Captain Gregg was on the widow's walk of Gull Cottage, pacing back and forth like a caged tiger. He continually raised the telescope in his hand and peered through it at the road leading up from Schooner Bay to his home. Each time, he spotted the same black car, a little closer to Gull Cottage than when he last looked instead of vanishing as he wanted it to. Captain Gregg fumed, and storm clouds rolled in from the sea.
"Really, Captain?" said Carolyn, as she stepped out from the house. "It's supposed to be a lovely day all day today."
"One of those infernal machines is heading here."
"Infernal . . ? I thought you had finally come to terms with the existence of automobiles."
"Sensible automobiles for transportation, yes. But that is what Jonathan calls a muscle car," said Captain Gregg, gesturing angrily with the telescope. "And the only people around here who would drive one of those are those bilge rats trying to take my home."
"Let me see?" Carolyn took the telescope, looked down the road, and then sighed. "Well, I guess I'll go down and greet –"
"Madame, do not say guest."
"I was going to say visitor."
Carolyn handed the telescope back and then went downstairs. She peered out the window. Shortly. a black sports car of some sort pulled up in front. A young man who looked to be a few years older than Candy got out of the car. He was good-looking, which Carolyn assumed made it easier for him to scam widows like herself. He glanced around before coming up the path to the front door. He knocked, and Carolyn counted to 30 before opening the door.
"Mrs. Muir?"
"Yes."
He smiled at her. "I'm Michael Knight. With the Foundation for Law and Government."
"I've never heard of you. Or your . . . organization," she said coolly.
The man gave her a quizzical look. "Your daughter, Candice Linton, asked us to look into your . . . problem. I thought she would have called you by now."
"Our phone service here can be a bit spotty."
"Related to your problem?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"Oh, no," Carolyn laughed. "Related to the age of the house and its remote location."
"Can you –?"
"Call out? Yes, and with better odds than calling in."
"How about you call your daughter? Confirm my story."
"It may take a while. Would you care to come in?"
The man shook his head. "No, thank you, ma'am. I've never been to Maine before. I'll check out the scenery while you make your call."
"As you prefer. You said your name is . . ."
"Michael Knight, ma'am. From the Foundation for Law and Government."
Carolyn shut the door. Captain Gregg appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"He claims –"
"I heard."
"I'll call Candy now."
"And I will go keep an eye on our . . . visitor."
Carolyn smiled and went to the phone. Captain Gregg disappeared, reappearing a few feet away from the car. The windows were up and darkened, so he couldn't tell if there was anyone inside. The car had a red light in the front, which ran slowly back and forth. The man – Michael Knight – was sitting on the hood, gazing raptly at the ocean. Captain Gregg was slightly appeased. Unless this man's love of the ocean was due to the location of Gull Cottage.
"Michael?" said a voice from the car. "I am picking up an anomalous reading."
The man came alert. "Anything dangerous, Kitt?"
"I am . . . not sure."
"Is Mrs. Muir in danger? Or her home?"
"No, I do not believe so." The voice paused, then said, "Perhaps these cliffs have an unusual mineral content."
The man patted the car hood gently. "Maybe, pal. Just keep an eye out, will you?"
"Always, Michael."
Captain Gregg was intrigued. How was the man in the car sensing him? He wished he could see into the car. But under the circumstances, he opted to remain where he was.
After a few minutes, the man in the car asked, "Michael, why didn't you go inside while Mrs. Muir called her daughter?"
The man on the hood shrugged. "She's a widow who lives alone in a remote area. Having a complete stranger in her home would make her feel uncomfortable, especially given the situation she's facing. Besides, no telling how long it'll take her to reach her daughter. Or how long mother and daughter will want to chat, and neither will want an audience for that."
Captain Gregg nodded approvingly. The storm clouds from earlier finally rolled back out to sea and the sun came out. Captain Gregg disappeared.
"Michael, that reading is gone."
Michael shrugged and patted the hood. "Thanks for keeping an eye on things for me."
"Always, Michael."