Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 14

and we hardly ever spot Sir Winston outside of his car. I think it’s more neighborly farther down the mountain, where the houses are thicker on the ground. I got a letter from someone wanting to start a neighborhood association, but I can’t imagine what such a group would do. After all, we have the prime minister for a neighbor, and if there were a pothole, or something like that, his people would be all over it.”
    â€œHave you ever even seen the Pembertons or the Weatherbys?” Holly asked.
    â€œNever laid eyes on them.”
    Harry spoke up. “Irene says you’re leaving on Saturday.”
    â€œYep,” Holly said. “I’ve got flying lessons scheduled for next week, and Stone claims he has to work, too.”
    â€œNobody has ever actually caught Stone working,” Dino said.
    â€œHow would you all like to come for a sail tomorrow?” Harry asked.
    â€œThat sounds like fun,” Holly said. “There was talk of tennis with some other guests; can we call you in the morning and let you know?”
    â€œSure, that’s fine. I just want to keep the barnacles off the hull.”
    â€œI’ll fix us a lunch,” Irene said. “It would be fun.”
    â€œWe’d love it, if we’re able to come,” Holly said.
    They continued with dinner, laughing and talking. When Irene and Harry finally said their good-byes, Stone and Holly began walking back toward the cottage.
    â€œThat was Lance on the phone,” he said. “He tried you, then tried me.”
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œWe have a little job to do for Lance.” He handed Dino a slip of paper. “Dino, we have to disappear for a while. If we’re not back in two hours, call Lance at that number and let him know.”
    â€œLet him know what?”
    â€œJust that we’re not back. You might try my cell phone before you call him.”
    â€œOkay.” Dino put the number in his pocket.
    Holly followed Stone to the car. “What’s going on?”
    â€œI’ll tell you on the way.”

31
    S tone and Holly got into the car and drove out of the inn’s grounds. He handed her his jotter. “You have any idea where that is?”
    â€œNo; what is it?”
    â€œIt’s Bill Pepper’s house. Lance hasn’t been able to reach either Pepper or his wife, and he wants us to look around the place.”
    â€œShit, what the hell is going on?”
    â€œI don’t know, but take a look at the rent-a-car map in the glove compartment, and see if you can figure out the address.”
    Holly opened the glove compartment and switched on the map light. “Okay, the address is 601 Victoria Road; that starts in Markstown and seems to run out into the country. Take your next right, then the first right after that.”
    Stone followed her instructions. “Okay, now we’re on Victoria Road; see any house numbers?”
    â€œWe just passed 720,” Holly said. She dug a small flashlight out of her handbag. “Slow down, so I can see the mailboxes.”
    Stone slowed.
    â€œ680,” she said. “It’ll be on the other side of the road.” She continued to read off the numbers. “Next house on the left,” she said.
    Stone slowed, but didn’t stop. “I don’t want to just pull into the driveway,” he said. “Let’s see if anybody else is out here tonight.”
    The road was very dark, and Stone continued to drive slowly. “Look for parked cars on both sides,” he said.
    â€œI don’t see any cars, except ones that look like they belong to the houses,” Holly said.
    Stone pulled into a driveway, turned around and started back toward 601. “Is that one of those lithium-battery flashlights?”
    â€œYes,” she said, “a SureFire.”
    â€œI’m going to turn off the headlights now. Keep the flashlight pointed down the road.” It was enough to keep out of the ditches, and Stone finally turned into Bill Pepper’s driveway. There was a Toyota Avalon parked in front of the garage, and the house had lights burning.
    â€œLooks like someone is home,” Holly said.
    â€œRight,” Stone said. “Let’s find out.” They got out of the car, walked to the front door and rang the bell. No answer. They rang it again and knocked, and still no one came to the door.
    â€œI can see into the living room,” Holly said, leaning over