Page 13 of Below the Deck

‘Who’s there?’

She whipped her eyes around the cabin, turned to check outside the windows, then went back into the bathroom to check.

Stop it.What the hell is wrong with you?

It made no sense, but the feeling wasn’t going away. Standing there alone in her cabin, Eleni knew – andyes, it was more than just a feeling, it was absolute, rock-solidknowing …

… that someone was watching her.

GENDARMERIE MARITIME DE POLYNÉSIE FRANÇAISE

CASE NUMBER: 247849

POLICE EXHIBIT TWO

Transcript of audio from CCTV footage,Lusso di Marecamera 8 (Main Deck tender garage); conversation between Kai Tehau, Johanna Nebeker and Noah Bailey

08/06/2026, 10:04

Johanna:You know this is going to go down like a sack of shit with the guests, don’t you? Maybe not for you guys on deck, but it’s the first thing they’ll mention to me. Their morning mimosas taking too long to come, slow breakfast service … never mind that something’s wrong with Michaela.

Kai: Yeah, I know. It sucks. What’s going on with Mic, anyway? Did you see her last night after dinner service?

Johanna: Yeah. She was pretty upset. She even said she wants to quit the charter! In the end, she decided to just ask Captain for a morning off sick.

Noah: She was upset? Shit … What was wrong?

Johanna: Ah … I don’t know if I should say. But honestly, I’ve never seen her like that before.

Noah: Fuck, man. Is it something to do with us? You don’t think … I haven’t pissed her off, have I?

Johanna: No, Noah. It’s nothing to do with you, or any of us … Something happened with one of the guests. One of the men. That’s all I should say … it’s really not my place.

Noah: Fuck, man. Whatever it was, it must have been bad – she can handle anything usually. Poor Mic. She puts up with way too much shit, and she shouldn’t have to. I’m always saying that to her.

Johanna: Yeah, well, we both do. They’re all the fucking same … they seem nice on day one, and then you see their true colours. Aaaah, I really need Michaela, though. I’m getting so stressed already – I can’t do everything on my own!

Noah: Come on, mate, don’t get upset. Mic’s going to be back up soon. She won’t leave you in the shit. Not on a charter like this one. Hey, have either of you seen my key card? I’ve not had it since before breakfast – I must have dropped it somewhere earlier this morning …

Captain: Please be mindful that our new CCTV system has an audio feed, and I can hear everything you’re saying from the bridge. Noah and Kai, please return to your deck duties immediately. And Johanna, continue morning service as scheduled.

[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]

LUCY

Lucy’s nausea made an unwelcome return during the morning sail to Tiahura. After theLussodropped anchor and Johanna came to the sun deck to let them know lunch was ready, Lucy realized her appetite had deserted her completely.

‘I’ll skip the food,’ she told Mark. ‘I’m feeling rough again. I think I’ll just go and have a quick lie-down while everyone eats.’

His eyebrows knitted together.Stop looking so bloodyworried about me.‘Do you want me to bring my lunch down – I could sit with you in the cabin?’

Lucy touched his arm. ‘No. Honestly. Stay outside with everyone else, enjoy the views.’

Mark looked disgruntled, but didn’t press things, to Lucy’s relief. With everyone else gathered around the table, tucking into salads and some kind of weird savoury puffs, she made her way below deck. It was too much, being around people all the time; it was already getting to her, overwhelming her nervous system. Thank God she’d get some time alone now.

As she walked along the passageway towards their cabin,something edged at the corner of her vision, something out of place.

One of the other cabin doors was ajar.