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“That lamp’s got a short for sure,” Ellery remarked, finding his way across the room. He found the little table with the glass lamp, knelt, and unplugged the cord from the wall socket.

“This room isreallycold,” Jack said from right overhead, and Ellery jumped. Jack made a sound of amusement. “You’re jumpy tonight.”

Ellery chuckled, but his heart was jerking around in his chest. Silly though it was, something about this room made him uneasy. Even Jack’s featureless silhouette standing over him made him nervous.

He rose, moving back toward the doorway and the lighted hall, where Watson waited for them. “Do you smell roses?”

Jack sniffed a couple of times. “No. I smell carpet, sawn wood, and adhesive.”

Ellery sniffed too and admitted, “I don’t smell it now. I must be imagining things.”

Jack patted his back.

Jack had a second beer, and they were on the sofa in front of the cozy fire in the wide room that had once been the front parlor, when Ellery offered Jack the printout of his list of suspects.

Jack raised his eyebrows, set his beer glass on the floor next to the sleeping furball that was Watson, and took the printout.

He read, “Joey (Josephine) Franklin. No idea who that is. Ditto Douglas Franklin. Rocky Shandy…” He gave a short laugh. “Okay. Maybe. If Rocky did it, he probably doesn’t remember.”

“Great. Do you think he could have been capable of murder?”

“I think Tackle is a chip off the old block, if that tells you anything.”

It told him Rocky had been a thug, a bully, and not overly concerned with breaking the law. It might or might not indicate a capacity for murderous violence.

“Was Rocky ever in prison?”

“Prison? No. He spent some time in jail, but that was mostly petty stuff. Largely related to caught being a dumbass while drinking.”

“Was he another treasure hunter?”

“The entire family are treasure hunters in one form or another.” Jack’s tone was sardonic.

“Well, they’re descended from wreckers, so maybe it’s in their genes.”

“Maybe. But I wouldn’t advise anyone trying to use that in their legal defense.”

Jack returned his attention to the list. “Barry Shandy was way before my time. I think he was one of the brothers who earned a Navy Cross in World War II.”

“War heroes?”

“Yep. Tony Bernard…never heard of him.” He continued to read and then glanced at Ellery. “Eudora Page is still on the list? You seriously consider your aunt a suspect?”

The logs in the fireplace gave a hissing sound. The fire popped, showering glowing sparks, which swirled in the draft before vanishing up the chimney. Watson hastily transferred from the floor to the sofa next to Ellery, from where he warily watched the fireplace.

“Vera seriously considers her a suspect, so in the interest of fairness, I guess I have to at least consider the possibility.”

Jack studied Ellery. “And what if you find out Eudora was guilty?”

“I’m not going to be happy, I can tell you that. But I think Vera deserves to know the truth. And I think Eudora deserves to have her name cleared.”

“I agree. I’m glad you see it that way.” Jack’s mouth curved in a faint smile. “I already told you what I think.”

Ellery admitted, “Maybe that’s why I’m not afraid to investigate her.”

Jack grinned, tightened the arm around Ellery’s shoulders, drawing him closer. He kissed him, and Ellery settled his head on Jack’s shoulder. Watson settled his head on Ellery’s thigh.

“So what did you think of Vera?” Jack asked.