Free A Vineyard Killing by Philip R. Craig Page A

up the road to the work site, but maybe that wasn’t the occupants’ first sight of me.
    There’s a small traffic circle where Metcalf Drive joins Dodgers Hole Road. I went around the circle and parked facing back toward Metcalf Drive. Sure enough, the Range Rover soon came along. I was fairly sure that its occupants were not pleased to see me waiting for them, but they had little choice but to keep driving. When the car entered the traffic circle I followed after it, the tailed now tailing the tailer.
    The car’s occupants, sure now that they’d been spotted, sped off ahead of me along Dodgers Hole Road. Their new car could certainly outrun my old one, but there are several speed bumps on Dodgers Hole Road, so they beat up their vehicle a bit as they fled. Some day I’d like a Range Rover of my own, but at that time I took pleasure in the damage they were doing to theirs as I watched them pull away from me. By the time I got to the Vineyard Haven–Edgartown road the Range Rover was not to be seen.
    I drove to the State Police barracks and no one followed me. I found Dom Agganis at his desk.
    â€œI’m seeing a lot of you lately,” he said. “To what do I owe this particular honor?”
    I told him about my day and asked him to verify my guess that the Range Rover belonged to Saberfox. He checked and it did. “You want me to find out why Saberfox is tailing you?” he asked.
    â€œI plan to ask them that myself. I just thought you might want to know it was happening. But you’ll be remembered in my will if you can tell me where John Reilley lives. He slipped my noose.”
    He leaned back. “Why are you looking for John Reilley? I hope you’re not nosing around in police business. Like that shooting in Vineyard Haven, for instance.”
    I put a hand on my heart. “Heaven forbid,” I said, and told him about Maria Donawa’s concerns.
    â€œWell, that explains your interest in John. Why do you suppose Fox is so interested in you?”
    I’d been thinking about that. “He knows where I live, so I don’t think it’s me that interests him. My best guess is that he wants me to lead him to somebody else.”
    He nodded. “Who?”
    â€œI’d think it was John Reilley except that there’s no reason for Fox to believe I’d lead him to John. But I don’t know who else it could be.”
    â€œHow many people know you’re looking for John?”
    â€œNot too many. Maria Donawa, Zee, Hazel Fine, and a couple of others.”
    Dom stretched his heavy arms and wiggled his thick fingers in a sort of mini exercise routine. “Well, you know the saying: two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. Maybe one of the ladies told a friend who told a friend and so forth.”
    â€œYeah, it could be. Now, how about telling me where John lives, so I can save myself a lot of time and energy.”
    Dom put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. It was a talent I did not possess. “I hate to destroy my reputation for omniscience,” he said, “but I have to admit that I don’t know where John Reilley hangs his hat.”
    We considered that fact in silence for a while.
    â€œThere’s a curious lack of information about John,” I said finally.
    â€œIndeed,” Dom agreed. “Nothing illegal about living a very private life, of course.”
    â€œNothing at all.” I stood up. “Anything new on the Kirkland killing or the shot at Paul Fox?”
    â€œThe investigations are proceeding, as we say in the police biz.”
    â€œAny arrests imminent?”
    â€œWhen I was a kid I always got imminent, immanent, and eminent mixed up. That ever happen to you?”
    â€œConstantly. I take it that’s a no.”
    â€œYou take it correctly. Keep in touch. All of this may tie together.”
    I went home and nobody followed me. I told Zee what I’d told Dom.
    â€œIf