“The ‘alarming’ one?” Kevin asked. At least his sense of humor had returned, albeit through sarcasm. “Like Earl said, it’s up in Boston. Out of the island’s jurisdiction. Or so the state cops told us.”

“You mentioned that yesterday. Which got me to thinking. . . ”

Kevin turned to Annie. “She can’t resist a challenge. Or a good argument.”

“Stop,” Donna said with a giggle. “It’s apparent you need to do whatever it takes to move the investigation along. Right now, too much is in limbo. And forget about the tourists, what about the people who are planning to live here year-round? It isn’t fair to keep them on hold. As I recall from Annie’s situation last summer, housing is a problem here.”

Annie nodded.

Earl agreed.

And Kevin rubbed the back of his neck.

“But never mind all that,” Donna added, “I thought of something that might help.”

“Listen to your mother,” Earl said, and Kevin groaned.

“All the years I was in Boston, I never needed to get to know any law enforcement folks. On the other hand . . . Kevin? Remember Gina, honey? What was her last name? Medina? Molina? Something Italian, right?”

Annie had no way of knowing what Kevin was thinking, but by the way his face paled and his jaw contorted, she had a feeling that it wasn’t good.

“Gina Fiorina, Mom. And no, I’m not going to contact her.”

“But isn’t she a doctor? If I recall correctly, she works with the Boston police.”

Kevin stood up and held his hands in front of his face, palms out, creating the illusion of a barrier. “Forget it, Mom. Let it be.” He brought his mug to the sink and dumped the contents down the drain. “I’m heading back up the hill to finish what I was doing. This thing will blow over before we know it, and I don’t want to have to rush and do a half-ass job. See y’all later.” He went out the door without looking back.

Earl stood, too. “Seems you touched a nerve,” he said to Donna. “There are lots of nerves around these parts right now. Don’t take it personally.”

Donna nodded and said something, but Annie didn’t hear—like Kevin, she had plummeted into her own paralyzing thought: she, too, knew someone who worked with law enforcement in the city. And though she had no idea why Kevin was averse to calling Gina Fiorina, Annie knew very well why she would not—would never—contact Larry Hendricks. No matter how much was at stake.

* * *

After Earl pocketed the last roll and said he’d best get a move on or Claire would think he’d run away, Annie cleaned up the dishes, then told Donna that she wanted to shower and get ready for the day. She asked if Donna needed any help before she went back to the Inn.