“Water’s fine, it’s more what might be in the unknown depths below the surface that creeps me out.”
“Probably good that you didn’t join us, then.”
“I’d have to agree.”
They made their way into the nave. Since they’d both arrived solo, they sat together during the service.
The eulogy was given by Aaron Sidney, Trenton’s oldest son. While he listed off many of his father’s very impressive accomplishments, Stone sensed Aaron was not particularly moved by his father’s passing.
As the service ended, Stone asked Charley, “Do you know Trenton’s sons?”
“Aaron and Ryan? I’ve met them a couple of times, but we’ve never had any meaningful conversations.”
“Would you mind introducing me?”
“Not at all.”
Stone shot Fred a text, telling him to pick him up in ten minutes, then followed Charley outside, where they found the Sidney brothers greeting the departing mourners.
“Mr. Fox, good to see you again,” Aaron said, as Stone and Charley approached. “Well, I mean, not good, of course.”
“My condolences,” Charley said. “To you, too, Ryan.”
“Thanks, Mr. Fox,” Ryan said.
Though younger than Aaron, he was the larger brother.And from his red-rimmed eyes and somber expression, he was clearly much more affected by their father’s death than his brother was.
“This is my friend, Stone Barrington,” Charley said. “He was also a friend of your father’s.”
“Trenton will be greatly missed,” Stone said.
Aaron cocked his head at the mention of Stone’s name. “You were on the ship with him when it went down, weren’t you?”
“Boat.”
“What?”
“A yacht is a boat, not a ship. Ships are larger.”
“Okay, whatever. But you were one of the survivors.”
“I was.”
Ryan asked, “Did you see Dad when it went down?”
Stone shook his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see anyone before I was thrown into the water.”
“Do you have any idea how it happened?”
“Give it a rest, Ryan,” his brother said. “It doesn’t matter why it went down. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”
Ryan’s jaw tensed, and he muttered under his breath, “It’s important to me.”
“Unfortunately, I have no idea,” Stone said. “The boat was already listing when I woke up.”
“But it wasn’t when you went to sleep?”
Aaron rolled his eyes but said nothing.
