The entrance to Beverly’s chamber stood partially open near the corridor’s end, emitting a faint metallic scent. I pushed the door ajar and stepped in. Aiden followed.  “Wait here.” I said putting my hands on his chest. “We don’t need our DNA throughout the crime scene. Yell if the captain shows up.”

Shadows clung in the corners. Curtains shut out the world. With every step, the iron smell grew stronger. My heart hammered and palms slicked as I searched for Beverly. Aiden stood guard.

The silence magnified each shaky breath. A light flashed on the bedside table, grabbing my attention. I crept closer. A knife lay there, blood smearing its glinting blade.

Chills spread throughout my body. This couldn’t be random. Someone had been here and meant harm. I needed the reason and to figure out what had taken place.

I drew a nervous breath, willing my nerves to settle. My gaze swept the area for anything amiss. Then I spotted it-the white rug peeled away from the baseboard.

Driven by curiosity, I kneeled and raised the carpet. Beneath the floorboards, a hidden compartment waited. Inside, a faded photograph of a radiant woman, cash bound by a rubber band, and a crumpled scrap of paper. I smoothed it open and read the scribbled scrawl.

“I know what you did. Meet me at midnight by the old wax myrtle tree if you want your secret to remain concealed.”

Did Beverly’s unease at dinner stem from this? A wave of dread crashed over me. Who left the note? What mystery were they threatening? And foremost, where was Beverly?

I pocketed the evidence and walked out into the hallway. Aiden sat on the floor across from the door. “Well, did you find anything?” he asked.

“Nothing significant. Did Kathy come back?”

“Nope. She’s probably busy filming the captain. You know she’s not reliable,” he said.

“We should go. The others will be worried, I’m sure.” I led the way to Riley’s quarters.

The walk stretched on. Riley, now awake and sipping water, looked up as I entered. Every eye in the foyer fixed on me.

Kathy raised her head. “How is she?”

“I thought you went to tell the captain?”

“He wasn’t interested. Waved me off like I was a bothersome fly.” Kathy retorted.

“She’s not in her quarters,” I said.

Riley frowned. “What about the gore?”

“The mess is still there. I searched the area but found nothing else. Before we dock, we need to contact the captain.”

“I’ll go with you,” Kyle volunteered.

Together, we navigated the maze of walkways, climbed the narrow stairs to each level, and reached the main hull. I knocked.

Several mates were behind instruments. Blue and green lights lit up their faces as they guided our approach. “Reduce speed to twenty knots,” the captain yelled. “If you see the water change color closer to shore, drop it another five. I expect a smooth landing.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

His face showed surprise when he noticed us. Pulling off his headphones, he strode toward us.

“What do you need?” he asked.

“Captain, a mishap has occurred in a stateroom. I figured you ought to be aware prior to our arrival.” I explained to him.

He turned back to his post. “Have the deckhand attend to it. I’m busy.”

I blurted, “There’s a lot of blood, sir, and a passenger’s missing.”

He stopped in his tracks as if he’d collided with an unseen barrier.

“Eh, come again?” He was alert now.

“We had breakfast on the aft deck this morning. That’s the moment we realized Beverly was absent. We checked her place and found it a mess. More carnage than The Chainsaw Massacre.”

“Pardon?” The captain looked confused.

“Oh, sorry. It’s an American horror movie, you wouldn’t…” There was no point in trying to explain my analogy.

“Is Ms. Beverly hurt?” he asked.

“No, Captain, she’s disappeared.” I said.

He frowned. “When did someone last notice her?”

“We had dinner together the previous night. She got upset after Aiden mentioned the island’s superstitions.” I said.

The captain gave orders to his engineers.

“Stop the ship. Drop anchor. Radio the island for the Gendarmerie.” he shouted.

He leaned in and whispered to a deckhand. A quick glance passed between the two as the guy headed for the door.

The hair on my neck stood up. My instincts urged me to go after him. “Let’s go back to the others, Kyle. I’m sure they’ll want an update.”

I was eager to understand what the assistant had been told. My intuition told me to shadow him. If he tampered with the scene before police arrived, my suspicions would be confirmed. This was the cover-up I feared.

My focus narrowed: find the truth. Riley’s warnings regarding a cult echoed, urging caution. I was determined to find answers, even if I had to tear the ship apart.

But I needed a plan. Riley was the only person I trusted. My intention was to bring her up to speed sooner than later. My instincts screamed at me. While Beverly’s fate was uncertain, I was adamant that no one else would disappear on my watch.

I raced down the ship’s cramped corridors to Riley’s cabin and knocked. She opened the door, worry etched on her face. I slipped inside and poured out my suspicions in a rush.

“Are you positive?” she asked. “After all, I was telling you stuff to scare you, not that I believed it a hundred percent.”

“Believe it. Ask Kyle. He saw what the captain did. Sure, he put on a good show, instructing his crew to stop the boat, call the law, among other things. But I swear on my life, they are up to something. Bet they thought we wouldn’t find out until we disembarked.”

“They haven’t stopped the vessel. We’re moving, only slower.”

“Right?” I bit my lower lip. “These guys reckon we are clueless.”

A loud horn blew, signaling we were docking. I grabbed Riley’s hand. “Come with me. I have to show you this.”

As we made our way down the hallways, I could see Samantha through the port windows waiting with her entourage to greet us on the dock. No police, just a cleaning crew with bleach and mops.

The audacity of these people. Beverly was nowhere to be found; either dead or injured. It was evident. They acted nonchalant; another day in the park. My blood boiled. Not on my watch. I squeezed Riley’s hand harder.

“Ouch!” she cried out. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Sorry, nothing. I mean, look at them out there, smiling from ear to ear. Meanwhile, a tragedy has occurred under their care.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions, Mel. Maybe Beverly is doing this for attention.”

My face scrunched up. “Come again? Attention?”

“You witnessed it firsthand. She overreacted when Aiden informed us about the island and its traditions. And…” Riley tried to sound convincing.

“And nothing. You saw the condition of her room. Would you go to those lengths? I could see throwing a drink at a person. Or hurling a glass against a wall. But all that red stuff? Nah. Not buying it.” I shouted.

Riley was silent for a minute. “Yah, I get your point. A little too dramatic.”

We turned the corner in the hallway, and Riley realized I was taking her to Beverly’s room.

“Nope, no, nada. I’m not going in there again. Too gross.” She stopped dead in her tracks. I pulled on her arm.

“Help me. I know there are clues in there, and we need to uncover them before they bleach the place.” I pleaded.

“You know I’ll puke. Guaranteed.”

“Oh, well. It’ll be more for them to clean up.” I gave her a half-smile and tugged at her wrist until she relented.

“It’s a good thing I like you.” She grinned at me. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

Editor: Shannon Hensley