Criminal Mischief

56

Stone sat on a chaise longue on the upper deck, a cool drink and Brio on one side of him. It was the first time he had seen her in a bikini, and it was a small one.

“I think we should have you photographed in that swimsuit,” he said. “The result, pinned to a bulletin board in the Hoover building, would be a big hit, I’m sure.”

She laughed. “Ordinarily I conceal my figure at work, even under clothing. I don’t think anyone in the building knows that I have breasts.”

“Perhaps I should spread the word,” Stone said. “You’d become very popular.”

“No one would believe you,” she replied. “I’ve been that careful.”

“Does your new rank permit a change in costume?”

“If I did that, the director would think he’d made a terrible mistake in promoting me. I think I’ll let sleeping breasts lie.”

Stone picked up a bottle of lotion and spread some on his face, then put on a straw hat. “Is there anything I can lubricate for you?” he asked, raising the bottle.

“Thank you, no. I’m quite well oiled.”

“You smell like a coconut,” he said. “It’s very pleasant.”

“I’m happy to be an olfactory success.”

“Have you spoken to your squad of agents lately?”

“Yes, they’ll meet us in Port Said.”

“Apparently, Faith already has a couple of volunteers to sit on Zanian during the trip back.”

“I wonder what she offered them,” Brio said.

“Oh, Faith can be quite alluring, even in her uniform. Perhaps, especially in her uniform.”

“In my experience, special agents respond favorably to allure. Are two men enough?”

“For Faith or for Zanian?”

Brio laughed. “For Zanian.”

“Well, once we’re off the ground, Zanian has nowhere to run, so even if they unshackle him for the toilet, he’s not going to parachute out over Long Island before landing.”

“I suppose not.”

“Have you arranged a reception committee for Zanian?” Stone asked.

“Yes, our airplane, containing the other twenty-two agents, will precede us to Teterboro, and they will receive him. There’ll be suitable transport waiting when we land.”

Wilcox joined them, wearing a terry-cloth robe. He shucked it off, revealing a wiry and athletic physique, for a man of, what, sixty?

“Welcome, Henry,” Stone said.

“Last chance for a bit of sun,” Wilcox replied.

“What are your plans after Port Said?” Stone asked.

“May I hitch a ride to New York with you?” the ambassador asked. “I’ve got some leave coming.”

“Of course. I’d be happy to have you as a guest at my house. You’ll be almost as comfortable as on this yacht.”

“I may take you up on that for a couple of days,” Wilcox replied. “I’ll have to go on to Washington, eventually, to make my report.”

“As you wish. I’ll have the housekeeper make up a room for you.”

“You’re very kind, Stone.”

“What about you, Brio?” Stone asked. “I recall that you are homeless in New York.”

“That will be up to my director,” she said. “He may have some immediate reassignment for me. May I let you know on short notice?”

“Of course. Perhaps I’ll have some people in for dinner.”

“The Bacchettis, of course.”

“At least, Dino. Viv’s schedule is unpredictable.”

“Have you any firearms aboard, Stone?” Wilcox asked, unexpectedly.

“I have a .380 pistol and permits from both the city and the CIA, allowing me to carry it pretty much wherever I like. Why do you ask? Do you think someone will need shooting?”

“It occurred to me that Zanian might need protecting,” Wilcox said. “There are a great many angry people waiting for him.”

“He’ll be in FBI custody. I’ll let them worry about it.”

“I don’t know why I’m asking,” Wilcox said. “I wouldn’t be upset, if someone put a few bullets into him.”

“I hope you didn’t invest with him,” Stone said.

Wilcox laughed. “Diplomats don’t have enough money to invest, unless they’ve inherited it. My family money is in a well-tended trust. What are you going to do with your reward money?”

“I owe half of it to my friend Dino Bacchetti, who was very helpful at the beginning of all this.”

“The police commissioner?”

“One and the same. We were policemen together, once upon a time.”

“And the other half?”

“I guess I’ll reimburse myself.”

“That seems fair. You must be out a lot in expenses, though.”

“I have a contract with the FBI, covering most of my costs. I’ll submit a bill in due course.”

“I’ll run interference on that,” Brio said.

“Brio,” Wilcox said, “how did you come by your Christian name?”

“The usual way, from my mother, who believed she was half Italian. Her mistake. That half turned out to be Polish.”

“Oh, well.”

“That’s what my mother said when she learned the truth.”

“Henry,” Stone said, “will the State Department send you back to the Sultanate?”

“Probably not. I don’t think that the overthrow of the sultan would merit an A-plus on my record. I’ve got only a couple of years before I can retire, so it could be anywhere they have an open slot.”

“Surely they can’t blame you for the change in regime,” Stone said.

“They can blame me for not seeing it coming. If they want to.”

“Is there anything I can do? Write a letter to somebody, or something?”

“Oh, I don’t think so. That could actually make things worse. Let sleeping tigers lie.”

“So be it.”

“I bet you’ll be the only diplomat who’s spent any time with the sultan’s replacement,” Brio said.

“I suppose so. If I wanted to go back, I’d use that as a qualification. Maybe it’s time for someplace green and pleasant, like England. I’ve always liked England.”

“I have a friend in the foreign office,” Stone said.

“The foreign minister?”

“No, she’s head of MI6.”

“Ah, the Secret Intelligence Service. I don’t think Felicity would be much help in the circumstances.”

Clouds began to appear in the sky, and it felt cooler on deck. The group adjourned to dress for their last dinner aboard Star.