Dark Harbor (Stone Barrington 12)

“Morning,” he said, looking doubtf

ully at the four men. “What’s going on?”

“Mr. Rhinehart,” the sergeant said, “we need to search your place.”

“Have you got a warrant?”

Stone spoke up. “Come on, Hal,” he said, “we’re looking for a woman who disappeared yesterday. You know we can get a warrant, but if you don’t let us search, then you’ll automatically be a suspect. Just let us get this done.”

“All right,” Rhinehart said, “look wherever you want. I was just about to open the shop.” He handed Stone a key. “Let yourself in while I tell my wife what’s going on.”

“Stone,” the sergeant said. “You take one man and go through the workshop. We’ll take a look in the house.”

Stone headed for the shop followed by his fellow searcher. He unlocked the door and walked in. “Here’s how we do this,” he said to the man. “You take that side of the shop. Look in every room, every closet, every cupboard, every box—anyplace that’s big enough to hide a human being. Look particularly for trapdoors that might hide a stairway to a basement. Don’t miss anything.”

The man nodded and started his work. Stone went into Rhinehart’s office and, trying not to make a mess, searched every corner of it, pulling back a rug to expose the floorboards. Satisfied there was nothing there, he opened another door and found a storeroom full of tools and paint cans. He moved everything that might conceal another door or a trapdoor. Nothing. He moved on to the paint shop and was joined by the other man.

“I didn’t find nothing, and I looked hard,” the man said.

Stone nodded, and the two of them continued their work. Finally, satisfied that no one was hidden in the workshop, they walked to the house. The front door stood open.

“Hello,” Stone called. He opened the screen door and walked in. Nobody was in sight. He walked through the nicely furnished living room to the kitchen, where he found Mrs. Rhinehart feeding her baby. “Good morning,” he said. “I hope we’re not causing you too much trouble.”

“It’s all right,” she replied. “I know you’ve got to find that lady who’s missing.”

“Where is Sergeant Young?”

“I think they’re all in the cellar,” she said, pointing toward a hallway.

Stone walked into the hall and found an open door, with stairs leading down. He walked downstairs and found Sergeant Young and his other searcher standing, talking to Rhinehart.

“Anything in the workshop?” Young asked.

“Nothing.”

Rhinehart turned to Stone. “This is because of my record, isn’t it?”

“Hal, they’re searching every house and outbuilding on the island,” Stone replied. “Every structure has to be cleared, and the woods and beaches, too. It was just your turn.”

Rhinehart nodded.

“I think we’re about done here,” Young said.

They all trooped up the stairs. Young thanked Rhinehart and apologized for the intrusion, and the four men got into Young’s cruiser.

“I guess that clears Rhinehart,” Young said.

“I guess so,” Stone replied.

“I’m taking you home so you can get some rest.”

“All right.”

Young dropped Stone at the top of the driveway. “I’ll call you the minute we find anything.”

Stone noted that he didn’t say “Holly” or “her.” She had already become an object.

Chapter 43