“Time to take it up,” Stone said brightly. He rose. “I wish I could help, Jack. I really do, but I have no argument to make that would not just make things worse for both of us.”

“I understand,” Keegan said, standing and offering his hand. “Thank you for hearing me out.”

“One thing might help,” Stone said.

“What’s that?”

“Don’t appear. I think we both understand that your absence would not make a difference in the outcome, and the twins will be grateful, not vengeful, whenever they hear the Keegan name, as long as it’s your father they’re thinking of.”

“You have a point,” Keegan said.

“Check into a good hotel, see a show or two, get drunk, and be in another state when the board meets.”

Joan helped him into his soggy rainwear and put him out onto the street with a cheery wave.

3

Stone didn’t have to look up the number. He dialed the Dark Harbor Shop, in the village of the same name, on Islesboro, Maine.

“This is Billy.” Billy Hotchkiss was the cousin of Stone’s Maine property manager, Seth Hotchkiss, the owner of the Dark Harbor Shop, and the fount of all knowledge about the island and its inhabitants. He was also, among other things, the only real estate broker on the island.

“Billy, it’s Stone Barrington. How are you?”

“Well, Stone,” Billy said, “after your most recent visit, if gun brass was gold, I’d be sitting under a palm tree somewhere, sipping piña coladas. But never mind; picking it up gives the kids something to do with their afternoons.”

“I’m sorry about the shootout, Billy. Please tell everybody that. But I was on the wrong end of it, and it was coming fast.”

“That part we got. Listen, I’m glad you called, I’ve got some news. Mr. Greco and his family have decided the island isn’t right for them, and they’re putting the Stone house back on the market. I’ve already got an offer, it fell into my hands not ten minutes ago,” Billy said. “It’s from a shelter corporation, since the bidders don’t want people to know who they are.”

Stone took Billy’s meaning.

“But you and I know who they are, don’t we, Billy?”

“Well, I know who they are. I’m not so sure about you.”

“Let me put it this way, Billy: How much would I have to offer to make the present owner forget he had another offer?”

“You should’ve asked me what the offer was. I’d have told you that.”

“How much was the offer, Billy?”

“Three million dollars, with the house, the boathouse, the new guesthouse, and six point two acres of prime waterfront. I’m sure the owner would like to get a little something out of it for his trouble.”

“Would three and a half million get it off the market?”