by Stuart Woods
Thad, I'm sorry we frightened you. This is Lieutenant Dino Bacchetti, of the New York Police Department. Dino, this is Thad Shames, our host here.
Dino put the gun away, and the two men shook hands.
Thad collapsed onto a sofa. Tell me what's happened, he said.
I don't know what's happened, Stone replied. We came back to the yacht a few minutes ago to find it deserted, and all the cabin doors open.
No Callie or Liz? No crew?
Nobody.
There's nobody in the main house, either, Thad said, but the front and rear doors were open.
I know; we just came through there.
Do you think Callie and Liz might have gone shopping or something?
I don't think so; they did that earlier today.
Did you check the pool?
Pool? What pool?
There's a pool on the property, you know.
No, I didn't know. It must be very well concealed.
Come on, let's take a look. Thad led the way down the gangplank and into the gardens. Instead of taking the path to the house, he turned right and appeared to be about to walk through a hedge, when he turned and disappeared.
Stone followed and discovered a gap in the hedge, concealed by a quick left turn, followed by a right. He caught up with Thad, who had stopped and, with his hands on his hips, was staring ahead.
Isn't that lovely? Thad said softly.
Stone looked and saw a beautiful swimming pool, completely surrounded by the high hedge. Beside it, perhaps thirty feet away, lay two women, asleep on their backs, naked.
Thad motioned them back through the gap in the hedge. Let's give them a little warning, he said. Callie? Liz? he called out loudly.
Yes? Callie's voice replied. We're out here.
Shames led them through the hedge a second time. Callie and Liz were tying robes around themselves. There you are, he said. I thought you had both decamped. He pecked Callie on the cheek, then embraced Liz at more length.
Not likely, Callie said. We thought we'd be safe here.
Where's the crew? Stone asked.
I gave them the afternoon off. We weren't expecting you, Thad.
And why are all the doors on the yacht open?
I thought it would be good to air out the cabins; keeps the mildew down.
You gave us a scare, Stone said.
Callie reached into a pocket of her robe and produced the 9mm automatic. We're perfectly all right, she said, handing the weapon to Stone. Come on, let's go back to the yacht.
The group returned to Toscana, and Callie got drinks for everybody, except Liz, who excused herself to change. Callie followed her.
Oh, Callie? Thad called after her.
She turned. Yes, Thad?
Book us a table someplace gaudy tonight. We'll celebrate my return.
Callie nodded and went toward her cabin.
Where have you come from? Stone asked.
California. I've been sort of barnstorming LA and San Francisco and Silicon Valley, talking up the new company.
I hope it went well.
It did. How are things going here?
It's gotten complicated, Stone said. Let me bring you up to date.
I'd appreciate that.
Stone told him, in detail, everything that had happened in his absence. When he was through, he stopped talking and waited.
And you still don't know if this guy is really Manning?
No, Stone said. Not even Liz can be sure.
I find that hard to believe, Shames said.
So do I, but that's the way it is. She saw him only briefly in Easthampton, and something about the way he moved made her think the man she saw was Paul Manning. But she can't be sure that Paul Bartlett is Manning.
And this guy Bartlett is a friend of Frank and Margaret?
Yes, from Minneapolis.
And you think he killed his wife for her money?
It seems a strong possibility.
Shames grinned. Well, this has certainly turned out to be interesting, hasn't it?
That's one way to look at it, Stone said. I'm sorry I don't have any definite answers for you.
I'm sure you'll come up with them, Shames said. Well, Dino, welcome to Palm Beach. Callie told me you were coming, and I'm glad you could join us. Have you been made comfortable?
Yes, thanks, Dino said. She's a beautiful yacht.
Thank you, I think so. Thad stood up. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to my room in the main house and have a nap. I've been traveling for days, and I'm a little tired. I'll bounce back for dinner, though. He gave a little wave and left the yacht.
He's a pretty easygoing guy, isn't he? Dino said.
He certainly is.
I mean, if I'd come aboard my yacht and found a stranger with a gun, I'd have freaked out, but he didn't.
I thought he behaved very well, in the circumstances, Stone said. Looks like our goat-and-lion plan didn't work. If anything, we're worse off than we were this morning.
Well, there's still dinner, Dino said. If we're going someplace gaudy, anybody could be there, right?
In Palm Beach, you're right.
Callie's choice of a gaudy restaurant turned out to be the high-ceilinged, chandeliered, tapestried, velvet-seated La Reserve. Thad seemed particularly pleased with the choice, and he swept the group to a round table at the center of the single large room, slipping the maitre d' a bill on the way, then ordering a Krug champagne for everybody.
You have beluga, of course, Thad said to the captain.
Of course, Mr. Shames, the man replied. Fifty grams each?
Let's start with half a kilo for the table, Shames said. Glasses were filled, and Thad raised his. To this group, he said. I'm happy to be back with you all. He turned to Liz at his side. Particularly you.
Everyone drank. A moment later, a crystal bowl of caviar arrived, and the waiter went around the table spooning large amounts onto each plate.
Dino tried his.
Well? Thad asked.
Well, wonderful, Dino replied. We don't see a lot of beluga at the precinct.
I remember once when we tried, Stone said. Somebody on the squad busted up a smuggling outfit, and, among other things, there was a lot of caviar. Most of it disappeared immediately, but I remember a few small tins found their way to your desk and mine.
You're right, Stone, Dino said. Funny, I remember busts involving drugs and money, but you remember caviar.
Menus appeared and everyone pored over them. Eventually, decisions were made, and the captain took their orders. Thad lingered over the wine list. Who's drinking red? he asked. Everyone's hand went up. Ah, good. We'll start with a magnum of the Opus One, he said to the sommelier. The 'eighty-nine.
The sommelier scurried away and returned with the big bottle. Thad tasted it. Marvelous! Go ahead and pour us a glass so it can breathe.
I like your friends, Dino said to Stone, getting a laugh.
Ah, Dino, Thad said, you have to spend more time in Palm Beach. The yacht is yours whenever you want it.
Nobody ever said that to me before, Dino said, drawing another laugh.
Stone thought the evening was going particularly well. Then he looked up and saw Frank and Margaret Wilkes come into the restaurant, followed closely by a woman Stone did not know, and then, by Paul Bartlett. No one else at the table had seen them, but Stone caught Dino's eye and nodded in their direction.
Dino watched the tall man hold a chair for his companion, then sit down. I would never have made him as Manning, Dino whispered. He must have done something to his face.
Stone slipped the little cell phone off his belt, cupped it in his hand to hide it as well as possible, and dialed Dan Griggs's direct office number, which also rang at his home.
Yes? Griggs said.
Dan, it's Stone. I'm at La Reserve, and Bartlett is here with Frank Wilkes and his wife and another woman.
Have you talked to Lundquist? Griggs asked.
No
.
The Minneapolis department arrested a known car thief and insurance scam artist who, for immunity, told them Bartlett had hired him to fix his wife's seat belt. Apparently, they met in prison, during Bartlett's earlier existence, and he'll testify against Bartlett. Have they just sat down to eat?
Yes.
Good. I'll get ahold of Lundquist and put some people together, and we'll take him when they leave. I don't want to cause a scene in the restaurant. Let me give you my portable number.
Stone wrote it down.
Call that number when they get their check. That way I won't have to send people in to watch him. He's pretty edgy; he might catch on to that.
I'll do it, Stone said. I imagine you have a good hour and a half.
See you later.
Stone put the phone away and saw Thad looking at him inquiringly. It's nothing, he said.
Their dinner arrived, and everyone ate heartily, still in high spirits from the champagne. They had just finished their dessert, and their dishes were being taken away, when Stone looked up to see Lieutenant Ebbe Lundquist enter the restaurant, flash his badge at the maitre d' and take up a position at the bar. Stone looked at Bartlett. He had seen the badge and was now staring at Lundquist, who in his plaid polyester suit looked out of place in the elegant restaurant.
Stone glanced at Dino, who had already taken this in.
That's one really stupid cop, Dino said quietly.
Stone looked over at Bartlett's table and saw the waiter approaching with the check. Excuse me a minute, Stone said to the table. I'll be right back.
He rose and made his way across the restaurant to where the Wilkeses and Bartlett were sitting.
Frank Wilkes rose to greet him. Stone, he said, how good to see you.
Stone shook his hand as Bartlett, too, rose, buttoning his jacket.
Hello, Stone, he said. How are you? He introduced his companion.
How do you do? Good evening, Paul. Please sit down. Stone caught sight of the bulge under Bartlett's jacket.
Frank, Margaret, I just wanted to thank you for such a delightful dinner the other evening, Stone said. It was very kind of you to ask Callie and me.
We were very glad to have you, Margaret Wilkes said, and we hope you'll come again.
Stone caught sight of Lundquist moving down the bar.
I see you're about to leave, Stone said to Wilkes. Please let me send over some after-dinner drinks before you go. He didn't wait for an answer, but summoned a nearby waiter and told him to bring the Wilkes party whatever they wanted and to send the bill to him. That would keep them in their seats for another few minutes, Stone thought. He made his goodbyes and, instead of returning to his table, walked toward the front of the restaurant and the men's room, dialing Dan Griggs's cell phone number on the way. He caught Dino's eye and patted his side, where Bartlett was wearing the gun. As he passed the bar, he caught Lundquist's eye, frowned and shook his head, whispering loudly, Stay where you are.
He pressed the send button on the phone as he turned a corner, out of sight of Bartlett. Griggs answered immediately.
It's Stone. I've bought them an after-dinner drink, so they'll be a few minutes.
Okay.
But listen. I think Bartlett is armed, and he's already seen Lundquist flash his badge. Why did you let him come in here?
I didn't. He just ignored me and walked in before I could stop him. I feel like arresting him.
I'm going back to my table. When they leave you'd better take Bartlett quickly, before he gets to his car, and you'd better be ready to disarm him. He's packing on the left side, at his belt.
Got it. Are you armed?
No, but Dino is. Don't worry, he won't do anything stupid.
Okay, just go back to your table, and we'll handle it.
I'm on my way. Stone punched off the phone and put it away. He stepped back into the dining room, and as he did, he was horrified to see Lundquist moving toward Bartlett's table. He looked back at his own group, and Dino was suddenly on his feet, making his way across the room and unbuttoning his jacket. Then everything seemed to slow down.
Bartlett turned to see Lundquist coming toward him and began to rise. Lundquist, who didn't know Bartlett was armed, had his hands at his sides, empty. Bartlett unbuttoned his jacket as he rose, and his right hand went inside it to his belt.
Stone saw his hand close around the butt of the pistol. He turned toward Dino and yelled, Gun! Dino stopped in his tracks, perhaps a dozen feet from the Wilkeses' table.
Bartlett never saw Dino; his attention was riveted on Lundquist, who now began to understand what was happening and went for his own gun. Four shots came in rapid succession.
Lundquist left his feet, the gun flying from his hand and knocking over a wine bottle on a nearby table. A woman at that table screamed as Dino fired. Bartlett was hit in his left upper arm, then a second time in the side of his neck, falling backward and out of sight, knocking over his chair.
Dino began running toward the table, his gun out in front of him, yelling, Police, Police!
Stone began running, too.
Pandemonium. A mass of diners abandoned their tables and rushed for the main entrance, knocking over chairs and elaborate flower arrangements. Women were screaming, and men were shouting at them.
Stone was swept sideways toward the door. In front of him a woman fell, and Stone grabbed her and yanked her to her feet before she could be trampled in the rush. He could see Dino at the Wilkeses' table, standing over Bartlett, who was out of sight on the floor behind the table. Dino was still pointing the gun.
He looked toward the front door and saw three uniformed Palm Beach police officers, one of them Dan Griggs, vainly trying to fight their way through the onrushing crowd. Stone grabbed a post next to the bar and hung on for dear life. Finally, when most of the crowd had fled the restaurant, he was able to make his way through the stragglers to Dino, who was now bending over Bartlett, feeling at his throat for a pulse.
Frank and Margaret Wilkes stood huddled against the wall, Frank cradling his sobbing wife's head on his shoulder. Margaret was spattered with blood. Bartlett's date was nowhere in sight.
He's dead, Dino said, holstering his weapon.
Stone looked around the restaurant for Lundquist but did not see him. Thad and his party were standing against the opposite wall of the restaurant, having wisely not joined the panicked crowd. Thad waved and called out, We're okay. Do what you have to do.
Stone resumed his search for Lundquist and found him under an overturned table. Lundquist had taken a round in the chest, and he had been trampled by the crowd. His nose was badly broken where someone had stepped on it, and there was blood everywhere, but Stone found a pulse.
Griggs and his men finally got into the restaurant and rushed toward Stone.
We need an ambulance, Stone said as Griggs arrived. Lundquist is still alive, but he's bad. Bartlett is dead. Dino shot him almost at the same time Bartlett shot Lundquist.
There's an ambulance outside, Griggs said. He spoke into a handheld radio.
There are probably some injured people in the crowd, too, Stone said. It got pretty ugly.
A pair of EMTs made their way into the ruined room, toting a stretcher and equipment, and immediately began working on Lundquist. Stone stepped away to let them do their work. He followed Griggs over to where Dino stood.
Dino handed Griggs his gun. You're going to want this.
Griggs nodded and examined Bartlett closely, picking up his weapon by its trigger guard and handing both guns to one of his officers.
Stone went to the Wilkeses, picking up a stray napkin along the way. He dabbed at the blood on Margaret's face, and she barely seemed to notice.
I want to get her home, Wilkes said.
Stone turned to Griggs, who had heard, and nodded.
Chief Griggs will want to talk to you in the morning, Stone said.
I saw it all, Frank said. Paul had a gun; it was all his fault.
Is he dead?
No, but he's pretty bad. His office had called to say that they have a witness who says Bartlett hired him to fix the seat belt on the car, so that Frances would be unprotected. It doesn't matter now, of course, but he would almost certainly have been convicted.
We'll go, then.
Do you need any help?
No, I can manage.
Stone watched them leave, then he crossed the restaurant to where Thad, Liz and Callie waited. Everybody all right?
They all nodded.
I'm sorry you had to see that.
See what? Liz said. I didn't see anything. I just heard a lot of noise.
Paul shot a Minneapolis policeman, and Dino shot Paul. The cop is alive, but Paul is dead.
Which Paul? she asked.
Aren't they the same? Stone asked.
I wish I knew, Liz said.
Thad, why don't you take Liz and Callie home. Dino and I will need to give statements to the Palm Beach police. We'll probably be quite late.
Sure, Thad said. I hope to God the guy is Manning.
We'll see, Stone said.
Thad ushered the women out of the restaurant, and Stone rejoined Dino and Griggs.
Griggs righted a table and motioned for Dino and Stone to pull up a chair. You two are the best witnesses I've got. We might as well do this right now, then you two can go home. He pulled a small tape recorder from a pocket, turned it on and set it on the table.
Okay, Stone, you first.
Dino stood up. I'm going to go to the John. It's better if you interview us separately.
Right, Griggs said. All right, Stone, tell me what happened, and don't leave anything out.
Stone began at the beginning, and when he had finished, Dino came and took his place. Stone waited at the bar and discovered that one of Bartlett's rounds had hit some liquor bottles and the mirror behind the bar. A cop was digging it out of the wall behind the mirror.
When Griggs had Dino's statement, they stood up, and Stone joined them. Frank Wilkes saw the whole thing, he said. He'll back us up on what happened.
I'm going to let my people finish here, Griggs said. I'm going to the hospital to see how Lundquist is doing. I've got to call his department and his family, if he has one.