Back Dark Harbor
Chapters (69)
  1. Cover
  2. “[AN] EXCELLENT SERIES.”*
  3. Praise for Stuart Woods’s Stone Barrington Novels
  4. Praise for Stuart Woods’s Holly Barker Thrillers
  5. BOOKS BY STUART WOODS
  6. DARK HARBOR
  7. Copyright
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  69. AUTHOR’S NOTE

Stone opened the safe, took out the inquest papers and took Caleb through the procedure, showing him the photographs.

“I see your point,” Caleb said.

“I intend to pursue this,” Stone said. “You’re probably not aware that I spent fourteen years in the New York Police Department, eleven of them as a detective investigating homicides. Dino Bacchetti, who just left, was my partner. He and I agree that this wasn’t a murder-suicide, and the coroner has issued an open verdict.”

“I knew you were a cop, but that was all I knew. I’m glad you’ve got the experience to look into this. I want Dick’s killer caught and punished.”

“I’m going to need your help,” Stone said. “Can you think of anyone, on the island or off, who had any sort of grudge against Dick?”

Caleb looked thoughtful but shook his head. “I can’t. Dick wasn’t the sort of fellow that people had grudges against.”

“That’s my memory of him, too. I’d like you to think about this, and if you come up with anything at all, please call me. I’ll be here for a while, and this is my number in New York, when I go back.” Stone handed him a card.

“I’ll certainly do that,” Caleb said.

“There’s something else, Caleb, and I’m glad to say this is good news.” Stone took the insurance policies from the safe and handed them to him. “Dick took out these policies twelve years ago, leaving a million dollars each to his parents and to you.”

Caleb’s mouth dropped open. “Good God,” he finally managed to say.

“Your parents are dead, aren’t they?”

Caleb nodded. “Both of them.”

“Were you and Dick their heirs?”

“Yes, their only heirs.”

“Then half of their policy will go to you, the other half to the foundation.”

“A million and a half dollars,” Caleb said tonelessly.

Stone took the policies back. “I’ll get in touch with the insurance agent and make the claim, and I’ll have the insurance company send you both checks. You’re well equipped to handle the estate and tax consequences.”

“Yes, I can do that.” Caleb stood up. “Thank you, Stone, for telling me about this.”

“I would have told you sooner, but I found the policies only a few minutes ago.” Stone walked him to the front door. “One more thing: As you’re aware, Dick specified that his ashes be scattered in the harbor here; do you want me to take care of that?”

“I’d like to do it myself,” Caleb said. “It’s the last thing I can do for him.”

“I’ve made arrangements with a funeral parlor in Belfast. I’ll call you when I receive the ashes.”