Chapter 5 - Access Code Seven

Grant shook his head immediately.

"No. Absolutely not."

Claire held his gaze. "The system logged code seven at 12:13:48."

"Someone used my credentials."

"Who knows them?"

"Nobody."

Maya stared at him. "You told me your work call started at twelve ten."

"It did."

"Where were you?"

"Business lounge below deck."

Claire touched her earpiece. "Bridge, pull access logs for the business lounge."

Grant's frustration sharpened. "This is insane."

Vivian stepped closer to her son. "You don't have to answer like you're a suspect."

Maya gave a tired laugh. "Interesting. You wanted to call the police thirty seconds ago."

Vivian ignored her.

The first officer returned on intercom. "Captain, business lounge door opened with code seven at 12:09. No exit logged until 12:18."

Grant exhaled. "There."

Claire asked, "Anyone else inside?"

A pause.

"One guest entered at 12:11 using temporary guest access."

Maya saw Brooke look toward the door.

Claire saw that too.

"Name?"

"Brooke Vale."

Silence swallowed the room.

Brooke's mouth opened. "I went in to find Grant. That's all."

Vivian turned. "You told me you were on deck the whole time."

"I forgot."

"You forgot being alone with my son?"

Grant snapped, "Mom, stop."

Maya looked from Grant to Brooke.

Something old and ugly moved through her memory: Grant turning his phone facedown at dinner. Brooke knowing what hotel they had stayed at in Boston before Maya had mentioned it. The private jokes. The easy familiarity.

"How long?" Maya asked.

Grant frowned. "What?"

"Don't make me ask twice."

Brooke's confidence disappeared.

Grant stepped toward Maya. "This isn't what you think."

That sentence had never once been followed by good news.

Maya backed away.

"How long?"

Grant lowered his voice. "Three months."

Vivian closed her eyes.

Maya felt as if the deck had dropped ten feet.

Brooke whispered, "Grant—"

"Shut up," Maya said.

Her voice was quiet enough to make Brooke obey.

Grant reached for Maya again. "I was going to end it."

"Before or after your mother framed me for theft?"

"I didn't frame you."

Claire's earpiece clicked.

Her expression changed.

"Captain," the first officer said, "we found something else. Access code seven didn't just shut off cameras."

Claire's eyes narrowed.

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