Eclipse Bay

always wanted to be a real investigative reporter. This is his big chance, and I’m betting he’ll take it. If he runs with it, you can pretty much guarantee that every paper in the state will start digging into the Sadler woman’s death.”
    “He’s right,” Rafe said. “Jed might not find hard proof, but the entire Thornley camp will be on the defensive. Hell, the lingerie rumors alone will be enough to keep them fully occupied. Whoever’s behind this will be too busy proving Thornley’s innocence on both counts to bother with any more attacks on you or Winston.”
    Hannah looked at each man in turn. The same ice-cold intent glittered in both pairs of sea-green Madison eyes. She shook her head. “And you two wonder why everyone says you’re so much alike.”

    After dinner Rafe walked out onto the porch with Mitchell. Winston padded along at their heels. Together the three of them gazed at the big SUV lurking in the shadows of the drive, looking for all the world like some modern-day Tyrannosaurus rex waiting for prey. Probably hoping some slow-witted, herbivorous little compact would wander within range, Rafe thought. The silhouette of Bryce’s figure behind the wheel was just barely visible in the gathering shadows. The dinosaur’s brain.
    “Well, thanks for dinner,” Mitchell said.
    “Sure. Anytime.”
    “Still can’t get over the fact that you can turn out first-rate grub like that.”
    “Maybe you’ve just been eating too much of Bryce’s cooking.”
    “Could be. But I’m used to it.”
    Rafe leaned against a post. “I haven’t thanked you for the information you brought back from Portland.”
    “No problem.” Mitchell tapped the end of his cane on the edge of the step. “Sort of interesting, if you want the truth. Haven’t ever done anything along those lines.”
    “Neither have I. Lucky for us, you and Bev Bolton are such good friends.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    There was another short silence. Winston yawned.
    “Sure hope to hell we know what we’re doing here,” Mitchell said after a while. “If we’re right, we’re talking about blowing apart the campaign of a hot-shit candidate for the United States Senate. Lawsuits could be the least of our worries when this is over.”
    “Since when did a Madison ever let the small stuff get in the way?”
    Mitchell nodded. “You’ve got a point there.”
    “The important thing is that we put a stop to whatever is going on around here.” Rafe folded his arms. “Hannah’s safety comes first.”
    “Can’t argue that one,” Mitchell said. “What’s a political campaign compared to protecting a lady? Speaking of Hannah—”
    Rafe braced himself. “Were we?”
    “We sure as hell were. I didn’t want to say anything in front of her, but we both know the two of you can’t stay shacked up here like this indefinitely.”
    “Shacked up?” Rafe managed a politely blank expression. “I don’t believe I’m familiar with the term.”
    “Bullshit! You know damn well what I’m talkin’ about. When are you going to do the right thing by that girl?”
    “When are you going to do the right thing by Bev Bolton?”
    Mitchell’s face tightened. Rafe was startled to see a flash of pain in his grandfather’s eyes. The expression vanished swiftly behind glittering outrage.
    “I’d marry Bev Bolton tomorrow if I thought she’d have me,” Mitchell said ferociously. “But I’ve got a reputation to live down. She doesn’t think I know how to make what she likes to call a commitment.”
    Rafe looked at him, saying nothing.
    Mitchell blinked once or twice. The outrage faded to dawning chagrin. “Well, shoot and damn. You’re in the same leaky boat, aren’t you, son?”
    “I don’t think Hannah bought that story you gave her about my bad nerves,” Rafe said. “She’s got the same problem with me that Bev Bolton has with you.”
    “Your checkered past?”
    “Yeah. But in my case it’s not only my own that I’ve got to live down. I’ve got yours and Dad’s in the way, too.”
    “Well, shoot and damn.” Mitchell gazed unhappily at the tip of his cane, then at Rafe. “Don’t suppose you’ve got any good ideas on what to do about this problem Madisons seem to have with females?”
    “No.”
    “Well, shoot and damn.”
    “Yeah,” Rafe said. “Shoot and damn.”
    “No sense asking Gabe. He’s no better with women than we are.”
    “Apparently not.”
    Mitchell glanced at Winston. The Schnauzer cocked his head in polite