by Stuart Woods
Everybody insert the radio earplug for a sound check. He waited while they did this. This is a test, he said into the microphone concealed in his left hand. Anybody didn't hear that, raise your hand. No hands went up. Thank God the equipment was working.
Now, let me tell you the policy on firearms. You are all carrying concealed weapons. You are not to take out that weapon, unless you see a weapon in the hand of someone not in this room now, such as the subject, Paul Manning. If you do see a weapon and produce your own weapon, you are not to fire unless you feel sure that the subject is threatening to fire. You are not to fire unless you have a clear shot. You are not to shoot any guest. I hope that is perfectly clear. That got a laugh. You might remember that if you fire a weapon this evening, you are going to have to answer to the police and, maybe, the courts for your actions. If you are in doubt about whether to fire your weapon, keep that in mind.
Finally, if you spot the subject or any other threat, do not head for the bride and groom. Four Palm Beach detectives will be assigned to accompany them everywhere they go. Instead, head for the subject, and be ready to use physical force to disarm or disable him. Any questions? Stone looked around at each face. Nobody spoke.
All right, if you don't already have an assigned station, get one from one of the management group. As soon as you have your assignments, we're going to start at the seawall, and in a straight line, at arm's length, we're going to sweep the entire property, check every bush, every flower bed for any unwelcome person or weapon. Or bomb, he thought, but didn't say. He walked over to where Jeff Collender stood. Jeff, the man standing over to the side of the group, there. He nodded toward a man in his twenties, barely encased in a white dinner jacket, with a head that had recently been shaved.
Yeah, he's one of mine. Jason.
Assign him to the seawall, to watch for anyone approaching the property in a boat. I don't want him mingling with the guests. He'll scare them to death.
Will do.
All right, everybody, let's go out to the seawall and start back toward the house. Stone led them out of the house and toward the yacht. When they were stretched out at arm's length, he called to them, Commence your search, and when you get to the house, re-form farther down that way and come back to the seawall. When that's done, take up your assigned positions. He looked at his watch. It's ten minutes to five. Guests will start to arrive at six, so move quickly but carefully.
Dan, Jeff, Dino, the four of us will search the house, starting at the top floor. When we get downstairs, Dino and I will take the kitchen.
The four men walked back to the house, climbed the stairs to the third floor and went down hallways, knocking on every door, checking every room.
Dan, your men at the door know that nobody enters the house except through the metal detector?
They know.
Okay, Dino, let's check the kitchen. Stone led the way, and they walked into a large, restaurant-style facility, teeming with people. He found the caterer, spooning caviar into a crystal bowl. Mr. Weems?
That's me.
My name is Barrington. I'm in charge of security.
How do you do?
I'd like you to walk around the room with me and confirm that every one of these people is known to you as a member of your staff.
Okay, the man said.
Stone walked him around the room, then took him into the dining room, where a bar was being set up. Do you know every one of these people? he asked.
Every one of them. They're all mine. At the reception, we'll have half a dozen people serving drinks who are not my regular employees, but they all come well recommended.
Thanks for your time.
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.
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, Rolles 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 outback, 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.
I guess so, Dino replied. But if he wants to create a very rich widow, he's got all evening.
That's the scary part, Stone agreed. He looked up to see Guido and two other men approaching. They were carefully dressed in rented tuxedos, and Stone was relieved to see that the jackets were sufficiently loose-fitting not to reveal any weapons. Evening, Guido, he said.
Yeah, you, too, Guido said. Everything cool?
So far. Stone dug into a pocket and came up with three yellow lapel pins. Put these into your buttonholes, he said. They will let security know you're okay.
The three men complied.
Where you want us? Guido asked.
Wherever you think best. All the security people are looking for a tall man, but not for a beautiful woman, so you're on your own, if she turns up.
Way I figure it, Guido said, if she's coming, she's coming for you. We'll stick close.
Not too close, Stone said. He didn't want to have to explain to anybody who they were.
Got it. They wandered off.
At seven, the reception guests started to arrive, and the crowd became thicker.
Jesus, Dino said, this is a hell of a lot of people.
Just two hundred of their closest friends, Stone said. A big dance band began to play tunes from the thirties and forties in the garden. Stone liked the music. It was a beautiful night, and a handsome crowd of people. They wandered t
hrough the house and gardens, sipping champagne and chatting with people they knew, and everybody seemed to know everybody. Stone began to relax a little.
The party wore on into the evening. The guests talked, danced, congratulated the bride and groom and did all the other things people did at parties. Some were drunk, but not too drunk. Then, late in the evening, Stone turned toward the house and saw Arrington. She was leaving the main house on the arm of a tall, handsome man of about forty, beautifully dressed. After the shock of recognition, Stone's next reaction was jealousy.
Easy, pal, Dino said. You look like you want to shoot the guy.
The tall man had already attracted the attention of a couple of security people, who looked at Stone inquiringly. He shook his head.
Yeah, that's all we need, Dino said. For security to shoot Arrington's date.
Yes, that would be too bad, Stone said. Arrington saw him and started toward him, leaving her companion at the bar.
Hello, Dino, she said, beaming at him and giving him a kiss on the lips.
Hiya, kiddo, Dino said, beaming back.
Hello, Stone, she said, almost shyly. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. I behaved badly the last time we saw each other, she whispered. I know we can work this out. I'm at the Breakers. Call me late tonight, I don't care how late.
Stone nodded, then a voice entered his ear.
Crasher at the front door, the voice said.
Arrington, please excuse me, Stone said. I have to attend to something. I'll call you later, I promise. He made his way toward the front door, closely followed by Dino.
Don't you want me to handle the thing at the front door? Dino asked. Wouldn't you rather stay here and talk to Arrington?
I just want to see what's going on, Stone said. They arrived at the front door in time to see two Palm Beach PD officers hustling a man into a van.
Another cop approached. Unauthorized photographer," he said. We know him. He's a stringer for one of the tabloids.
Good work, Stone said. You had any other problems at the front door?
Not really. We've had to frisk a few people, but no problems. Nobody as tall as the guy you're looking for. An old man in a wheelchair set off all the alarms, but he was on the guest list.
Wheelchair? Stone asked. What kind of wheelchair?
One of those electric jobs, almost like a scooter. He arrived in a van and had to be helped with it.
What's his name?
The cop consulted his list. Walter Feldman.
Describe him.
White hair, kind of hunched over and frail-looking.
Stone turned to look at Dino.
A wheelchair is a good way not to look tall, Dino said.
Stone lifted his left hand to his mouth. Everybody, listen up. This is Barrington. Without leaving your stations, find a man in an electric wheelchair and report his position. He released the talk switch. Come on, Dino.
They quickly checked inside the house, but did not see the man. He must be in the gardens, Stone said. He spoke into the microphone again. This is Barrington. Anybody got a position on the man in the wheelchair yet?
Nothing.
Jesus, how hard can he be to find? Stone asked.
Then a voice came over the radio. Mr. Barrington, I've got the wheelchair.
Where? Stone asked.
At the pool, behind the hedge.
Describe the occupant.
There's no occupant. The wheelchair is sitting empty by the pool.
Everybody, listen up, Stone said. Our subject has arrived. Locate him quickly.
They were near the seawall, now. Dino spoke up. Where's the guard you put on the seawall, the bald guy?
Nowhere in sight, Stone said. He arrived at the wall, walked to the stern of the yacht and looked at the water. The big security guard, Jason, was floating facedown in Lake Worth, a trickle of red coloring the water around him.
Oh, shit, Dino said.
Then gunfire broke out.
Stone turned around to find a mob of people rushing toward him, many of them screaming.
Shots fired! he said into the microphone. Secure the bride and groom in the master suite now! Then he and Dino did what cops always do, and other people don't: They ran toward the gunfire.
They had trouble making headway against the onrushing crowd, but after a couple of minutes they were nearing the house. A man and woman were huddled behind a huge shrub. On the roof! the man yelled at Stone, pointing.
Detail at the front of the house, Stone said into the mike. Subject on the roof of the house. Watch the front drainpipes and apprehend.
He's not coming this way, Dino said. There must be a way from the roof into the house.
Oh, God, Stone said. He spoke into the mike. Bride and groom detail. Where are you?
On the main stairs, a voice replied. We'll have them secured in a minute.
Oh, no, he said to Dino, we've been suckered. Let's get up there. They started to run. Don't take the bride and groom upstairs! he said into the microphone. He raced into the house and headed for the stairs. From the bottom, he could just see the wedding party disappearing down the upstairs hallway. Wedding group, he said into the mike. Stop, and come downstairs. No one came down. He ran up the stairs.
At the top he came to a sudden halt because the stairs were blocked by the bride, the groom, several guests and four Palm Beach police officers. They were standing there, rigidly, and Stone couldn't see past them. He stopped a few steps from the top and listened.
Step away from the bride and groom, a man's deep voice said.
Manning. Stone tiptoed up the remaining stairs. Then, blocked from Manning's view by the group above him, he clambered onto the stair handrail and grabbed the banister built around the stairwell. He was holding onto the banister's vertical risers, trying to pull himself up, and it wasn't working very well.
I said, clear away from the bride and groom, Manning's voice commanded.
Stone could see a couple of guests peel off from the group, but the cops stood their ground.
Listen, Mr. Manning, a cop said. There's more of us than you. More firepower, too. Why don't you
If any of you touches a gun, I'll start firing, Manning said, and I've got thirteen rounds left. The happy couple will be the first to go.
Stone swung his legs sideways and got a toe on the landing. Slowly, painfully, he muscled his way up until he could get a grip on the handrail. Then, as silently as he could, he pulled himself to the top of the railing and let himself down on the other side, striking the floor with a muffled thud.
What was that? Manning demanded.
What was what? the cop said. Come on, Mr. Manning, you're not getting out of here. Just drop the gun.
For the last time, step away from the couple, or I'm going to start shooting.
Stone had the 9mm automatic in his hand by now, and he slowly pumped the first round into the chamber. On his hands and knees, he crawled to the edge of the group and, very quickly, stuck his head out and withdrew it. What he remembered seeing was a white-haired man in a dinner jacket who had assumed the combat position, pistol in both hands, at arm's length.
The odds were not good on hitting Manning before he could fire, Stone reflected. He crouched, ready to leap to one side of the group and start firing.
Then Manning changed everything. He fired a single shot into the group, and everybody scattered. The women were screaming, and a cop had thrown Liz to the floor and was lying on top of her. The group parted like the Red Sea, leaving Stone exposed, but also leaving him a clear shot at Manning. He took it, firing four rapid rounds down the hallway.
Manning fired twice more as he was spun backward, but Stone was sure the rounds had gone into the ceiling. Stone rushed him, pistol out before him, yelling, Freeze, Manning! He could hear people moving behind him.
As he ran down the hallway, he saw Manning struggle to one knee and start to raise his gun. Stone stopped and aimed. Don't! he yelled.
But M
anning wasn't listening. His hand kept moving upward.
Stone fired once more, and Manning fell backward. Two Palm Beach officers were all over him, kicking his gun away, rolling him over and handcuffing him. Stone put his gun away and walked forward. Is he alive? he asked.
An officer knelt beside the man, his hand at Manning's throat. I've got a pulse, he said.
Stone looked down at Manning. He reached out and pulled the white wig off, then turned his head. At last, he had a full frontal view of the man's face. It was unrecognizable, and for a moment he thought he had the wrong man, but he remembered that voice. He held the mike to his lips. The subject is secured. He needs an ambulance, now. He turned and looked back down the hallway. Liz and Thad were sitting on the floor, a Palm Beach officer leaning against Thad, holding his upper arm. Make that two ambulances, Stone said into the mike. He walked over to where the three sat, moved the cop's hand and looked at his arm. He found a clean handkerchief and pressed it onto the wound. Hold that, he said to the man.
Then he turned to Thad and Liz. Is either of you hurt?
No, they both said, simultaneously.
I'm okay, the cop said. Get them out of here.
Stone helped them up and led them to the master suite.
Is anyone else hurt? Thad asked.
A security guard is dead, back at the seawall, Stone said. And Manning doesn't look so good. He got into the house in a wheelchair, then abandoned it at the pool. From there, hidden by the hedge, he must have gotten to a kitchen door and made his way up the back stairs. He fired a couple of shots into the garden to cause chaos and to get us to bring you two upstairs. You'll be all right here. There's no danger now. I want to get back downstairs and make sure no one else was hurt.
You go ahead, Stone, Thad said. We'll be fine.
Is Paul dead? Liz asked.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and Stone thought she looked very worried. No, he said, but he took two or three bullets. An ambulance is on the way. Don't go out into the hall. He left the room and closed the door behind him, then he started down the stairs. Where the hell was Dino? Stone had been sure he was right behind him when he entered the house.