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 and will suffer in the future because of
the accident。 The lawyer asks questions and you answer under oath。 You
see；〃 he explained； 〃in order to arrange a settlement； there has to be
some assessment of damages； of losses。 Not only will our lawyer； the
airline's lawyer； and its president be there； but there will be similar
representation by the airplane manufacturer。〃
She sighed。 What he described sounded less threatening than a court
hearing。 Still； the prospect of a question…and…answer session was less
than pleasant。 〃What will I be asked？〃
He gave a negligent shrug。 〃They'll want to know about you and Jeff。 How
old you were when you met him。 How long you were married。 Where he
worked。 How much money he earned。〃
〃But aren't those things matters of record； already？〃
〃Yes； but a deposition is a sworn