Before Victoria could turn back to her guests, a calm, authoritative figure stepped out from the shadows of the marina concourse, walking down the ramp in sharp, disciplined strides.
He wore the pristine dress uniform and gold-embroidered white cover of a senior United States Coast Guard officer, his silver wings and captain insignia gleaming under the dock lights. The name tag on his chest read FREDERICK.
Captain Frederick stood between David and Victoria, his posture commanding absolute stillness across the entire dock. The party guests onboard immediately fell silent, setting down their cocktail glasses in uneasy anticipation.
Captain Frederick looked at David, then turned his gaze directly upon Victoria, his jaw locked in cold, unyielding authority.
"One phone call, ma'am," Captain Frederick spoke, his deep voice carrying clearly over the gentle lapping of the harbor water, "and I can change your whole damn life."