Turbulence (Stone Barrington #46)(55)

A black town car came through the gate and pulled up next to the Falcon. The door was on the opposite side of the aircraft from where Stone watched, so the occupants who deplaned were partially obscured. They were a man and a woman, and Stone could not identify either of them, but he thought it was possible the man could be Owaki.

Stone’s car was brought out and parked at the hangar door, and Stone thanked Jenny for her work. She departed for the FBO, and he got into his car and went to the gate, which had closed before he could get there. He waved his airport pass at the opener, and the gate began to open. He could see the black town car driving away from the terminal area, its right turn signal blinking.

He drove out and stopped, waiting for the gate to close behind him, which was the required procedure, then he drove quickly away from the FBO and turned right onto South Roosevelt Boulevard, past Smathers Beach. He could see the town car making a right at the end of the beach, but there was a cop car parked nearby, so he couldn’t hurry to catch it. When he finally made the turn the town car was gone. At the next intersection he looked to his left and caught a glimpse of the car, driving past the Salute! restaurant, and he hurried to catch up.

He finally established himself a block behind the town car and followed it until it stopped, and two people got out. Again, they were partly obscured. He pulled over and thought about what to do.

Finally, he got out his iPhone and called Lance’s number.

“Yes?”

“Lance, it’s Stone.”

“Good day, Stone.”

“Where is Joe Box’s house in Key West?”

“Not far from your place.”

“What is the exact address, please?”

“Hold on a moment, I’ll check.” He came back and read out an address. “Why do you want it?”

“Because, as I was landing at the airport, a French-registered jet landed right before me, and two people got out—a man and a woman. I followed their car to the address you just gave me, and they went inside. I never got a clear look at them, but one of them looked as though he could be Owaki.”

“In Key West?” Lance asked, a trace of incredulity in his voice.

“That’s where I am, Lance. The driver is unloading a couple of suitcases now.”

“Can you wait there until my people can join you?”

“Their car is driving away, so it looks as though they’re planning to visit for a while. You don’t need me here.”

“Oh, all right, go home.”

“Where are you, Lance?”

“I can’t say on this line.” He hung up.



* * *



—

STONE DROVE past the house, turned onto Truman, then onto his street. He used his remote to open the gate, then drove into the garage. The gate closed behind him.

He went into the house and found everyone finishing lunch. Lance was there, too.

Stone sat down and asked Anna for a sandwich. “Lance,” he said, “why would Owaki be at Box’s house when Box has already left the island?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you on the phone: Box didn’t make his Navy flight; it departed without him.”

Before Stone could speak, his front doorbell rang.

“Anna,” he said to the housekeeper, “will you please answer the door and tell whoever’s there that I’m not here and that I no longer own the house?”

“Yes, sir,” she said and went inside.

Everyone sat quietly until she returned.

“He said he was a senator,” Anna said. “He wanted you. I told him that you were not here and that you had sold the house. He didn’t seem to believe me. He asked who owned it, and I said he’d have to call the real-estate agent. He asked who that was, but I closed the door and locked it.”

“Very good, Anna, thank you.”

She walked away, and Stone turned to Lance. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“What do we do now?”

“Do?” Lance asked uncomprehendingly.

“For Christ’s sake, Lance, what do we do now?”

“Why should we do anything? My people are at Box’s house by now, and they’re watching it. If Owaki leaves, they’ll call me.”

“What’s Owaki’s game, Lance?”

“Well, I suppose he’s in Key West looking for you.”

“And if he finds me?”

“My people will prevent that.”

“Okay, listen up, everybody,” Stone said to the table. “Tomorrow morning, we’re going to fly back to New York. Dino, tell your driver not to go to Jet Aviation but to Atlantic Aviation; I’ll drop you there.”

“You want a ride home?” Dino asked.

“No, Kelly and I will be departing for Santa Fe, as soon as we’ve refueled.”

“Why Santa Fe?”

“Because they won’t expect that, and because we can stay at Ed Eagle’s house before we fly on to L.A. the following day.”

“Whatever you say,” Dino replied.

“Kelly, are you okay with this plan?”

“Sure.”

“Lance, is it safe for us all to have dinner at the yacht club tonight?”

Lance shrugged. “Why not? I don’t suppose Owaki is a member.”