Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 12

the CIA. I don’t know how much actual spying he did. At the time of his death he had been promoted to Deputy Director, Operations, but he hadn’t started the job yet.”
    â€œI knew he was coming back to Washington, but I thought it was as an Assistant Secretary of State.”
    Stone shook his head. “That job is a key position at the Agency, one of the top three.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad Dick did well at his work,” Caleb said.
    â€œFrom what I know, he was highly regarded.” They had finished their burgers now, and Stone had most of what was needed. “Just one more thing, Caleb.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œWhen did you last see Dick?”
    â€œHe came to the house for drinks after his return from London. He was on the way to Washington. That was a week or so before his death.”
    â€œDid you spend any time alone with him?”
    â€œA few minutes.” Caleb looked over Stone’s shoulder toward the water; he seemed to be remembering the occasion.
    â€œWhat did you talk about?”
    Caleb looked down at the table. “Family business.”
    â€œTell me about it, please.”
    Caleb shook his head.
    â€œThis is important, Caleb. If you don’t tell me about it, then you’re going to have to tell the police.”
    â€œIt had nothing to do with his death, if that’s what you mean.”
    â€œCaleb, immediately after you saw him, Dick changed his will, excluding you. I have to infer that his action was a result of your conversation with him on that occasion.”
    â€œIt was deeply personal and not relevant to the investigation,” Caleb said. “I won’t discuss it with you, and if you’re in touch with the state police, you can tell them that I won’t discuss it with them, either. Ever.” Caleb stood up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Stone.
    Lunch is paid for.” He left the table and walked out the door.
    As Caleb left, the commodore of the yacht club entered the club, deep in conversation with another man. They spoke to other people, and whatever they were talking about seemed to spread around the room.
    Stone got up, walked over to the commodore, shook his hand and asked what was going on.
    â€œThere’s been another murder,” the man replied.

39
    H OLLY LET HERSELF INTO Dick Stone’s hidden office, inserted her data card into the computer and logged on. There was an encrypted e-mail waiting for her, asking her to contact Lance Cabot soonest. She called the Barn, the code name her unit used for their offices, and was told that Lance was out until 3:00 P . M . and was not available on his cell phone. She asked that he call or e-mail her when he returned.
    With Stone gone for lunch, she had nothing pressing to do, so she changed clothes, strapped on her 9 mm and went for her daily run. Since Lance was not reachable by cell phone, she left her own in the study.
    She did her stretching exercises, then turned left out of the Stone driveway and began running at a steady clip, keeping to the left, so that she faced oncoming traffic.
    As she warmed up, she increased her pace, taking longer strides and breathing deeply. Holly was not a big fan of running, but it seemed to be the only thing that would keep both her ass tight and her weight down.
    She came around a curve into a straight stretch and saw a car coming toward her. She had allowed herself to stray into the middle of the road, and she moved left to give the car plenty of room to pass.
    Oddly, the car seemed to follow her movement. She moved off the pavement to continue running on the firm dirt of the shoulder until the car passed. It appeared that it was going to come uncomfortably close to her, and it was slowing. The sun was reflecting off the windshield, and she could not see the driver.
    Holly put her hand on her gun holster for reassurance and continued to run. The car came within a couple of feet of her as it passed, and she was conscious of someone beginning to lean out the window.
    Then, as she began to turn to look over her shoulder, she heard the squeal of brakes, and something hard struck her in the head.
    Â 
    STONE RETURNED FROM the yacht club to the house to find Holly gone and reckoned she was out running. After the news he had been given, he hoped she had remembered to go armed. The doorbell rang.
    â€œAfternoon,” Sergeant Young said when Stone opened the door. “Have you heard the