Double Jeopardy

20

They were just finishing their drinks before dinner when they heard the rumble of the construction caravan pass, apparently on its way to the ferry.

Stone glanced at his watch. “They put in a long day,” he noted.

“I wonder why they didn’t leave the equipment and just take the bus onto the ferry,” Lance said.

“I’m not sure about this,” Stone said, “but I think there may be a rule against leaving heavy equipment parked on the island overnight.”

The doorbell rang and Stone answered it. Finding the Jacksons standing there, he ushered them in. “I think you know everybody here,” he said. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Thanks, but we had one, sitting upstairs and watching the construction people getting out in time for the ferry. It was precision stuff.”

“We saw them moving a few pieces of furniture into the house, so I expect they’ve finished a bedroom enough to live in during construction,” Henry Lee said.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Primmy said. “It means I can’t go home again after dark.”

“No need to go home at all,” Stone said. “You’re entirely welcome here.”

“I don’t think the twins will be on the island all the time,” Lance said.

“What do you know that we don’t know?” Stone asked.

“The boys are teaching a course two days a week at Yale Law, during summer school.”

“What course?” Henry Lee asked.

“Criminal appeals. They apparently wrote over a hundred successful ones while in prison.”

“The arcane nature of your knowledge never fails to amaze me, Lance,” Stone said.

“So much is provided daily,” Lance replied, “and I have a better memory than any human being needs. My brain sorts it, then retains anything that might be of any use, ever, and dumps the rest.”

“You poor man,” Viv said. “Dino can barely remember his phone number.”

“I could always remember yours, though,” Dino replied.

“A saving grace,” Viv said, blowing him a kiss.

“What days do they teach?” Henry Lee asked.

“Tuesday and Wednesday, I believe.”

“So we can all sleep safely in our beds tonight,” Grace said. “But how do they get to New Haven?”

“They used to have an airplane,” Stone said. “A Cessna 182, like mine. I shouldn’t think they’ve had time to requalify, though.”

“Perhaps Yale doesn’t start summer school until next week,” Lance ventured.

“Well, if they’ve kept current with their reading while in the joint, they could do the flying in a couple of days, I guess. It’s a simple airplane.”

“I don’t much like the idea of their being able to travel so easily,” Lance said.

“Neither do I,” Stone said. “I wonder what they drive.”

Primmy spoke up. “A pickup truck,” she said. “Red and newish-looking. I know because it took out one of my rosebushes as they were leaving.”

“They must have been in a hurry,” Henry Lee said.

“I don’t know why. I only fired on them twice.”

That got a laugh.

“Billy said they have a boat, too, but I didn’t ask what kind. In any case, it’s been banned from the yacht club dock and moorings.”

“It’s a pity they couldn’t be banned from the island,” Lance said. “Is that possible?”

“I shouldn’t think so,” Stone replied. “It’s usually enough if they can’t get into the club. I don’t think anybody who was blackballed has ever lasted more than a season.”

“Well,” Lance said, “they’ve already been kicked out of the club. That’s a start.”

“It didn’t stop them from buying a house,” Stone pointed out, “but it will certainly curtail their social lives. It’s not as though there’s a lot to do here, except for sailing, golf, and tennis.”

“And what we’re doing,” Primmy said to Stone, nudging him.

“Well, there is that, isn’t there?” Viv said, smirking.

A tiny, repetitive beep started.

“What’s that sound?” Dino asked.

“It’s from the security system,” Stone said.

“What does it mean?”

“It’s telling us that there’s somebody on the property on foot.” He rose. “Dino, shall we take a short stroll?”

“Why not?” Dino got up.

“Need help?” Henry Lee asked.

“Not unless you hear gunfire,” Stone said. “We’ll be right back.”