Strategic Moves (Stone Barrington 19)

Holly shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“Well,” Estancia said, “allow me to make you a promise: I will answer your questions truthfully, in return for immunity from prosecution for myself and my household.”

“Your household?” Todd asked.

“My wife, children, their children, my mistress, and my domestic staff, numbering twelve.”

“We can talk about that,” Holly replied, “once we are settled at our eventual destination.”

“This is a very impressive airplane,” Estancia said. “May I look around?”

Todd looked at Holly. “Why not?”

Mike led Estancia out of the trailer and into the cargo bay.

“Astonishing!” Estancia enthused. “I could ship anything in this aircraft, and as much of it as anyone could buy!” He looked into the cockpit. “Amazing avionics,” he said. “Complete situational awareness at all times. Tell me, did you pick me up at an airport, or on a road?”

“On a road,” Todd replied.

“I thought so.” Estancia stepped forward and peered at the very large multifunctional display in the center of the instrument panel, and at the moving map displayed there. “And I see we are headed for—what is the name of that airport? It used to be an air force base.”

“Stewart International,” Todd said.

“Ah, yes, at Newburgh, north of New York City.”

“Correct,” Todd replied.

“Well, thank you so much for the tour,” Estancia said. “May I return to that very comfortable chair in the caravan?”

“Sure,” Todd replied.

They all trooped back into the trailer. “A nice television,” Estancia said. “Do you have movies? I love movies.”

“Yes,” Mike replied. “What would you like to see?”

“Do you have Singin’ in the Rain?” he asked. “That is my favorite movie. I love Gene Kelly, and Debbie Reynolds is very cute.”

“I think we can manage that,” Mike said. He found the DVD and inserted it into the machine. He also turned on the smaller screen to show the moving map.

“Very nice,” Estancia said. “I enjoy watching our progress. I am very impressed with all the trouble you have gone to, just to get me to the United States. You should have just invited me, and I would have taken my own airplane.”

“What do you fly?” Stone asked.

“A Gulfstream Five,” the man replied. “Very fast, excellent range, very comfortable. Do you have an airplane?”

“Yes, I have a small jet, a Citation Mustang.”

“Isn’t it fun to fly yourself?” Estancia said. “I have my private, my instrument rating, my multi-engine rating, and three je

t type ratings. I enjoy being in the left seat.”

The movie started, and Estancia watched it, rapt. Eventually, everyone but Stone moved out of the trailer for one reason or another, leaving him alone with the extractee.

“May I ask your name?” Estancia asked.

“I’m Stone Barrington.”

The two men shook hands.