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“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.”