“She’s been resting for a day and a half.”
“She’s unwell.”
“What does she have?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re the purser.”
“Yes.”
“You know everything.”
His mouth tightened.
That was almost an answer.
I said:
“I need the medical log.”
He froze.
“Why?”
“Because this vessel belongs to my family.”
That was not completely accurate, but it worked.
“Claire—”
“Show me.”
He looked toward the stairs.
Then lowered his voice.
“You should speak to the captain.”
“I am speaking to you.”
His discomfort deepened.
Then he said something strange.
“Please don’t drink anything you didn’t open yourself.”
My skin went cold.
“What?”
He stepped backward.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You absolutely did.”
“Please go back to your cabin.”
Then he disappeared down the service corridor.
I stood there for several seconds.
One thought replaced all others.
Get the log.
The captain’s office was locked.
I knew the Mercer Star well enough to know there was a backup key in the bridge chart cabinet.
My father had insisted on redundant emergency access years ago.
I found it.
Opened the office.
Inside, everything looked normal.
Navigation printouts.
Customs forms.
Maintenance reports.
Then I found the medical binder in a lower drawer.
I searched my name.
There were seven entries.
Seven.
We had been aboard three days.
The first was dated two days before we departed.
Passenger: Claire Mercer.
Medical note: history of stress-related vertigo, intermittent sedative use, panic symptoms.
I stared.
None of that was true.
I had never taken sedatives.
Never had panic-related vertigo.
Below it:
Spouse authorized to supervise evening medication if symptoms recur.
Signed:
Adrian Cole.
Not me.
The next entries documented “voluntary” doses.
Night one.
Night two.
Night three.
Doses I had never agreed to take.
Then a handwritten note from the nurse.
Patient appeared more impaired than expected. Recommend discontinuing all medication until physician consult. Mr. Cole objected.
Another note below:
Medication inventory discrepancy. Two blister packs missing from locked cabinet.
My hands began shaking.
