irected her back into the room。 〃Sit for a minute
and I'll explain。〃 When they were seated on the sofa； he said； 〃The
hearing has been called off。〃
〃What？〃 After dreading the day for so long； the last thing Anne wanted
was to have to go through the agony of anticipation all over again。
〃Why？〃
〃It's good news； really。 There will probably be an out…of…court
settlement。〃
A wave of relief swept her。 〃You mean； there won't be a hearing at all？〃
He shook his head。 〃I doubt it。〃
〃Then today？〃 The first thing she could think of was changing out of her
suit and into jeans； and putting the whole matter behind her at last。
〃Today we go to the lawyer's office。 The lawyer representing the
airline； that is。 It seems that Southeast American Air has counter…filed
a suit； one against the manufacturer of the aircraft itself。〃 He waited
for her nod； just as Jeff would have done。 Then he went on。 〃The latest
investigation points to a weakness in the design of the craft as the
cause of the accident； rather than pilot error or substandard
maintenance procedures。 Southeast American Air has a fine reputation on
those scores。〃
Anne didn't understand。 〃Then isn't this the end between the airline and
me？ Why do I need to do anything more？〃
Theodore Boulton took her cold hand。 〃They need a deposition from you； a
statement of what you suffered an