Page 22 of Homecoming

Walter was gasping by the time they reached the top of the steep incline. “Clearly, I need to work out more if walking up a hill wrecks me.”

“Run a mile a day. It’ll change your life.”

“Really? I’ll give that some thought.”

“Make sure you stretch—a lot—especially at first.”

“I’ll do that.”

While Walter drove him back to Bertha’s, Dan made notes of the things he’d learned about the case that day and plotted his next move. When Walter pulled into the driveway at Bertha’s, he said, “Shoot me a text to let me know what you need, bossman.”

“Will do. Thanks for today. Appreciate the ride, the conversation, the local perspective.”

“My pleasure.”

Dan went inside and fired up his laptop to write the motion to dismiss the charges against Kirby, planning to submit it before the end of the day.

Kara satat a sidewalk café across from Renata. “It’s so good to see you in person.” She hadn’t seen her cousin since she’d left Bar Harbor almost four years ago. Her cousin hadn’t come to the wedding because of the rift between their fathers. Without that, Renata would’ve been her maid of honor.

Renata stirred cream into her coffee. “Same. I’m thankful for FaceTime, but there’s no substitute for in-person time.”

“I know. It’s great to see Bertha, too. I miss her so much.”

“I’m sure you do. She misses you just as much. We had lunch a month or so ago on one of her rare days off. It was great to see her.”

“Thank you for being so faithful to her.”

“I adore her, as you know.”

“Yes, I do know that.” Kara took a sip of ice water she’d flavored with lemon, which would help to settle her stomach. “I hate being so far from her when she’s getting on in years. She won’t live forever.”

“She’s got twenty more years left in her, and you’ll never convince me otherwise.”

Kara laughed. “You’re probably right.”

“She’ll outlive us all.”

“I sure as hell hope so. I can’t imagine life without her.”

“I know, me either. So how are things with Dan?”

“Still wonderful,” Kara said with a smile. “We’re very happy together.”

“That’s so great. You really landed on your feet after everything that happened here.”

“Leaving was the best thing I ever did for myself, but I’ve missed you, Jessie, Ellery, Bertha, Buster, Kirby, Kendra and the girls and a few of the others.”

“You’ve stayed close to us while you were gone.”

“I’ve tried, but like you said, it’s not the same as seeing each other all the time.” Kara took in the quaint Bar Harbor downtown, which was busy with tourists enjoying the September day. “Nothing ever changes around here.”

“Except it’s busier than ever. The cruise ships just keep coming, every day.”

“Is that still the biggest controversy in town?”

“Sure is. It’s a love-hate relationship for sure.”

“I keep hoping the ships don’t discover Gansett Island. It would ruin us to add that to what we already get in the summer.”

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