Bel-Air Dead (Stone Barrington 20)

“You think this fellow Prince is behind the stabbing?”

“Two other people, one a stockholder and the other her assassin, are already dead. Can your L.A. office arrange some security for Arrington, starting immediately?”

“I’ll take care of it right away,” Mike said, reaching for his cell phone. “Let’s see, we’ll need a man inside the front gate, one inside the house, near Arrington’s bedroom, and three patrolling the grounds. Is it fenced the whole way around?”

Stone beckoned Manolo, who was clearing the dining table.

“Yes, Mr. Stone?”

“Manolo, does the wrought-iron fence go all the way around the property?”

“Yes, sir, and, it’s all on the alarm system.”

“I’ll need to take a look at the system,” Mike said.

“Manolo,” Stone said, “Mr. Freeman is going to arrange for security guards to come to the house tonight. Please let them in when they arrive, and right now, show Mr. Freeman the security system.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Stone.”

“And not a word to Arrington about this.”

“No, sir, Mr. Stone.”

Manolo and Mike went into the house together.

Stone and Dino sat down and had a nightcap.

“Mike is arranging security for Arrington,” Stone said.

“Great. What about security for you?”

“Me?”

“You’re the guy who’s running the show that’s trying to foil Prince’s takeover of Centurion.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Stone said.

“I think we should start carrying,” Dino said.

“I think you’re right,” Stone replied.

Stone was dressing the following morning when his cell buzzed.

“Hello?”

“Stone, it’s Carolyn Blaine. It’s important that I see you as soon as possible.”

“Can’t we talk over the phone?”

“No, I don’t trust the phone.”

“All right, come here for breakfast; you know the way.”

“I’ll be there in half an hour,” she said, then hung up.

Stone was the first up. Dino was apparently still asleep, and Arrington was not an early riser. He buzzed Manolo. “Manolo, I’ll be having a guest for breakfast, a Ms. Blaine. She should be here in around half an hour.”

“Yes, Mr. Stone. The security people arrived around one a.m. and are doing their work.”