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Flip asked, “Do you think you’d be staying on the island if Jack wasn’t part of the deal?”

Ellery didn’t have to think about it. “Yes. My decision to stay was made when Jack and I were just friends.”

“You don’t miss New York?”

“Sometimes. But it’s not like I can’t visit New York if I want to.”

“True.”

Ellery studied Flip quizzically.

“I miss you,” Flip admitted. “I know you’re only about five hours away—”

“Less than that, if you grab a flight.”

“But you used to be half an hour away.”

Also true. But even when Ellery and Flip had lived half an hour away from each other, they’d gone weeks, sometimes months without getting together. Ellery didn’t say that, though. He looped his arm around Flip’s shoulders and gave him a quick hug.

“I know. I miss you, too. I miss all of you. Hopefully, this is the first of many regular visits.”

“I hope so.” Flip didn’t sound entirely convinced.

Chapter Five

Ellery was in the kitchen checking on the roast when Tosh came downstairs carrying a square blue box.

“Something smells delicious,” she said.

“Country chuck roast with veg, mashed potatoes, and mushroom gravy.”

“Oh my gosh. That sounds like heaven. I can’t believe I’m already hungry again. It must be the salt air.” She set the box on the table. “What can I do to help?”

“There’s a bottle of wine on the dining room table if you want to open it.”

Tosh briefly disappeared, reappeared with a bottle of merlot, and went straight to the counter drawer to the left of the sink. She pulled out the wing corkscrew, held it up, and grinned. “Some things never change.”

Ellery pretend-frowned. “Are you saying I’m predictable?”

“In all the best possible ways.”

He considered, conceded, but said, “Somethings change.”

Maybe Tosh followed his thoughts. As she opened the wine, she said, “I saw you and Flip walking back to the house. Did he tell you about Todd?”

“Yep.”

Tosh shook her head. “I told him to butt out. But he insisted you should know.”

Ellery couldn’t help an acerbic, “Know what? That Jerry and Todd wouldn’t last? I already knew that.” He gave a short laugh and changed the subject. “Where’s everybody else?”

“Lenny’s still lying down, I think. The trip over really took it out of her. It sounded like Flip was in the shower. Chelsea is… doing whatever.”

Ellery was momentarily distracted. “I can’t get over the change in Chelsea.”

“Yep. It’s quite the transformation.” Tosh’s tone was dry, which was interesting. If anyone knew Chelsea, it was Tosh.

“What do you think sparked it? She was always so adamantly…au naturale.”