intently； but they quickly grew silent。 Anne felt every pair of their
eyes turn her way。
〃Coffee； Mrs。 Boulton？〃 her attorney asked； gesturing toward the
percolator at the side of the room。
〃Yes…ah…no；〃 she whispered。 Caffeine was the last thing her jangling
nerves needed。 But her mouth was very dry。 〃If I could have some water；
that would be fine。〃
Moments later； when she had her water and a seat on one side of the long
table； a man from the other group approached her。 〃We'll be ready to
start soon； Mrs。 Boulton。 My client should be here momentarily。〃
Terrence Carpenter； who sat on her left； leaned in when the man left。
〃That was Peter Simmons； counsel for SEAA。 He'll be deposing you。 He'll
introduce you to the others； but I believe the tall dark fellow is the
attorney for Jet…Star Aircraft； the manufacturer； and the man with him
must be its president。〃
Anne nodded and took a sip of water。 She wasn't sure she could do this。
It had been bad enough in the instant when they had looked at her。 She
had felt like the guilty party； rather than the one who had been
wronged。
A professional…looking woman entered the room； whispered something to
Peter Simmons； then left； closing the door behind her。
Simmons cleared his throat； 〃Ladies and gentlemen； let's begin。 My
client is delayed and will join us shortly。〃
The others