Page 72

Later, when they were tucked up in bed, beneath the slightly askance painted gaze of Ellery’s ancestor, Captain Horatio Page, Jack murmured, “How’s your chin?”

Ellery said wryly, “Still wagging, as you see.”

Jack made a soft sound of amusement. “I’m sorry.” He nuzzled Ellery behind the ear. “Really, truly sorry.”

“I know. Me too.”

“I couldn’tbelieveit when I realized I’d hit you.” There was a faint echo of the note of horror Ellery had heard when Jack’s fist connected with his chin.

“Me neither.” But Ellery could almost smile about it now. Even Jack’s stricken expression was sort of funny in hindsight.

Watson, as if following their conversation, clambered over Ellery’s back and gave the chin in question, a snuffling inspection.

Ellery started to laugh, turning his head. Jack muttered, “Hey you. Quit horning in on my action.”

Apparently satisfied with the state of Ellery’s face, Watson circled a couple of times and settled on the pillows between their heads. He grunted, like a little old man easing into his rocking chair, tucked his nose beneath his tail, and eyed Jack without blinking.

Ellery laughed again, this time at Jack’s expression.

“Okay, I get the message,” Jack said.

“Nah. He’s Team Jack all the way.”

They smiled into each other’s eyes.

Ellery said reluctantly, “Jack, I’m going to help Dylan any way I can.”

“I know.”

“If that means amateur sleuthing—”

“I know what it means.”

“I hope you can understand.”

“I understand.” Jack said wearily, “Do you really think if you and the Silver Snoops uncovered evidence to send this investigation in another direction, I wouldn’t be glad? Relieved?”

Ellery started to ask,would you? But he knew the answer to that. Yes. Jack would be relieved, glad, happy, you name it.

“Just don’t make it personal,” Jack said. “Because it isn’t personal for me. It’s my job.”

Ellery said carefully, “Maybe it should be personal though.”

Jack didn’t answer right away, and Ellery knew he was as reluctant as he to shatter their fragile peace. “Is this about Dylan or is this about you and the Abbott case?”

Ellery did a quick bit of soul searching, and admitted, “Maybe it’s both.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. Listen, I explained my reasons then.”

“Yep. You did.”

“And I stand behind them now.”

“Oh, I know you do.”

Jack’s face colored. He pushed up on elbow. “You know, just a reminder: I didn’t enjoy that either. Any of it. I didn’t like seeing you interrogated, treated like a suspect. I didn’t like hearing thatThanks, friend. It wasn’t easy to see that look on your face, and know what you thought. I sure as hell didn’t enjoy you believing I’d betray our…our friendship.”

“I don’t think you enjoyed it, but you were willing to do it.”