The ship rocks gently against the steady waves, a deceptive calm surrounding us. But inside, I feel anything but steady. The photograph I showed to Jack and Brenda still sits open on my phone screen, glowing faintly on the coffee table in the dim cabin light.
It’s late, and the muffled sounds of the ship settling for the night filter through the walls. Laughter from the lounge echoes faintly, fading into the background. The three of us sit in a tense silence, the weight of our earlier conversation lingering in the air.
Brenda leans forward, elbows on her knees, her hands clasped tightly. Her usual carefree demeanor is gone, replaced by a thoughtful frown. “We can’t let this go, Anita. If Jacob and Alex are working together, then Mia’s kidnapping might just be the tip of the iceberg.”
Ja
