Boston accent, Zack concluded. Upper-class one, almost Kennedyesque. “Okay, Steve, here’s the deal. Lobster poaching carries a thousand-dollar fine. Reason for that is that while it’s a kick to sneak out and empty the traps, boil up a couple, some people depend on the catch for their living. An evening’s entertainment to you is money out of their pocket.”

As he lectured, Zack saw the boys shift uncomfortably. The one who’d answered the door was flushing guiltily and keeping his eyes averted.

“What you had out there on the porch last night would’ve run you about forty down at the market. So you look up a man by the name of Carl Macey at the docks, give him forty, and that’ll be the end of it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Does this Macey put a brand on his lobsters?” Steve smirked again, scratched his belly. “You can’t prove we poached anything.”

“True enough.” Zack glanced around the room, skimmed faces. Nerves, a little shame. “This place rents for what, about twelve hundred a week in full season, and the boat you’ve rented puts another two-fifty onto that. Add entertainment, food, beer. You guys’re shelling out ’round about a grand apiece for a week here.”

“And pumping it into the island economy,” Steve said with a thin smile. “Pretty stupid to hassle us over a couple of allegedly poached lobsters.”

“Maybe. Even more stupid not to come up with ten bucks each to smooth things over. You think about that. It’s a small island,” Zack said as he started for the door. “Word gets around.”

“Is that a threat? Threatening civilians could result in a litigious action.”

Zack glanced back, shook his head. “I bet you’re pre-law, aren’t you?” He strolled out, back to his cruiser. It wouldn’t take him long to hit the right spots in the village and make his point.

Ripley walked down High Street and met Zack in front of the Magick Inn. “Lobster Boy’s credit card got hung up at the pizza place,” she began. “Seems the circuits were down or whatever and he had to dig for cash to pay for lunch.”

“That so?”

“Yeah. And you know, every video they wanted to rent was already out.”

“Hell of a thing.”

“And I hear all the jet skis were already reserved or out of order today.”

“That’s a shame.”

“And continuing in a series of bizarre coincidences, the AC in their rental just up and died.”

“And it’s a hot one today, too. Supposed to be muggy tonight. Bound to be uncomfortable sleeping.”

“You’re a mean son of a bitch, Zachariah.” Ripley rose on her toes and gave him a quick, smacking kiss on the mouth. “That’s why I love you.”