Stone Barrington 06-11

thirty-knot tailwind, so they made good time along the route.
    They had just passed Charleston when the AirCell phone rang, and Stone answered it. “Hello?”
    “Stone?”
    “Yes.”
    “It’s Eduardo. I hope you don’t mind my phoning you on the airplane. Your secretary gave me the number.”
    “Not at all. It’s good to hear from you, Eduardo.”
    “Where are you?”
    “I’ve been in Florida for a couple of days, and I’m headed home now. I should land at Teterboro in about two and a half hours.”
    “I have some information for you.”
    “Go ahead.”

    “The business you and I discussed apparently took place last night.”
    “Yes, I saw something about it on television this morning.”
    “Your Mr. Rodriguez took part in the process, and when the arrests had been made, he left the scene in an FBI car. My, ah, acquaintances do not now know where he is. They haven’t heard from him at all.”
    “Do they expect to hear from him?”
    “Apparently so, but they didn’t expect him to leave with the FBI. They’re assuming he has either been arrested or is being questioned about some other matter.”
    “I see. Thank you very much, Eduardo. I’m grateful for your assistance.”
    “I’m glad I could be of service, and I hope the information I gave you is of some use.”
    “I hope so, too.”
    “Please come and have lunch again soon.”
    “I will, and thank you again. Goodbye.” Stone punched off. “You heard that on your headset?” he asked Holly.
    “Yes,” she said. “Maybe they’re holding him for me.”
    “You think?”
    “Can I use the phone?”
    “Sure.” He handed it to her.
    “How do I get information?”
    “Dial four-one-one, just like on the ground.”
    She did that and got the number of the FBI office in New York and was connected. “Special Agent Grant Harrison,” she said to the operator.
    “Just a moment. I’ll see if he is in the office. Who’s calling, please?”
    “Chief Holly Barker of the Orchid Beach, Florida, Police Department.”
    Half a minute later, Grant came on the line. “Holly?”
    “Yes, it’s me.”
    “Where are you? What’s that noise?”
    “I’m in an airplane between New York and Florida.”
    “There’s good news: We made our bust last night.”
    “I saw it on television this morning. Where’s Trini Rodriguez now?”
    “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”
    “Why not?”
    “Trini has been given immunity from prosecution for his cooperation, and he’s back in the Witness Protection Program.”
    Holly turned red. “Grant, you can’t give somebody immunity from multiple state murder charges.”
    “He has immunity from all federal charges.”
    “I have a warrant for his arrest on twelve counts of murder one, resulting from the bombing at the church.”
    “I understand that, but I can’t tell you where he is.”
    “So, by hiding him, you’re effectively giving him immunity from state charges?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that way, but you can characterize it as you wish.”

    “This really stinks, Grant.”
    “I’m sorry you feel that way, Holly. This operation was vital to national security, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without Trini’s help. Listen, I’m headed back to Miami later today. You want to get together this weekend?”
    “No, I don’t. Not this weekend or ever again.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping we could…”
    “I’m afraid that, from now on, you’re going to have to do that to yourself,” she said, and hung up. She turned to Stone. “You heard?”
    Stone nodded. “Not good.”
    “What am I going to do now?”
    “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.”

35
    S TONE AND HOLLY were already having a drink at Elaine’s when Lance arrived.
    He settled himself at their table and ordered a drink. “So, how was sunny Florida?”
    “Sunny,” Stone replied. “I don’t know how they stand it down there.”
    “Yes, it’s a hard life. Holly, are you keeping the criminal elements of Orchid Beach in check?”
    “Oh, that’s not hard. It’s mostly traffic and the occasional drug bust or burglary.”
    “Aren’t you bored?”
    “Funny you should mention that.”
    “Oh, really?”
    “I’ve told Stone I’m thinking about making a change. God knows, life is good down there, but it’s not very interesting.”
    “Perhaps I can be of help,” Lance said. “Let me work on that.”
    “Sure.”

    Stone spoke up. “Actually, you can be of help on something else, Lance.”
    Lance smiled.