“What else have I got to pursue?” Lance asked. “It’s not as implausible as you might think.”

“Well, if it’s true, it means we have two killers: one of Dick and his family and possibly Don Brown, and one of the women.”

“Unlikely, isn’t it?”

“But not impossible,” Stone said.

50

SERGEANT YOUNG’S CALL was forwarded to the cell phone of Lieutenant Jake Potter in Nantucket, who was sitting in a squad car in the middle of the village, watching tourists turn their ankles on the cobblestones. “Lieutenant Potter,” he drawled into the phone.

“Lieutenant, this is Sergeant Tom Young of the Maine State Police.”

“Morning, Sergeant, how’s the weather in Maine today?”

“A little foggy.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I don’t know if you’ve heard about it, but we’ve had a series of murders on the island of Islesboro.”

“I read the Boston papers.”

“In connection with that investigation, I’m concerned about the whereabouts of two young men, twin brothers, named Eben and Enos Stone. They may be aboard a yacht in Nantucket. They sailed from Newport yesterday.”

“As part of the race?”

“That’s right.”

“If you want me to arrest them we’re going to need a fugitive warrant; you can fax it to us.”

“It won’t be necessary to arrest them,” Young said. “Right now, I just need to determine whether they’re actually aboard that boat.”

“Description?”

“Identical twins, blond hair, tall—maybe six-three or six-four—over two hundred pounds, muscular.”

“Well, I’m glad I don’t have to arrest them.”

Young chuckled. “It may come to that yet.”

“Name of the boat?”

“Hotshot.”

“Spell.”

“Hotel, oscar, tango, sierra, hotel, oscar, tango.”

“Length?”

“I’m afraid I don’t have that information.”

“Skipper’s name?”

“Don’t know.”

“Home port?”

“Maybe Newport, but I’m not at all sure.”

“That was Eldon and Elmer who?”

“No, that’s Eben and Enos Stone. And Lieutenant, if you can find out if they’re aboard without letting them know you’re checking, I’d appreciate it. I don’t want them to run.”

“What do you want me to do if they try to run?”

“If they do, please try to find out where they’re going and call me as soon as possible.” Young gave the man his cell phone number.

“I could detain them on some charge or other, maybe dumping their holding tank in the marina.”

“I don’t think that would help. Anyway, it’s not their boat.”

“I could think of something else.”

“Lieutenant, their father is a big-time Boston lawyer; I don’t think that would be helpful. I just need to know if they’re actually present on Nantucket.”

“Tell me, Sergeant, how is knowing that going to help you?”

“Well, if they’re on the boat, then their alibi for my time frame might be good.”

“Might be good?”