Dark Harbor (Stone Barrington 12)

“Do Harley and Mack have security systems in their houses?”

“Harley does. Mack’s having one installed today.”

“Good. Make sure they both use them, will you?”

“Don’t worry; they won’t need any prodding.”

“Talk to you later.” Stone hung up and returned to his coffee. Arrington was on her knees on the floor next to Peter.

“What are you copying, honey?” she asked.

“A book,” he said.

“Where did you get it?”

“I found it in a desk drawer in my room.”

“Can I see it for a minute?”

“Sure.”

Arrington picked up the book, which was bound in leather, and flipped through it slowly. “Peter, this is somebody’s diary.”

“It is?”

“Yes, and a diary is a very private thing. You shouldn’t be reading it.”

“I wasn’t reading it. I was just copying.”

“Well, I think you should find something else to copy.”

“All right.” Peter gathered up his papers and went upstairs.

Arrington handed the book to Stone. “It’s the diary of somebody called Esme Stone,” she said, handing it to him.

“That was Dick’s daughter,” he said.

“Perhaps you should put it away somewhere.”

Stone looked at the book. Esme’s name was stamped in gold on the cover. It had probably been a Christmas or birthday present from her parents. He flipped through it, marveling at the beautiful handwriting, then closed it. He shouldn’t be reading it any more than Peter should.

Stone went to the cupboard where the safe was, opened it, put the diary inside and closed it again. Next time they built a fire, he would burn it, and Esme’s secrets would be safe.

Chapter 29

AFTER LUNCH Stone remembered that he had not gone for the New York Times, and he asked Peter if he’d like an ice cream cone.

“I think I can handle that,” Peter replied.

Stone laughed. “I bet you can.”

They got into the MG and started for the village.

“I like this car,” Peter said. “What kind is it?”

“It’s called an MG,” Stone replied, “and it’s old. It was built a long time before you were born.”

“Where did you buy it?”