Chapters (66)
“I feel that, if they are still on the club’s rolls at sundown, I will resign,” Stone replied. “I mean no offense to you. They have placed you in a difficult position. But I believe them to be the murderers of Dick Stone, his wife, and daughter, who were also members of this club.”
“I understand perfectly,” the man said. “I’ve already called a board meeting for three o’clock.”
“If you need reinforcements,” Stone said, “please let me know. I can be here in five minutes.”
“From the reaction I’ve had so far, I won’t need any help.”
Stone led his party back to the house. At ten minutes past three o’clock his phone rang. “Yes?”
“It’s Billy. I thought you’d like to know that the board of the yacht club voted unanimously to remove the Stone twins from the membership list. Their boat has been towed from the club’s docks and left on a public mooring, in a disadvantageous spot.”
Stone put down the phone. “The club’s board is notifying the membership, by the fastest possible means, according to Billy Hotchkiss, that the twins are no longer members.”
Followed by several versions of “Hooray.”
19
Lance took a call and covered the phone. “It’s Henry Lee Jackson,” he said. “He wants me to come to dinner there, but he warns it will be noisy, if the builders down the road work late.” He held the phone away from his ear, and a loud noise erupted from it. A moment later, they heard a boom from outside. “Apparently, they’re shifting some ledge down there.”
“Invite the Jacksons here,” Stone said.
Lance did so.
Primmy spoke up, “The noise is going to affect my property, too. I’m closer to the twins than the Jacksons.”
Stone took her aside. “I think you should move in with me, until this business with the twins has been resolved.”
“Sold,” she said. “I’d better go pack a bag before it gets dark.”
“Primmy, are you licensed to carry a gun in Maine?”
“I am.”
“Then come armed, and don’t linger down at that end of the island. Shall I come with you?”
“Of course not. I’ll be back in an hour.” She left the house.
Stone went back to the others. “Primmy has gone to pack. She’s moving in here for the duration, and she’s coming armed. I suggest that you all carry while you’re here.” He went to tell Mary how many they would be for dinner.
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