After Howard and Jeremy closed their store for the day, they drove to Love and Locket Jeweler’s, run by Mrs. Johnson. When they entered the shop, they saw her daughter, Wendy, at the counter.

“Hello there, can I interest you gentlemen in anniversary gifts?”

“We’re actually here to ask you a question,” Howard said.

“Jeremy, you could’ve asked me to dinner first,” Wendy joked.

Jeremy’s face burned red. “Oh no, um, we were wondering about a message you left for Joe Peori?”

Wendy thought for a moment, “He wanted to get a price on fitting a gem into an engagement ring.”

Howard nudged his son, “Did he say what type of gemstone it was?”

Just then, the door opened, and Joe himself appeared. He stopped in his tracks, seeing Howard and Jeremy.

“H-hi guys, w-what are you doing here?” Joe asked.

Howard narrowed his eyes. “We could ask you the same thing.”

Joe gulped. “I-I wanted to check on my order.”

“Is it about that engagement ring?” Jeremy asked.

Joe’s eyes widened. “Wendy! Did you tell them?”

Wendy shook her head. “No way! They came here asking about your order. Do you have the pearl?”

“Pearl!” Howard and Jeremy shouted together.

“Here it is.” Joe pulled out a small white sphere from his pocket. Wendy examined it.

“I still can’t believe you found this on Sunday morning at Barclay Beach. Seashell collecting pays off. It looks beautiful. Emil will treasure it almost as much as you!”

Joe blushed.

“Um, your fiancé is Emil, the convenience clerk?” Howard asked.

Joe looked down at his shoes. “Yes, I wouldn’t say anything because we want to announce it together. No offense.”

“None taken.” Howard laughed. “Congratulations on your marriage! Where is the lucky guy?”

“Um, he’s visiting family in Greenwich Village, so he won’t be back for a while,” he said.

“Well, we wish you both the best!” Jeremy said.

“One thing, Joe,” Howard said. “Did anyone take The Sea Monkey out of boat repair after you fixed it?””

Beads of sweat appeared on Joe’s forehead. “Not that I know of. Why do you ask?”

“No reason, we heard about some teenage joyriders stealing boats up the coast.” Jeremy explained, “Come on, Dad, let’s not distract him.”

They exited the store.

.                                                                       .                                                                       .

The two men headed home.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Howard sighed.

“Ma was right, we’ve got to be careful about our investigation,” Jeremy added.

“Let’s review: Joe didn’t take the boat because he was in town early Sunday. He doesn’t know if someone borrowed it. Also, he wouldn’t go to the local jeweler with the carbuncle, especially with the story spreading around.”

Jeremy sighed, “Like you mentioned at the police station, Dad, numerous vessels are named The Sea Monkey along the coastline, so the thief may have used a different boat.”

Howard huffed, “True, but Morris claimed it sailed from and arrived at Nantucket Harbor, and we’re located directly in the hub.” It doesn’t look good for Sawyer.”

Jeremy scratched his head. “How did that gemstone end up inside a codfish?”

Before Howard could answer Jeremy’s question, his phone rang. Seeing it was Sawyer, he placed the phone on speaker before answering.

“Hey Sawyer, what’s going on?”

“Howie! I’ve got good and bad news,” Sawyer answered, sounding out of breath.

“Tell us?” Jeremy asked.

“I’m no longer a suspect in the codfish carbuncle case!”

Howard cheered, “Great! You and your wife must feel relieved.”

Sawyer laughed, “We do, especially Betsy!”

“And the other news?” Howard asked.

“The police found out someone had stolen my boat and used it for a jewel heist!”

A silent pact formed between Howard and Jeremy through shared glances.

“Hang on, Sawyer! We’ll be at your house in a minute!” Howard shouted as he made a sharp U-turn.

Jeremy grinned. “Looks like this mystery’s getting interesting.”

Editor: Lucy Cafiero