Unintended Consequences

sleep.
    “That’s the guest house over there,” Stone said. “You and Lewis go over there and get some sleep, too, which is what Dino and I plan to do.”
    “I’m not comfortable with that,” Stanley said.
    “Stanley, I’m losing my patience with you. You can take turns staying awake, if you like, but you need rest just like everybody else, and you’ll be useless tomorrow if you’re exhausted.”
    “As you wish, Mr. Barrington. Lewis, I’ll take the first watch. I’ll wake you in four hours.”
    “Right,” Lewis said.
    “The back porch has a fine view of the harbor,” Stone said, pointing. “Take a rocking chair, and it’s okay if you doze off.”
    “Good night, then,” Stanley said.
    “And no helicopters, unless I say so,” Stone said.
    Stone and Dino trudged back to the house and went to bed.

51
    W hen Stone awoke it was nearly ten o’clock, and Helga was not in bed. He showered and shaved and went down for breakfast. Helga and Marcel were sitting on the front porch, reading
The New York Times
, which had come over on the ferry earlier, and Dino was having breakfast in the kitchen.
    “When did Stanley get here?” Helga asked, giving him a kiss.
    “Very late last night,” Stone said.
    “Were you expecting him?”
    “I was not, but he came anyway. Is he up?”
    “Yes, he and his friend are ‘patrolling the perimeter,’ as he put it.”
    “It’s not much of a perimeter. It’s only a couple of acres. Were they armed?”
    “To the teeth.”
    “Oh, shit. I hope the neighbors haven’t spotted them.” He went in search of them and found Stanley marching along the property at the road.
    “Good morning, Mr. Barrington.”
    “Good morning, Stanley. Do you remember what I told you last night?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Then why are you parading around here armed and dressed like a refugee from a SWAT team?”
    Stanley blushed to the top of his scalp. “I’m sorry, sir.”
    “I think a handgun will suffice, and get into some civvies, will you?”
    “I’m wearing them under the armor.”
    “That will make it convenient. And hunt down Lewis, too, and give him the same message.” Stone walked back to the house and joined Dino at the kitchen table.
    “I ordered for you,” Dino said.
    Mary set down a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon. “Good morning, Mr. Barrington.”
    “Good morning, Mary, and thank you.” He dug in. “I’m surprised to see you up so early,” Stone said.
    “I don’t need all that much sleep.”
    “I’m sorry Viv isn’t here to keep you entertained.”
    “It’s her new job,” Dino said. “I’m having trouble getting used to it. It’s just as well she’s not here—she’d be going on about the new apartment, and I’m trying to back her out of the deal. Turns out, there’s a ten-day cancellation clause in the contract.”
    “Dino, relax and let the woman take care of you—you’ll be a happier man for it.”
    “I’m happy enough.”
    “You want to play golf? There’s a nice nine-hole course here.”
    “Sure, but don’t let Helga join us. I can’t afford it.”
    “I don’t think I can stop her,” Stone said.
    •   •   •
    A n hour later, the four of them got out of the old Ford station wagon at the little golf course, and Stanley and Lewis pulled in behind them. Stone rented three golf carts; he and Marcel took one, Helga and Dino another, and Stanley and Lewis drove slowly behind, their weapons stuffed into a couple of golf bags.
    Marcel hit his drive straight and fairly long. “I don’t think I’ve ever been guarded by armed men on a golf course,” he said.
    “That makes two of us,” Stone replied.
    “Stone, I think I’ll be off to Paris when we get back to New York. My work here is done, and I’m having too good a time. I might get lazy.”
    “Can you delay your departure until Tuesday morning?” Stone told him why.
    Marcel grinned. “For that, I can delay. Do you want me to offer Helga a ride back to Stockholm? My lawyers left town yesterday, so if she’s looking for a private ride, I’m the only game in town.”
    “I hate to lose her, but I think she’s ready to go. I’ll ask her tonight.”
    •   •   •
    E ach time they got to a green, Stanley and Lewis took up posts on opposite sides and watched the woods like hawks. Stone was glad there weren’t many people on the golf course; most of the summer crowd seemed already to have departed for points south and west.
    •   •   •
    F or