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“Did you hear the news yet?”
    “About Vern?” Monica shrugged. “I heard. No loss for sure. Someone did this town a huge favor.”
    “And his wife,” Jack added. “She won’t have to fight him in divorce court now. Pam will get to the bottom of this, no matter where it leads.”
    Monica checked her watch. “If you two will excuse me, I need to get ready for work. I’m working three to seven today.”
    “Of course.” Jack stood up. “By the way, how’s your beach wheelchair working out?”
    Hannah glanced to the far side of the porch, noticing a chair with wide inflated tires.
    “With my new ramp, and new chair, I can get to the beach on my own now. Cal had to twist my arm to get me to buy it, but don’t tell him this: it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I don’t want to hear I told you so .” She laughed as she pushed herself toward the big sliding doors leading into the house. “Thanks for stopping by.”
    Jack led the way to the beach, heading back toward Hannah’s place. “Let’s take a quick look at your car. See if it will start.”
    Hannah found a key hanging on a hook next to a small mirror in the living room of the cottage she was making her own. Jack, with his head under the raised hood and leaning in as far as possible, pulled out the oil dip stick. He pulled an old handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the dip stick, replaced it, and pulled it out again. “Surprise of surprises. The oil is clean and up to the level it should be. Maybe Caroline did maintain this car after all.”
    “I found this key inside.”
    “Well, what are you waiting for? See if it turns over.”
    Hannah slid into the driver’s seat, inserted the key, crossed her fingers, and turned the key. The old Volvo hesitated before surging to life. Jack slammed the hood down and climbed into the passenger seat. “Let’s take this big hog for a test drive. Just to my house until you get plates. I can do that for you.”
    Hannah reached down to adjust the seat. Her fingers searched for the lever, instead feeling an envelope. She tried to pull it out but it was stuck on something. She yanked harder until it pulled loose. Hannah turned it over in her hands. It was addressed to Vern Mason but never mailed.
    Hannah looked at Jack watching her. “Go ahead and open it,” he encouraged her.
    With shaky fingers, feeling like her great aunt was looking over her shoulder, Hannah slit open the envelope. She unfolded the white paper neatly folded inside.
    Vern. Give back the key to cottage number four. Immediately. I don’t like the thought of what you are doing. Enclosed is the balance of what you already paid me. A check for five hundred dollars fell into Hannah’s lap. A chill traveled up her spine.
    The letter fluttered on top of the check. Jack reached for it. “Can I read it?”
    Hannah nodded, still looking straight ahead through the dirty windshield. The sound of Hannah’s breathing and the paper crinkling filled the car.
    Jack whistled. “I can’t imagine why Caroline would rent a cottage to Vern. Something smells fishier than two week old clam shells.”
    Hannah turned the key, silencing the engine. “Let’s look around and see if we can find anything unusual.”
    “Where do you want to look? There’s still police tape up around cottage four.” Jack reached across the front seat and touched Hannah’s arm. “Do you have keys for all the cottages?”
    “Yes.” She opened her door, letting her feet land in the soft sand. Nellie jumped over the front seat and followed Hannah out the door. She walked to cottage one, opening the office door. “I’m starting here.”
    Before Hannah entered the office, a truck pulled in and stopped next to the Volvo station wagon. Cal hopped out, carrying a bag. “You forgot this in my truck.” He held up the bag of chocolates. “Thought you might be ready for a treat.”
    Jack and Cal followed Hannah inside. He set the bag on Caroline’s big oak desk and