Eclipse Bay

idea.”
    She folded her arms and propped one shoulder against the doorjamb. “Don’t tell me one of your buddies is the local Peeping Tom?”
    “He would be highly offended at the suggestion. I always had the impression that he sees himself as a lone crusader for freedom, privacy, and the First Amendment.”
    “I assume we are not talking about the head of the public library.”
    “Nope.” Rafe ate more cheese. “I’m going to talk to my potential informant tomorrow while Mitchell is in Portland.”
    “I’m probably going to regret this, but I want to be there when you talk to this person.” She paused delicately. “Who is it we’re going to see?”
    “Virgil Nash.”
    She winced. “I don’t suppose there’s any way we can talk to him without someone finding out.”
    “Doubt it. Still want to come with me?”
    She decided to be philosophical about the situation. “Ah, well. It’s not as if I have anything but a few tattered threads left of my reputation here in Eclipse Bay, anyway. What do I care if the whole town finds out that I was seen entering the local porn dealer’s shop with you?”
    “That’s the spirit,” Rafe said with enthusiasm. “Virgil’s Adult Books and Video Arcade is just the kind of place folks would expect me to take a nice girl like you.”
    “Nobody ever said you didn’t know how to show a lady a good time.” She turned away to seek the safety of the third floor.
    “I was thinking about something else besides Virgil Nash,” Rafe continued in a conversational tone. “I also thought a lot about phobias.”
    Her mouth went dry. So he had overheard her awkward conversation with Mitchell. An ominous sensation rolled through her. She turned very slowly in the doorway to face him.
    “I was afraid of that,” she said.
    “You know, my grandfather may be right. Perhaps the best way to get over a phobia is to confront it head-on. Just do it, you know?”
    She cleared her throat. “I’m no expert on phobias, but it seems to me that that approach would be likely to trigger severe panic attacks.”
    “Hadn’t thought of that.”
    “I suggest you do think about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to bed.”
    “Hannah?”
    She looked back unwillingly. “Now what?”
    “If I’m the one with the phobia, how come you’re the one who looks panicked?”
    “Good night, Rafe.” She fled toward the stairs.

    Winston did not return to the third-floor bedroom right away. When he finally did come back upstairs, his fur was cool and damp. Hannah realized that Rafe had taken him outside for a late-night walk.
    “What did you two talk about out there?” she whispered.
    Winston did not reply. He settled into position at the foot of the bed and promptly went to sleep.
    “Guys always stick together.”
    She tried to go back to sleep. It was hard work. For a long time, she just stared at the ceiling and thought about things.

chapter 19
    Virgil’s Adult Books and Video Arcade was located less than a hundred feet beyond the official boundary of the town of Eclipse Bay. When he had established his business fifteen years earlier, Virgil had been careful to select a location that was just outside the reach of local reformers, civic activists, and members of the town council who saw running the local porn store out of town as a sure ticket to reelection.
    “It’s the old law of real estate,” Virgil had once explained to Rafe. “Location, location, location.”
    While convenience had been of paramount importance, Virgil had also realized that most of his clientele would also appreciate a measure of privacy while they made their purchases. With the aim of providing customers with that treasured commodity, he had placed the small parking lot behind the shop rather than in front, where familiar vehicles might be noted by neighbors, business acquaintances, and parents who happened to drive past.
    “I can’t believe I’m taking my dog into a place like this.” Hannah scowled at the sign over the shop’s rear entrance as she snapped the leash onto Winston’s collar. “I can only hope that he doesn’t realize what sort of business this is.”
    Rafe took the keys out of the ignition and unbuckled his seat belt. “It was your idea to bring Winston along.”
    “I refuse to leave him home alone until we find out who tried to murder him.” Hannah glanced swiftly around the nearly empty parking lot. “Thank goodness there aren’t too many customers here at the