Shoot First(Stone Barrington #45)(25)

“There’s something I didn’t want to tell you while we were in the restaurant,” Meg said.

“All right,” Stone replied, “shoot.”

“While we were having dinner, Gino and Veronica Bellini came into the place and were seated across the room from us, on the opposite wall.”

“Why didn’t you speak up?” Stone asked. “I’d have liked a look at the guy.”

“Because I didn’t want Gino to know I’d spotted him. Gino made a phone call, and a few minutes later a couple came into the restaurant and were seated to my left, a few tables away. Gino made another call, and the man of the couple answered, then both he and the woman took a good look at me, but only once. They ate something, but left before we did.”

“Describe the couple,” Stone said.

“The man was tall—maybe six-three or six-four—and thin, with thick, curly, salt-and-pepper hair, not recently cut. The woman was, maybe, five-eight and curvaceous, and here’s the thing—they were both deeply tanned.”

Dino spoke up. “You’re describing the people in the boat who shot at you.”

“I am?” Meg replied.

“I hope you’re both wrong,” Stone said.

“I saw them in the boat, too, and neither of us is wrong,” Dino replied.

“And they were waiting outside in a cab when we left the restaurant, and followed us.”

“Right,” Dino said, “and as soon as they had your address, they got into another cab and drove away.”

“This is disturbing,” Viv said. She had not spoken until now. “I think we’re going to need someone in the house, to answer the door if anyone calls.”

“Good idea,” Dino said.

“I think so, too,” Meg replied.

Stone spoke up. “I have a better idea.”

“Let’s hear it,” Dino said.

“I think we should get out of here early tomorrow morning and leave Dino’s people to pick up this couple, if they drop by again.”

“And where would we go?” Meg asked.

“Maine is nice this time of year,” Stone replied. “And I’m running out of houses.”





19




Stone and Meg had breakfast in bed, with Bob and Sugar playing on the rug nearby.

“Why Maine?” Meg asked. They had been too busy exhausting each other the night before for her to ask.

“Because I have a house there, it’s convenient and secluded, on an island. Our only other option is L.A., and that’s too far away.”

“How small an island?”

“The largest in Penobscot Bay,” Stone said. “The village is Dark Harbor, and it’s big enough for shops and restaurants and to fill out your wardrobe, if necessary. Otherwise, there’s L.L. Bean.”

“I’d better pack,” Meg said. “What will I need?”

“Casual stuff—a sweater or a light coat for the evenings, which will be cool. I’m sorry you won’t get to wear any of your new things. Save them for our return.”

“And when will that be?”

“When it’s safe. Dino is going to put people in the block, and if the couple shows up again, they’ll be arrested.”

“On what charge? They haven’t done anything.”

“They’ve done something in Florida—they tried to kill us, and Dino can identify them. So can you, for that matter, but I was too busy ducking at the time.”

“Then why don’t we just stay in the house until Dino’s people arrest them?”

“Because we don’t know when they’ll show up—today, tomorrow, or next week? They may even know that you made them, and if that’s the case, they’re going to be very cautious.”

“Then I’ll pack,” Meg said. “Is there a washer and dryer at your place?”

“There is, and a housekeeper to operate them.” He picked up the phone. “I’ll call them now and let them know to expect us. Seth can arrange for our second flight.”

“We have to change planes?”

“There’s an airstrip on the island, but it’s too short for my airplane. A smaller plane will take us from the Rockland airport. It’s a ten-or fifteen-minute flight.”

“I like small planes even less than bigger ones,” she said.

“I’ll blindfold you.” He called Seth Hotchkiss at the Maine house and let Joan know they’d be leaving.

“You want to take one dog or two?” she asked.

“Doesn’t Sugar have a mother?”

“You mean besides me? Yes, she does, but I had a call yesterday, and she won’t be back for another few days. She begged me to keep Sugar, and it didn’t take much begging.”

“Then this will be a two-dog trip.” He hung up and picked up the Times.

“Aren’t you going to pack?” Meg asked.

“I have a wardrobe in situ.”



* * *



—

FRED LOADED them into the Bentley while it was still in the garage, then drove quickly out, closing the garage door behind them, while Stone looked up and down the street.