Cold Paradise (Stone Barrington 7)

“When I find the guys in the Cadillac, I hope I don’t find out that they know you.”

“Since I left the force there are no drug dealers in my life,” Stone said honestly.

“We didn’t find any drugs in the car,” Griggs said. “It was stolen from the airport, by the way.”

“I guess they couldn’t get a cab.”

“I hear Thad Shames is getting married on Sunday,” Griggs said. “You want me to send a few people down here to help with the traffic?”

“Couldn’t hurt,” Stone said. “Thad has hired some security for the wedding and the reception, but I don’t think he’s done anything about traffic.”

“I’ll send a couple of men,” Griggs said. He was about to get into the car, but he stopped. “Why does Mr. Shames need private security?” he asked.

“Gate-crashers, that sort of thing.”

“Oh.” Griggs got into his car. “I’ll see you around, Stone.”

“Thanks for stopping by, Dan.”

Griggs drove away, and Stone began to walk slowly through the gardens, expecting at any moment for Dolce to pop up. He passed through the hedg

e and had a look around the swimming pool, then walked back to the yacht.

Dino was having a drink on the afterdeck.

“Has Griggs put two and two together?” Dino asked.

“Just one and one. Apparently, a cop saw us leaving the area, and he thought we might be involved. He doesn’t really know anything.”

“I wish I didn’t know anything,” Dino said. “I’d really be happier that way.”

“I’ll devote my life to keeping you ignorant,” Stone replied.

“I wish you would. It’s tiring, knowing too much.”

“Tell me about it.”

“When are we getting out of here?”

“After the wedding, I guess. How about bright and early Monday morning?”

“Sounds good to me. It’s too cold down here.”

“I know what you mean,” Stone said truthfully.

55

STONE AND DINO WERE HAVING DINNER ALONE TOGETHER on the yacht. The crew had been given the night off, and Callie, after preparing dinner for them, had gone to work in her new office in the main house. Stone had seen little of her since Thad and Liz had decided to get married on short notice; there didn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for her to get her work done.

“Gee, it’s kind of nice here, just you and me,” Dino said. “We never get to have dinner alone anymore.”

“Oh, shut up,” Stone said. “You’re worse than a wife.”

“That’s something only a bachelor could say,” Dino replied.

“You know, Dino, I’ve been thinking about marriage.”

“Oh, no,” Dino groaned. “Not again.”