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Arf, Watson concurred.

“Wait,” Nora said. “Did Chief Carson tell you whether there’s been any progress on the case?”

“What case?”

Nora was rarely confused, but she looked confused then. “You mean he’s not opening a homicide investigation into Vernon Shandy’s death?”

“Nora, there’s no proof that Vernon’s even dead.Wethink he’s dead. His family thinks he’s dead. But Jack would need more than that to open an investigation. For one thing, the family hasn’t asked him to. The navy doesn’t think he’s dead. Their official view is he deserted.”

“But what about the pirate doubloons?”

“We know how the doubloons got in my office. We know how they got onto theRoussillon. Vera claimed the collection bag and doubloons belonged to Vernon, but she didn’t admit knowledge of how that collection bag and diving suit wound up in the Historical Society’s warehouse.”

“It’s inferred, dearie.”

“Implied,” Kingston murmured.

“Well, yes, but also inferred. By us. Which was Vera’s expectation.”

“Ah. Of course.”

“Anyway,” Ellery broke in, “the point ofourinvestigation is to put together enough evidence to convince Jack to open a real investigation.”

Nora frowned. “I do feel our investigations have heldsomevalidity, some merit in their own right.”

“Yes, of course. I think we’ve been helpful, which is why Jack—”

“I think we’ve beenmorethan helpful! I think without us—er, you—”

“I don’t mind sharing the blame.”

“Many of these cases would have gone unsolved.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

Nora said stubbornly, “I would. And further.”

Ellery glanced at Kingston, who had diplomatically removed himself from the fray. He was positioning a papier-mâché black cat in a party hat on the sales desk.

Ellery sighed. “Okay, well, hopefully we’ll be helpful and more this time too. Now, I’m just going to go—”

“Sue Lewis phoned,” Nora called after him.

Ellery turned warily. “Why?”

“She wants to know if you’d be willing to be interviewed regarding your discovery of the gold doubloons.”

“No. Way.”

Nora said patiently, “It’s a good story. Sue’s not wrong for wanting to pursue it. That’s her job, after all.”

“No way,” Ellery repeated. “I know exactly how it would go. No matter what I said, I’d come out of that interview looking likeI’dkilled Vernon Shandy for the treasure. It won’t matter that I wasn’t born yet. She’ll think that looksmoresuspicious.”

Kingston tried to cover his laugh with a cough.

Nora said, “Don’t you think that after everything that’s happened, that perhaps you and Sue could put the past behind you?”

“Sure,” Ellery said. “I’m happy to put the past behind me. But that doesn’t mean I have to give her interviews. I don’t trust her.”