“That was a captain in the Maine State Police,” Stone said. “First, I should tell you that Ed’s house burned down last night, while we were at dinner at my house.”

“Was it an accident?” Dino asked.

“They don’t believe it was—there was evidence of an accelerant found. The captain said their preliminary conclusion was that it was a suicide.”

Everybody was quiet while digesting that.

“Well,” Ed said, “I’m glad it was only a preliminary conclusion. I’d miss me.”

Everybody laughed, except Stone. “The body was found in the living room, and the police were puzzled by something.”

“I should think they were,” Ed said.

“Underneath the body of the man they found an FBI badge in a wallet. His picture ID burned, but the badge survived.”

“Well, Ed,” Dino said, “you never told us you were an FBI agent.”

“They ran the badge number,” Stone said, “and it didn’t exist. Ed, they apparently believed that you had been impersonating a federal law enforcement officer, which would be a serious crime, if you weren’t dead.”

“Stone,” Dino said, “is this about the strong case downstairs in your safe?”

25

STONE STARED AT DINO. “How the hell do you know about the strong case?”

“I think Will Lee was concerned about your safety,” Dino replied, “or maybe just about the safety of the strong case. I guess he wanted a backup. Anyway, he called me.”

Stone relaxed. “You gave me a scare for a minute. I thought I was doing this in the strictest confidence, but apparently not.”

“Maybe Will thought it was okay to share it with your best friend in the world.”

“Apparently so. I just wish he’d told me.”

“Does he know about the fire at Ed’s house?”

“Not from me.”

“You may not be his only source of information,” Dino said.

“Good point,” Ed Rawls said. “He might be in touch with someone on the island.”

“Or someone in the Maine State Police,” Stone pointed out.

“At this stage of the game, I don’t think it matters,” Ed said.

“And what,” Dino asked, “is the game?”

“Politics is my best guess.”

“Well, why don’t we take a look at the contents?” Dino asked. “We’re all good friends here.”

“I don’t think you want to do that,” Ed said.

Dino turned toward Stone. “What is he talking about?”

“I don’t know. He told me the same thing, and I took him at his word.”

“Maybe you should take him at his word, too, Dino,” Viv said.

Dino made a grunting noise and shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Contain your curiosity,” Viv said. “You might be happier for it.”

“I’ve never been happier for not knowing something.”

“You might be happier not knowing what happened at Roswell,” Ed said.

“I was joking.”

Ed grinned. “So was I.”