Double Jeopardy (Stone Barrington #57)(32)

“Correct. Have you shared your views about the identities of your assailants with anyone else?”

“Yes, I had a phone call this morning from three men and two women . . .”

“Would these be Barrington and Bacchetti?”

“Plus, Mrs. Bacchetti and a woman they said was a possible witness in a related crime. And the director of Central Intelligence, Lance Cabot.”

“We had a similar call from them,” Spelling said.

“They said the twins were suspects in several rape/murders. Why weren’t they doing time for those?”

“Because there was no conclusive evidence against them.”

“Is what I’ve told you conclusive evidence of them raping Tim and me?”

“I think we might need more points of identification than just their eyes.”

“Tell you what,” Carly said. “If you’ll stage a lineup of men with only their eyes visible, I’ll bet I can pick the Stone twins out of it in short order.”

“That’s an interesting thought,” Spelling said.

“You don’t make it sound all that interesting.”

“We have superiors who would need to be convinced of the usefulness of such a lineup. If you failed to pick them out, then it might damage our case at some point.”

“I won’t fail,” Carly said. “Can you give me a phone number for Mr. Barrington?”

“Perhaps,” Spelling said, flipping through her notebook. She read it out, and Carly memorized it. “Thank you,” Carly said. “May I give you some advice?”

“That would be very interesting. Please do,” Spelling said, as if to a child.

“If you will stop underestimating my intelligence and start using the help I’ve given you, you might wrap up this case a lot faster.” She stood up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a note to write to Tim’s parents.” She showed them out. Then she sat down and wrote a letter of condolence to Tim’s parents; later she dialed Stone Barrington’s number.

“Hello?”

“This is Carly Riggs,” she said. “I’d like to come and see you. Where are you?”

“Why do you want to see me?”

“To help you solve this case. I’m sure you need the help.”

“I’m on Islesboro,” Stone said. “Do you want to fly to Islesboro? Do you want to come and see us?”

“Why not. How do I get there?”

“Drive to the New Haven airport, and look for a green and white Cessna 182. I’ll be there in an hour. Bring a couple changes of clothing. I don’t know when we’ll get you back.”

“Okay.” Carly hung up, grabbed a duffel, and started filling it.



* * *



—

She parked and found a tall, good-looking man standing with another, shorter man next to a Cessna 182. Stone and Dino, she reckoned. They waved at her, then tossed her duffel and briefcase in the back and tried to put her in a rear seat.

“I want to sit up front,” she said, “so I can see if you’re flying it right.”

Stone put her in the copilot’s seat, Dino sat in the back, and shortly, they were airborne.

“Are you a pilot?” Stone asked.

“No, this is my first time in a small airplane,” she said. “But I can tell you’re doing it right.”





29

Stone turned onto their final approach and set down the airplane. “Very good job,” Carly said.

“I’m glad you approve,” Stone said, taxiing to the ramp.

“I could have done that,” she said.

“Actually, it takes a good deal of training to keep from killing yourself.”

“I’m a quick learner,” she said.

They got into the old Ford.

Dino spoke for the first time. “Anybody ever tell you you’re a little on the pushy side?”

“No, but I’ve been told that I’m obnoxious.”

“Let’s not quibble over words,” Dino said, getting a laugh from Stone.

They arrived at the house and found the ladies and Lance in the living room. Stone made introductions all around.

“I’ve already met you people on Zoom, remember?” Carly said. “Nice place,” she said looking around the room.

“Thank you,” Stone said. “Are you old enough to drink?”

“I’m twenty-four and a half, thank you. I’ll have a bourbon on the rocks, please.

“Primmy,” Carly said once they’d all been served and seated, “how do you fit into all this?”

“Primmy has had a personal encounter with the twins, resulting in her shooting one of them in the ear,” Stone offered.

“The left ear,” Carly said. It wasn’t a question.

“Why do you think that?” Primmy asked.

“Because one of the rapists had a small bandage on his left ear. Here,” she said, pointing at her own left ear.

“Why didn’t you tell us that before?” Stone asked.

“It didn’t occur to me. I just flashed on it when you said, ‘ear.’ Is that enough for a positive identification?”

“Probably not.”