“You think he did it?” Felicity asked.
“Let me put it this way,” Stone said. “Today is going to be either the worst day or the best day of his life.”
42
The following morning Stone was loading their luggage into the 1938 Ford when Mary called to him from the house. “Phone for you, Mr. Stone.”
Stone went back into the living room and picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“It’s Jim Hackett,” a voice said. “When are you planning to return to New York?”
“In a matter of minutes,” Stone said. “One of my clients is in a jam, and we’re just leaving for the airport. Do you need the airplane?”
“No, no, it’s not that. I have a G-550 for long-distance travel; the Mustang is for personal pleasure. I’m calling from the Gulfstream now, on my way home. There are some things I want to discuss with you.”
“I’ll be in the city by noon,” Stone said.
“Then come and see me in my office tomorrow morning at eight,” Hackett said. “Where are you staying?”
“In my own home,” Stone replied.
“Not a good idea; the crazy lady is still on the loose. The company keeps a suite at the Plaza for important guests. Tell them I sent you, and stay there until it’s safe.”
“How will I know when it’s safe?”
“I’ll tell you.”
“All right, Jim. See you tomorrow morning.” Stone hung up and went back to the car.
At the airport, after a long preflight inspection and a careful reading of the checklist, Stone positioned the airplane at the very end of the runway, did his pre-takeoff check, then shoved the throttles to the firewall while standing on the brakes. When the instruments showed the engines were producing every drop of available power, he released the brakes and the airplane pressed him back into his seat. He kept one eye on the rapidly disappearing runway and the other on the airspeed tape until the little R landed on the pointer, then he put both hands on the yoke and pulled it back until the flight director told him he was at the correct angle for takeoff.
The airplane rose, just as it seemed there was no runway left, and climbed as it had been designed to.
“Well,” Felicity said, “it’s reassuring to know this little airplane can do that. For future reference.”
“I always knew the airplane could do that,” Stone replied, “because it’s in the flight manual.” He climbed to altitude and moved the throttles back to the cruise detent. “By the way, Jim has suggested that, since Dolce is still at large
, we stay in his company’s suite at the Plaza. That okay with you, or do you want to move into the embassy?”
“I’ll stick with you,” she replied. “The ambassador’s wife drives me mad.”
“Good.”
“I’m going to need more clothes, though.”
“Give me a list, and I’ll have Joan pack a case for both of us and messenger them over to the Plaza.” Stone used the sat phone to call Joan.
“Did Dino get hold of you?” Joan asked.
“Yeah, I’ll go see Herbie this afternoon.” Stone gave her a list of what to pack for both of them.
THE PLAZA SUITE had one bedroom and a large living room, both overlooking Central Park. Felicity approved. “No good sniper position out there,” she said, peeking through the sheer curtains.
“Are you often the victim of sniper attacks?” Stone asked.
“It’s just a standard security concern,” she said. “After a while, the handlers get you trained; makes their work easier.”
The cases Joan sent over were already in the bedroom, and Stone and Felicity unpacked. Then they lunched on room service, and Stone left Felicity, who was watching a movie on the large TV screen in the bedroom.