Chapter 4 - The Woman in White

Vivian's face went flat.

"Excuse me?"

Claire pointed to Maya's bag. "That shoulder bag has been with her since she left the upper deck. I saw it on the bridge monitor before Camera Twelve went dark."

Grant stared at her. "So?"

"So the bracelet either went into the bag before she entered this cabin, or after the camera went dark."

Brooke crossed her arms. "She could've taken it at lunch."

Maya looked at her. "I never went near Vivian. She came to me."

"You were sitting beside the service station."

"And?"

"And her purse was there."

Maya's stomach turned.

Brooke had an answer too fast.

Claire noticed it.

"How do you know where Mrs. Hawthorne's purse was?" she asked.

Brooke blinked. "Because I was there."

"Then you were also near it."

"That's ridiculous."

Vivian snapped, "Enough. My bracelet was found in her bag. We return to port and call the police."

Maya looked at Grant.

"Say something."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "We should all calm down."

"No. Pick a side. Right now."

Vivian turned to him. "Grant."

That single word carried thirty years of control.

He looked at his mother, then at Maya.

"Maya, maybe you picked it up by mistake."

Her face went still.

"A diamond bracelet? By mistake?"

"I don't know. I'm trying to find an explanation."

"One where your mother isn't lying."

Grant said nothing.

Maya nodded slowly. "There it is."

Claire stepped between them. "The bracelet stays here until we establish chain of custody."

Vivian reached for it.

Claire closed her hand around the jewelry.

"Don't."

For the first time, Vivian looked uncertain.

The yacht rolled gently under them.

Then the intercom crackled.

"Captain Maddox to bridge. Urgent."

Claire pressed the wall unit. "What is it?"

The first officer's voice came through, tense.

"We found the security log."

Claire looked at Grant.

"Go ahead."

"Camera Twelve was disabled with Hawthorne access code seven."

Grant's face drained.

Vivian whispered, "Whose code is seven?"

Claire already knew.

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She looked directly at Grant.

"His."