Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“I think that both of them are mixed up in organized crime.”

She rubbed her forehead. “I was afraid of something like that,” she said. “I was beginning to get this feeling.”

“Where is Marty now?”

“He left this morning for Mexico, or that’s what he said, anyway.”

“Barbara, I think you ought to get off the boat as soon as possible.”

“I don’t have anywhere to go,” she said, “and I’m about out of money.”

“What about the friend you stayed with before?”

“We didn’t part on such good terms.”

“Have you got a lot of stuff on the boat?”

“Two suitcases and a hanging bag.”

“Tell you what: you go back to the marina, pack up, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant where we met in an hour, okay?”

“But where will I go?”

“You can stay with me, until we figure something out. Don’t worry about money.”

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“One other thing: remember I asked you if you had ever driven a white Mercedes convertible?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t really answer me. Do you know the car?”

“I drove it here today,” she said. “It’s in the parking lot.”

36

Stone arrived at the Marina Del Rey restaurant on time, but there was no sign of Barbara. Arrington’s car was parked near the chandlery, though. When she was fifteen minutes late, Stone began to worry. Then she came up the ramp from the pontoon, struggling with her bags, one of which was on wheels. Stone ran to help her.

When they were in the car, she looked into her handbag. “Damn,” he said, “I’ve still got the keys to the Mercedes; I’ll have to take them back to the boat.”

“Wait,” Stone said, thinking. “Don’t take the keys back; drive the car to the hotel.”

“I can’t just steal the guy’s car,” she said.

“It’s not his car, and don’t worry, he won’t report it stolen.”

“Stone, I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“Believe me, I’m getting you out of trouble.”

“Oh, all right.” She went to the Mercedes, and Stone led the way back to the hotel.

He called the parking valet aside. “Bury the SL500 somewhere,” he said, handing the man a twenty. “We won’t need it for a while.” He gave his room key to Barbara, along with tip money for the bellman. “You go on upstairs; there’s something I have to do.”

“What am I supposed to do in a hotel room?”

“I’ve arranged for you to sign, so do some shopping downstairs, or go out to the pool again, if you like.”