Turbulence (Stone Barrington #46)(50)
“Sure. I’ll see if Dino and Viv are free for dinner.”
She left, and he picked up the phone.
“Bacchetti.”
“It’s Stone, we landed an hour ago, but we’re off again in the morning. Dinner tonight?”
“Sure. Patroon?”
“Sure.”
“Viv, too?”
“Sure.”
“See you at seven, then.”
“Sure.” Dino hung up, and Stone asked Joan to book the table.
* * *
—
THE RESTAURANT WAS HUMMING when they arrived, and the owner, Ken Aretsky, greeted them and showed them to their table, where the Bacchettis awaited. Kelly ordered a martini, and Stone his usual Knob Creek.
“Guess who I heard from,” Dino said.
“I’ll bite.”
“That senator pal of yours—what’s his name?”
“Joe Box, and he’s no friend of mine.”
“He wanted to know where to get in touch with you.”
“When was this?”
“This morning.”
“That’s very interesting. Somebody must have missed me in London and figured I’d be here.”
“Do you want him to know where you are?”
“Absolutely not. He’s in Owaki’s pocket.” Stone gave Dino a rundown of their recent activities.
“So, it’s back to Key West tomorrow?”
“Yep. Want to come with us?”
Dino looked at Viv for confirmation.
“Let me check with the office, but I think they can do without me for a few days.”
“You do that.”
They ordered dinner and relaxed, then Dino said, “Uh-oh,” and nodded toward the door. Senator Joseph Box was pumping the hand of anyone who passed.
“Word gets around fast, doesn’t it?” Stone asked.
“Gotta be a coincidence,” Dino replied.
“No such thing as coincidence,” Kelly said. She hadn’t spoken for a while.
“Did I mention that Kelly works for Lance Cabot?”
“Ahhh,” Dino said. “Spooks everywhere.”
“She’s on leave for a while, and Lance thinks we should stick together. Not that that’s the only reason she’s here.”
“Thank you for that,” Kelly said.
Then Joe Box was leaning over their table. “Stone, Kelly, and the Bacchettis!” he crowed. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“What’s fancy about it?” Dino growled.
“I haven’t seen you two since our dinner date in London,” he said to Stone with a wink.
“Is that what it was?” Stone asked. “I don’t suppose you’ve spoken to your friend Owaki lately, have you?”
“We don’t keep in touch,” Box said, failing to meet his gaze.
“Good idea,” Stone replied. “You should choose your friends more carefully.”
“Will you be in Key West anytime soon?” Box asked Stone.
“No, I had second thoughts and sold the place.”
“Oh? To whom?”
“Somebody from California. I never met him.”
“Pity, it’s such a great place. My house has been repaired and is ready for occupancy again.”
“Congratulations.”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me . . .”
“You’re excused,” Stone said. “Good evening.”
Box rejoined his party.
“That guy gives me the creeps,” Dino said.
“A perfectly understandable reaction,” Stone replied. “He gives everybody the creeps.”
* * *
—
THE FOLLOWING MORNING Fred delivered Stone, Kelly, the Bacchettis, and Bob to Teterboro. As they drove up to the airplane Stone saw two attractive women in pilots’ uniforms waiting by the airplane.
One of them opened the door for him, and he got out.
“Good morning, Mr. Barrington,” she said. “I’m Jenny Hanks, your captain, and this is my first officer, Peg Palmer.”
Stone shook their hands and introduced his companions. Jenny was brunette and Peg, a redhead. They were both tall and slim.
The two crew stowed the luggage and then they were shown onto the midsize jet, which was roomy inside with a six-foot ceiling and wide seats.
“I hope we’re headed for Key West,” Jenny said, “because that’s where I filed for.”
“Then that’s where we’re going,” Stone said.
“Are we going to need hangar space there?”
“No, I own a hanger that will just about hold this airplane.”
“Then we’re all set. I’ve already got my clearance, so we’re ready to start engines.” She went forward, closed the door, and got into the cockpit, where Peg was already running through the checklists.
As they taxied toward the runway, Kelly was looking out the windows.
“See anybody you know?” Stone asked.
“No, thank God. I was afraid I’d see Joe Box.”
40
DURING THE FLIGHT STONE took the opportunity to go forward and look at the instrument panel of his borrowed aircraft.