Sweet Fortune

word he reached into his pocket and pulled out a dripping wallet. He held it out to Hatch.
    “There's a list of accounts in there,” Bright muttered through chattering lips. “And a key to a safe at the mansion.”
    “That sounds promising.” Hatch handed over the blanket while he started going through Edwin Bright's wallet.
    Bright clutched at the blanket and started to strip off his clothes. “I was right, wasn't I? You are a pro. Government or private?”
    “Private. Very private.” Hatch found several interesting items in Edwin Bright's wallet, including the list and the key. “Tell me something else now. Was that one of your people who broke into Valentine Consultations?”
    Bright stepped out of his pants. “Yeah. We knew Attwood's mother had just hired that damned fortune-teller to find her daughter. We needed to know how much Valentine knew.”
    “How about after we took our scenic tour of the facilities? Was that one of your people who tried to break into my car?”
    “We couldn't figure out how you were involved. We were trying to get a fix on you. The idea was to search the car. Look, this was just a good scam. Nobody was supposed to get hurt.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Hell, yes. I didn't want trouble. But I've got a major investment in this operation. I've run it twice already back East and made a fortune. The idea is to get in and get out. Find a place to set up shop, recruit a few kids from the local college campus to man the phones and computers and put on the show. Then we make the pitch and wait for the money to roll in. I don't hang around. Two or three months is plenty of time to get set up and rake the cream off the top.”
    “Why try it here?”
    “Hell, everybody knows the Northwest is hot for the environment. Everyone around here wants to save it. Besides, an old lady back East who had already forked over a hundred grand died and left the foundation this island. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. But I figured to sell the place in a few weeks, dump the kids, and head for the next location.”
    Hatch nodded. “Well, I think that about does it. Thanks for wrapping up a few of the loose ends for me.” He started toward the boat again.
    “Wait, goddammit. You've got to take me with you. I won't make it if I have to walk back to the mansion alone. I'm too damn cold, even with this blanket. I need warm liquids.”
    “All right. If you can make it to the boat, you can come with us. But don't get any bright ideas like trying to intimidate Susan, or I'll throw you overboard. I doubt the fish will even notice one more load of toxic waste in the Sound.”
    “Is that supposed to be funny?” Bright asked through clenched teeth.
    “No. I don't have a sense of humor. Just ask anyone.”
    “Shit. I knew you were a pro.”

    Jessie was euphoric. The adventure had ended on a note of shining success and she could not wait to tell Mrs. Valentine every detail.
    The police had taken statements and dispatched a boat to New Dawn Island to see what was going on there. Bright was in the local hospital under guard. He was being treated for the early stages of hypothermia. He was already demanding a lawyer.
    The computer printout Susan Attwood had brought with her, as well as the list and key from Bright's wallet, was in safekeeping in the hands of the police. Susan had phoned her mother from the police station and Mrs. Attwood had broken down in tears of relief. She had explained that a man who fitted Hoffman's description had told her that her daughter would disappear forever if she did not call off the investigation.
    Jessie was already mentally preparing her report to Mrs. Valentine. She knew her boss was going to be thrilled with the results of the case. Business would be flowing into Valentine Consultations as soon as the story hit the newspapers.
    But now was the time for celebration.
    Jessie sat tailor-fashion in the middle of the bed and gazed happily around at her little group of intrepid adventurers. They were gathered together in a room at the same inn where she and Hatch had stayed on the occasion of their first visit to Edwin Bright's island. Several cans of soda recently purchased from the inn's vending machine had been opened and were bubbling freely. Bags of potato chips were being passed around. It was a festive sight.
    “I want to thank you all for what you did tonight,” Jessie said. “Valentine Consultations is deeply grateful for your assistance on this case.”