A thin woman with dark circles under her eyes appeared next to him.
“Who are you?” she asked Choi and Stone.
“I said don’t worry about it,” Barry said.
“I’m Commander Choi, U.S. Coast Guard. I’m in charge of investigating what happened to theAmanda Jae.” The commander motioned to Stone. “And this is—”
“I know you,” Stella said, her eyes on Stone. “You were on the yacht.”
“I was.”
Stone didn’t recall her face, but it would have been easy for a crew member to see him, without him seeing her.
“What’s this about?” Stella asked.
“Stella, we’re not supposed to talk to anyone, remember?” Barry said.
“We’re here as part of the official investigation, not any lawsuit,” Stone said.
“I was hoping we could ask you a few questions,” the commander said to Stella.
“I gave my statement already,” Stella said.
“I know, and I’ve read it. I just have some follow-up questions that might help us figure out what happened.”
“I worked in the kitchen. I have no idea what happened.”
“Stella,” Barry said through clenched teeth.
“It’s possible you saw or heard something that could help us piece things together,” Stone said. “Something you might not even realize is important.”
“Are you part of the investigation, too?”
“Mr. Barrington is assisting me,” Choi said.
“I see.” Stella thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, come in.”
Barry’s expression twisted in disbelief. “What are you doing?”
She looked at him. “Shouldn’t you have already left for work?”
“I’m not going to let you talk to them alone.”
She stared at him for several seconds, then sighed and looked at Stone and Choi. “There’s a coffee shop around the corner.” She gave them directions. “I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
“Thank you,” Choi said.
Stella shut the door, and as Stone and Choi started walking away, they heard raised voices on the other side.
“What do you think?” Choi asked. “She’ll show up alone or with Barry?”
“Alone,” Stone said. “You?”
“Same.”
Chapter 29
Stone and the commander weresitting at a table in a quiet corner of the coffee shop, nursing their drinks, when Stella entered by herself.
