Double Jeopardy (Stone Barrington #57)(43)

“That’s three-inch thickness of Maine heart pine, well-seasoned. You tip that on its side, and you’ve got a good barrier between us and a shooter out here.”

“Granted.”

“Let’s remember that the next time we’re on the porch. We can just leave it tipped on its side. Saves time, when you’re ducking bullets.”

“I hear you.”

“Now, let’s take a look at their place,” Ed said, putting the engines in gear and pushing the throttles forward. Soon they were off the twins’ dock. “You can see why they chose that room facing the road as the master bedroom.”

“No shot from here at someone in the room,” Stone said. “A whole other thing, if you’re on the road. Or you could set up on the Jacksons’ upstairs porch, facing the road.”

“You could make life very hot in the twins’ master from that vantage point,” Rawls said.

“I like it better than shooting from the seaward side,” Stone said. “I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable on the Jacksons’ porch.”

“So would I,” Ed said. “What’s in that room off the porch?”

“Guest room, I think. Twin beds.”

“Right. If we’re going to set up a shooting gallery, I reckon that’s our spot.”

Lance came and sat next to them. “I have the distinct feeling,” he said, “that you two are up to no good.”

“You want some of this, Lance? There’s room on the Jacksons’ upstairs porch for another man with a long gun.”

“It’s been a long time since I shot someone in the head from a distance,” Lance said. “And, as I recall, there were no policemen within a hundred miles.”

“Fond memories,” Rawls said.

“And anyway, my chopper is coming for me at three this afternoon.”

“Do you think you could drop Carly off at the New Haven airport?” Stone asked. “She has a car there.”

“Of course. Anything for a citizen, especially one as pretty as Carly.” Lance smiled. “And my blessings upon your little shooting party.”



* * *



—

They were back at Ed’s house for lunch, where Sally had prepared a huge steak and kidney pie. They fell on it.

Carly came and sat down by Stone. “Are you trying to get rid of me? Lance says he’s giving me a lift.”

“I’m happy to have you here as long as you like,” Stone said. “I can fly you over to New Haven in the Cessna, whenever you like.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll stick around for a bit.”

“What are you and Primmy cooking up?”

“Let’s just say we can’t pull it off in New Haven.”

“You aren’t going to get yourselves killed, are you?”

“That is not part of our plan,” Carly said.

“The two of you are driving me nuts.”

“I know,” she said.





38

Shortly before dinner, Stone had a call from Sergeant Tom Young. “Yes, Tom?”

“Sorry to call with bad news, Stone,” he said.

“Let’s have it.”

“I had hoped to keep the twins on ice with a high bail, but they saw a judge this afternoon, and he released them on their own recognizance.”

“Shit,” Stone muttered.

“I hear that the judge had a call from the governor before the bail hearing,” Tom said.

“Where are they now?”

“On their way home. They’ll make the last ferry.”

“Thank you, Tom. Good night.” Stone hung up and called Ed Rawls.

“Speak to me.”

Stone broke the news.

“Well, shit!”

“Same here. Tom Young says they’ll make the last ferry tonight.”

“That’s good information,” Ed said.

“Does that give you an idea?”

“You don’t want to know. See ya.” Ed hung up.

Dino was looking questioningly at him from across the table.

“Why are you looking at me questioningly?” Stone asked.

“Lance has left us. Somebody had to.”

“I know nothing. Ed wanted it that way.”

“Hearing that is almost as good as knowing something.”

“If you say so.”



* * *



—

Ed checked his watch. It was nine-thirty. The last ferry arrived at eleven. Plenty of time to arrange something. He went into the living room, where Sally was knitting something unidentifiable, opened a panel in the wall, unlocked a cupboard door, and looked inside at the array of ammunition and explosives. He chose a block of C-4 plastic explosive, about four ounces, he reckoned, some radio-initiated detonators, and a small radio. That should do it, he thought. He strapped on a pistol, retrieved a light machine gun and four magazines, and dropped the lot into a canvas carryall.

“Traveling someplace?” Sally asked.

“Only a short distance. I’ll be back in less than half an hour.”

She nodded. “Go safely.”

Ed thought about taking the boat, but since nobody was at home at the twins’, there was no need for stealth, so he’d hoof it. He walked outside, looked around, and listened. Gorgeous, starry night; a loon nearby calling to its mate; cool, dry air: Maine at its glorious best. Given their latitude, some daylight lingered in the western sky, so he didn’t need his flashlight. He walked to his fence and let himself through a gap that no one else would have seen. He found himself waist-deep in blueberry bushes, and walking was slow going.