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“Do you have any reason to believe that Collins has committed a crime in your jurisdiction?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure that pretending to be dead is a crime in Maine.”
“It would be if it was for a nefarious purpose,” Stone said.
“Nefarious. I like that word.”
“Yes, it covers a multitude of sins, doesn’t it.”
“I wonder if Collins had any money; somebody might want that.”
“He had some pay and a pension coming from the Agency.” Stone didn’t mention the million six in the Cayman bank account. After all, that was confidential information.
“You wouldn’t think a man would pretend to be dead in order to collect his own pension, would you?”
“I wouldn’t, but who knows?”
“Stone, will you call if you get any other information I can use?”
“Information that he’s dead or not dead?”
“Either. I don’t really care which.” Young hung up.
21
The following morningStone got a call from Vanessa.
“Stone, if John is to remain legally dead, do I need an accountant?”
“I was under the impression that you already had one. But I’ll be happy to recommend someone. You’ll need an accountant to close out the estate and file a final tax return. Call Bertrand James.” He gave her the number. “He’ll tell you what has to be done. One thing he could do for you is to write, on your behalf, to all of John’s creditors and instruct them to send final bills, then close his accounts. Do you have a death certificate?”
“Yes.”
“Then give that to Bert and he can send copies to the creditors. By the way, you’ll have to decide what you’re going to do about the Cayman account. If you’re going to declare it, tell Bert.”
“And if not, don’t?”
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear that. Bye.”
“I’ll call him right now.” She hung up.
Dino called. “You heard anything from the late John Collins?”
“Nope, not a word. Vanessa is instructing an accountant now on closing the estate.”
“That’s always fun.”
“It is, if you discover unexpected riches; it’s not, if you discover unexpected debts.”
“Dinner tonight?”
“Sure. Clarke’s at seven?”
“Done.” They both hung up.
—
Late in theafternoon, Sergeant Young of the Maine State Police called.
