” Cat said. “Gail has a different strategy.”