Reality Check in Las Vegas: A Tiffany Black Mystery (Tiffany Black Mysteries Book 5)
Page 14
I wanted to ask Stone about his past, and I wanted to ask him his plans for the future. But more importantly, I wanted to spend some time with him right now, right here in the present, and I didn’t want him to disappear again.
I said, “You’re still in Vegas.”
It was more of a question than a statement. Something that needed a response.
Stone said, “Yes.”
“The men left,” I said falteringly. “They went to Florida.”
“I know.”
I turned that over in my mind. Of course Stone knew. “Then why aren’t you—you don’t have to hide from them.”
Stone shook his head. “Nothing’s solved.”
“But nothing’s wrong, is it?”
“I don’t know. Things are wrong. I don’t know how badly.”
“But—if something’s wrong, I can help you. You know I will.”
In the darkness, I felt Stone’s body relax. He rarely smiles, but I could sense a warmth emanating from him. Something that resembled faith.
“I trust you,” Stone said. “And I know you can get things done. You’re one of about three people I can turn to.”
“Then turn to me. If anything’s wrong, I can help you fix it.”
Stone shook his head. “No. I don’t want you getting into trouble.”
“But you’re here.”
“I’m only here because—I wanted to say, don’t keep going to the thirty-sixth floor.”
I frowned. “So you saw me. Through the cameras.”
“Yes. And I had to delete that. I can’t keep looking out for you and deleting that every time.”
“Oh.” I understood. “But—how else can I get in touch with you?”
“You don’t need to get in touch with me.”
Silence throbbed loudly. He was right.
I said, “What if I’m in trouble?”
I could sense Stone smiling in the darkness. “You’re very good at getting out of trouble by yourself.”
“But what if—I miss you, Stone. You don’t have to disappear like this. Don’t leave Vegas.”
“This is for you.”
He handed me something smooth and cold, and I looked down at my hand. A cell phone.
“Emergencies only,” he said. “Goes to my voice mail. Keep it hidden.”
“So you’ll stay in Vegas?”
“I’ll stay nearby. In case you ever need me.”
I tried to think of what else to say. I wanted to ask him about Afghanistan, about the CIA. But instead, I said, “The CIA guys were really stupid.”
“I know,” said Stone. “It just goes to show.”
“Show what?”
Stone shook his head. “I didn’t come to chat. I came to tell you to take care of yourself. Don’t do anything stupid. Stay out of trouble.”
He leaned forward and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, his lips brushing gently against my skin.
“Goodbye, Tiffany.”
He walked over to a car parked on the other side of the street, and once again, he drove off.
But this time, I didn’t worry. I looked down at the cell phone Stone had given me and put it carefully into my bag.
I knew that Stone would be around, and I knew that when the time came, I could help him out of whatever trouble he was in.
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