Dark Harbor (Stone Barrington 12)

I wouldn’t mind a Scotch.“

Stone poured the drink, and they sat down in the big wing chairs before the fireplace. Stone waited for Caleb to speak.

“I owe you an apology,” Caleb said.

“What for?”

“First of all, for the way I behaved that summer when you were up here.”

“That was a long time ago.” It may have been a long time ago, he reflected, but every time he saw Caleb he felt a flash of anxiety and anger at the way Caleb had treated Dick and him that summer.

“It’s been on my mind. Also, for the way I behaved when you told me about Dick’s will.”

“I know it came from out of the blue,” Stone said. “You had a right to be upset. Caleb, I wish I had some leeway in disbursing the estate, but I just don’t. As I’m sure you’ve noted, Dick’s will was so explicit as not to allow any interpretation.”

“I understand that,” Caleb said, “and I’ll just have to learn to live with it. How did the inquest go? I couldn’t bring myself to be there.”

“You’ve another shock in store, I’m afraid. There’s little doubt in my mind that Dick, Barbara and Esme were all murdered by some unknown person. Dick didn’t kill his family or himself.”

Caleb looked stunned. He took a deep swig from his drink. “Well, that’s both a shock and a relief. I couldn’t imagine that Dick had done that, but I can’t imagine that there’s anyone who’d want them dead, either.”

Stone opened the safe, took out the inquest papers and took Caleb through the procedure, showing him the photographs.

“I see your point,” Caleb said.

“I intend to pursue this,” Stone said. “You’re probably not aware that I spent fourteen years in the New York Police Department, eleven of them as a detective investigating homicides. Dino Bacchetti, who just left, was my partner. He and I agree that this wasn’t a murder/suicide, and the coroner has issued an open verdict.”

“I knew you were a cop, but that was all I knew. I’m glad you’ve got the experience to look into this. I want Dick’s killer caught and punished.”

“I’m going to need your help,” Stone said. “Can you think of anyone, on the island or off, who had any sort of grudge against Dick?”

Caleb looked thoughtful but shook his head. “I can’t. Dick wasn’t the sort of fellow that people had grudges against.”

“That’s my memory of him, too. I’d like you to think about this, and if you come up with anything at all, please call me. I’ll be here for a while, and this is my number in New York, when I go back.” Stone handed him a card.

“I’ll certainly do that,” Caleb said.

“There’s something else, Caleb, and I’m glad to say this is good news.” Stone took the insurance policies from the safe and handed them to him. “Dick took out these policies twelve years ago, leaving a million dollars each to his parents and to you.”

Caleb’s mouth dropped open. “Good God,” he finally managed to say.

“Your parents are dead, aren’t they?”

Caleb nodded. “Both of them.”

“Were you and Dick their heirs?”

“Yes, their only heirs.”

“Then half of their policy will go to you, the other half to the foundation.”

“A million and a half dollars,” Caleb said tonelessly.

Stone took the policies back. “I’ll get in touch with the insurance agent and make the claim, and I’ll have the insurance company send you both checks. You’re well equipped to handle the estate and tax consequences.”

“Yes, I can do that.” Caleb stood up. “Thank you, Stone, for telling me about this.”

“I would have told you sooner, but I found the policies only a few minutes ago.” Stone walked him to the front door. “One more thing: As you’re aware, Dick specified that his ashes be scattered in the harbor here; do you want me to take care of that?”