Michael drove into Schooner Bay and found a place to park. He then went into the town hall, where he charmed the clerk into letting him look at the records. She was more than willing to let Michael into the records room by himself while she remained at the counter.

He started looking for anything about Gull Cottage and about Wondergate's planned golf resort. As he was going through the files, Captain Gregg appeared. He remained to one side, watching Michael closely.

"Michael," said Kitt in a low voice via the commlink, "I am sensing that anomalous reading near you."

"Anomalous how exactly?"

Kitt paused, then said, "Like there's someone not quite present nearby."

Michael scanned the room, slowly and carefully. He paused momentarily when he was looking where Captain Gregg stood but clearly didn't see him. Captain Gregg was surprised that Michael seemed to sense his presence. Even that blasted ghost hunter only became aware of him when he chose to reveal himself.

"We'll have April check your sensors the next time we see her."

With that, Michael went back to the files. He was slow and methodical, occasionally taking pictures of files of particular interest with his commlink. Captain Gregg realized he had seriously underestimated the young man. There was more depth to him than it had first seemed.

"It appears that Wondergate has been buying up property along the coast for quite some time, Michael."

"Yeah, but quietly, so as to not let anyone know what they were up to. Which might have driven up the price."

"So what changed?"

Michael pushed closed a filing drawer. "They have everything they need but Gull Cottage. From what I can tell, they have the property on either side for quite aways along the coast. Without Gull Cottage, though, it is all useless."

"Do you think this Claymore Gregg knew?"

Captain Gregg snorted. "If that lily-livered skinflint knew of their plans, he'd have figured out a way to get his cut."

Michael thought it over, then said slowly. "Actually, he must have."

"Then why – ?"

"Give Gull Cottage to Mrs. Muir? Help out a widow by making sure she got a good price since she needed it more than he did? Though . . ."

"What, Michael?" asked Kitt after a moment.

"When we spoke earlier . . . Mrs. Muir clearly loves that place. She won't sell. Ever. So maybe this Claymore Gregg was making sure she kept her home. He wouldn't have realized what these guys are capable of. By the time he did, well, it was too late."

"Then you believe Mr. Gregg did not die of natural causes?"

"Not with Swanson and Stanley involved."

Captain Gregg continued to be impressed by Michael's focused approach and logical thought processes. Not enough people exhibited both, in his experience. He nodded approvingly, then a thought came to him. And he disappeared.

"Michael, that anomalous reading has disappeared again."

"Hmm."

"I have logged in each reading, to see if a pattern develops."

"Okay. You don't have to tell me every time, you know, Kitt. Unless you think Mrs. Muir is in danger."

"I will keep that in mind, Michael."

Michael went out, thanking the clerk for her cooperation. Once outside, he decided to take a stroll around Schooner Bay. He was in the main downtown area when Captain Gregg appeared beside him, keeping pace with him, but not visible. At least, not to Michael. Shortly after that, a short, stout, elderly woman came over to Michael.

"You must be Michael!"

"Well, yes, Mrs. –"

"Oh, call me Martha. Just like Jonathan does." She gave him a hug, whispering, "Play along, boy."

Michael grinned and hugged her back. "How could I call you anything else . . . Martha."

Martha stepped back. "And it's so nice of you to visit Mrs. Muir and let her know how her little boy is doing. Are you staying long?"

"Oh, for a few days at least."

"Well, I'm sure Jonathan told you all about my cooking. How'd you like my famous Yankee pot roast for dinner. Say, tomorrow night?"

Michael gave her a mischievous grin. "Your Yankee pot roast wasn't what Jonathan praised the most."

Martha laughed. "Philly or Maine?"

"Excuse me?"

"The pie for dessert: Philadelphia apple or Maine wild blueberry? Oh, never mind, I'll make them both. You could use some meat on those bones, boy." She poked him in the ribs. "I'll see you and Mrs. Muir tomorrow at 6:00, then."

"I'm looking forward to it, Martha."

Captain Gregg nodded at Martha, and then disappeared. She went back to her errands and Michael continued walking around Schooner Bay. He eventually ended up back where Kitt was parked. They drove back to Gull Cottage. Michael knocked on the door. Carolyn opened it quickly enough he suspected she had been waiting for him.

"Hello again, Mrs. Muir."

"Michael! Come in."

As he came into the foyer, Michael said, "We've been invited to dinner –"

"Tomorrow night, with Martha. And her husband, Ed Peevey."

"Your doing?"

"Well, it does help cement your cover story." She frowned slightly. "About that –"

"Mrs. Muir, I've done this before. Fewer details are better for an investigation."

"But . . ."

"Easier to remember. No contradictions. And people will make up the rest." Michael ticked each one off on his fingers.

Carolyn laughed. "It's the writer in me, I suppose. I want every little detail worked out. Now, let's get you settled in and have some dinner. I am not the cook Martha is, but I can certainly whip something up for us."