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Dylan scoffed at the idea. “I’m sure Dolph is at the bottom of the deep blue sea, even as we speak.” He added alarmingly, “However...”

Ellery frowned. “However, what?”

“Cyrus is out on bail.”

“What?”

Dylan added wryly, “And planning to run for office again.”

“Cyrus is going to run for mayor? He’s been charged with multiple murders!”

“I know. Jack is fit to be tied.”

“But I thought he couldn’t get bail?”

“It seems that some of his old connections are still...connected.”

Ellery protested, “He tried to kill me!”

“He wouldn’t have any reason to try again.”

Did Dylan think that was reassuring?

“B-b-but...”

“Oh, I agree,” Dylan assured. “I don’tthinkhe’ll be reelected.”

Ellery’s final phone call was to Sue Lewis, editor and owner of theScuttlebutt Weekly. Given their contentious history, Ellery had struggled with himself over inviting Sue. But they had recently called a truce, and not inviting her would have seemed pointed. Plus, Jack had felt it was the smart and diplomatic thing to do.

“I knew this was coming,” Sue informed him. “But since you’re all snowed in out there with nothing to do, do you thinkit’s possible I might be able to get a phone interview with Fredrick Ames?”

It was astonishing to think anyone managed to keepanysecrets in this village. But of course, Freddie was a bona fide celebrity, so his arrival on Buck Island would not go unnoticed. Especially since he’d been signing autographs on the dock.

“I can ask,” Ellery said. “I’ll give him your cell number and if he’s interested, he can phone you.”

“I could phone him directly if—”

“Mmm. No.” Ellery said, “I promise I’ll give him your number.”

Lenny and Flip appeared as he was hanging up. Flip sniffed the air.

“Bacon and coffee. You had me at bacon.”

“I’ll take coffee. How can you possibly be hungry after last night?” Lenny said.

Flip shrugged, glanced around the kitchen as though expecting to see people hiding beneath the table, “Where is everybody?”

“It’s perfect weather for sleeping in,” Ellery said.

“It’s perfect weather for something,” Lenny murmured.

Flip snickered. “Yeah, it sounded like people were playing musical beds last night.” He added, “Where’s Watson?”

“Upstairs with Tosh and—Tosh.”

Lenny rolled her eyes, and wandered over to the stove. “Is it okay if I make tea?”

“You don’t have to ask.”