"Find out."
"He's not answering calls."
Gregory slammed his hand against the desk.
"Then go to the marina."
The operations manager hesitated.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Retrieve the maintenance files."
"That could create problems."
Gregory leaned forward.
"Do you want to lose your job?"
The man said nothing.
Gregory continued.
"We have been working together for years. I need you to remember that."
He ended the call.
Then he opened a secure folder on his computer.
Inside were financial transfers, altered invoices, and correspondence with several employees.
He had been diverting money from Blackwood's maintenance contracts for nearly two years.
The navigation modification was supposed to hide a larger problem.
A group of replacement components had never been purchased.
Instead, the money had been transferred through several companies before disappearing into private accounts.
Gregory had believed nobody would notice.
But Marcus had noticed.
And now Richard was asking questions.
Gregory opened his phone.
He found a contact labeled "Emergency."
He typed a message.
THE CAPTAIN HAS THE DOCUMENTS. WE NEED TO MOVE NOW.
CHAPTER 10: THE RETURN TO THE MARINA
Two days later, Richard and Marcus met at the marina again.
The technical team had completed its initial inspection.
The navigation system remained offline.
A specialist had been brought in to examine the remote access configuration.
Richard arrived carrying the same brown leather briefcase.
Marcus greeted him.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning, Captain."
Richard looked toward the yacht.
"How long?"
"The specialist expects to complete the diagnostic process tomorrow."
Richard nodded.
"Then we wait."
Marcus seemed surprised.
Richard smiled.
"I believe I am learning something."
They began walking along the dock.
Richard asked about Marcus's career.
The captain explained that he had worked on commercial vessels, private yachts, and research ships.
He had traveled across the Atlantic several times.
He had also spent two years working in maritime rescue operations.
Richard listened carefully.
"Why did you leave rescue work?"
Marcus smiled.
"I wanted to gain more experience in vessel management."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Very much."
"Then why not return?"
Marcus thought for a moment.
"Because I still have something to prove."
Richard laughed.
"To whom?"
Marcus looked toward the horizon.
"Mostly to myself."
Richard nodded.
He understood that answer more than he expected.
CHAPTER 11: THE DISCOVERY
The following afternoon, the navigation specialist called Richard.
"Mr. Blackwood, we have completed the preliminary investigation."
Richard placed the phone on speaker.
"What did you find?"
The specialist explained that the system had been modified through an external connection.
Several warning protocols had been disabled.
The changes were not consistent with standard maintenance procedures.
More importantly, the modifications had been made using credentials assigned to Atlantic Marine Solutions.
Richard looked toward Marcus.
"Can you confirm that?"
The specialist answered.
"Yes. We have preserved the access logs."
Richard closed his eyes.
"Send everything to our legal department."
"Already done."
The call ended.
Richard remained silent.
Marcus looked at him.
"I'm sorry, sir."
Richard shook his head.
"Don't apologize."
He paused.
"You were the only person who tried to stop this."
Marcus lowered his eyes.
Richard continued.
"I owe you more than an apology."
CHAPTER 12: THE CONFRONTATION
Gregory Shaw arrived at the marina that evening.
He expected to find Marcus alone.
Instead, Richard was standing beside the yacht.