"That's exactly the phrase my friend used when I told her."

"Your friend's had psychotherapy," Jenn said.

"It's a shrink thing to say. This the lawyer lady?"

"No. It's a woman named Marcy Campbell. She sells real estate."

"You fucking her?"

"Yes."

" "How come?"

"Well, hell, Jenn, adults fuck, you know?"

"Yep, I know. You love her?" , "No. I like her. I like her a lot. But I don't love her or her me."

Jenn didn't say anything. Jesse drove a quarter way around Bell Circle and headed north past the dog track.

"You think you'll stake me out again?" Jenn said.

"No. You have my word."

"It's a human thing to do, Jesse."

"But not a useful thing," Jesse said.

"No. I have to live my life and see who I wish to see and go where I wish to go and not be trapped in a single commitment."

"Forever?"

"No, just until I don't have to."

"You know when that will be?"

"No. And pushing me on it is counterproductive."

"I know."

"I can't make you promises, Jesse. I can't give you any guarantees. It scares me even to talk this much about it. But you have to remember that you and I are connected in a way that I've never been connected to anyone else."

"You love me?"

"Yes."

"That's a good basis," Jesse said.

"Yes, it is. I think it is possible to love other people too. I think people can love more than one person. On the other hand, so far, I haven't."

"That's encouraging too."

"I want to encourage you as much as I can, Jesse. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me," Jesse said.

TWENTY-NINE.

Mrs. Campbell was wearing a tailored brown suit with a vertical blue stripe. It was tight on her but tight in a good way, Macklin thought. It didn't look like it was too small; it just fit her close.

"Just wanted to be sure it would be okay to bring a couple of guys over. My contractor and maybe one of his people?"

"Of course, Mr. Smith," Mrs. Campbell said.

"Harry."

Mrs. Campbell smiled.

"People do it all the time, Harry. We realize it's a large investment, and we encourage them to take their time, make sure they're happy. Satisfied customers are our best marketing tool."

"I'll bet most of your customers are satisfied," Macklin said.

Mrs. Campbell met his look. Her face looked a little flushed to him. He could smell her. Soap, shampoo, perfume.

"Most," she said.

"May I call you Marcy?" Macklin said.

"Please."

"Marcy, I'd like to try the restaurant on the island, and I hate to eat alone. You free for lunch?"

"As a bird," Marcy said.

The restaurant was called Stiles'. They got a table by the big picture window and ordered drinks. Looking out at the ocean, Macklin could see what Freddie had meant. The sea burst in upon a random scatter of rust-colored boulders that littered the coast of the island in both directions. The water among the boulders was creamy with foam.

Marcy had a glass of white wine. Macklin ordered a martini.

"Be tough sailing off this side of the island," Macklin said.

"Certainly would be," Marcy said.

"It's why the docking facilities are on the harbor side."

"Do any sailing?" Macklin said.

"No." Marcy smiled.

"I'm a dry land girl, I'm afraid."

"Indoor sports, so to speak," Macklin said.

Again Marcy met his look. Her face still had a lot of color to it.

Maybe she was just naturally high colored. And maybe he was going to get her. More than maybe. Faye would understand. Marcy Campbell would be useful. He'd understand if it were the other way.

"So to speak," Marcy said.

They both smiled. The spray from the turmoil below them spattered up sporadically against the stained glass. The dark paneled dining room was nearly empty, and the people that were there spoke quietly.

"What's your husband do, Marcy?" Macklin said.

"Ex-husband," Marcy said.

"Ah," Macklin said.

"Ah, indeed," Marcy said.

"How about yourself-how'd you make your money?"

"Liquor stores, mostly," Macklin said.

"Couple banks."

"Always interests me," Marcy said, "how some people have a knack for making money and others don't. What's your secret?"

"Mostly it's not caring if you do or don't," Macklin said.

"Mostly you just got to enjoy the game. How about you-you enjoy real estate?"

"Get to meet some interesting people," Marcy said.

"I like interesting people."

"And you enjoy the game?"

"Very much," Marcy said.

They ordered lunch. Yeah, Macklin thought, I've got her. It was business, but that didn't prevent him from getting that nice ratchety feeling he always got as he circled in on a woman he'd never slept with. Faye was always curious. How did you know? How can you tell? He watched Marcy as they ate lunch. When he told Faye about it, she'd want to know. What did you talk about? How did she act?