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“Nora?” Ellery said in wonder. “You brought Nora—and Kingston?”

“Broughtthem?” Jack repeated. “You think this was my idea?”

“The moment I heard of that poor girl’s murder, I—we—knew we had to come,” Nora explained earnestly. “It’s so difficult to be on guard with people you care for. Those early friendships mean so much. And you’re such a loyal and kind-hearted young man,”

“I’m not feeble-minded! You shouldn’t have risked your life, Nora! Or Kingston’s.”

“Pshaw.” Nora steadied herself on the hood of the SUV. “There was no real risk. Tous.”

Kingston cleared his throat, apologetically meeting Ellery’s gaze.

“There most certainly was,” Jack exclaimed. “I can’t believe a woman of your intelligence—or a man of your age, Peabody—could use such poor judgment. If I hadn’t come along when I did, you two would be ice sculptures right now.”

“Nora,” Ellery protested.

“They were broken down on the side of the road. They’d been there for hours.”

Nora seemed to consider this a point in their favor. “Yes. We left the minute we heard of that poor girl’s death.”

Ellery said, “But how would you even know about that when everyone’s stuck at home?”

Jack muttered, “I’m starting to suspect she’s got the police station bugged.”

Watson, who had tired of waiting for his idol to acknowledge his presence, gave up barking and launched himself at Jack and Ellery.

At the same moment, Jack and Ellery let go of each other and turned to help Nora and Kingston, so Watson hurtled right between them and cannonballed into Nora. She went down with a little squeak, taking Kingston with her.

Jack gave a funny, smothered laugh, met Ellery’s startled gaze, and they hurriedly lifted Ellery’s would-be rescuers totheir feet, brushed them off, and ushered them to the front steps.

Ellery shoved open the front door and Watson led the way down the great hall, foretelling the glorious news to all.

Jack’s arrival was greeted with huge relief by Ellery’s friends.

Even the information that Jack was without backup didn’t shake their confidence that everything was again under control. Which was certainly how Ellery felt.

Having verified that everyone was unhurt, Jack took a good look at Freddie, still sprawled and unconscious in his chair. He checked Freddie’s pulse. He lifted a heavy eyelid, listened to Freddie’s breathing—and then he handcuffed him.

Freddie slept peacefully on.

Jack departed to view the crime scene first-hand.

When he returned to the drawing room, he said sternly, “For the record, drugging someone without their knowledge is considered a serious crime. It’s typically charged as a felony and can result in severe penalties, including significant prison time.”

Nora and Kingston, huddled in blankets by the fireplace, looked at each other in alarm—who hadtheydrugged lately?—as did Lenny and Flip. Tosh gulped. Oscar put his arm around her shoulders.

But mostly Jack was talking to Ellery, and Ellery, responded, “These weren’t normal circumstances. We thought our lives were in danger—and Istillthink our lives were in danger.”

Jack softened slightly. “Self-defense is a recognized legal defense, provided you have reason to believe you’re in imminent danger of harmandyour response is proportionate to the threat. However, administering sleeping pills as a preemptivemeasure or indirect form of self-defense, complicates the situation.”

Meeting the accusing circle of stares, he added, “This isn’t my personal take on the situation. This is the argument Ames’ defense team is going to present. I’m giving you a heads up. But also, I want to make it clear that this is not something you can make a habit of.”

Ellery said, “I’m pretty sure they don’t plan on making a habit ofanyof this.”

“They’re not the ones I’m worried about.” But there was the faintest gleam of humor in Jack’s blue-green gaze.

“Oh, very funny!”

Jack was instantly back to business. “Okay, I’m going to take complete statements from each of you. I know it’s too late to ask you not to discuss the case, but please don’t share what transpires during our interview. Fair enough?”