“What did he tell you of his background?” Stone asked.

“He was the son of a career Royal Army officer, a colonel, educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, served for some years in the army as an intelligence officer, rose to the rank of major, then left and traveled for several years. He had an inheritance, I believe.”

“What impressed you?”

“Intelligence, wit, knowledge of the political situation in a number of countries, especially in the Middle East. I needed someone to work out there, to be based in Saudi Arabia.”

“Did he tell you where he had traveled?”

“Middle East, North Africa. I believed he lived in Morocco for a while.” Hackett looked at his watch. “I said I’d have you back by dinnertime. You can keep the photographs if you like. I expect Dame Felicity would like to see them.”

Stone didn’t reply to that. He stuffed the items back into the envelope and took it with him.

Back in the airplane, he followed Hackett’s instructions again and flew them back to Teterboro, where he flew an instrument approach into the airport. “I’m very impressed with the airplane,” he said, as they shut down the engines. “Thank you for letting me fly it.”

“Come to work for me, and you’ll have one of your own next year,” Hackett said.

“I don’t think I could afford to run it,” Stone replied.

“I’ll see that you can,” Hackett said as they deplaned. The man who had seen them off was there to tend to the airplane.

Back in the car, Hackett pressed a switch, and a thick glass window between the front and rear seats slid up. He turned toward Stone. “You think I’m Stanley Whitestone, don’t you?”

“It crossed my mind,” Stone said.

“I invite you to check out my background as thoroughly as you like,” Hackett said. “I’m sure Dame Felicity would want you to.”

Stone still didn’t acknowledge the reference.

“Have you known her for long?”

Stone said nothing.

“Oh, come, Stone,” Hackett said. “The two of you were together at the ambassador’s dinner, and you introduced her to Wight. You can’t deny that you know her.”

“I don’t deny it,” Stone said.

“How did you meet?”

“In London some years ago. I was doing some work for a client there.”

“Did you know what she was at the time?”

“She didn’t talk about her work. Ours was a social relationship.”

“Interesting that Whitehall is still interested in Whitestone,” Hackett said. “I’m sure that’s where the inquiry originated, not with Dame Felicity. Whitestone was before her time. I mean, they may have overlapped, but she would have been in the field when he was in Cambridge Circus.”

“Cambridge Circus?”

“That’s where their offices are, or were at the time of Whitestone’s departure.”

“What did you hear about the reasons for his departure?” Stone asked.

“Some sort of row occurred in the higher reaches of the firm, I think, and Whitestone lost. His position became untenable as a result, and he left.”

“Why would Whitehall want to find him now?” Stone asked.

“Interesting question,” Hackett said. “I’m curious enough to want to know the answer. Would you like to find out for me?”

Tags: Stuart Woods Stone Barrington Mystery
Source: readsnovelonline.net