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I’m afraid. Or a body can get wedged between rocks or in a crack in a cliff, and who knows when it’ll beseen again. But we don’t
know
it’s bad news, if yeh see what I’m sayin’.”
    â€œI suppose there’s nothing wrong with looking at the bright side of things, as long as you can.”
    â€œBut that’s not the way you’d see it?”
    Nice of Sean to notice
. “Don’t mind me. I think I told you that I never knew my father, and I have to wonder if Eoin will have any memories of his. If John doesn’t come back.” Maura took a deep breath. “How’s his wife holding up?”
    â€œWell enough. She’s got the four kids to look after, and the cows, so she has little choice in the matter.”
    â€œDoes she have other family around?”
    â€œShe does, and many of them are out lookin’ too.”
    â€œDoes the coast guard usually find who they’re looking for?”
    â€œThey do, fer all that they’re amateurs. Don’t lose heart, Maura.”
    â€œI’m trying not to.” She gathered up her bags of food and stood. “I’d better deliver this to the gang. Are you coming in?”
    â€œNo. I only wanted to give yeh what little news there was. You can pass it on to the rest of them in there.” He nodded toward the pub.
    â€œThanks, Sean. I’m glad you stopped by.”
    â€œBe safe, Maura,” he replied.
    He drove past the pub just as Maura reached the door. Most of the people inside must have noticed his car, because once again all eyes turned toward her. “Nothing new, folks,” Maura said, loudly enough for all the room to hear. The customers turned away in unison. Maura distributed sandwiches and sides to those who had asked. She’d brought lunch for Billy too, and went over to join him and Gillian.
    â€œGillian’s been after tellin’ me about life in the big city,” Billy announced.
    â€œHave you ever been to Dublin, Billy?” Maura asked, sitting in a chair on the other side of the table.
    â€œI’ve been no farther than Cork city, and that was a good while ago. Too many people, too much noise. I’m happier here.”
    Gillian leaned forward and patted his hand. “I know what you mean, Billy. Sometimes it’s all too much to handle.”
    â€œAnd that’d be why you’ve come back to us here?” Billy’s question seemed innocent enough, but Maura guessed his shrewd gaze didn’t miss much. Like Gillian’s anxiety underlying her words. Would he make the logical deduction? Given that he was a man and an old one at that, maybe he wouldn’t go there. Or maybe he would. He’d surprised her before with his perceptiveness.
    Billy turned to Maura. “No news from your young garda?”
    Maura shook her head. “They haven’t found John Tully. Who knows when or if they will.”
    â€œThe sea can be a dangerous place. There’s often fishin’ boats out of Union Hall that disappear or turn over. Keeps the coast guard busy.”
    â€œI can’t believe they’re amateurs,” Maura said.
    â€œThat’s not a bad thing, I’ll tell yeh. Folk around here know the waters and the currents, better than someone from away might. And they’re glad to help.”
    â€œGood to know. You told me you fished at Ballinlough, near the creamery, but did you ever go out on the harbor or farther?”
    Billy shook his head. “I like the feel of land beneath my feet. So do many around here. The fishermen, now—they’ve got a livin’ to make, as long as the fish last, and they’re havin’to go out quite a ways these days fer their catch. The rest of the boats on the water belong to rich folk from Glandore or Schull, mebbe. You won’t see ’em at this end of the harbor.”
    â€œWhat about where John Tully disappeared?”
    â€œThat’s no more than a small cove