She shook her head. "They asked why I'd gone aft, and I told them about the power coupling acting up. They asked about records on that, and I pointed out they'd have been in the engineering logs which were destroyed by the accident."
Paul let his puzzlement show. "But all they'd have to do is examine the power coupling. That'd show what was wrong with it."
"No, it wouldn't." Jen bit her lip. "It showed… shows… what is wrong with it. After the shock of the explosions that ripped through the Maury. I never got to the coupling before that happened. I don't know if what's wrong now is what was wrong then."
Sharpe seemed to be chewing on the inside of his cheek. "Anything else, ma'am?"
"Just a lot of unconnected stuff. How was my relationship with my father, was work on the Maury really stressful, how things were going with my boyfriend." She glared at Sharpe. "Like I was going to talk about things like that with them! Then they asked if I had any ideas how someone could've caused an explosion like that if they'd wanted to-"
"Did you answer that one, ma'am?"
Jen frowned, then shook her head at Sharpe's question. "No. I just said it would've taken a tremendous amount of overloads to cause that strong an explosion."
"And they asked you about your love life, ma'am?"
"Yes. I told you they did. And I told them it was none of their business."
Paul looked over at Sharpe. "Sheriff, why were they asking Ms. Shen questions like that? What are they driving at? You seem to know."
Sharpe licked his lips, his face uncertain for the first time Paul could remember. "Yes, sir, I know what they're driving at. At least, I know what I'd be driving at if I asked questions like that, and tried to get my subject to waive rights to a lawyer."
"What?"
"Sir, I'd like some time to look into it."
Jen leaned toward him. "Sharpe, you've got some idea. Tell me."
"Ma'am, I'd really rather-"
"Tell me. What's up with those guys?"
"They think you were involved in some way. In the explosion."
Jen's face twisted in confusion. "Involved? What-?" The confusion shifted, transforming into rage. "They think I caused it?"
"Maybe, ma'am." Sharpe took a step back, as if worried what Jen might do.
Paul shook his head, unable to believe what he'd heard. "Sheriff, why the hell would they believe that?"
Sharpe eyed Jen with concern as he spoke. "Meaning no disrespect to Ms. Shen, sir, and not implying I believe this is right, but what it sounds like is they think maybe someone caused the explosion, because if I've heard right they're ruling out other causes? So I'm guessing what they're thinking is that maybe somehow someone caused the explosion. Since Ms. Shen reached safety just before it blew, they're looking at her. From what Ms. Shen says they were asking her it looks like they're also trying to find a motive."
"Why would they reach that kind of conclusion? That's insane!" Paul felt anger flaring within him and fought it down, knowing he'd have to keep Jen from blowing her own top.
Sharpe bit his lip. "Some guesses, sir. If they can't find a mechanical or software reason for the explosion, they'll look for a human agent. Something must have caused it. If they think they've ruled out hardware, that means they'll look for a sailor. Someone who deliberately or accidentally screwed up. And anyone who escaped while everyone else bought it." He looked straight at Jen. "Ms. Shen, it does sound to me like they're investigating whether you did it."
Instead of erupting into further anger, Jen sat still, her red face growing pale. "OhmyGod. Paul? How can they?"
Paul grabbed her shoulder. "They can't and they won't. Sheriff, can you talk any sense into those guys?"
"They won't be doing this on their own, sir. They'll be following the lead of someone higher up."
"It's ridiculous! No one who knows Ms. Shen could ever believe it."
Sharpe nodded. "Yes, sir. I agree with you, sir. Ms. Shen would've had to have gone totally insane to do something like that, and she sure looks to me like she's always looked. I'll talk to them. No guarantees, you understand. They don't work for me, and some special agents look on masters-at-arms like me as uniformed Deputy Dawgs. But I'll try. Even if they don't listen to me, I'm sure whatever they're finding out will show them they're barking up the wrong tree this time." He paused. "I'm real sorry, Ms. Shen. I know how this must feel to you. They're trying to do their jobs. They've got to check out all the angles. Sometimes cops just go off on the wrong tangent."
"Why would they pick this tangent?"
"Like I said, sir, they've looked at possible causes for the explosion and come up empty-handed so far. Now they're looking at other possible causes."
"This isn't a possible cause. It's impossible."
"I agree, sir. I'll talk to them." Sharpe paused on his way out of the hatch. "By the way, Ms. Shen, you did right not signing that paper. Don't sign anything else without a lawyer checking it."
Jen stared at him, looking like she had when Paul had first seen her after the explosion on the Maury. "I won't."
"Get them to shut this down, Sheriff. I can't believe they're doing this to her."
"I'll try, sir. No promises, but like I said, I'm sure when they've looked into it a bit they'll realize Ms. Shen couldn't have done something like that."
Fogarty's felt oddly subdued for a hail and farewell party. Lieutenant Sindh moved among the officers of the Michaelson 's wardroom, chatting politely. With Jen standing duty at the barracks where the Maury 's crew had been billeted, Paul sat alone in a corner and mostly watched. Kris Denaldo's on duty on the ship, and I don't really feel like getting happy drunk with anybody else, and I don't feel like getting morose drunk at all. And Sonya, God bless her, isn't the partying type. I think she's only having this hail and farewell because it's traditional.
Sindh stopped by. "I probably won't see you when I leave tomorrow, Paul. I need to get off the ship early to catch my shuttle, so I'll depart during morning quarters."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You deserve a proper send-off."
She laughed. "All the officers lined up at the quarterdeck saluting as I march grandly off to a bright, shiny new future? That's not really my speed, Paul."
He didn't know whether or not it was the drink he'd had, but Paul blurted out his thoughts. "You were always there for everyone else, Sonya. I'm glad I got to serve with you."
"And I with you." Sindh made a small smile. "There was a song, long ago. Part of it says 'hello, hello; good-bye, good-bye; that's all there is.' We meet, we go on. Say my fondest farewells to Jen."
"I will."
Sindh made to go, then looked down at Paul with a mischievous smile. "I expect to be invited to the wedding."
"If there is one, you'll be there."
Another smile, this time seeming reassuring, and she went on to talk with a gaggle of ensigns. Paul had another drink, watching her and thinking of the other officers who'd already come and gone since he'd joined the Michaelson. I'm becoming a veteran of the crew. Why do I still feel inside like I'm the new guy?
Someone plopped down next to him. Paul looked over, startled, at Val Isakov.
Isakov hoisted her own drink. "You look lonely."
She obviously favored outfits off-duty that showed off what she had to offer, which in Isakov's case was quite a bit. Paul felt a curious mix of attraction and repulsion as he looked back at her. "Not really."
"Are you dating your invisible friend?"
"No. Jen's on duty tonight."
"Ah, too bad. No one to warm your bunk." Isakov's hand snaked out under the table and she drew one finger across Paul's leg. "Must be hard."
His lower spine liked the sensation, but Paul's brain didn't. He twitched his leg away. "I'm happy."