Dead in the Water (Stone Barrington 3)

“Thanks.” Stone called his home number.

“Hello?”

“I guess you’re not going to make it tonight, huh?”

“You heard? I tried to call you at the charter office, but I didn’t get an answer.”

“They get CNN down here.”

“I’m sorry, baby. It started to come down around midday, and let me tell you, it’s really something. I’m a southern girl; I’ve never seen snow like this.”

“CNN says the airlines will be flying again tomorrow afternoon. See what you can do.”

“I’m already rebooked on tomorrow’s flight, assuming it goes.”

“Good. What are you up to now?”

“I’m having dinner with Vance and some friends of his. He actually found a Range Rover somewhere, and he’s picking me up.”

“Where are you dining?”

“Wherever’s open, I guess.”

“I miss you, babe.”

“And I miss you, my darling. I was looking forward to that first piña colada.”

“I’m drinking it for you right now. Say, let me give you this number.”

Thomas shoved a card in front of him.

Stone read off both the phone and fax numbers “Keep me posted on the flight situation, will you? The boat is moored no more than a hundred yards from this phone.”

“I will, baby.”

Stone said good-bye and hung up. “Well, Thomas, it looks like you and me.” He sipped the piña colada. It was perfect—cold, sweet, and pineapply.

“Let me know when you’re ready for dinner,” Thomas said. “I’ll keep a table for you.” Customers were drifting in now, and a waiter was seating them.

Stone watched as a large black man dressed in a white linen suit, and in the company of a beautiful café-au-lait woman, entered and was shown to a prime table overlooking the harbor. “Impressive-looking fellow,” he said.

“That’s Sir Winston Sutherland, the minister of justice,” Thomas said.

“A mover and shaker?”

“He both moves and shakes. And if his own opinion holds, he just might be the next prime minister.”

Stone heard a car door slam and turned to look. The blond woman from the blue

yacht, Expansive, had left a police car and, alone, was making her way across the lawn toward the marina.

“Very nice, huh?” Thomas said.

“Very nice indeed. She spent the afternoon with the local cops, though. I wonder why.”

“Word is, the lady left Europe with a husband but arrived in St. Marks without him.”

Stone turned and looked at the bartender. “I didn’t see anybody else on board when she came into the harbor.”