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“Yes. I was. It’s myjob.”

Ellery started to speak, but Jack cut him off. “Also, I explained at the time why it was inyourbest interest that I made damn sure to maintain every appearance of propriety and objectivity. The same’s true in Dylan’s case. If it looks like I’m pulling strings and protecting my friends, this thing will hang over him forever.”

Ellery sat up. “Jesus, Jack. Maybe you’re right. I’m sure youareright. But sometimes,sometimesyou really need the reassurance of knowing your friends believe in you!”

Jack sat up too, their knees resting against each other beneath the sheets.

“I did believe in you.” Jack looked as troubled as Ellery felt. “I came to you andtoldyou I believed you.”

That was true. No doubt against his better judgement, Jack had come to Ellery and tried to explain himself. Tried to reassure Ellery that he didn’t believe he had committed murder.

And that had meant a lot to Ellery.

He said sincerely, “I remember. And I do understand. But I can’t pretend it didn’t hurt. A lot. Especially because I really,reallyliked you, Jack. And you’d already made it clear you didn’t feel the same. So, your friendship was all I had.” Embarrassingly, his voice shook.

Jack’s face twisted, and he pulled Ellery to him. “But I did feel the same. Idofeel the same. I do really,reallylike you too. You know I care for you. You know I…I wouldn’t deliberately hurt you. Not ever.”

Ellery nodded, said into Jack’s bare shoulder. “I know. And despite what it sounds like, I’m okay with it. I’m good. It’s just this particular situation dredged up some stuff I thought was over and forgotten.”

Jack’s hands closed on Ellery’s shoulders, pushing him back a bit so they could read each other’s faces. “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing because it seems like youaren’tcompletely okay with it. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings or doubts between us. I’m not a robot. I can’t just switch off my feelings. I try to give what the job demands; I know I don’t always get it right. But I never want to get it so wrong that you believe I’m not on your side. Or that I’m not going to be there for you.”

That was as close as Jack had ever come to making a commitment, and it did ease a lot of the old angst and uncertainty.

Ellery nodded. “I believe you. And I’ll remember that the next time it feels like we’re on different sides.”

“Try to remember this,” Jack said. “We’renoton different sides.”

Ellery meet Jack’s gaze and felt a flicker of surprise. But yes, of course, Jack was absolutely right. Ultimately, they both wanted what was best for their friends, their community, and, maybe especially, for each other.

He smiled. “I won’t forget.” He reached for the lamp.

Chapter Eighteen

Miss Pinky called the council,

to see what they could do.

She didn’t live through two world wars,

to have PIRATES spoil her view!

When Ellery arrived at the Crow’s Nest on Sunday morning, Kingston was sitting on a large rug in front of the bay windows, reading from a picture book to a small circle of very young children.

Watson opened his mouth to protest the unauthorized use of floorspace designated for chasing balls and rubber chew toys, but Ellery scooped him up and carried him off to the sales desk where Nora stood beaming.

Ellery whispered, “I didn’t realize we were starting the storytime thing this weekend.”

“No time like the present.” Nora pressed the bell on the old-fashioned cash register which popped open to offer Ellery a view of a lot more dollar bills than were typically there on a Sunday morning.

“Eighty smackeroos,” Nora informed him. “If we served coffee, it would be double that.”

“If we served coffee, we’d be cited for not having a food service license. I thought storytime was going to be on Saturdays?”

“It will. This is just a trial run. The music starts later on the second day of the festival.”

“It’s fine with me. That’s a very nice rug. Where did it come from?”

“Kingston purchased it for story time.”