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“Hey, buddy,” he said softly. “It’s bedtime.”

Watson opened one eye, gave one of those all-engulfing Muppet yawns, and nearly fell off the box.

Ellery chuckled, scooped him up, but Watson suddenly came to full attention, wriggling furiously until Ellery put him down. The pup raced out of the room, tags jingling, and Ellery raised his head, listening.

He also recognized the rumble of that particular engine, the crunch of gravel beneath those particular tires, that particular police radio cutting off mid-crackle.

He sprinted to the front door, though hopefully with more dignity than Watson, who was scratching to be let out.

When he opened the door, Watson flew down the steps and charged Jack, who was making his way across the moonlight walk. The rain-washed night air was sparkling clear and sharply cold. The smell of damp earth and wet leaves mingled with the faraway tang of the sea.

Ellery followed, watching Jack field Watson’s leap into his arms.

Jack grunted. “He’s getting too big for this. It’s like catching a cannon ball.”

“Believe me, it’s worse if you miss.” He reached Jack, who exchanged an armful of Watson for an armful of Ellery. “Hello, you.” He kissed Ellery.

“Hiya. I didn’t think you were coming.”

Jack kissed him again, lightly. “I wasn’t sure I could get away.”

“Underpromise, overdeliver. That’s you.”

“I try.”

Ellery stopped walking, staring upward. Jack, his arm around Ellery’s shoulders, stopped too. “What’s up?”

“That light’s on again.”

They stared silently up at the shining window on the second floor.

“What room is that?”

“I’m not sure. It’s like a little reading room or sitting room. There must be a short in that lamp.”

“Unplug it. The last thing you need is another fire.”

“That’s for sure.” His flash of unease forgotten, Ellery led the way into the house. “Are you hungry? Can I fix you something to eat?”

“I grabbed a club sandwich for dinner. I wouldn’t mind a beer.”

“I can make that happen.”

They went inside, Ellery got Jack a Grey Sail IPA, and gave him a quick tour of the renovations thus far. Jack approved the newly discovered vintage wallpaper, admired the new chandelier light fixture in the dining room, and seemed genuinely awestruck by the work done refinishing and varnishing the steps, stair rails, and banisters built to look like the row of cannons on the broadside of a warship.

“I kind of like the look of the windows without drapes,” Ellery was saying as they started up to the second floor. “I like the light through those tall, narrow windows. I even like the moonlight.”

“This far from the village there shouldn’t be a problem with Peeping Toms.”

Ellery did a doubletake. “Does the village have a problem with Peeping Toms?”

“Occasionally. Over the years,” Jack replied. “What will you do with the mermaid?”

The mermaidwas a nine-foot-long scratched and peeling ship’s figurehead that had previously hung over the runway-length dining table.

“Move her to the library where there’s less chance she’ll be taking out half my friends in one blow.”

They reached the small room on the second floor. The door was open, and the room was dark.