There is a collective gasp. ‘You mean he was murdered?’ someone calls.

‘No. That’s not what I’m saying. Rick sadly died. It may have been accidental. There is no need for panic, I assure you. If anyone has any concerns, I would ask that you please come and see me directly. The last thing we want here is unsubstantiated speculation and rumour. And it goes without saying that if I get wind of anyone contacting the press about this, it will result in instant dismissal. I hope you’ll show some respect for the deceased young man and his family, quite apart from anything else.’

I notice that Leo steers clear of mentioning the circumstances in which someone might accidentally be suffocated, and I suspect that’s as much to spare his own blushes as to protect Rick’s dignity. From what Stuart told me earlier, the captain had been almost as appalled at the thought of bondage below decks as the possibility that one of his crew members had been murdered.

37

Stuart

22 January 2022, 19:00

The Caribbean

Having been informed of the autopsy results, Nico is back, which is absolutely the last thing any of us wants. As the doctor who signed the death certificate, I’m summoned to Leo’s office where Nico is, for want of a better word, laying into Leo almost as if he thinks he killed Rick himself.

‘This is a big blow for Heracles, Leo, as I’m sure you’re aware,’ Nico says. ‘After that dancer going overboard like that, this is the last thing we need. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about that incident with the passenger electrocuted in his hot tub a couple of years back. It was only down to luck rather than judgement that we managed to keep that out of the papers.’

‘That was hardly my fault or, indeed, anything at all to do with this,’ Leo interrupts.

Nico holds up his hand. ‘Whatever. My point is, it’s yet another thing which paints Heracles in a bad light, and which, once again, is happening on your ship.’

‘That’s hardly fair,’ Leo protests, ‘I’ve offered nothing but exemplary service since—’

‘I don’t want to hear it,’ Nico snaps. ‘Let’s just get on with the business in hand. As far as the investigation goes, what’s happening there?’

‘We’re waiting to hear,’ Leo says, his voice sounding strained. ‘The local police had already been in and done whatever they do in Rick’s room, and they came back today following the autopsy results. I believe they have now found some traces of what could be hair from another person. But with so many people in and out of everywhere and everyone living at close quarters like this it’s very difficult to …’