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with a sandy beach amongst the rocks. Not a good place to bring a boat in, not that he had any interest in that. He’s a dairyman, and he’s little time to spare for fishin’ and the like.”
    Gillian gathered up her things. “Billy, I should be going. I have to get to the creamery and sort things out. I don’t remember how much I’ve left there.”
    â€œCome back and see me again, will yeh, now?”
    â€œOf course, Billy.”
    Gillian headed for the front door and Maura followed. Outside, Maura said, “I mean what I said about the room. Even though it’s nothing fancy. I think I have a spare set of sheets.”
    Gillian laughed. “If you could see yourself! Have you had a single guest since you’ve been in the place? It’s been, what, six months now?”
    â€œThe only people I know already live around here, so they don’t need a place to stay. Nobody’s come from Boston to look me up.”
And they weren’t likely to
, Maura added to herself. She’d left few friends behind and hadn’t bothered to tell them where she’d gone.
    â€œI might want to leave whatever paintings I’ve got at the creamery somewhere safe. Would you have room for those?”
    â€œSure. You can put them in the parlor—I never use that. Let me give you my key—if you don’t want to stay, you can bring it back to me or put it under a rock or something. Just let me know where to find it, if I don’t see you. You stillhave my mobile number?” Maura fished her keys from her jeans pocket and handed one to Gillian.
    â€œI do, from the last time. Thanks, Maura—you’re a true friend. I’ll be seeing you later, one way or the other. And I hope the missing man turns up.”
    â€œYou and a lot of other people. ’Bye, Gillian.”
    Gillian gave her a backward wave as she walked toward her car.

Chapter 5
    No news. By late evening even Maura was feeling itchy, and she’d never even met John Tully. The general nerviness of the crowd must be getting to her or something. People drifted in, sat for a while, hoping, then wandered out again. Maura wasn’t making much money from any of them, but she wasn’t about to nag them about it. People were worried, and they wanted to be with other people. If their wives were home with the children, no doubt they were worrying in their own way, imagining what it would be like if their own husband vanished without warning.
    She was staring at the darkness outside the windows when Mick came up beside her. “Go home,” he said.
    She turned to look at him. “Why?”
    â€œBecause there’s nothin’ to be done here. And it may be that Gillian’s there waiting fer yeh.”
    â€œOh, right.” Maura hadn’t heard from Gillian, so she assumed she’d be at the house. Otherwise Maura had no way of getting in, although breaking into her house could probably be accomplished with a dull knife. She located her phone in her bag behind the bar and called Gillian’s mobile number.
    Gillian answered on the third ring. “Maura. I’m at the house, if that’s what’s worrying you. I fell asleep.”
    â€œNo problem. I thought I’d head home now, since it’s a slow night, and I wanted to be sure you were there. Do you need anything? Have you eaten?”
    Gillian laughed. “There’s not enough in the house to keep a bird alive. I laid in some food, so come ahead.”
    â€œDid you find sheets?”
    â€œI did. See you shortly?”
    â€œI’m on my way.” Maura ended the call and told Mick, “I’m heading out, I guess. I want to see what Gillian’s plans are, but I should be in early tomorrow.”
    â€œTo see if they’ve found the man?”
    â€œWell, yes. I hate to say it, but if he’s found, well, you know, it would probably be good for business.”
    Mick looked at her with one