Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 12

perfect.” Stone called Joan and told her to expect Dino. As he was hanging up, the doorbell rang. He opened it to find Caleb Stone standing on the doorstep.
    â€œCome in, Caleb,” Stone said, offering his hand.
    â€œCan I talk with you for a minute?” Caleb asked.
    â€œSure, come on into Dick’s study. You want a drink?”
    â€œI wouldn’t mind a Scotch.”
    Stone poured the drink, and they sat down in the big wing chairs before the fireplace. Stone waited for Caleb to speak.
    â€œI owe you an apology,” Caleb said.
    â€œWhat for?”
    â€œFirst of all, for the way I behaved that summer when you were up here.”
    â€œThat was a long time ago.” It may have been a long time ago, he reflected, but every time he saw Caleb he felt a flash of anxiety and anger at the way Caleb had treated Dick and him that summer.
    â€œIt’s been on my mind. Also, for the way I behaved when you told me about Dick’s will.”
    â€œI know it came from out of the blue,” Stone said. “You had a right to be upset. Caleb, I wish I had some leeway in disbursing the estate, but I just don’t. As I’m sure you’ve noted, Dick’s will was so explicit as not to allow any other interpretation.”
    â€œI understand that,” Caleb said, “and I’ll just have to learn to live with it. How did the inquest go? I couldn’t bring myself to be there.”
    â€œYou’ve another shock in store, I’m afraid. There’s little doubt in my mind that Dick, Barbara and Esme were all murdered by some unknown person. Dick didn’t kill his family or himself.”
    Caleb looked stunned. He took a deep swig from his drink. “Well, that’s both a shock and a relief. I couldn’t imagine that Dick had done that, but I can’t imagine that there’s anyone who’d want them dead, either.”
    Stone opened the safe, took out the inquest papers and took Caleb through the procedure, showing him the photographs.
    â€œI see your point,” Caleb said.
    â€œI intend to pursue this,” Stone said. “You’re probably not aware that I spent fourteen years in the New York Police Department, eleven of them as a detective investigating homicides. Dino Bacchetti, who just left, was my partner. He and I agree that this wasn’t a murder-suicide, and the coroner has issued an open verdict.”
    â€œI knew you were a cop, but that was all I knew. I’m glad you’ve got the experience to look into this. I want Dick’s killer caught and punished.”
    â€œI’m going to need your help,” Stone said. “Can you think of anyone, on the island or off, who had any sort of grudge against Dick?”
    Caleb looked thoughtful but shook his head. “I can’t. Dick wasn’t the sort of fellow that people had grudges against.”
    â€œThat’s my memory of him, too. I’d like you to think about this, and if you come up with anything at all, please call me. I’ll be here for a while, and this is my number in New York, when I go back.” Stone handed him a card.
    â€œI’ll certainly do that,” Caleb said.
    â€œThere’s something else, Caleb, and I’m glad to say this is good news.” Stone took the insurance policies from the safe and handed them to him. “Dick took out these policies twelve years ago, leaving a million dollars each to his parents and to you.”
    Caleb’s mouth dropped open. “Good God,” he finally managed to say.
    â€œYour parents are dead, aren’t they?”
    Caleb nodded. “Both of them.”
    â€œWere you and Dick their heirs?”
    â€œYes, their only heirs.”
    â€œThen half of their policy will go to you, the other half to the foundation.”
    â€œA million and a half dollars,” Caleb said tonelessly.
    Stone took the policies back. “I’ll get in touch with the insurance agent and make the claim, and I’ll have the insurance company send you both checks. You’re well equipped to handle the estate and tax consequences.”
    â€œYes, I can do that.” Caleb stood up. “Thank you, Stone, for telling me about this.”
    â€œI would have told you sooner, but I found the policies only a few minutes ago.” Stone walked him to the front door. “One more thing: As you’re aware, Dick specified that his ashes be scattered in the harbor here; do