“Your father would approve,” Stone said.
Ryan first looked surprised then pleased by the comment.
“There is a matter we will need your help with,” Susan said.
“And that is?”
“Ryan and I have been talking. We’d like to set up a fund to be split between the survivors of theAmanda Jae’s sinking and the families of those killed.”
“In a way that makes it clear we’re not the ones liable for the accident,” Ryan said. “That’s where you come in, I think.”
“That’s an incredibly kind gesture,” Stone said. “I’ll work something up and run it by you.”
“Thank you,” Susan said. “Actually, there is one more thing.”
“There is?” Ryan asked, surprised.
“Obviously, we haven’t had time to talk about this,” she said to him. “And if you’re against it, then you don’t have to do it. But I was thinking that your father’s plans—”
“Ourfather,” Ryan corrected.
She smiled sheepishly. “Yes, our father. Sorry, I’m still getting used to that.”
“Understandable. So, what about our father’s plans?”
“I was thinking about the scholarship program he wanted to set up. Students shouldn’t have to suffer because of one man’s misdeeds.”
“You’re saying we should set up the fund ourselves.”
“Or I could do it alone.”
“Nonsense. I think it’s a wonderful idea. And spoken like a true teacher. I’m in. Mr. Barrington, would you be able to help us with that, too?”
“I would be honored,” Stone said.
Soon after they left, Stone’sphone buzzed. “Yes?”
“Josie on one,” Joan said.
Stone picked up the call and said with a smile in his voice, “Hello.”
“Hi, yourself. I have news.”
“Don’t tell me you’re coming to New York.”
“I won’t because I’m not. Not any time soon, anyway. And lest you forget, I believe the promise is for you to come this way?”
“It is. I was just hoping for a surprise.”
“How’s this for a surprise? TheMinervawill return to port tomorrow, and Xavier has agreed to take it up to Maine this weekend. As long as you’ll be available, that is.”
On Friday morning, Stone andDino flew to Islesboro, and a few hours later were joined by Felicity.
She’d returned to public life a week after the storm. The story MI6 ran with was that she’d been at a highly sensitive meeting out of the country when her car had been bombed, andat the urging of several government officials—no names given—she had stayed off the radar to help in the search for the perpetrators. As with the best of deceptions, this one was sprinkled with some truth.
When asked if those responsible had been found, Felicity had smiled and replied, “Unfortunately, that information is classified.”
On Saturday morning, they droveto the ferry pier, as it was the appropriate size for theMinerva. They boarded at 8:45 a.m., between scheduled ferries.
