CHAPTER 11: The Captain Finds His Voice

Captain Royce had spent fifteen years serving the Cross family and three hours learning what loyalty was worth under oath.
At first, he told the harbor police what powerful men liked to hear. Bad footing. Wet rail. Panic. An unfortunate movement during a private family disagreement.
Then he saw the bracelet footage.
After that, his hands shook so badly he asked for coffee and never drank it.
“Mrs. Cross ordered the upper deck cameras disabled for the donor toast,” he said finally.
“Which Mrs. Cross?” an investigator asked.
Royce looked through the glass toward Vivienne.
“The living one who thinks the boat is hers.”
Maren heard about the statement twenty minutes later from her attorney, Nora Voss, who arrived in a raincoat over an evening dress because she had been at the same gala and had left early after seeing the papers on a side table.
Nora placed a hand on Maren’s shoulder only after asking permission.
“The captain is cooperating,” she said.
Maren looked at Leo asleep beneath two blankets.
“Cooperating is what people call truth after it becomes safer than lying.”
Nora nodded.
“Then tonight is becoming very safe.”