Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“Rick, it’s Stone.”

“You all right?”

“Yes.”

“I was worried when I didn’t hear from you yesterday.”

“Anything new?”

“Nothing; Mancuso is out on bail, and we haven’t found Manny yet. Oh, somebody spotted Mrs. Calder’s car on Sunset in Beverly Hills last night about ten, but I didn’t hear about it until this morning.”

“That was me; I was returning the car to Calder.”

“What did he have to say?”

“I didn’t get to talk to him,” Stone said. “I just left the car in the garage.”

“It must be driving him nuts, wondering how it got there.”

“I hope so. Anyway, you can take the car off the patrol list.”

“Okay. What else can I do for you?”

“Listen, Rick, I’ve got a big favor to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve got to get rid of a girl.”

Rick was instantly wary. “What do you mean, ‘get rid of’?”

“I mean find her a safe place to stay. She’s Martin Barone’s girlfriend; I got her packed up and off his boat, and she stayed the night with me at the Beverly Hills, but I’ve got to get her out of here; she’s driving me nuts. Do you maybe know some nice police-woman who could take her off my hands for a few days?”

“What does she look like?”

“Tall, brunette, gorgeous.”

“I know a nice policeman who could, maybe, take her off your hands for a few days. My boy’s away at college, so there’s a room at my place.”

“What about your wife?”

“Divorced eight years ago.”

“Where can we meet?”

They met at Rick’s house in Santa Monica.

“But I don’t understand,” Barbara said as they pulled up. “Why can’t I stay at the Beverly Hills with you?”

“Because it’s too dangerous,” Stone said, getting her luggage from the trunk. “I’m moving out, too, remember.”

“Where are you moving to?”

“I don’t know yet,” he lied. “I’ve got to find a place.”

“Why don’t we just move to another hotel, then?”

“I have too much to do, Barbara; I can’t take care of you.”