They had just arrived back at Holly’s house when Stone’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. “Hello?”
“Stone, it’s Lance.”
“Good evening.”
“Our last conversation set me to thinking. I ordered a DNA check of our three anonymous assassins, and I just got a call from my people with the results.”
“You have a database to check the results against?”
“Yes, but they’re not in our database, or the FBI’s.”
“So the tests were useless?”
“As far as identification goes, yes; but the tests turned up some other useful information.”
“What kind of information?”
“It was possible to conclude that all three men were Arab-very likely Lebanese or Syrian.”
“You can tell that from DNA?”
“Yes. Also, they were related-not brothers, but certainly cousins.”
Stone looked at Holly. “So you’re saying that the people who are trying to kill Holly and me are a family of Lebanese or Syrian assassins?”
“You make it sound like something out of The Arabian Nights. More likely, the three cousins are members of the same terrorist cell, that’s all.”
“What do you mean, that’s all? That’s more than enough. Why would a terrorist cell have an interest in Holly and me?”
“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.
She pulled him to her and pushed down on his shoulders until he was on his knees, pulling off her clothing. “Ooooh, that’s the place,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.
He pushed her onto the bed, and she opened her legs. For the next few minutes he concentrated on making her happy, and the noises she was making confirmed her feelings.
She came with a series of cries and little convulsions, then she pulled Stone on top of her. “I want everything tonight,” she said.
Stone slipped inside her. “The works,” he said, kissing her ear as he moved slowly in and out.
“The works!” she cried and moved with him.
For the better part of an hour they explored each other with fingers and tongues. They changed positions and laughed at the intensity of their pleasure. Then they took turns coming and collapsed in each other’s arms.
“It occurs to me,” Stone panted, “that my heart must be in pretty good shape, because if it weren’t, I’d be dead right now. That’s the best stress test in the world.”
Holly rested her head on his shoulder and threw a leg over his. “Okay, the Arab assassins can shoot me now.”
“I hope not.”
“If they showed up right now, I wouldn’t be able to hold a gun. I can’t make a fist.”
“Then we’re both helpless.”
“We could rely on Daisy.”
“We’d have to.”
Stone suddenly thought of something. “I just had a troubling thought.”
“Not now, please.”
“If they don’t know we’re here, who ransacked your house a few days ago?”
“Don’t make me think about it now.” Her voice trailed off. “I’m going to sleep.”
“Oh, no. You have to answer that question. You’re not sleeping until I’m sleeping, and I can’t sleep thinking about that.”
“What was the question again?”
“Who broke into your house?”
“How the hell should I know?”
“Didn’t your police force investigate?”
“Yes, but they didn’t leave any prints.”
“Who do you think it was?”
“Are you saying it was Arab assassins?”
“It would certainly seem to be Trini-connected, wouldn’t it?”
“Trini’s a Florida boy. If he wanted my house broken into, he wouldn’t need Arab assassins, he’d just make a call to some of his homeboys.”
“Well, I’m relieved that it wasn’t Arab assassins.”
“I’m so glad.”
“Is the burglar alarm on?”
“No, but there’s a keypad right here by the bed.”
“Would you turn it on, please?”
With a groan, Holly rolled over and tapped in the code, then rolled back. “There you go.”
“Good. I think I can sleep now.”
“But I’m wide awake.”
“I’m sleepy.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” she said, taking his testicles in her hand and squeezing.
“Hey, I can’t sleep with you doing that.”
“That’s the idea.” She stopped squeezing and began lightly kneading instead.
“You don’t really think I can…”
“Sure you can.”
“It’s impossible after what we’ve just done.” “Then why is this working?” she asked, continuing. “Oh, God.”
Holly rolled on top of him and put him inside her. “In fact, it’s working very well indeed.”
“I can’t argue,” Stone said, arching his back. “But I’ll never be able to come again.”
“Wanna bet?” she asked.
34
WHEN STONE WOKE up he was lying on his side, and Holly was curled up with him, in the spoon position. Stone had a notion of starting something, but Daisy was staring at him intently from across the bed. She was difficult to ignore.
“You want to go out, girl?” he asked.
“No,” Holly replied sleepily.
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
He got out of bed and walked downstairs naked with Daisy. He opened the sliding door to the beach and left it open so that she could come back in.
Holly came down the stairs, getting into a robe. “I like you naked in my house,” she said.
“Why are you up?”
“It’s after eight, and I really ought to at least check in at the station before I come back and fuck your brains out.” She pinched him on the ass as she passed.
“So I have to wait?”