Criminal Mischief

26

Faith came back to the airplane after a trip to the tower. “Okay,” she said. “I’ve talked with both the center and tower crews, and the Gulfstream did land here, refueled and took off again.”

“Where did they file for?”

“Midway, but ten minutes after takeoff they changed their destination to Oahu.”

Stone was stunned. “Back to Oahu?”

“Back to Oahu.”

“Well, shit.”

“It’s clear that they’re trying to lose us, and they’ve gone to great lengths to do so,” Faith said.

“Do your people need a night in a hotel?”

“No, I’ve got a fresh crew who got a solid eight hours on the way from Midway, and by the time they’ve flown half the route to Oahu, the backup crew will be fresh again. We’ve no problem for taking off for Oahu as soon as we can refuel and clear out. Customs will be aboard any minute, so hide any weapons you may have.”

“All right, that’s our plan,” Stone said, taking off his jacket and slipping out of his shoulder holster. He took Dino’s two pistols and holsters, went aft, and locked them in the airplane’s safe, then he went back to his seat and hung up his jacket. Dino was already reading yesterday’s New York Times. “There’s a copy for you on your seat,” Dino said.

Customs arrived, checked their passports, and asked the usual questions. The girls all left to stretch their legs.

“This is crazy,” Dino said. “You know that.”

“I’m satisfied that Zanian is on that airplane, or they wouldn’t go to so much trouble to evade us.”

“Also,” Dino said. “They know that we’re not Jack and whatever you named me, or we wouldn’t be trying so hard to keep up.”

“You have a point,” Stone said.

“When we get back to Oahu, I vote we hunt down the son of a bitch and shoot him.”

“I don’t think the ten-million-dollar reward is for ‘dead or alive.’ ”

“Shit, I forgot about that. All right, let’s file our claim for the reward, then shoot him.”

“We’ll talk about that later, when you’re not so angry.”

“I think I’m going to be angry for a long time.”

Faith returned to the airplane with another customs crew, this one to check them for heading outbound. All this went without incident.

“You’re sure you’re fresh enough to fly?” Stone asked Faith.

“Our quarters are very comfortable,” she said. “We all had showers ashore. Are you ready for takeoff?”

“One question, have we got enough fuel for Oahu, nonstop?”

“Sure. You’ve got 6,800 miles of range, and Oahu is only 5,300. And the winds are good for us.”

“Then let’s do it.”

The crew went forward, and soon they were taxiing.

One of the crew came back and said to Stone, “Pick up the satphone, line one.”

Stone picked it up. “Hello?”

“It’s Joan. Are you alive or down in the Pacific somewhere?”

“Alive and nearly airborne. We’re about to take off from Manila for Oahu.”

“That doesn’t make any sense at all,” Joan said.

“Believe me, I’m aware of that. We’re in pursuit, and that’s where our quarry is taking us.”

“What’s Manila like?”

“I’ve no idea. We never got off the airplane.”

“Do you want me to let anybody know?”

“Yes, call Viv Bacchetti and leave a message on her phone if she’s not there. Tell her Dino will call her tomorrow.”

“Okay, anybody else?”

“Yes, call Brio Ness at the FBI and tell her I said that she can probably pick up what’s-his-name at the Royal Hawaiian tomorrow. He’s traveling with a man, a woman, and a Labrador retriever.”

“I’ll tell Bob. He’ll be jealous. Anything else?”

“You can reach me on the satphone, if necessary. And tell Brio I’ll take a check.”

“Okay, happy flying.”

“Bye-bye.”

As Stone hung up, he was pressed back in his seat from the acceleration. On the way to altitude, he caught a glimpse of the island of Corregidor. He would tell Dino about that to keep him from getting bored.

Stone settled in with yesterday’s New York Times.

Later, Dino woke from a nap and had a look out the window. “Why don’t I see any ships in the Pacific?”

“Because we’re flying at fifty thousand feet, and that makes them too small. I don’t think you could spot an aircraft carrier. I left a message for Viv from you, saying that you are alive and your feet are dry.”

“She’ll be comfortable to know that. I hope we’re staying at the Royal Hawaiian again,” Dino said.

“Why?”

“Because I sent my laundry out there and forgot to get it back.”

“That’s as good a reason as any to stay there.” Stone picked up the phone and pressed the intercom for the cockpit.

“Yes, sir?” a female voice said.

“Tell Faith to make the same arrangements at the Royal Hawaiian as before.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And tell her to tell the hotel to have Dino’s laundry on his bed when we check in.”

“Certainly.”

Stone hung up. He pulled the cashmere blanket up to his chin and went back to sleep.