Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“Let’s rewind for a moment. What time did you leave me this morning? I was dead asleep.”

“Around five.”

“And what time did you speak to Vance?”

“Not until I got to the office.”

“Did you speak to anybody else?”

“Is this a cross-examination?”

“Yes. Did you speak to anyone else?”

She looked at her lap. “I got a call,” she said.

“From whom?”

“All right, it was Vance.”

“What was the substance of your conversation?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Did he ask you why we were at Grimaldi’s last night?”

“Yes,” she said with reluctance.

“Did you tell him?”

“Yes.” She looked at him. “Stone, I’ve told you that my loyalty to Vance is complete.”

“I believe that. Do you really believe you’re acting in his best interests?”

“Do you think I’m not?”

“I think that something is terribly wrong here, and that I might be able to help, if I’m allowed to.”

“Vance doesn’t seem to want any help.”

“Don’t you think he needs it?”

She shrugged. “Maybe, but…”

“I know you’re in a tough spot, but you’ve got a decision to make. I wouldn’t want either Arrington or Vance to get hurt because you make a mistake.”

She reached over, took hold of his necktie, and pulled him toward her. “I would kill to help that man.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Stone said, disentangling his tie from her grip, “but could you act against his wishes if you thought it would help him?”

She thought about that. “Probably,” she said.

“Then let’s get out of here.”

“I’m supposed to call after I’ve seen you get on the airplane.”

“So, call.”

She reached into her purse and produced a card and a key. “Here’s my home address and the key; the alarm code is four-one-one-four. Repeat that.”