Vineyard Prey by Philip R. Craig Page B

the island, but they wintered in Weststock while he taught at the college there. Their twin daughters, Jill and Jen, whom I’d known since they were tots, were now college women at Weststock. I’d never been able to tell them apart, but both of them were cute and full of zip and hormones and had no shortage of young men in their lives, which meant no shortage of worries for their parents. Because John and the twins would be busy in class until the Christmas holidays, they wouldn’t be using their Edgartown house for a while.
    Which meant that I could.
    The Skyes’ old farm was off the Edgartown-West Tisbury road, a few miles from my place. The house, barn, outbuildings, and corrals were in good shape, and it was my job to look after them over the winter. Today, though, I was interested in turning the thermostat up, making up beds in three bedrooms, and putting food in the fridge. When things were ready, I went home again, keeping an eye on my rearview mirror, but seeing no black car or any other suspicious-looking vehicle.
    I was not happy. I had gotten involved in somethingthat wasn’t really any of my business. Joe Begay had asked me to stay out of it, and I’d planned to do just that, but now I was back in it again. The man in the green coat was not only interested in Kate, but knew that I had some sort of connection with her. And now he knew or would soon know who I was and where I lived.
    Which meant that my family was now possibly in danger. Joe, who understood how violent the Easter Bunny could be, had sent his family out to Oraibi. I would move mine to John Skye’s house, just in case the Bunny decided to include them in his plans. Zee was not going to like it, but she would go there because of the children.
    Are there any times that do not try men’s souls? There are, but this wasn’t one of them.
    When Zee got home from work and heard my tale, she was as upset as I’d guessed she would be.
    â€œYou told me you weren’t getting involved in this. You told me Joe wants to handle it himself!”
    â€œI wasn’t, and he does. But things happen. I just want you and the kids to be safe. I’ll be over there with you. It’ll just be for a few days.”
    â€œYou don’t know that. And what if Joe doesn’t stop him? What then? What if something happens to Joe and to this woman, this Kate? Then what?”
    â€œThen it’ll be over.”
    â€œAnd this Easter Bunny will go back home and blow up more people just like before! Is that it?”
    â€œNothing’s going to happen to Joe.”
    â€œBut what if it does? What if something goes wrong? This Easter Bunny is a professional killer!”She paused, frowned, and then said, “Are you telling me that Joe is one, too? That Joe and this Kate MacLeod woman are killers, too? Is that what you’re saying?”
    I felt my hand rub my chin. “He never said so in so many words.”
    â€œBut that’s what you think, isn’t it? My God! Joe Begay. I wonder if Toni knows.”
    I put my hands on her shoulders. “Look,” I said. “Joe’s work takes him to some hard places. He may have done things that most of us wouldn’t do or couldn’t do. I don’t know about that and neither do you. What I do know is that he saved my life a long time ago and that he’s been my friend since he moved to the island and that I trust him. And so can you.”
    She took a deep breath and then nodded and put her arms around me and laid her head against my chest.
    â€œYes. I know you’re right. And before you say it, I’ll say it: not all killings are the same. I know that.”
    She stepped back. “All right, we’ll move over to John’s place until this business is ended. Let’s pack the stuff the kids will need.”
    â€œDoes that include the computer?” Our new computer was still pretty much a mystery to me, but it seemed to be a