“I think we . . . me, anyway . . . I must have dozed off. Then I was stung by something, I thought a bee. Then he was, too.”

“Was the sex voluntary?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Then why did you request a rape kit?”

“It wasn’t for him. I’m sore. I feel like I was penetrated.”

“We’ll know when your kit comes back. Do you think Tim did it?”

“No, I think Tim was out, like me. He was stung, too.”

“Then you were taken. Both of you?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Do you remember what the man you saw looked like?”

“Two. There were two of them. They wore masks, like surgical masks. They both had very blue eyes. I remember that. I heard them say a few words. I think Tim was raped, too. Is it possible he’s still alive?”

“If he got out of the boat and made his way to shore. You were about fifty yards out.”

“He wouldn’t have left me. He’s not like that. Where’s the boat?”

“It went down. Tim probably went with it. They’re out there, dragging the lake. Perhaps they’ll find it.”

“Are my clothes here?”

“No, you were nude when you were found.”

“Let them know I had a handbag. I’d like that back, if possible.”

“I will. I’ll go make a call. You eat your soup.”

Carly was torn between the soup and sleep. The soup won.

26

It was mid-morning a couple of days later. Everybody had finished breakfast, and most were reading the papers.

“Interesting piece in the Times,” Lance said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Stone replied.

“Is that your delicate manner of telling me I’m reading your newspaper?”

“I’m glad you thought it was delicate.”

Lance folded the newspaper in such a way that the only thing Stone could see was the story and handed it to him.

“Thank you,” Stone said, sipping a second cup of coffee.

“Aren’t you going to read it?”

“Eventually. But, like a good host, I haven’t prevented you from reading it, and you’re going to tell me about it anyway.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Lance said, “read the goddamned piece.”

“Is it about the twins?”

“Possibly. You’ll have to read it all to find out.”

Stone unfolded the newspaper, to make a point, then began to read. He finished it, then looked at Lance, who was waiting for a reaction.

“It doesn’t mention the twins,” Stone said.

“Doesn’t it? I thought they were all over it.”

“You mean you think the twins kidnapped these two people, raped them . . .”

“Just the girl,” Lance said. “There’s no mention of rape with regard to the young man.”

“I thought that was all over the piece,” Stone said.

“You noticed that they were in a class before their little, ah, picnic?”

“Yes.”

“You notice that the girl is a senior law student?”

“Yes.”