Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“The first time they did; the second time the boat was at a dock. That was yesterday.”

“Did they ever hurt you? Rough you up?”

“Once one of them slapped me, after I used the phone. His name was Vinnie, I remember that. I’d like to kick him in the balls, if I ever have the chance.”

“You won’t; he’s dead. Was there another one named Manny?”

“Yes, but they kept changing. There was a Tommy and one they called Zip, too.”

“Any other names?”

“No, just the four of them.”

“Did you ever hear the names of Sturmack or Ippolito mentioned?”

“No; I know them both, so I would have remembered.”

“It was Ippolito’s yacht.”

“I got that impression from your conversation with Dino last night.”

“Did you ever hear the name of Martin Barone?”

There was a flash of recognition. “I heard one of them mention ‘Marty’ once.”

“In what connection?”

“It was something like, ‘Better check with Marty.’”

“About what?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Do you have any idea at all what they wanted from Vance? He’s been very close-mouthed.”

“No, I don’t. As I said, I thought they wanted ransom, and you can’t blame Vance for not talking about it; I heard them say over and over to him on the phone that if he said anything to anyone, I wouldn’t be coming back.”

“How did you know that I was in L.A., at the Bel-Air?”

“The trade paper. It said you were at a party at Vance’s house, so I figured he had turned to you for help.” She put her hand on his. “I’m glad he did.”

“Would you recognize the other two men—Tommy and Zip—if you saw them again?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Do you know their last names?”

“No.”

“Can you describe them?”

“Tommy was about six-four, well over two hundred pounds, a weightlifter, I’m sure; coal-black hair, about thirty. Zip was shorter, a little under six feet, but heavily built; he had black hair going gray, and I guess he was in his early forties.”

“Good. Can you think of anything else about your captivity that might help us find out who was responsible?”

“It must be Ippolito, since I was on his yacht. Do you really think David Sturmack is involved? He was always very kind to me; I liked him.”

“I think the two of them are in it together. What was your relationship to Ippolito like?”