Ships in the Night: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

Are you ready, Dad?

Almost, almost.

Okay. That's just a small wound.

I think the antiseptic'll do the trick

but I want you to come to the hospital tomorrow

so I can give you a tetanus booster.

You have anything for wounded pride?

She must've gotten her brains from her mother.

Let's see.

Excellent work, doctor.

Thank you, Eli.

You know, when I left Royal Fern Hospital after 30 years,

I worried what might happen to the place,

and now I can see it couldn't be in better hands.

That's because you taught me everything I know.

You flatter me, but do go on.

I'll bring the car down.

Okay.

Want me to take that? - Thanks.

It was really nice seeing you today, Eli.

I'm glad you and your father could join me.

I don't get out to fish much anymore.

It seems like retirement has you busier than ever.

You still tinkering with that dialysis machine?

Actually, I've got a working prototype.

Congratulations. That's amazing.

Knowing all the people it could help,

it's really the most rewarding feeling.

I'm not even seeking a patent.

I'm going to share the design.

Open source, as the computer folks say.

Eli, you are inspiring and that is not flattery.

That's just the plain truth.

Thanks, Zee.

Why don't I take you for lunch this week to celebrate?

That would be lovely.

Okay.

Thursday, one o'clock at the Blue Dog?

It's been ages since I've been there.

I'll look forward to it.

Ditto.

Thought I might find you here.

Guilty as charged.

Are you making house calls now?

I mean, as your doctor, I do strongly approve

of the cardiovascular activity.

All those fried clams are starting to catch up with me.

Too many dinners home alone, I guess.

I'm so sorry that I had to cancel at the last minute.

You know, it would be tragic

if fate was conspiring against us.

Yeah, it would be.

So how about we try again tonight?

Lucky's on Main?

It sounds like a plan.

Hey, let me know if this running

causes any pain in your back.

I don't want that bullet

migrating any closer to your spine.

So far, so good, doc.

Man.

Any word from that detective friend of yours in Boston

about finding the guy who put it there?

And he's still looking into it.

So did you need something or did you just miss me?

Don't you have fishing nets hanging in your living room?

Yes. My dad's idea of home decor.

I was hoping I could borrow them.

I'm actually helping Britt organize

the opening auction for the regatta.

It's a nautical theme.

Shockingly original.

Says the mainlander with fishing nets

hanging in his living room.

I'll help you take them down.

Hold your horses there, doc.

I still have two miles to go

before I earn that lobster and mash at Lucky's tonight.

I can drop 'em by later.

Jeff.

Don.

Doing okay?

You know CPR, right?

Maybe you want to join me next time.

You know, I'll stick to providing

the cold beverages at the end.

Help yourself.

Thanks.

Hey, you run into some trouble?

Yeah, I was gonna test the chorus for the regatta

and then a couple of yahoos blew past me on the channel.

The wake took me into a piling.

Wow. You gonna have it fixed for the race on Sunday?

The patch will cure in time.

That orbital sander I loaned you,

maybe it could make its way back to me.

No problem.

That's not even the biggest issue.

Center board? Cracked clean through.

Ouch.

Can you get a replacement in time?

I'm gonna pick one up in Boston.

I got to head up there on Thursday

and make a delivery for work.

So how are things over at the gallery, anyway?

You the market for some fine art there, Jackson?

I don't know.

Thought maybe it was time to spruce the place up a bit.

Maybe there's someone you're trying to impress.

What? No.

Just wanting to take advantage of your employee discount.

Can't help you there.

You know, this is pretty bad.

We're expecting big crowds for regatta weekend,

which means a good haul for the yacht club scholarship fund.

I'm glad to hear it.

Not so many local kids get the chance to sail.

Yeah, so long as the bank put an auction

come off without a hitch,

which falls entirely on me, of course.

Britt, didn't you volunteer?

Chief, that only makes it all the more stressful.

Thank you, Zee, for stepping in to help.

Of course.

And Jeff will be here any minute with those fishing nets.

How, how are things going between you two?

This is the part where I pretend not to be listening.

Dad, the harbormaster's over there.

Don't you two have pedestrian lanes, and...

Yes, yes we do.

I'll catch up to you later.

Okay.

Well? Spill the tea.

Jeff!

What I miss?

Not a thing. Glad you could make it.

When duty calls.

So where do you want these?

Shoot.

My friend was supposed to pick up

a painting for the auction, but she's stuck at work.

I can do it.

I don't know if it'll fit in your car.

Yeah, sure wish I knew someone with an SUV.

If only.

I'd be happy to pick it up.

Jeff, you're a lifesaver.

I know.

You know the Winchester Galleries, right?

Yeah, sure. My buddy Don works over there.

Ask for Lila Winchester. She'll know all about it.

Zee, we have so much to do.

I guess we better get to it.

I guess so.

Welcome to Winchester Galleries.

Hi. Are you Lila Winchester, by chance?

I am.

And you are...

Jeff Jackson.

I'm here to pick up a painting for Britt Prajna.

I don't recall Ms. Prajna making any recent purchases.

Well, that's because it was a donation

to the regatta auction.

You know, for the yacht club fundraiser thing?

Excuse me. Please don't touch that.

Apologies.

Do you need assistance?

Yes. I'd like to buy this sculpture.

I'm sorry.

"Boat Into Wind" has been pre-sold to a buyer in Paris.

I just adore this piece.

I have to have it.

All of Carl Kilburn's pieces are currently sold out at the moment.

I'll give you a double what you're asking for it.

That's not how I do business,

but I'd be happy to show you the work of other artists.

No, thank you.

Forget about it.

Does that happen often?

Art is intended to provoke passion.

Well, then there's hope for a bidding war at the auction.

Did you have a painting in mind or...

I don't know anything about a donation.

My gallery manager, Bernadette Orwell,

she would've handled all the details and she's not here.

Anyway you can reach her?

She's having lunch at the Whaler's Club.

She'll be back in an hour.

Gotcha. Well, thanks, Lila.

Of course, and lovely meeting you, Jeff.

I think that's him.

Hey. - Hey.

So I talked to a woman named Lila, interesting lady,

but she has no idea

about a painting being donated to the auction.

Sounds like someone got their wires crossed.

Well, if Britt wants to uncross them,

she needs to talk to Bernadette Orwell, the gallery manager.

Lila says she's having lunch at the Whaler's Club.

That's right by us.