ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author wishes to thank Joanna Miles, Melanie Mintz, Kim Kimball Holmquist, and Miles Brandman for their invaluable assistance in the development of this book.
Thanks also to Tom Distler for his wise and temperate counsel.
Thanks to David Parker and Daniel T. Parker.
A world of gratitude to Tom Selleck and the entire Jesse Stone movie universe for their inspiration and support.
A special thanks to Christine C. Pepe for her kindness, patience, and incredible editorial expertise.
The spirit, guidance, and generosity of Joan Parker meant the world to me.
And a special nod to Helen Brann, who grabbed my hand and never let go until we crossed the finish line.
ALSO BY ROBERT B. PARKER
Brimstone
Resolution
Appaloosa
Double Play
Gunmans Rhapsody
All Our Yesterdays
A Year at the Races (with Joan H. Parker)
Perchance to Dream
Poodle Springs (with Raymond Chandler)
Love and Glory
Wilderness
Three Weeks in Spring (with Joan H. Parker)
Training with Weights (with John R. Marsh)
ALSO BY ROBERT B. PARKER
Brimstone
Resolution
Appaloosa
Double Play
Gunmans Rhapsody
All Our Yesterdays
A Year at the Races (with Joan H. Parker)
Perchance to Dream
Poodle Springs (with Raymond Chandler)
Love and Glory
Wilderness
Three Weeks in Spring (with Joan H. Parker)
Training with Weights (with John R. Marsh)
Coffee was the only thing on Jesse Stones mind when he entered the Paradise police station on a bright New England spring morning.
His first stop was usually the coffeemaker. But when he saw what was happening in front of Suitcase Simpsons desk, which was located across the aisle from the kitchen area, he headed for his office.
A man and a woman, middle-aged, expensively dressed, and handsomely coiffed, were arguing loudly with Suitcase. The man was irate. His face was beet-red, and the woman was obviously concerned for him.
Molly, he said, whats going on?
She followed him into his office.
Tourists. Missing vehicle. They exited the turnpike at Paradise Road, looking for a place to have breakfast. They discovered Daisys. Sometime while they were eating, their car disappeared. Late-model Honda Civic.
Whats with the yelling, Jesse said.
They believe the car was towed.
And they think we towed it?
Yes. Because it was parked illegally.
You mean they didnt park in Daisys lot?
Correct.
And did they say why they didnt park in Daisys lot?
When they chose Daisys, they werent certain they were gonna like it. So they parked on the street. In a red zone. When they decided it was okay, they never went back to move the car.
And thats why they think it was towed?
Yes.
Was it?
Rich is checking on that as we speak.
Jesse sighed.
Molly, can I ask you a question?
Since when do you need permission to ask me a question, she said.
May I have a cup of coffee, please?
You may. Theres some fresh.
I know. I can smell it.
Do you want me to wait here while you get it?
I want you to get it for me.
You want me to get coffee for you?
Yes.
She gave him the look.
I dont want to have to deal with those people just yet, Jesse said.
Because?
Because Im the decider, and I have decided that I dont want to deal with those people just yet. Will you please get me a cup of coffee?
Youre gonna owe me for this, Jesse, Molly said, as she left the office.
Its never easy, Jesse thought.
Molly returned with the coffee, followed by Suitcase and the couple from the hall.
They wanted to speak with you directly, Molly said, as she handed Jesse the cup.
The couple pushed past Molly and stood directly in front of Jesses desk.
What are you doing about our car, the man said.
Jesse Stone, Jesse said. Im the chief of police here.
Norman Steinberg, the man said. My wife, Linda. We want to know what youre doing about our car.
Suit, Jesse said. What have we learned from Bauer?
Hes at Smittys Towing now, Jesse, Suitcase said.
And?
He hasnt located it.
You mean its not there?
Looks like it, Jesse.
Could it be possible that the car was stolen? Jesse said.
The phone rang, and Molly answered it.
Its Bauer, she said to Jesse. He wants to talk to you.
Jesse picked up the phone.
What have we got, Rich, he said.
We got a problem, Skipper, Bauer said. Not only is the Steinberg Honda not at Smittys, but theres a woman here looking for her car, claiming that it, too, has gone missing. And the funny part is her car is also a Honda.
When things had finally calmed down and the Steinbergs had been taken to Paradise Car Rental, Jesse sat quietly, thinking.
Today was moving day for him. He had finally acted on his wish to move out of the condo where hed lived since coming to Paradise.
He had rented it when he first arrived, when his future was uncertain. Despite its view of the harbor, it was basically a utilitarian space that had served his needs at the time.
But as the years went by and his position in Paradise became more secure, he began to yearn for something more suited to his personality and his desire for privacy.
It was Captain Healy, the state homicide commander and a resident of Paradise, who had called Jesses attention to the small house situated on an inlet, not far from Paradise Cove. It was two stories, barely more than a cottage, positioned on a bluff overlooking the bay. Its weathered appearance and remoteness made it feel both mysterious and enticing.
It was owned by an elderly physician and his wife who decided they had finally lived through enough New England winters. They were moving to Florida to be near their children and grandchildren and away from the cold.
But they couldnt bear to sell it. Their life had been in Paradise; their children had been born there.
The possibility existed that they might miss it too much and decide to return. As an interim step, they opted to rent it.
Healy knew the couple and made the introductions. He thought they would find security entrusting their home to the Paradise police chief.
It was well within Jesses price range, partially furnished, and isolated enough to be attractive to him. Despite the inconvenience of having to lug his groceries across the narrow footbridge that spanned the bay, he fell in love with the place at first sight.
What little furniture he owned would be handled by Dexters Movers. He had boxed and packed his few belongings and his clothing. Dexters would move it all.
Jesse had taken one final tour of the condo. Not sentimental by nature, he still had feelings for it, and as he prepared to leave it for the last time, he felt a momentary pang of uncertainty.
Then hed thought better of it and turned the key in at the management office. He bid the condo good-bye.
His thoughts returned to the missing vehicles.
Only idiots and dead men believe in coincidence, he remembered having read somewhere. It wasnt likely that the disappearance of two Hondas on the same day in the same town could be unrelated.
His first thought was that the cars had been stolen. He knew that gang-related automobile thefts often took place in New England, but they had never before occurred in Paradise.
The summer season was about to begin, and the last thing Jesse wanted to see in his office was the faces of tourists whose vehicles had disappeared.
