Cold Paradise (Stone Barrington 7)

“Was Stone a good detective?” Callie asked.

Stone shifted his weight uncomfortably.

“He wasn’t all that bad,” Dino said, “but he was hard to k

eep alive. I was always having to shoot people so they wouldn’t kill him.”

“Nonsense! I was a very good detective,” Stone said, “but that second part is perfectly true, which gives you a pretty good indication of what percentage of Dino’s statements you can believe.”

“Tell us about when you saved Stone’s life,” Liz said.

Dino took a big sip of his wine. “Well, let’s see,” he said. “The first time was when we had chased this guy down in a car, and he came out shooting, got Stone in the knee. I put one in the middle of his forehead.”

“Goodness,” Callie said. Both the women were rapt.

“Then there was the time Stone had to jump out of a helicopter because people were trying to kill him. I used a shotgun that time; didn’t kill anybody. Then—oh, this is my favorite—this very strange guy had Stone strung up by his heels, naked, in this old slaughterhouse, about to cut him a few new orifices, and I put two in him.”

Liz blinked rapidly. “Strung up by his heels, naked? Whew! If I had a folding fan, this is where I’d use it.”

“And there were probably a couple of other times, but you get the idea.”

Callie spoke up. “The idea seems to be that Stone needs his hand held.” She took his hand and squeezed it.

“That’s about it,” Dino said. “Stone has good instincts, but he never listens to them. He’s so curious that he doesn’t notice when people are trying to kill him.”

“Tell us about Stone and women,” Callie said.

Dino rolled his eyes. “Don’t get me started.”

“No,” Stone said, “don’t get him started. You keep this up, Dino, and I’m going to start telling them the truth about you.”

Dino held up a hand. “Peace,” he said. “Anything else you girls want to know about Stone, you’re going to have to ask him.”

“Well, Stone,” Callie said. “Will you sit still for some personal questions?”

“As long as you don’t expect an honest answer,” Stone replied.

Juanito suddenly appeared, the cordless phone in his hands. “Miss Callie,” he said, then mouthed, “It’s for him,” pointing at Stone.

Callie took the phone. “May I help you? And who is this? I’m sorry, Mr. Barrington left this morning. I believe he was headed for California somewhere, before returning to New York. No, I’m sorry, I don’t have his schedule. Why don’t you call his New York office? Goodbye.” She punched the off button.

“Was it a woman?” Stone asked.

“No, a man. He wouldn’t give his name. He sounded a little like Paul Bartlett, but I can’t be sure about that.”

“That was a nice touch, about California,” Stone said. “I’ll have to remember what a good liar you are.”

“I was lying for a good cause,” Callie replied. “Dino needs help in keeping you alive.”

“Like Regis says, ‘I’m only one man,’” Dino said.

The phone rang again while still in Callie’s hand. “Here we go again,” she said. “Hello? Oh, yes, Chief, I’ll put him on.” She handed the phone to Stone.

“Hello, Dan.”

“Hi, Stone. Our friend from the frozen tundra, Lieutenant Lundquist, has arrived. Could we have a word with you tonight?”

“Sure,” Stone said. “Give me half an hour, then come over to the Shames house. We’re on the yacht moored out back.”