Page 55
Story: Lament at Loon Landing
“Dylan Carter.”
“Dylan Carter?” Rob looked astounded. “No way.”
“Right?” Ellery was gratified at Rob’s instant rejection of Dylan’s guilt.
“I mean, you can never tell, but…”
“You can tell in this case,” Ellery said shortly.
Robert considered him. He made a soft, “Ah.”
Ellery grimaced. He was depressed by the reminder that he and Jack were on the outs. He rose. “I should get going. Can I call you about tonight?”
“You can call me anytime,” Robert assured him.
* * * * *
When Ellery arrived at the Crow’s Nest a short time later, he fully expected to find the Silver Sleuths in residence, so it was a jolt to walk into the bookshop and find it as empty and quiet as a…bookshop.
Kingston was reshelving books and Nora stood at the sales desk, sorting through a battered cardboard box full of old paperbacks.
At the jangle of the doorbell, Watson dropped his chew toy and came rocketing up the aisle to loudly relate the sweet sorrow of their parting.
“I know. But I’m here now.” Ellery took a moment to reassure his little pal that the feelings were mutual.
Nora observed their reunion, and when she could get a word in, said, “There you are, dearie. We were starting to worry. How did the photoshoot go?”
That crazy photoshoot seemed like something that had happened months ago.
“Fine. Where is everybody?” Ellery glanced around the empty bookshop.
Nora and Kingston, who had joined her at the counter, exchanged glances.
“Probably at Loon Landing, don’t you think?” Nora said. “It’s the first full day of the festival.”
“No, I mean the Silver Sleuths. Where are they?”
“Oh.” Nora looked at Kingston.
“Oh?” Ellery looked from Nora to Kingston. “What does that tone ofohmean? You know Dylan was arrested, right?”
Kingston said, “Er, yes.”
Ellery did a doubletake. “Is there a man with a gun hiding in my office? What’s going on with you two?”
In seeming digression, Nora said, “Chief Carson phoned twice.”
“Oh, did he?” Ellery said darkly.
Nora glanced at Kingston again and said, “He was concerned that you weren’t experiencing any aftereffects after he…” She cleared her throat delicately. “Punched you.”
“He told you he punched me?”
Nora and Kingston nodded solemnly.
Ellery cautiously wiggled his jaw. “That wasn’t Jack’s fault. Dylan panicked at the idea of being arrested, and I stupidly jumped between them.”
“All the same, I think Chief Carson feels very badly.”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86