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“No, sir,” Martin said finally.

Jack gazed at Ellery as though words failed him. He spoke into his radio. “You remember we have protocol, right? And radio codes?And Dispatch?”

“Right,” Martin said. “But there’s nothing happening. And I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.”

Jack drew in a very long breath, held it for a second or two, and then said very mildly, “You’re at a festival, Martin. Grab a cotton candy.”

“Okay, but—”

Jack interrupted, “Enroute. ETA…” He glanced at his watch. “18:30 hours.” He put the radio down, stared at Ellery, who was trying very hard to look suitably grave.

“He’s been working as a police officer for three years. Sometimes I think this is all an act. That they’re all getting a kick out watching him yank my chain.”

Ellery laughed.

Jack shook his head, but there was a gleam of amusement in his eyes. “Sure, you think it’s funny now. Wait till he radios in at four-thirty to say he hasn’t had breakfast.” He sighed, “I better go before he follows up with a statewide emergency bulletin. Did you want a ride over to Loon Landing?”

“I think I’ll drop Watson off at your place and then walk over.”

Jack nodded and rose, reaching for his wallet.

“My turn to pay.” Ellery rose as well.

Jack smiled. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll see you later. Oh, and congratulations again.”

They kissed lightly, quickly, always conscious of the crowd around them—not much missed the collective eye of Pirate Cove’s denizens—and then Jack was gone and Ellery headed to the bar to settle their bill.

* * * * *

The sun-dappled day had faded to a cool and hazy blue twilight as Ellery left Jack’s beach cottage in the heart of Pirate’s Cove and drove back to the Crow’s Nest. He left his VW parked behind the bookshop and walked along the cobbled streets toward the Loon Landing. This was one of his favorite times of day. The air grew soft and sweet with the scent of seaside golden rod and dusty miller. Even the sound of the tide gentled, grew musical.

Or maybe that actuallywasmusic.

Even at a distance, the cove was aglow with lights. Music floated on the breeze between the crash and hiss of waves hitting the seawall.

All afternoon Ellery had been riding the high of his unexpected financial windfall. The realization that he could finally afford to hire professionals to do some of the most labor-intensive work at Captain’s Seat was almost too much to comprehend. He’d grown used to the idea that he was always going to be scrimping and saving in order to afford only the most crucial repairs. The idea of an actual renovation made him almost giddy.

If he budgeted carefully and negotiated ruthlessly—two things he was a lot better at than when he’d arrived on the island six months earlier—he might even manage to get the second floor into reasonable shape for guests. He could invite some of his old friends for a weekend. That would be nice. While he didn’t miss his old life, he did miss some of the people in it.

But as the cobblestones gave way to the old highway that had once led to the other side of the harbor, the beat of the tide took on a melancholy rhythm. The cries of the sea gulls winging their way to the rooftops and high spaces for the night, sounded forlorn. He remembered that this financial windfall was an inheritance, and that his good fortune was entirely due to Brandon’s untimely death.

He had not mourned Brandon’s passing. Partly because at the time, Brandon’s death had left him in real legal and personal jeopardy; there hadn’t been time. No time to grieve the passing of someone he’d once cared for. No time even to analyze his feelings for Brandon which, at best, had been complicated.

But now?

Now he felt unexpected sadness. Sadness that he and Brandon had never met for one last drink, sadness they hadn’t been able to talk things out, sadness they hadn’t been able to part as friends. He was also confused by Brandon’s…gift. After they’d broken up, Brandon had never made any attempt to contact Ellery, so to find himself in Brandon’s will, Brandon’ssoleheir, was baffling. Why had Brandon done that? Had it been some weird way of continuing to exert control over Ellery? Had it been a kind of apology for some of the things that occurred when they were living together? Or had Brandon left everything to Ellery as a means of punishing others who might rightfully have expected to be remembered in his will?

Who knew with Brandon? It could have been all of the above.

Or maybe Brandon had remembered Ellery in his will because on some level, he still cared a little, still valued what they’d once had?

It would be nice to think that because Ellery’s relationship with Brandon, though problematic on many levels, had been his first real adult relationship, and as such, had had a big impact on him. Had, whether he liked it or not, influenced the relationships that followed, maybe even his relationship with Jack in as far as he was determined not to repeat any of the mistakes he’d made with Brandon (or even Todd).

Like not being honest about what he wanted and needed, not speaking up when he was hurt or angry. In fairness, everything was easier with Jack because Jack was straightforward and direct. Jack did not let problems fester. He also didn’t have any hangups about saying he was sorry when he believed he’d been wrong.

And if he didn’t believe he’d been wrong? He had no trouble sharing that too. But not in a way that left you feeling belittled and dismissed.

So maybe this inheritance was Brandon’s way of saying sorry—Ellery preferred to think that rather than Brandon was still trying to control and influence him. The thing was, Ellery would have liked a chance to have said sorry too. Because hewassorry about a few things. Sorry that he hadn’t tried harder to understand what Brandon was going through. Sorry that his response to being hurt had been to completely shut down and close Brandon out.