“I’m not refusing,” Gemma said. “I just made it conditional. She can’t keep the Electric Rose from me. And since you want to know where the diamond is, too, we have a shared interest in this.”

“You need to get out of the way,” Sloan said.

The woman had nerve. Even by New York standards, she was getting too pushy for comfort.

“Actually, I don’t need to do anything.”

“You know, it really is a lovely article. But the jewelry business is a very small world. I should know: I’ve been making a name for myself for nearly a decade. This auction will be a game-changer for me. I’ll be able to write my own ticket at Whitmore’s or anywhere else. That is, if you don’t mess it up. And really, it would be a shame for you to make enemies this early in your career.”

Before Gemma could respond, Sloan ended the call.

Elodie pedaled behind Tito on the final stretch to Herring Cove Beach, then coasted into the parking lot.

Avoiding bike rides hadn’t lasted very long. It was a point of pride that Tito didn’t drive to Herring Cove unless it was above ninety degrees or if it was late in the day and they risked missing the sunset. Starting a week ago, they daily made the ten-minute bike trip up Province Lands Road, past the salt marshes and Boy Beach. Occasionally, they went all the way to Race Point, but she didn’t have the stamina to do that all the time. She was well out of her comfort zone as it was. But Tito had that effect on her. When she was around him, she felt like a teenager again, like she had her entire life ahead of her and anything could happen. She felt a weight lifted. She felt almost . . . happy.

Tito stopped his bike before making the usual left turn toward the beach path. Then she noticed the truck parked off to one side and a small crowd of onlookers gathered behind it. The truck had a large trailer attached to the back and read “Marine Mammal Rescue” on the side.

Elodie pulled up beside Tito and hit the brake.

“What’s going on?” she said.

An official-looking woman with wild curly gray hair and wearing a uniform blue T-shirt with a life jacket around her neck crossed in front of them, speaking into a walkie-talkie.

“Judy,” Tito called out. “It’s Tito from the marina. You need any help?”

“Oh, hey, Tito. I think we might. We got six adult dolphins who were grounded ashore in Wellfleet. We’re just waiting for the rest of the crew to get here for the release. Hop in the truck—there’s extra boots and gloves in back.”

He turned to Elodie. “Sorry to run off but—”

“Of course! Go—I’ll just wait here,” she said.

“She’s with me,” he said to Judy.