“You’d have to ask them, but I imagine Trenton wouldn’t have taken delivery if there were any issues.”
“Were there any indications of trouble while you were on board?”
“Other than when it sank, no.”
“What about before you went to sleep that night? Did anything strike you as odd?”
Stone frowned. “Honestly, Commander, I don’t remember what happened before I went to bed. I have the sense that Trenton and I may have overindulged.”
“Is that so? Do you think it’s possible Mr. Sidney did something in that state that could have caused the accident?”
“Even if he had wanted to, I’m sure the crew would have stopped him. But he loved theAmanda Jaetoo much to do anything that might harm it.”
“What’s the last thing you remember?”
Stone thought for a moment. “Trenton and I were on the bridge talking to the captain about the plans for the next day.”
“What time was that?”
“Four or five in the afternoon.”
“Nothing after that?”
Stone scoured his mind again, then shook his head. “Nothing. Do you have a theory as to what happened?”
“Not yet. But if you have one, I’d love to hear it.”
“I assume it was some kind of mechanical failure, but specifically what, I have no idea.”
She nodded. “I have a feeling that’s where we’ll land in the end.”
“What about sending someone down to investigate the wreck?”
“If it had occurred closer to shore, maybe. But given where it is, doing so won’t be cheap. Unless we suspect it wasn’t just an accident, I doubt my superiors would allot the budget for that.” She stopped the recording. “I think that’s all I have for now. If I have more questions, may I contact you?”
“Please do. I’d give you a business card, but I don’t seem to have one on me.”
“I assume I can reach you through your firm?”
Stone nodded. “Woodman & Weld.”
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Barrington.” She nodded to Dino and Mike. “Gentlemen.”
As soon as she was gone, Dino said, “It’s not like you to drink enough that you forget a whole evening.”
“That bothers me, too,” Stone admitted.
“Trauma-induced amnesia, most likely,” Mike said. “It will probably come back to you in a few days.”
The door opened and Tamlyn Thompson hurried in. She was Strategic Services’ chief technological officer, and she and Stone had been seeing each other for the last few months.
She took his hand. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”
“Hello to you, too,” he said.
“Sorry, hi. How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted and sore all over.”
