Below The Deck
GENDARMERIE MARITIME DE POLYNéSIE FRAN?AISE
INTERVIEW EXCERPT FIVE
Interview subject: Michaela Stevens, chief stewardess on board Lusso di Mare charter
Interview conducted by Chief of Police Henri Robert
M Robert: Mademoiselle Stevens, do you have any idea whose fingerprints we were able to detect on the sculpture that was used in the murder last night?
Mlle Stevens: I mean, I could take a guess. The suspect’s, obviously. And you’d have found Talia’s and Rory’s, perhaps – it was in their room, so they could have touched it. You could have found mine too, or Johanna’s. We might have picked it up when cleaning.
M Robert: I see. And, yes – that’s what we’d have expected. But we found no trace of any fingerprints on the sculpture at all, except for Sam’s. It was as though the object had been meticulously cleaned before he used it.
Mlle Stevens: Actually, that makes sense. We sterilize all the objects in every cabin before a new charter, using alcohol wipes. And it’s completely possible that Talia and Rory never actually touched it.
M Robert: Of course. Can you tell me anything about your relationship with the deceased?
Mlle Stevens: I didn’t have a relationship with him.
M Robert: Of course – let me put this another way. We have learned, through footage retrieved from the Lusso as well as your own personal text exchanges, that you had some involvement with Nick Michaelides. What was your opinion of him based on this, if you can say?
Mlle Stevens: He wasn’t … I suppose there’s no point in lying to you. I didn’t like him. He’d harassed me since the first day of the charter. He kept trying to get me alone – he even got into the crew cabins. So, yeah – it was annoying. I just did my best to avoid him, as much as I could.
M Robert: Understandably. That sounds very difficult. With all of your frustration and distress, you must have become angry – and afraid. I understand you were so upset that you didn’t feel able to work one morning. That sounds more than just … annoying.
Mlle Stevens: Chief, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. Do you think – are you suggesting I had something to do with his death? The murderer was literally caught in the act, by all of us – we found him right next to Nick’s body. I don’t understand why you’re even—
M Robert: Well, despite the overwhelming evidence, the suspect is repeatedly proclaiming his innocence. And even if we accept things on … face value, there is still the question of motive. Why would Sam want Nick dead? Is that something you can help me with?
Mlle Stevens: I’m not sure I … why are you asking me this?
M Robert: I’m just asking questions, mademoiselle – it’s my job to investigate every possibility. There are no implications – yet. But not everything in this story makes sense to me. And I’m afraid none of you are leaving here until it does.