"Michael and Carl have become obsessed with that idea," Jackie explained.
Austin relaxed in the chair a little more. "Did you learn anything at the country club?"
"Nothing worth noting," Jackie answered.
"Could Nick have run out of fuel?" Michael asked.
"The recorder doesn't indicate that the fuel was low. It's more likely he misjudged how high he was off the water."
"A faulty gauge?" Jackie asked.
"Possibly."
"A faulty gauge someone could have tampered with?" Michael asked.
"That's possible too," Austin answered.
"Did the FAA investigate?" Michael asked.
"I hope so. I haven't heard anything from them since the initial report. They called for all the information on the plane, serial numbers, licenses; that sort of thing, but if they suspect anything, they haven't gotten back to me."
Jackie got up and walked to the window. "Do you think Mathew had something to do with the crash?"
Austin considered that for a moment. "I wouldn't put it past him, but I don't know if he has those kinds of connections. I doubt he would have done it himself - I doubt he does anything himself."
"If Mathew wanted Nick dead, why wait twenty-five years to do it?" Michael asked.
"Nick's security guards liked him and they were very good at their jobs. He also paid them very well, so he expected them to keep him alive."
"Still, if you want a guy dead, there are ways to do it," said Michael.
"Was he alone in the plane?" Jackie asked.
"Yes."
"Did the Connellys show up at the funeral?"
"Laura came. Mathew didn't bother. She was very upset and needed help getting in and out of the car."
"Drunk?" Michael asked.
Austin shook his head. "I don't know. I didn't talk to her."
"Who notified them? They were in Brisbane at the time, I believe," said Jackie.
Austin shifted positions. "I called Laura. I don't remember how I knew where she was, I was upset myself at the time. Nick might have told me."
Michael reached for another handful of peanuts. "Why was Nick flying over the gulf?"
"Real estate was his passion and there was a large house he wanted to see from the air. He called me just before he took off and asked me to look into buying it. It was just the kind of house he loved to buy, and resell for a profit, if he could."
"Do you know if the Connellys already had airline tickets home before his accident?" Jackie asked.
"I don't," Austin answered. "It might be worth looking into someday."
"You're right; we need to find Georgia first. By the way," said Jackie, "had Laura been drinking before the reading of the will?"