“Any idea where it came from?” Mason asked.
“No, sir, but it was on a cleat on the outside of the rail.”
“On the outside of the rail!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Port or starboard?”
“Port, sir, and a little aft of amidship.”
Mason said, “Let’s get this straight. You mean the cleat was on the outside of the rail. Is that right?”
“Yes, sir. And from the way it was caught, I’d say this part of the hem caught on the cleat and then the rest of it ripped loose, leaving this triangular piece.”
“How much of it was wrapped around the cleat?” Mason asked.
“This hem part was wrapped around a couple of times, and about eight or ten inches up at this end was flapping in the breeze. Perhaps I should have reported it to the police, sir, but I was working under the first officer and he said to throw it overboard. So if I turn it in to the police and it should be important, the first officer would have it in for me as long as I was on the run, so I’m handing it to you and asking that you’ll just keep it confidential, sir.”