Summer in Eclipse Bay

idea where she got it."
    "Thanks, I'll talk to Betty," Nick said smoothly.
    "Why waste your time?" Marjorie asked. "It's Sean Valentine's job to find that painting."
    "I'm doing this as a favor," Nick said. "Octavia is what you might call a close friend of the family."
    There was another short pause.
    "I see," Marjorie said cautiously.
    Octavia spotted Katy's picture and snatched it out of the stack of framed drawings. She hurried toward the door.
    "Here's your daughter's picture." She thrust it across the counter toward Marjorie. "It's a lovely drawing. Nice feel for color. Tell her she can keep the frame. Compliments of the gallery."
    "Thank you. I truly do regret this. But I have to consider Gordon's position." Marjorie took the picture somewhat uncertainly and turned back to Nick. "Good luck with your little investigation."
    "I'm sure we'll find out who took the painting," he said with astounding confidence. "My list is almost finished."
    "Yes, well, I certainly hope you get the situation resolved soon." Marjorie summoned up a polished smile. "By the way, since you're in town for the summer, I'll be sure to send an invitation to Katy's birthday party to Carson. Katy's turning six in August, you know."
    "I appreciate the thought," Nick said, "but it would probably be better not to bother with the invitation. I'm sure you can understand my situation here. I can't allow Carson to attend a birthday party given for a child whose mother's name is on my list. Got to consider Carson's position in the community, you see."
    Marjorie's jaw dropped visibly. Shock and horror blended in her expression.
    Octavia had a sudden urge to cover her face with both hands. Beside her, Gail did not make any attempt to conceal a satisfied grin.
    Marjorie pulled herself together with commendable speed. "How dare you imply that I… that I'm on your list."
    "Don't worry about it, Marjorie," Nick said. "When this is all over, I'm sure everyone will eventually forget who was on the list and who wasn't."
    "Of all the-" Marjorie was overcome with outrage. Unable to speak, she simply stood there, glaring helplessly.
    "You know," Nick went on as if nothing awkward had been said, "if you'd like to assist in the investigation, I'd be very grateful. In fact, everyone in my family would really appreciate the favor. Given your position in the community, you could be very helpful."
    Marjorie's mouth worked once or twice before she managed to speak. "Well, of course, I'd love to help you but I honestly don't see how I could be of any more assistance. I told you, it was Betty Stiles who is spreading the story."
    "I'll be talking to Betty next," Nick assured her. "But, since you've offered to help, there is one thing you could do that would go a long way toward narrowing my list."
    "What's that?"
    Nick glanced at the picture Marjorie clutched in her beringed hands. "Leave Katy's drawing here with the others. It will send a strong signal to the community that you don't think the rumors are true."
    Marjorie was trapped and they all knew it. She shot a fulminating look at Octavia, and then she put the picture down on the counter and turned back to Nick with an earnest smile. "Well, if you really think it would help-"
    "Oh, yeah," Nick said. "No question about it. Like I said, I really appreciate it."
    "About your list," Marjorie added delicately.
    "Obviously I won't have to add you to it," Nick said.
    That seemed to cheer Marjorie slightly. She went quickly toward the door. "I hope it won't take you and Sean long to end this matter."
    "It won't," Nick said.
    They all watched in silence as Marjorie fled out the door and down the sidewalk toward the parking lot.
    Octavia rested both elbows on the counter, propped her chin on her hands, and looked at Gail and Nick in turn. "Don't get me wrong. I am deeply touched. But I'm not sure that coercing Marjorie into leaving Katy's painting here was smart."
    "Who cares about smart?" Gail said. "It felt good."
    "That was Marjorie Dunne, for heaven's sake," Octavia reminded her dryly. "She's the wife of a member of the town council. Probably the wife of the next mayor of Eclipse Bay."
    "So what?" Gail said with a chuckle. "This is Nick Harte. His family can buy and sell the entire town council and the mayor, too. In point of fact, if old legends are to be believed, they have done just that on a number of occasions."
    "Be fair," Nick said to her. "It's not our fault that the council and the mayor have historically shown a