Eamon called one more time. “Auburndale is secure. Bomb squad confirmed the three plastic cases had the components for a cell-triggered explosive device. It was consistent with the consultant’s specifications. Successfully disarmed.”
“And the Vermont property?”
“Federal hit the ski lodge at oh-five-fifteen. Two men inside. Both are in custody. They had drafting materials, more than one cell-trigger schematic, and enough cash to leave the country twice. The lodge was redundant. If Auburndalewere compromised, the second device would have come down through Vermont over the weekend.”
“Maria had a backup.”
“Yes.”
Eamon was gone again.
“Done?” Farrow asked quietly.
“The bomb is disarmed,” I said.
The operations for the first part of the day were successful. Cabot and I had a ferry to meet at eleven for Martha’s Vineyard.
Samuel pulled the scones out of the oven. “I’ll scramble eggs.”
Wiley started, “Samuel, you don’t—“
“Eggs. It’s half-past five. Cabot needs to eat something that is not a scone, and Dane has not eaten since yesterday. I’m making eggs.”
He moved toward the refrigerator.
Farrow moved up behind me. He rested one hand on my shoulder for a moment while he rubbed his chin against my head.
Cabot was looking at his hands. “I need to put a tie on.”
“You don’t need a tie for the morning room,” I said.
“I need a tie for myself.”
He went upstairs. Wiley watched him go.
***
We gathered at the front door, ready to head out for the ferry. Farrow stepped up close.
“Bring him home.”
“Cabot?”
“Both of you.”
Reed was with us. He’d drive to the ferry terminal and then ride over. He was an additional operative, just in case.
Cabot spoke up halfway to the terminal. “Think she’ll cry?”
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
We reached the ferry terminal at nine-fifty-two. Reed parked. An attendant approached and nodded through the windshield. He waved us through to staging without paperwork.
We sat in the SUV with the engine off, waiting for the ferry. None of us got out.
When we boarded, the upper deck was almost empty. December crossings ran light. An older couple stood at the railing with a thermos and binoculars. A man in a Patriots jacket had his back to the wind, vaping and scrolling.