“Is that so hard to believe?” Eustace asked in a tone that implied that even if that’s what he thought, he’d better not say it.
“No,” he said, meaning it. “But it’s incredibly dangerous and stupid!”
“You’re onto something,” Cordelia said, interrupting both of them. She turned in small circles, thinking. “What ifwego afterhim?”
Gordon looked like they’d both lost their minds. “Are you hearing yourselves?”
“And how do we do that?” Eustace questioned, ignoring him. “Since, you know, we don’t really know our way aroundpast the property line,” she added from the corner of her mouth. She knew as well as Cordelia that they couldn’t leave the estate.
“We bring him here,” Cordelia suggested.
“Anddowhat?” Gordon argued. “This person is homicidal.”
Cordelia tapped a foot, thinking. “First, we need to identify him. Figure out who this is.”
“And then?” he pressed.
“We need evidence against him. Something we can actually take to the police to have him arrested.”
“You’re talking about catching him in the act,” he clarified.
“If that’s what it takes,” she said. “Or at least collecting something that puts him at the scene, physical evidence that can’t be denied.”
“You’ll need cameras—security. A way to record what’s happening,” Gordon told her. “Asmallmodel, so you can hide them from view.”
“Can you install something like that?” Cordelia asked.
“Sure,” he told her. “But it won’t be cheap.”
She frowned. They’d have to find a way.
“Say we get these cameras and put them up around the house. How do we get him to come here again?”
Cordelia thought for a moment, eyes squinting as she brainstormed. “I know!” she said, brightening. “Weinvitehim.”
“That’s brilliant,” Eustace shouted. “A party!”
Cordelia’s eyes lit up. “Yes! A party! Perfect. We’ll invite everyone in Bellwick,” she said. “He won’t be able to resist.”
“To celebrate the signing of the trust,” Eustace continued. “He really won’t be able to say no to that!”
“Once everyone is here, will you be able to recognize him, Eustace? Pick him out of the crowd?” Cordelia wondered.
“I think so,” she said. “I know his build, his general size and shape. But more than that, I know his attitude, the way he carries himself. There won’t be anyone else like that, I’m certain.”
“And then?” Gordon asked. “When this mystery man is exposed as the person threatening you? What will you do? You gonna shoot him on sight? In front of all your party guests? Without a trial?”
“We’ll hit him,” Eustace blurted, improvising. “Withyourfists.”
Gordon raised his hands. “I’m not hitting anybody, not without provocation.”
“Maybe there will be another freak lightning storm,” Eustace suggested sagely. “Or a hurricane.” Her eyebrows curved menacingly high.
Cordelia had to hide her smile in front of Gordon. “Accidents do happen all the time,” she said knowingly to her sister.
Gordon pushed himself off the kitchen counter. “I can’t be a part of this,” he told them.
“Why not?” Eustace insisted, taking offense.
