“Yes,” Patrick said. “I'm in my truck, with Marisa in back trying to keep two seal pups alive. We took them out of Lafarge's van.”

“Lafarge's van? What are you talking about? He has a black pickup truck. And besides, he's not in Nova Scotia—he's still here in the area.”

“I know,” Patrick said. “More on that in a minute. You're the oceanographer—where do I go for a seal emergency?”

“There's a wildlife rehab about ten miles east of Cape Hawk. Head out of town, take a right at the lighthouse, and it's on that road. I'll call my friend Jean Olivier—he runs it, and I'll make sure he's there waiting for you.”

“Great,” Patrick said. “I see the lighthouse from here.”

“Tell me about this van.”

“It seems to be owned by a place called Sea Canyon Resort—at least it has their logo stenciled on the side. There were letters inside, on their stationery, addressed to Gilbert Lafarge.”

“Gerard's brother,” Liam said. “So he's in this too. And I've heard about this resort. It's a big development near Digby.”

“I heard him talking to someone on the phone,” Patrick said. “Something about the waves dying down.”

“Ghost Hills,” Liam said. With the shock of Edward's appearance, and the court order for Rose's blood test, he had barely had time to register the fact that the oceanic phenomenon was dwindling faster every day. John had told him the pelagic species were getting back to normal, with the more rare visitors returning to their home waters.

“He said ‘Get the white,'” Patrick said. “I guess he meant the seals—their fur is almost pure white, with these black spots on their backs. He said something after that, but the TV was too loud for me to hear.”

Liam could barely listen or think about the Lafarge brothers, or even the white seal pups. He was too focused on Lily, and what would happen at court.

“How are you doing?” Patrick asked. “Why did you call, by the way?”

“It's about Rose,” Liam said. “We're really worried. Lily's beside herself.”

“Rose's heart?”

“No,” Liam said. “Edward has gotten a court order. He's making Rose get a DNA test.”

“We can't let him near Rose,” Patrick said. “That's for sure.”

“I know, but court's in two days. We need an eleventh-hour miracle.”

“Like what?”

Liam had been thinking all night, and he had a plan. “Do you know where I thought we could start?” he asked.

“Talk to me,” Patrick said.

And Liam did.

Patrick listened carefully, and then he offered his own ideas. He gave Liam the name he needed, and they agreed to get Joe Holmes involved too, so he could do the necessary tracking to find the witness they needed for court.

“I'll be there myself,” Patrick said.

“Are you sure you'll be able to?” Liam said.