"Ah played haunt!" the confession came out of the swamper in a rush.
"Then you were my faceless ghost?"
Jeems tried to nod and the action printed a frown of pain between his eyes.
"Why? Didn't you want us to live there?" asked Ricky gently.
"Ah was huntin'—"
"What for?"
The frown became one of puzzlement. "Ah don't know—" His voice trailed off into a thin whisper as his eyes closed wearily. Val signaled Ricky to keep quiet.
"Ahoy there!" Along the bank toward them came Rupert and after him Sam. Beyond them lay the Ralestone landing. Val headed inshore.
"Just what does this mean—Val! Has there been an accident?" The irritation in Rupert's voice became hot concern.
"An intended one," his brother replied. "We've got the real victim here with us."