"He was."
Marcus paused.
"He passed away several years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
Richard looked at the photograph attached to Marcus's identification card.
It showed Marcus standing beside an older Black man wearing a navy work uniform.
"Is that him?"
Marcus nodded.
"Yes."
Richard studied the photograph.
For a moment, something about the man's face seemed familiar.
He leaned closer.
"What was his name?"
"Daniel Reed."
Richard became very still.
"Daniel Reed?"
Marcus noticed the change.
"Yes, sir."
Richard looked toward the water.
"Was he ever employed by Blackwood Shipping?"
Marcus nodded slowly.
"He was. For many years."
Richard's face changed.
"I knew your father."
Marcus stared at him.
"You did?"
Richard swallowed.
"Daniel Reed was one of the finest marine engineers I ever employed."
Marcus looked confused.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Richard shook his head.
"I didn't recognize you at first."
He paused.
"Your father saved one of my vessels many years ago."
Marcus listened.
Richard continued.
"There was a serious engine failure during a storm. The crew had lost power, and the ship was drifting toward dangerous waters. Daniel stayed in the engine room for hours to restore the backup system."
He looked directly at Marcus.
"After the incident, I promised him that if he ever needed anything, he could call me."
Marcus's expression softened.
"He never told me that."
Richard looked down.
"I wish I had kept in touch."
CHAPTER 8: THE PROMISE
Richard walked toward the railing.
He remembered Daniel Reed clearly now.
The older engineer had been a quiet man.
He rarely spoke about money.
He never asked for special treatment.
He had once refused a promotion because he believed another employee deserved it more.
Richard remembered a conversation they had shared after the storm.
Daniel had said:
"Mr. Blackwood, the ocean teaches you something. You can own a ship, but you can never own the sea."
Richard had laughed at the time.
Now the words returned with uncomfortable clarity.
Marcus stood beside him.
"My father respected you," he said.
Richard looked surprised.
"He did?"
"Yes. He told me that you were fair to your employees in the early years."
Richard lowered his eyes.
"The early years."
Marcus waited.
Richard continued.
"Somewhere along the way, I became more concerned with controlling everything than building something worth controlling."
He looked toward the yacht.
"I think I forgot what made this company successful."
Marcus did not respond.
Richard turned toward him.
"Your father would have been proud of you."
Marcus swallowed.
"Thank you, sir."
Richard extended his hand.
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you yesterday."
Marcus shook it.
"Thank you for saying that."
Richard looked at him.
"I want you back as captain."
Marcus nodded.
"I appreciate that."
"Will you accept?"
"Only after the navigation system is fully inspected and cleared."
Richard smiled faintly.
"Fair enough."
CHAPTER 9: THE MAN WHO WAS HIDING SOMETHING
While Richard and Marcus were speaking, Gregory Shaw was in his office making a series of phone calls.
He had learned that the financial department was reviewing his company's invoices.
He had also discovered that Marcus had preserved copies of the navigation records.
Gregory was furious.
He called his operations manager.
"How much evidence does the captain have?"
"I don't know."