“We’re checking on the veracity of some testimony you have previously provided to a police officer—to wit, that, the day after finishing the Nantucket race, Eben and Enos Stone sailed aboard Hotshot for Boston and didn’t arrive until that night.”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“We now have two witnesses to contradict that testimony and say that you were lying. Answer this—and be careful to be truthful. There’s a lot at risk here.”

“Oh, all right.”

“Did Enos and Eben Stone sail aboard that day or did they fly their airplane to Islesboro?”

Kip looked abashed.

“Tell me the truth, and we’re outta here,” Stone said. “Otherwise . . .”

“You want me to rat out two friends and clients, is that it?”

Stone cupped his hands and shouted toward the travel lift, “Okay, guys, crank her up. We’ll motor over there!” He turned to Kip. “Let me have the ignition keys.”

“Okay,” Kip said. “I’ll rat them out, but what do I get?”

“You get to keep your yacht and start the race tomorrow and not be charged as an accessory to rape and murder.”

“They did not sail aboard this boat from Nantucket to Boston. They had their Cessna at the Nantucket airport, and I don’t know where they went.”

“Are you ready to testify to that in court?”

“Court?” Kip asked weakly.

“That’s a good thing for you. They’ll be in jail until the trial, not looking for you.”

“I’ll swear to it!” Kip said.

“Good. You are to keep this conversation entirely confidential. That means you tell no one about it, especially the Stone twins. Understood?”

“Understood,” Kip said, nodding vigorously.

Stone yelled at the crew ashore again. “Never mind, guys!”

The men ashore shrugged and went back to smoking.

“Thanks for your time,” Dino said. “We’ll be in touch when we need you. Be sure to be available at all times, on a moment’s notice.”

The three walked back up the pontoon to their rental car. They waited until they were driving away before exploding in laughter.

“God,” Primmy said. “I hope the U.S. attorney doesn’t hear about this. You guys will be in terrible trouble!”

“Trouble? Us?” Stone said. “You’re the one who said I was the U.S. attorney and that Dino was a federal marshal!”

Primmy looked stunned. “But . . .”

“No buts,” Stone said, then he couldn’t stand it anymore and started to laugh.

“I’m going to get you for that!” Primmy shouted. She held up her iPhone. “And you better be nice, if you want the recording of what Kip said.”

“Peace!” Stone shouted. He got out his cell phone and called Sergeant Young.

“Tom Young.”

“Tom, it’s Stone Barrington.”

“Not again,” Young moaned. “What now?”