Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“Stone, we’ve met; don’t you know my voice?”

“Vance?”

“Yes,” Calder replied, sounding relieved.

“I’m sorry, I thought someone…”

“It’s all right; it happens a lot.”

“Hello, Vance; how’d you find me here?”

“There was no answer at your house, and I remembered that Arrington said you were at Elaine’s a lot. I took a chance.”

“How is Arrington, Vance?”

“That’s what I’m calling about, Stone. Arrington has disappeared.”

“What do you mean, disappeared?”

“Just that; she’s vanished.”

“When?”

“The day before yesterday.”

“Have you been to the police?”

“I can’t do that; the tabloids would be all over me. I need your help, Stone.”

“Vance, you’d really be a lot better off going to the police; there’s nothing I can do.”

“Have you heard from her?”

“I had a letter about a month ago; she sounded very happy.”

“She has been very happy, but all of a sudden she’s gone, with no explanation.”

“Vance, I don’t know what I can do to help.”

“You can find her, Stone; if anybody can, you can. I want you to come out here.”

“Vance, really…”

“The Centurion Studios jet is at Teterboro Airport right now, at Atlantic Aviation, waiting for you. You can be here by morning.”

“Vance, I appreciate your confidence in me, but…”

“Stone, Arrington is pregnant.”

Stone felt as if he’d been struck in the chest. He could count.

“Stone?”

“I’ll be at Teterboro in an hour, Vance.” “There’ll be a car waiting for you at Santa Monica Airport.”

“Write down everything you can think of, Vance; we’ll have a lot to talk about.”

“I will. And thank you.”