PRODUCER
What about man overboard? I see here that was something you specifically required in the safety training. Is that one that happens often?
CAPTAIN
Not often, but it happens. And it’s bloody dangerous.
PRODUCER
Why’s that?
CAPTAIN
If we’re anchored and it’s daylight, no worries. Warm water, good visibility — we’re in and out, guest back on deck with a towel and a drink.
Captain swallows, pauses.
CAPTAIN
But you throw in a few variables — nighttime, choppy swell, vessel’s underway — it’s a different ballgame. You’d besurprised how fast you can lose someone in the water.
PRODUCER
Well, let’s hope nothing like that happens.
CAPTAIN
From your lips to God’s ears, mate.
We managed to survive day one of the charter, but as the sun set on day two, I swore I saw the smoke before the fire.
The light turned gold and soft across the water, casting long shadows over the teak deck. It should have been a moment of peace — the Successful Six dressed for dinner, cocktails in hand, laughing and seemingly enjoying each other’s company. But the wind had picked up slightly, threatening to dismantle the carefully curated tablescape Bernard and I had worked so hard on.
And I felt that wind like the warning it was.
Bernard nodded his head at where Russell was leaning in close to Maria by the bar, his face pinched in concern as Maria confessed something in soft whispers. “Think there’s anything between those two?” he asked.
I’d picked up on the oddities of our guests over the last day and a half, and though no one was outright saying it, I knew there were plenty of stories in this group. One thing I knew for sure was that I had been right about the general feeling around Maria — that she didn’t belong.
Well, at least not to anyone but Russell.
He was married to our primary, but just like right now, I’d seen him spending more of his time with Maria than anyone else.
Fortunately for him, his wife was busy the whole charter trying to get the approval of her fashion designer friend. She begged to see his latest designs before showing him the houses she had closed on recently. It was easy to see by his flat lips that he was not impressed in the slightest.
I had no idea why anyone would want to spend time with people who clearly didn’t care for them. It made me feel a bit sad for the rich and famous. From what I’d seen of them, it was damn near impossible to have real friends.
“Whatever it is, Tammy has been oblivious to it,” I muttered back.
Just then, Tammy glanced over at her husband mid-laugh. The moment she saw who he was cuddled up with, her smile slid into a frown, her neck turning red.
Bernard ticced a brow. “Perhaps not.”
The wind blew in a strong gust, and Bernard and I sprang into action, hands flying to cover the cards we had at each table setting. It was the high school reunion night theme they’d asked for, and we had cards printed per Tammy’s request where they could vote for their favorites, everything from Most Likely to Shamelessly Brag to Most Likely to Die Alone.
Seemed a bit harsh to me, but she was delighted about the whole thing.
The wind died down again, and I was adjusting the ribbon around a menu when I heard the first shout.