Cold Paradise (Stone Barrington 7)

“A man answering his description has been seen in Palm Beach, but I’ve no idea if it’s the same man.”

“Anything else you can tell me?”

“Nope.”

Miles and Nevins stood up. “Thank you very much, Mr. Barrington, Lieutenant Bacchetti. We owe you one.”

“You already said that,” Dino pointed out.

“We’ll be going, then,” Miles said.

“Don’t let the doorknob hit you in the ass on your way out,” Dino said.

Miles looked at the gangplank. “There isn’t a doorknob,” he said.

Dino looked at Stone. “You can’t fool the FBI, can you?”

“Nope,” Stone agreed.

The two agents left.

When they had gone, Stone turned to Dino. “I’m surprised you cooperated. Why did you want me to tell them about Manning?”

“The sonofabitch set my yacht adrift,” Dino said.

58

NO SOONER HAD THE FBI MEN LEFT THAN LIZ CAME out of the house and walked to the yacht. She came aboard and gave both Stone and Dino a big kiss. She was carrying an envelope and two gift-wrapped boxes.

“I just want to thank you both so much,” she said, sitting down.

“You’re welcome,” Stone said. “Glad to be of service.”

“Same here,” Dino echoed. “Only I haven’t been of all that much service.”

“Of course you have,” Liz said. “And I want to thank you. First of all,” she said, handing Stone the envelope, “here’s a check for your legal services.”

Stone slipped the envelope into a pocket without looking inside. “Thank you, Liz.”

“Second,” she said, handing Stone the larger of the two packages, “this is to express my personal thanks for your friendship and your concern for me. Even though your job as my lawyer is done, I think of you as my friend.”

“Thank you again,” Stone said, accepting the box.

“And, Dino,” she said, handing him the smaller of the two boxes, “this is for you, for taking the time and trouble to come down here and help out Stone. And for stopping that horrible man from hurting anyone else in that restaurant shoot-out.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Dino said.

“Don’t open them yet,” she said, holding up a hand. “I’d be embarrassed.” She stood up. “I have to run, now. Callie and I are going to town to look for dresses for the wedding.” With a little wave, she departed the yacht and headed back toward the house.

“You first,” Dino said.

“No, you.”

Dino opened his gift. Inside was a handsome gold pen from Cartier. “Very nice,” he said. “I’ll be the envy of the precinct. What’d she get you?”

Stone opened the package to find a large, red Cartier box inside. He opened it and held the contents up for Dino to see.

Dino took the box from Stone and gave a low whistle. “Hey, now, that’s really nice.”