“Sorry about before,” Stella said when she reached them. “Barry can be…”
“Single-minded?” Stone suggested.
“I was going to say an idiot.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“An iced latte would be great.”
Stone put in the order, then returned to the table. “Did I miss anything?”
“Stella was just telling me about the lawsuit,” Choi said.
“I didn’t want to get involved,” Stella told him. “I just wanted to put it all behind me, but Barry insisted.”
“How is Barry related to you?” Stone asked.
“He’s my husband, sadly.”
“Am I right in presuming a lawyer named Cory Whittaker approachedyouabout the suit?”
She nodded. “He’d already signed up Deirdre and Gerry and a few relatives of those who didn’t make it. Do you know him?”
“Not personally, but by reputation.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Stella said.
“My advice, find a credible lawyer to look over anything you’ve signed with him. Your understanding of your agreement and the reality might be two different things.”
“I told Barry we shouldn’t trust him,” she said, shaking her head. “He gave me a creepy vibe.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that,” Stone said. “If you’d like, I’d be happy to take a look at whatever he’s given you.”
“You’re a lawyer?”
“I am.”
“I don’t think I can afford you. Especially since I’m out of work now.”
“I will do it gratis. One survivor to another.”
“You don’t know how much I appreciate that. Thank you!”
Stone gave her his card.
“Sorry, Commander,” Stone said to Choi. “I didn’t mean to highjack the floor.”
“All good,” the commander said. She smiled at Stella. “If you’re ready…?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Stella said.
Choi pulled out a notebook and pen. “I realize this was in your statement, but I’d like to hear directly from you what you remember from that night?”
Stella shrugged. “Okay, but I’m not sure it’ll help. Deirdre and I shared a cabin. If she hadn’t woken me up, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“Do you know when she realized something was wrong?”
“I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but I think she was in Gerry’s cabin when the boat started going down, and they weren’t asleep, if you know what I mean.”
