“I know you’ve been well briefed, but I just want to bring you up to date,” Stone said.

“You mean about the twins buying a house?” Henry Lee asked.

“Oh, that’s right. Billy met you at the airfield. He told you about the barn problem, then?”

“Yes, and we had a look at it. It’s empty and clean as a whistle,” Grace said.

“About the front gate,” Stone said. “I’d leave it open in the daytime. The neighbors won’t like to see it closed. Close it at bedtime.”

“Duly noted,” Grace said.

“Have you had a chance to familiarize yourselves with the security system?”

“It’s the standard Agency equipment, with a few new flourishes,” Henry Lee said. “We can actually see the property on-screen and peoples’ faces when they’re at the gate or door.”

“Good. Use it. You brought arms?”

“We did.”

“Keep them ready to use. Know that, if you feel it necessary to kill one or both of them, local law enforcement will look kindly on your actions. In fact, if you kill one of them, you’d better kill the other, too.”

“Got it,” Henry Lee said. “I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us.”

“I’d like to invite the two of you to dinner at my house, this evening,” Stone said.

“We’d be delighted,” Grace said.

He gave them directions. “Six-thirty, for drinks. My friends from New York, Dino and Vivian Bacchetti, will be there . . .”

“We’ve been briefed on them, too.”

“And a local woman, Hester Primrose, who prefers Primmy. I think we can count on her to spread the word about you among the summer residents.”

“That’s grand,” Henry Lee said.

“I’d better get home, then,” Stone said, rising. “I hope this turns out to be a vacation for you, rather than a chore.”

“We’re enjoying it already,” Grace said. They walked him to the door.

“I must say, Tracey Hotchkiss did a wonderful job on the place.”

“You mean, it wasn’t always like this?” Henry Lee asked.

They waved him off.

16

They waited for Primmy to arrive before having their first drink. Her taste in clothing reminded Stone of Katharine Hepburn, a neighbor in Turtle Bay before her death, that is to say, eccentric. She wore suede pants with a Hermès scarf tied around her waist, like a skirt, and a tweed jacket. She was taller than Stone had imagined, pushing six feet, he estimated, and she filled out a sweater beautifully. She and Viv were introduced and got on immediately.

While Stone was mixing their drinks, the Jacksons arrived and introductions were reaccomplished.

“How did you come to be named Hester?” Grace asked Primmy. “Did your mother hate you?”