There was a pause.
"You're making powerful people uncomfortable."
Marcus looked toward the laptop.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No. I'm advising you."
The call ended.
Marcus stared at the phone.
He understood that the situation had become dangerous.
But he also knew he could not simply walk away.
Too many people depended on the vessel being safe.
CHAPTER 6: THE SECRET OF THE OLD MAN
The following morning, Richard Blackwood arrived at the marina alone.
He had not slept well.
Gregory's explanations had become increasingly inconsistent.
Richard had asked his financial director to review the maintenance payments.
The preliminary results were disturbing.
Over the previous eighteen months, Atlantic Marine Solutions had received more than two million dollars in payments for work that could not be verified.
Richard had initially believed the company was simply inefficient.
But now he suspected something much worse.
He found Marcus standing beside the yacht.
The captain was holding a folder.
Richard approached.
"Captain Reed."
Marcus turned.
"Good morning, sir."
Richard looked around.
"Is anyone else here?"
"The engineering supervisor is inside the vessel."
Richard nodded.
"I want to talk."
Marcus waited.
Richard looked uncomfortable.
"I spoke with my financial director."
Marcus said nothing.
"There appear to be discrepancies in the maintenance invoices."
"Yes, sir."
"How long have you known?"
"I first noticed irregularities several weeks ago."
Richard frowned.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I submitted the findings through the appropriate channels."
Richard looked toward the yacht.
"Why didn't you come directly to me?"
Marcus considered the question.
"Because I wanted to make sure the information was accurate before making accusations."
Richard nodded slowly.
Then he asked:
"Do you believe Gregory is responsible?"
Marcus opened the folder.
"I believe the evidence requires a formal investigation."
Richard looked at the documents.
He examined the serial numbers.
He read the technical notes.
Then he saw the emergency navigation override.
His expression changed.
"What is this?"
Marcus explained.
"It appears someone created a method to bypass certain navigation warnings."
Richard looked up.
"Could the vessel have sailed safely?"
"Not with the system in its current condition. Not until the problem is properly diagnosed."
Richard slowly closed the folder.
For several seconds, he stared at the water.
Then he asked a question Marcus did not expect.
"How many people would have been aboard yesterday?"
Marcus checked the manifest.
"Fourteen passengers and seven crew members."
Richard closed his eyes.
Twenty-one people.
Twenty-one lives.
He had been prepared to send all of them into open water simply because he did not want to miss a business meeting.
For the first time, he began to understand how serious the situation had become.
CHAPTER 7: THE SON HE HAD NEVER RECOGNIZED
Richard looked at Marcus again.
"Why did you choose this profession?"
Marcus seemed surprised.
"Sir?"
"Why become a captain?"
Marcus glanced toward the water.
"My father."
Richard waited.
"He was a marine engineer. He spent most of his life working on commercial vessels."
"Was he?"
"Yes. He taught me how important safety was. He always said that the ocean doesn't care how rich you are."
Richard smiled faintly.
"That's true."
Marcus continued.
"My father believed that a captain should never allow pressure from an owner to influence a safety decision."
Richard nodded.
"Your father sounds like a wise man."