Page 37 of Below the Deck

CASE NUMBER: 247849

POLICE EXHIBIT FIVE

Transcript of text messages between Noah Bailey and Brett Marchant, 09/06/26

18:14 Noah: Mate, can we chat when you get a minute? Below deck – maybe during dinner service? I want to keep this on the DL

18.18 Brett: Hey. I’m going on break over dinner. But we can text now. What’s up?

18:19 Noah: All right. Something’s up with the guests. It’s getting weird. The jet ski this morning, all the weird side-eyes, the tension. And did Michaela tell you what happened in the crew quarters? I dunno, feels like some serious shit’s about to hit the fan

18:22 Brett: Ha. It’s always the same, especially after a few drinks. You’re being paranoid. Just ignore it. Don’t worry, Cap’s on it with Michaela – she can stay off guest duty tonight

18:23 Noah: OK. But this feels different. I don’t like it. We can all sense it – like something’s about to go off. Should I talk to Cap?

18:25 Brett: No! Seriously, you’re being dramatic. There’s not long to go – let’s just get the rest of the job done, and it’ll all be over soon

18:27 Noah: OK. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. And if someone flips a table over at dinner, I’m not steam-cleaning that shit …

18:28 Brett: Oh, but you are mate. Ha!

18:35 Noah: Yeah yeah. But seriously, bro – this lot are ready to explode

[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]

TALIA

Alone in the safety of her cabin, Talia watched the daylight begin to fade, the sun dip on the horizon at the edge of the ocean. It was getting late; she wouldn’t have long now before she’d need to get dressed for dinner, put her make-up on and keep up the appearance of a happily married wife on the holiday of a lifetime.

The tears she’d stifled in Rory’s company earlier returned now, a storm of sobs that wracked her body. Lying on her side on the bed, she clenched a hand into a fist and stuffed it in her mouth to dull the sound.What have I done? It’s unforgivable. I’m unforgivable.

Michaela’s words played on repeat inside her skull:You need to be more careful. The stewardess was clearly trying to warn her, but why? About who? And after that anonymous note …

But even now, full of guilt and terror and regret, the memory of the first time she’d met him made her body tingle.

Talia wished she could turn back the clock, and not have agreed to go with Rory to the charity awards night earlier thatyear, when Ashworth had been shortlisted in the Property Innovation category. He’d invited her, along with several team leaders and their plus ones. He saw paying for three tables as an investment: a networking opportunity – as well as the chance to show everyone what a generous boss he was.

Talia understood why her husband had wanted her there, but God, she wished he hadn’t. If she hadn’t gone, life would have stayed the same as it had been for decades: comfortable; fine; good enough. Instead, she’d dropped a bomb on her life, and its effects were still rippling now. Because that night, she’d methim. He’d shown an interest in her, in a way few people had for years. She’d felt invisible in her middle age, in her role as wife and mother and homemaker and now a lonely empty-nester. Where Talia had once turned every head as she walked down a street, now not even builders on a construction site gave her so much as an admiring glance.

And then there she was, next this man who was really, trulyseeingher. Something sparked to life as they chatted over champagne and smoked salmon blinis. He told her how lovely she looked, how wonderful it was that she was working for a charity, how admirable it was that she was putting her talent and experience to good use. He’d asked her howshefelt about her work. He’d made her laugh with witty observations about the event. For a moment, she’d felt like the Talia she’d been in her twenties: wild, and free, and attractive, and full of possibility. The Talia she’d been before she met Rory.

But then her husband had joined them, and they’d all started talking about the venue and the naff entertainment and the fact that they’d beenrobbed, absolutely robbednot winning the award – and the spell was broken. She remembered, rightly,who she was: a fifty-five-year-old married woman. She’d never be desired by someone like him – and even if she were, she couldn’t possibly do anything about it, could she?

Only, at the end of the night as she’d collected her coat from the cloakroom, he’d asked for her number. And she’d been so giddy and captivated, she couldn’t turn him down.

By the time Talia stopped crying, she was exhausted, her nervous system drained of energy. But the release had helped; she felt a little better for it. She was clearer, too:this has to stop. When she got home, she’d block him on every channel. She’d never speak to him again; she’d never risk bumping into him. She’d put all this behind her. It was a mistake – a horrible, stupid, selfish mistake – but that was all. It didn’t have to ruin her life, or anyone else’s. She’d forget it happened and move on.

Talia stretched a hand out to the master light switch. The room had darkened, and she could hear doors opening and closing with a softclickas the other guests got ready for this evening’s party. She needed to tidy herself up, change into the black silk evening dress she’d brought for tonight, put on her bravest smile, then head above deck.

Tap tap tap.She stopped on the way to the bathroom at a soft knock at the door.Did Rory forget his key card? He must be coming down to change for dinner.She walked quickly to the sink, splashed water on her face and rubbed at her mascara-stained cheeks with a cotton pad, then paced to the cabin door and flung it open.

‘You haven’t lost your key—’ She’d started speaking before the door had fully opened, and when she saw who was standing there, her words tailed off. It wasn’t Rory, after all.

‘Eleni,’ said Talia curtly.What does she want?

Eleni was radiant in a midnight-blue, floor-length satin gown with matching long gloves. Her hair was swept in a glamorous up-do, and sparkling silver drops hung from her ears; her skin was dewy and glowing – just like Talia’s had been in her thirties. A rush of envy flooded Talia’s body, so strong that she almost gasped.

‘I’m sorry, I thought it was that husband of mine.’ She attempted a laugh; it emerged hollow.