“I think it’s fairly obvious,” Lance said.
“Well, you’re going to have to make it even more obvious if I’m going to get it.”
“Think about it: Trini Rodriguez is dealing with an Arab group on this money-laundering thing, right?”
“Right.”
“So he tells his contacts that you and Holly are a threat to their transaction.”
“Okay, now it’s obvious.”
“What is also obvious is that by killing three of them, you’ve probably annoyed the other members of the group, so I think you and Holly should stay in Orchid Beach until the FBI has thrown a net over these people.”
“Wait a minute. Why do you think we’re in Orchid Beach?”
“Because you filed a flight plan for Vero Beach, which is the airport serving Holly’s hometown.”
“You figured that out, huh?”
“Yes, but I doubt if your Lebanese friends did. Anyway, I thought you’d like to know that I’m not trying to kill you.”
“And do I know that? You could be making all this up.”
“Stone, use your head. The reason you should know I’m not trying to kill you is that you’re still alive.” He hung up.
Stone turned to Holly. “You’d better sit down,” he said.
33
HOLLY LISTENED TO Stone’s report of his conversation with Lance. When he had finished she shook her head. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
“Neither do I.”
“I mean, the part about the Arab assassins would be funny if you and I hadn’t already killed three of them. I wouldn’t believe it, otherwise.”
“Neither would I.”
“And he said they wouldn’t know we’re in Orchid Beach?”
“He said that he figured it out, but they wouldn’t.”
“I hope to God he’s right.”
“So do I.”
“Still, I’m sleeping with a gun.”
“Good idea.”
“Speaking of sleeping . . .”
“I’m right behind you.” Holly let Daisy in from her nightly run in the dunes, then led Stone upstairs. “Daisy, get in your bed,” she said, and the dog curled up where she had been told.
“Good,” Stone said, stroking her hair, “I don’t want anybody between us tonight, and I’m glad Ham’s out of the house, too.”
“I’m glad, if you’re glad,” she said, helping him shuck his shirt over his head.
Stone worked on her buttons and unhooked her bra. “Alone is good,” he said, kissing her breasts.