Plum Island (John Corey, #1)

by Nelson DeMille

Mr. Tobin indicated my little bag with his logo on it and inquired, “What did you buy?” “A painted tile for my girlfriend.” “Which one?” “Beth.” “I mean, which painted tile?” “Oh. The osprey.” “They’re making a comeback.” “Painted tiles?” “No. Ospreys. Look, Detective—” “They’re weird. I read that they mate for life. I mean, they’re probably not Catholic. Why do they mate for life?” “Detective—” “But then I read another version of that. The females will mate for life if the male comes back to the same nest. You know, the wildlife people put these big poles up with platforms on them, and they build their nests there. The ospreys. Not the wildlife people.” “Detective—” “What it comes down to is that the female is not really monogamous. She’s attached to the nest. She goes back to the same nest every year, and she’ll screw for the first male who shows up. Sort of like Southampton ladies in their summer houses. You know? They never want to give up the Hampton house. I mean, okay, the guy may be dead, or he took a powder, and he’ll never show up. But sometimes he’s just late getting a train. You know? Meanwhile, she’s balling the pool guy. But anyway, back to ospreys—” “Excuse me, Detective… what was—?” “Just call me John.”