His Devious Rule

Berwick just rushed to the ensuite and pushed the door close. He quickly held his hand under the running water at the sink bowl. He couldn't believe he had to do all these due to Harper.

Should he be angry at the couple or Harper?

He focused on cooling the burning sensation of his hand cursing Alvin in mind. He was taking the cup and saucer, what was so hasty to abruptly push the cup to his hand?

He could have taken his hand away but his mind was working in the wrong direction. He tried to hold the falling cup and hot coffee poured over him. It was too late by the time he could think right.

Once he felt a little relief from his hand, he focused on the problem with the camera. He looked at the camera point without turning off the water tap. He let the water waste while he looked around the room. He found nothing suspicious in the room. Those three pieces of luggage were already checked by the security department so he didn't touch them.

Since the couple didn't know he was going to drop the visit, he didn't feel they could have hidden something at the last moment. If the couple had shown odd behavior when he was at the door, his team member would have alerted him immediately.

Hence, he has to test if the camera is working properly or not. He started circling in the room with light steps to avoid his shoe creating any sound. He made note of the number of circles he took if needed later.

After about five minutes, he exited the ensuite and caught the couple's attention. He was in no mood for any drama so he quickly spoke, avoiding them saying anything, "Sorry for the trouble, Mr. and Mrs. Collins." He said without going towards the couch.

He glanced at his white pants so that they could take a look at many dots of coffee. He added in an apologetic tone, "Please enjoy your snacks. I will have to take my leave."

He moved to the main door by the end of his words and opened it. He saw Anya give a nod while Alvin didn't bother to spare a glance. He closed the door and left from there.

Without changing his uniform, Berwick went straight downstairs to the floor where the secret monitoring room was there. Entering inside hurriedly, he received the greetings of the two men before standing in front of the screen. "What's the status?"

"Sir, we guess, there is a problem with the camera." The plaid shirt man reported pointing at the screen. Both men had changed back to their clothes.

Berwick watched the video from the moment he entered the ensuite. The video played smoothly for a few seconds, then it was looping the same thing about ten times. It didn't play what Berwick did at that time.

Then the video resumed to normal. Nevertheless, The problem again repeated. Berwick was walking the same five steps and then it would resume. Meanwhile, on the other screen, Anya and Alvin were sitting and flirting with each other.

The Jacketed man gave heads up, in case their analysis was wrong., "Sir, if the camera has no problem, then the hacker is on the ship, he must have done this on purpose. However, we have no concrete proof."

Nevertheless, The two men assumed the couple was innocent. They didn't have any reason to doubt the Collins couple.

The plaid shirt man asked, scratching his head, uncertain about his suggestion, "Sir, should we install a new camera when the couple goes out for dinner?"

Berwick's brows were drawn together in thoughtful consideration. The preinstalled cameras were hidden well as they were fixed during the renovation of interiors in the cabins. If they have to install a new camera, the camera has to be fixed on the wall or an object. Thus the cameras could be easily noticeable. Taking Alvin's personality, Berwick didn't feel safe to tamper in their room.

"No." The cameras were to record their private life, if they get one bedroom video, it would be enough. So Berwick didn't bother about it.

Nonetheless, he didn't forget to add, "Keep an eye on them. Anything suspicious about their behavior, report to me immediately." It was clear from his words that Berwick didn't completely trust the couple.

"Yes Sir." The two men responded simultaneously.

Looking at Anya jumping around to take the mobile from Alvin's hand, Berwick clenched his teeth and glanced at his scalded backhand.

'Alvin Collins,' He feels Alvin as nothing but a dangerous man. He got goosebumps recalling Alvin's intimidating gaze when the hot coffee was poured into his hand.

Shaking his head to shake off his thoughts, Berwick left the secret monitoring room. After changing to a new set of uniforms, he was on the way to his office when the captain of the ship contacted him through a walkie-talkie that was hooked to his waist belt, [Captain here, over.]

Quickly taking the radio transmitter from his belt, He pressed a button and responded, "Vice-Captain here, over."

[Come to the control room, immediately. Over.]

"Roger that. Over."

Wandering why the captain was asking his presence, Berwick made his way to the control room. He was sure it wasn't because of the network manipulation, that case will be spoken in the conference room, rather than the cruise ship's control room.

'Did President Johson's secretary contact me?' He doubted it as it was time for them to contact him.

—---

In the cruise's control room,

The cruise ship's engine control room is where the overall engines and the ship is taken under control and the statistics are monitored. The room was designed in an arc that had glass, see-through walls overlooking the vast calm ocean ahead and blue clear sky above.

A huge desk console was in the shape of C in front of two attached chairs used by Captain and Vice-captain of the ship. The desk console had many screens showing the different data. There were numerous green and red lights with the switches to perform the respective tasks in control of the ship's movements.

Berwick didn't see the Captain on his chair. He looked towards another table at the far end where the Captain was busy with the map. "Captain." He greeted as he went to him.

The Captain spoke without taking his gaze away. "Berwick, the vacation is cut short. We have to reroute back to the country."

Berwick's expression barely changed. In a way, it was better the vacation ends soon, the work he was doing was disgusting him more and more. Anyhow he questioned, "Any particular reason, Captain?"

The captain shook his head, "They will probably tell you if you ask." He paused and looked at him, "The Johnson shore communication requested for you on the call."

"Me?" He pretended to be confused, "Again? I don't understand why they need to inform me after you." He questioned leaning on the table, "Captain, don't you feel it odd?"

Honestly, the captain was suspicious at previous times and now. But Berwick's acting won over each time. "They might be testing you to make you captain next time." The captain humored and laughed at his words.

Then the duo shifted their attention to planning their way back, a safe and fast route. After it was decided, they informed the manager of the cruise vacation who will have to announce it to the guests.

When the captain went to take some rest, the call arrived. The radio call from Anya and Alvin in the name of Johnson communication. [P-S-R, P-S-R, P-S-R this is Johnson shore communication center, over.]

Berwick performed the standard routing of the call before a cold voice of the man came, [The plan is aborted. Stay low profile.]

"Alright. My wife?"

There was a pause, [Safe.] Then the call ended.

Berwick breathed a long sigh. Greedy for more money he accepted the job for the P-S-R ship on short notice. Harper's men kidnapped his wife and threatened him to do their extra job. He should have known nobody would give so much money for nothing.

—----

In Alvin and Anya's room,

Anya breathed a long sigh. They are finally taking the ship back to the country. However, she wasn't completely relaxed yet. She had more work to do after dinner. She will have to make sure there are no active radio devices used for communication.

Seeing her still exhausted without proper rest, Alvin tugged her up from the floor and pushed her to the bed hearing her whine to let go of her. But as soon as her head hit the pillow and he covered the blanket over her, she obediently closed her eyes to sleep before he could utter any word.

"Little Donut, how about we skip dinner?" So that she could sleep well.

Anya yawned uncontrollably. Her voice was barely audible as she shook her head, "No… There will be no food at midnight if we get hungry."

Alvin had seen the instructions, all pubs and restaurants on the ship were closing by ten in the night. They will have to be hungry for twelve hours if they don't eat.

—---

After an hour,

Anya and Alvin reached the sunset deck after the dinner had started. The couple didn't miss to grab the attention especially due to five families surrounding them and apologized pulling everyone's eyes on them.

Their over-the-top dramatic apology was giving a headache to Alvin and Anya while the old man Wright looked at the couple in perplexity.

The old man asked a man who was next to him, "Who are they?"

The man laughed humorously, "Mr. Wright, didn't you identify your friend's son?... They are Mr. and Mrs. Collins."

The old man's expression changed drastically. He suddenly stood up and made his way to the couple who had just taken their seat. "Who are you?" He questioned sternly, glowering at Alvin. "Why are you impersonating Collins?"

His loud strict voice spread to the nearest tables and the murmur started instantly.

"What does Mr. Wright mean?"

"Aren't they Collins?"

"The Collins family is well known to Mr. Wright. Does that mean… these two are con artists?"

"Did you hear? Mr. Wright said the couple isn't collins."

And it started to spread wide from table to table. Everyone's eyes started to fix at a table.