Harry asked the guy if he would mind answering a few questions now.

"What kind of questions?"

"Isn't it unusual, sir, for you and your wife to have gone out on that fishing boat alone, without a local guide or captain, considering that these were unfamiliar waters?" Harry asked Crawford, trying to sound even.

"I've been a seaman for years!" Crawford came back, still sounding defensive. "I've piloted boats on both coasts, in all kinds of weather conditions."

"I'm not questioning your capabilities as a seaman, Mr. Crawford," Harry said, beginning to scribble on his interview form. "I'm just asking how you managed to get the boat. I believe it's more normal that tourists rent the boat with a crew, isn't it?"

"Maybe so, but it's not a law. I felt I was quite capable, maybe more capable, than some contract boat captain who has to depend on tourists for his income."

"And you had no friend or acquaintances you met there who wanted to go out with you, I take it?"

"None. Iris and I don't---didn't usually socialize with those types. They're usually boorish and loud. We were very private people. Besides, we'd gone out on excursions like this a hundred times."

"A hundred times, sir? Exactly like this?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Forgive me for sounding dense, Mr. Crawford, but I'm not a fisherman. I'm truly interested to know how these excursions are arranged, how much experience you need, that type of thing. So, if you don't mind, could you give me an idea of exactly how many times you and your wife, or you and just a single friend or business associate, maybe, have rented a boat solo and gone out in unfamiliar waters to fish?"

"I don't know exactly. It's not like I can take a vacation every month, you know."

"Well, would you say you've done something like this more than ten times? More than twenty?"

"Certainly more than ten. Probably more than twenty, I'd guess."

Harry underlined this in his notes. "Hmm. Okay. And where do you usually go, outside of around here, when you want to go out deep-sea fishing like this?"

"Mexico's very good. Florida. I've done some fishing off the California coast, too."

"And never had any trouble getting a boat?"

"Never."

"And the weather. How's the weather been on these other trips, sir?"

Crawford chuckled. "The weather is the weather, Mr. Trotter. You never know what to expect. And if you had been out at sea, you'd know that you learn a healthy respect for Nature, particularly the weather, right away. If you don't---"

"Somebody dies."

Crawford cleared his own throat. "That's right, Mr. Trotter."

Harry knew he had to press on now. "It would be helpful if you could answer a couple more questions, sir."

"I'll try."

"I appreciate that, sir. So, being as conscious of safety as you are, sir, you checked the weather forecasts the day of---the day you lost your wife?"

"That's right."

"And there was no forecast of an expected storm at sea?"

"No. None whatsoever."

"I don't know much about deep-sea fishing, sir, like I told you. But the people who I know who are into it seem to go out in parties, so to speak."

"Some people like doing that, yes."

"Well, sir, I've also noticed that these parties go out for a day, say, and they usually take along food, beverages, music, playing cards, everything you'd think about somebody taking if they were going out with a group of people here on land. Is that an accurate assessment of the situation, would you say, Mr. Crawford?"

"That's right. The only difference is the intimacy with the elements."

"And when you go out, sir, with a business associate, or your wife, do you take out the same types of provisions? Playing cards, food, snacks, cokes, a six of beer, candy bars, a radio maybe?"

"Certainly, Mr. Trotter! As you said, it's only slightly different from a picnic here on land."

"Okay, sir. But like other types of parties, these deep sea fishing parties take out, you know, alcoholic beverages, too. I've heard plenty of my friends talk about having quite a few beers on trips like this and----"

"Now wait a minute, Trotter! Are you trying to say that I was drunk on this trip?"

"No, no, sir! Not at all!" Harry told the guy. "I'm not trying to say anything of the kind. I'm only trying to get a picture of what your personal deep-sea fishing trips are like."

"Well, we don't get drunk, Mr. Trotter!" Crawford insisted. "No, I was not drunk the day my wife was lost out there!"

"And you never drink while fishing, sir?"

"I follow safe boating practices."

"So you didn't have anything to drink on your boat?"

"I didn't say that! I just said I wasn't drunk, I don't get drunk, while I'm at the helm of a boat is what I said, Mr. Trotter."

"So you do drink at sea, sir?"

"Mr. Trotter, I resent this line of questioning and the way you're trying to put words in my mouth. If you have any other----"

"Did you have anything to drink on the day of your wife's death, sir?"

"I---No! I told you I wasn't drunk---I don't have to answer questions like---"

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry," Harry said. "Maybe it's best that we just continue talking about your wife's accident on Monday. Can you come in on Monday, Mr. Crawford?"

"Well, let me see... Yes, Monday morning would be fine. I'm tied up in the afternoon, though."

"Monday morning is just great for us, sir. Say about 9:30? But I want you to understand, Mr. Crawford, that at that time we will be taking a deposition for the company of the accident. I won't be the only person taking your statement. So, if you would feel more comfortable, you might want to bring your attorney along."

"My attorney?"

"Yes, sir, I think that might be a good idea. I'm only recommending it for your own protection, Mr. Crawford. I noticed that you were uncomfortable with some of the questions which I, just out of curiosity, had about your fishing trip. And I expect that we'll have gotten a statement from the Mexican authorities by Monday as well. So I'm just saying that you, sir, might be more comfortable with the proceeding if you have your own attorney present."

"Are you implying---"

"I'm not implying anything at all, sir. I'm just trying to be helpful. 9:30 is okay, then, sir, for Monday?"

"It's fine!"