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Ellery considered that cryptic remark as he returned to his office to make sure he hadn’t left anything pressing undone. This was the first long weekend he’d taken since moving to the island—not counting two weeks of convalescing from a concussion sustained while snooping.

As he was checking his email one final time, Jack phoned.

Jack Carson was Pirate Cove’s chief of police and Ellery’s boyfriend—in fact, he was now Ellery’s fiancé. A delightful fact Ellery was still getting used to.

“Hi, what time are you heading over to the ferry?”

Ellery glanced distractedly at the clock. “Two. Are you going to be able to get away tonight?”

“That’s the plan,” Jack said. “Do you need me to bring anything or—?”

“No. Just you.”

Jack made a sound of amusement. “I think I can manage that. How many of your old crew are arriving this afternoon?”

“Flip, Tosh, Lenny, and Chelsea. Tomorrow we’ve got Oscar, Freddie, and Belle.”

“Okay. And Tosh and Freddie used to be married?” That was quintessential Jack, making sure he had the cast of characters straight. Jack was not a play-it-by-ear guy. He was a show-up- on-time-and-know-your-lines guy.

“Correct.”

“But that’s not going to be awkward because it was a long time ago and everyone is over it.”

“Right. Hopefully.”

“And Belle and Oscar used to date, but now she’s dating an English peer.”

It sounded kind of ridiculous when Jack put it like that, but was nonetheless accurate.

“Yes.”

“And you’re confident we’re going to get through the weekend without them killing each other because they haven’t killed each other yet.”

Ellery spluttered a laugh. “Something like that. I mean, it’s all ancient history.”

“Yeah, why doesn’t that reassure me?” Jack sounded wry. “Have you seen the weather report for the weekend?”

“Nora says it’s going to snow.”

“She’s not the only one. You might want to chop some extra firewood. Just in case.”

That was a good thought—and so very Jack.

Ellery said, “Will do. Anyway, getting snowed in could be fun.”

“Getting snowed in could be very fun, although probably less fun with a crowd.”

Ellery’s mouth curved. “I can’t argue with that. But we’ll have other snow days.” He could say that now with confidence.

“That we will,” Jack said, and Ellery could hear the smile in his voice.

The sea surrounding Buck Island was more than a body of water. For centuries that mysterious deep had created a barricade against the outside world and shaped the character of the islanders. It remained a constant presence, hovering onthe edge of the island’s every interaction. The sound of it filled the dark nights; its blue shadow provided the backdrop of every single day.

As Ellery waited for the ferry, he could taste salt on the raw east wind, smell that briny broth as the winter-rough water tumbled and roiled golden strands of seaweed. A clammy dampness clung to his skin. Watson repeatedly shook himself as though trying to rid himself of the biting mist.

The ferry was late by nearly twenty minutes, and when it finally docked, only a handful of slightly green passengers stumbled down the gangplank. Most of them seemed to be Ellery’s friends.

“Ellery!” Tosh waved to him, towing Lenny along.