There.
Kemp’s problem now.
PART 32
Another officer questioned Kemp.
He denied giving sedatives.
Then security footage showed him handing Adrian the packet.
His expression changed.
He said it was “routine medication.”
Investigators asked for name.
Dose.
Prescription.
He became vague.
Bad.
Douglas claimed the financial discussion was a joke.
Marianne said she had been drunk.
Adrian claimed I misunderstood.
Nobody knew yet that I was safely aboard.
Not until suspects were contained.
That was deliberate.
PART 33
Then officers came for me.
Marco opened the secure door.
A female officer stood outside.
Dark rain jacket.
Wet hair.
Calm voice.
“Ms. Prescott?”
“Yes.”
“You are safe to come out.”
My knees weakened.
Those six words did more than any speech.
I stepped forward.
Captain Warren followed.
We moved through the upper corridor.
Two officers beside me.
Then Adrian saw me.
His face turned white.
Completely.
His mouth opened.
For one second, there was no performance.
Only terror.
Then the actor returned.
“Natalie!”
He rushed forward.
Officers stopped him.
“Thank God.”
He started crying.
“I thought you were in the water.”
I stared at him.
Then said.
“I heard you.”
His face went blank.
“All of it.”
Silence.
Then I added.
“So did the cameras.”
That was the moment his plan died.
PART 34
We reached port under escort before dawn.
I was taken directly for medical evaluation.
Blood tests.
Monitoring.
Fluids.
Toxicology.
I hated every cup of water until I opened it myself.
The doctors found sedative medication in my system.
Enough to explain the weakness.
The confusion.
The extreme sleepiness.
Not enough to guarantee unconsciousness.
Adrian had apparently been increasing the dose gradually.
That mattered.
It meant he had been testing me.
Learning how much I tolerated.
Preparing.
I became sick again when investigators explained that possibility.
PART 35
My father arrived first.
He walked into the secured medical area wearing a dark coat and no tie.
My mother was beside him.
Dad crossed the room.
Wrapped both arms around me.
No words.
Mom joined.
All three of us stood together.
I cried into Dad’s shoulder.
Then whispered.
“They wanted you too.”
Dad tightened his arms.
“We know.”
“I heard them.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
He pulled back.
“Never say that again.”
Mom nodded.
“They chose this.”
“Not you.”
