“Well, Carol Steinbeck probably felt the same way about John,” Hudson said. “It would be interesting to hear her side of the story.”

Ben had forgotten that Steinbeck had been married to a Carol, too. He thought of his Carol. His ex-Carol. She also had her side of the story. Their story. He wondered how she told it, how he came across to people who knew him only from her description of their marriage. I wonder if I would recognize myself? he thought.

“I’ve taken up a lot of your time,” Hudson said, checking his watch. “I didn’t mean to. But I appreciate it.”

Ben drained the last of his coffee. “It’s all right,” he said. “I wasn’t in any hurry to get back to the lab.”

“I know that feeling,” said Hudson. “I’m kind of putting things off as well. I was hoping that walking around would help me focus a little better.”

Ben stood up. He could tell that, despite his comments, Hudson was hoping he wouldn’t leave. He recognized the pull of procrastination. After all, he was deep in its thrall himself. The temptation to suggest a second cup of coffee was strong. But he fought it off, telling himself that it was for Hudson’s sake that he was leaving.

“You know,” he said. “I might be able to arrange for you to get inside Ricketts’s place,” he said, surprising himself.

Hudson’s head snapped up. “You’re kidding,” he said.

“I might,” Ben repeated. “I’ll ask around. Monterey is a pretty small place.”

“That would be amazing,” Hudson said, fumbling in his backpack. “Here’s my number.”

Ben accepted the piece of paper. Hudson’s obvious excitement was refreshing. It wasn’t often he saw someone so happy over the prospect of seeing the inside of a marine biologist’s office. He couldn’t even stand to be inside his own at the moment. He lifted the paper. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said.

He left Kalisa’s followed by Hudson’s repeated thanks. What a peculiar day it had been, he mused. First his run-in with the fisherman, and then an entirely different kind of run-in with Hudson Jones. And all of it completely accidental, occurring only because he’d decided to take a walk. Had he sat in his office, stewing over his problem with Caddie, he would still be there, undoubtedly no closer to finding a solution. This, he thought, was infinitely better.