Cold Paradise (Stone Barrington 7)

“It’s not going to be over until it’s over.” He thought about that for a moment. “And maybe not even then.”

“What’s the problem?”

“The problem is Manning. He’s still just as angry and, apparently, as nuts as he was the day you arrested him in New York. He’s got a good lawyer—Ed Ginsky—but I don’t know if Ed can control him.”

“I know who Ginsky is,” Dino said. “He’s had a lot of experience dealing with angry spouses.”

“I wonder how much experience he’s had in dealing with crazy ones?”

“Everybody who’s getting a divorce is crazy for a while,” Dino said.

Stone picked up the phone. “I’d better call Bill Eggers and find Liz a local lawyer.”

Liz came running back from the saloon. “Thad’s coming back tonight!” She ran toward her cabin.

Stone placed the call to Eggers and told him what he wanted.

“I don’t know the Florida law offhand,” Eggers said, “but it sounds pretty straightforward.”

“That’s what I think. You know somebody in Palm Beach?”

“No, but somebody here in the shop will. I’ll have somebody call you.”

“Okay.”

“How’s everything going?”

Stone gave him a recap of recent events.

“This is kind of messy, isn’t it?”

“As divorces go, yes; but we might conclude a nasty case as well.”

Thad Shames came aboard his yacht late in the afternoon in high spirits. He swept Liz into his arms, kissed her, then shook hands with Stone and Dino, then he turned back to Liz. “Right here, in front of these witnesses, I want to ask you: Will you marry me?”

“Oh, yes!” she cried, and they kissed again.

Dino glanced at Stone and rolled his eyes.

“Isn’t this romantic?” Callie asked Stone.

“Oh, yeah,” Stone replied.

“Let’s do it this weekend,” Thad said enthusiastically.

“I’d love that!” Liz said, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks.

Stone and Dino exchanged glances. Stone was horrified, Dino amused.

Liz went to repair her makeup, and Stone made Thad sit down with him and Dino.

“Thad,” Stone said seriously, “don’t you think you ought to wait until Liz is divorced before you get married?”

“Oh, that’s just paperwork,” Thad said. “You’ve already got the signed property settlement and divorce papers, and anyway, legally, she’s a widow—twice, in fact. Both deaths are a matter of public record.”

“Thad, rushing into this could make your life a lot more complicated. Why do that? I haven’t looked into the Florida law, but with signed papers and a settlement, it shouldn’t take long to get a decree. Relax and enjoy being engaged for a while.”

“Listen, Stone,” Thad said. “I’ve waited a long time for this girl, and I’m not going to let her get away. I’m not going to relax until we’re married and on our honeymoon.”