Here, let me do this properly.

She moved some pillows aside and made a place for him on the couch to lie down. He hesitated, and she told him to relax, it was only a massage.

Within twenty minutes, Pars lay on the couch, gently snoring on his side. Ana stood and went to the kitchen and poured another glass of water. She’d wanted oblivion; she dimly realized that now, if only for a few hours. But she was, unfortunately, completely sober.

She went to the door, slid it partly shut. Leaves clattered in the wind outside. The dog was gone from the deck. Back at the couch, she covered Pars with a white sheet and stood over him a moment, listening to his breath. Maybe this was stupid, she thought, but she didn’t care. She could still hear the ocean seething outside, like a third party, insistent, demanding. On subzero nights in the North Country, kinglets huddled together on branches. Did anyone blame them for sharing their warmth to survive? She pulled up the sheet and laid beside Pars on the couch, her back to him. Then she lifted his outer arm over her shoulder and draped it carefully across her chest.

Sixteen

A heavy dew fell in the night. Kevin woke at dawn. A little before seven he heard tires crunching on gravel and wondered who it could be, arriving so early in the morning.

He went outside with his mug of coffee. The lawn glistened in the cold. A squad car idled in the drive, blue exhaust drifting upward. Bunty Phillips slowly climbed from the car and put one hand on the roof. Kevin would recognize him anywhere—the burly figure, the red muttonchops, the fishing cap. He was the island’s part-time constable—and full-time fisherman. He’d never spoken more than three words to Kevin or Douglas until the day before.

Good morning Mr. Gearns, he said

Good morning. Kevin lifted his mug. Would you care for some hot coffee? I’ve just made a pot.

Bunty waved his hand. No thanks. I’ve got some news about your missing guest.

Kevin braced himself. The radio crackled inside the car.

They found her, Bunty said.

Is she all right?

Just a bit confused and a little chilled, I’d say.

Kevin closed his eyes. Thank god, he murmured.

She was at the Trachis Lighthouse, Bunty explained. She must have walked there in low tide and gotten inside the building. They found her upstairs in the lantern house. She was talking a blue streak. Someone with his head on had the good sense to look up there. Her husband will be relieved anyhow, Bunty added.

Everyone will be, Kevin said.

Bunty told him that she was down at Trachis Harbor with the EMS. That Mrs. McIntyre was on her way to pick up the husband.

You might want to break the news first, he suggested.