“Don’t mention it.” The man returned to his work.
“Looks like you’ve got it covered,” Dino said.
“I hope so,” Stone replied. “Can you think of anything we haven’t done?”
“Nope, not yet, anyway. If Manning gets in and shoots Thad or Liz, then I’m sure I’ll think of a couple of things we should have done.”
“Great,” Stone said.
“By the way,” Dino said, “have you read the guest list?”
“I glanced at it. I don’t know anybody who’s coming except Bill Eggers and a couple named Wilkes.”
“Check it again,” Dino said, “under C.”
Stone removed the list from an inside pocket and ran a finger down to the C’s. He felt a light sweat break out on his forehead. “Mrs. Arrington Calder,” he read aloud.
“Did you know about that?” Dino asked.
“No, I didn’t.”
“I didn’t think so. You’ve been too cool.”
“And why do you think her name on this list would make me less than cool?” Stone demanded.
“Well, you’re raising your voice,” Dino said, “and, all of a sudden, you’re sweating.”
62
STONE AND DINO TOOK ONE MORE WALK AROUND THE property, then, at six o’clock, they headed for the front door to check out the arrival procedures. Guests were already pulling up in Bentleys, Rollses and Mercedes-Benzes, and Stone was pleased with the efficiency with which the cars were being taken away and parked by the attendants.
He watched as a couple moved through the metal detector, which had been disguised as a rose arbor. A quiet beep was heard, and a smiling police officer approached the couple.
“Excuse me, sir,” he said, and quickly ran a handheld wand over the man’s clothes.
“Probably my house keys,” the man said, holding up a large clump.
“I expect so, sir,” the cop replied. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“That was handled well,” Dino said quietly.
“That’s the Palm Beach Police Department for you,” Stone replied.
The three dozen wedding guests had been asked to arrive early, and by six-thirty they were all present with drinks in their hands. At six thirty-five, there was a murmur from the group as Liz descended the main staircase, resplendent in a beautiful ivory lace wedding dress. She was met at the bottom of the stairs by Thad, who towered over her a good eighteen inches, Stone reckoned. He escorted her into the living room to the fireplace, where a judge was waiting to perform the ceremony.
“Let’s go out back,” Stone said.
/> “What, you want to miss the wedding?”
“Nobody in that room is going to bother them. If there’s a threat, it’ll come from outside.”
“Okay.”
They walked into the garden and had a look around until Stone was satisfied. There was applause from inside, and Stone turned in time to see, through a tall window, the bride and groom kissing. “That’s one possibility down,” Stone said.
“What do you mean?”
“If Manning wanted to stop the wedding, he’d have already made his move.”