Dark Harbor (Stone Barrington 12)

“Well, there is that,” she said.

Chapter 36

BACK AT THE HOUSE, Holly came into the study where Stone was reading the New York Times.

“Have you got the key to Dick’s secure office?”

“Sure.” Stone took the key off his ring and handed it to her. “I guess Lance wouldn’t mind.”

“It’s Lance I want to contact,” she said, unlocking the door. She went into the little office, inserted a data card into the computer and switched it on. When prompted, she entered her user name and password.

“That’s a lot of digits for a password,” Stone said.

“Big-time encryption,” she said. She tapped in more keystrokes. “Ah,” she said. “I caught Lance at his desk.”

“What do you want to tell him?”

“I just want to bring him up to date, and I want to get more information about the Assa locks.” She continued typing, stopping now and then to read the replies.

“You’re using regular instant messaging?”

“It’s highly irregular instant messaging,” she said, “but the result is the same.” She typed a few more keystrokes, then ended the session. “He’ll get back to me.”

“I’m going back to the Times” Stone said. “There’s the crossword yet to do.” He went back to his chair, grabbed the paper and put his feet up on the ottoman.

“I’m going for a run,” Holly said. “Want to join me?”

“I’m too comfortable,” Stone replied. “Go armed.”

“You think that’s necessary?”

“How many more murders do you need on an island this size to make you cautious?”

“Oh, all right.”

“And stick to the roads; don’t run down any trails.”

“Oh, stop it.”

“I just want to know where to look for your body later.”

“All right, all right!”

HOLLY WENT UPSTAIRS AND changed into sweats and sneakers, strapped her 9 mm on, then left by the front door and headed toward the main road past the house. She stopped at the end of the driveway and did some stretching, then headed down the road, running lightly on the left side of the road, facing traffic. The day was bright and cool, perfect Maine weather. She had gone about a mile when a police car began coming toward her. It slowed as it approached, then stopped, and the passenger-side window rolled down.

“Morning,” a uniformed officer inside said.

“Good morning,” Holly said, stopping and going to the open window.

“I’m Sergeant Young of the Maine State Police,” the man said. “Who might you be?”

“I’m Holly Barker. I’m staying with Stone Barrington at the Dick Stone house.”

“I’m glad to know that,” Young said. “My partner and I are interviewing every living soul on the island in connection with the recent killings.”

“I can sympathize with your task,” Holly said. “I’m a retired police officer, and I’ve done my share of canvassing, though I’ve never interviewed a whole population.”

“Only about six hundred, locals and summer folk,” Young said. “Where did you serve?”