“No problem.”

“I’ll pick them up on my way home.”

Brody and the two younger children left first. Then Billy, wrapped from head to foot in foul-weather gear, bicycled off to work.

Ellen looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. It was a few minutes to eight. Too early? Maybe. But better to catch him now, before he went off somewhere and the chance was lost. She held her right hand out in front of her and tried to steady her fingers, but they quivered uncontrollably. She smiled at her nervousness and whispered to herself, “Some swinger you’d make.” She went upstairs to the bedroom, sat on the bed, and picked up the green phone book. She found the number for the Abelard Arms Inn, put her hand on the phone, hesitated for a moment, then picked up the receiver and dialed the number.

“Abelard Arms.”

“Mr. Hooper’s room, please. Matt Hooper.”

“Just a minute, please. Hooper. Here it is. Four-oh-five. I’ll ring it for you.”

Ellen heard the phone ring once, then again. She could hear her heart beating, and she saw the pulse throb in her right wrist. Hang up, she told herself. Hang up. There’s time.

“Hello?” said Hooper’s voice.

“Oh.” She thought, Good God, suppose he’s got Daisy Wicker in the room with him.

“Hello?”

Ellen swallowed and said, “Hi. It’s me.… I mean it’s Ellen.”

“Oh, hi.”

“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No. I was just getting ready to go downstairs and have some breakfast.”

“Good. It’s not a very nice day, is it?”

“No, but I don’t really mind. It’s a luxury for me to be able to sleep this late.”

“Can you … will you be able to work today?”

“I don’t know. I was just trying to figure that out. I sure can’t go out in the boat and hope to get anything done.”

“Oh.” She paused, fighting the dizziness that was creeping up on her. Go ahead, she told herself. Ask the question. “I was wondering …” No, be careful; ease into it. “I wanted to thank you for the beautiful charm.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it. But I should be thanking you. I had a good time last night.”

“I did … we did, too. I’m glad you came.”

“Yes.”

“It was like old times.”

“Yes.”

Now, she said to herself. Do it. The words spilled from her mouth. “I was wondering, if you can’t do any work today, I mean if you can’t go out in the boat or anything, I was wondering if … if there was any chance you’d like to … if you’re free for lunch.”

“Lunch?”

“Yes. You know, if you have nothing else to do, I thought we might have some lunch.”

“We? You mean you and the chief and me?”

“No, just you and I. Martin usually has lunch at his desk. I don’t want to interfere with your plans or anything. I mean, if you’ve got a lot of work to do …”