Distant Thunder

15

Stone called a private line at the Agency.

“Lance Cabot.”

“Lance, it’s Stone.”

“What can I do for you, Stone? Busy morning.”

“Have you read the Maine medical examiner’s report on the autopsy of John Collins?”

“It’s right here on my desk.”

“You should read it. It tells quite a story.”

“Save me some time and tell me the story.”

“John Collins, it appears, was knocked unconscious and had vodka poured down his throat, then he was taken aboard the Islesboro ferry, probably in a car or van, shot twice in the head and left there for dead, which he was. He was probably ferried from the island to Lincolnville. The ferry got hit by a big wind and was blown sideways in the channel, so in the effort to straighten it out and get it moored in Lincolnville, nobody came across the dead body for quite some time.”

“And you know all this, how?”

“By reading the autopsy report.” Stone hung up.

Half an hour later, Joan buzzed him. “Lance Cabot on one.”

“Yes, Lance.”

“I’ve read the report and had a chat with the ME up there, and after some prodding he confirmed your view of his report.”

“Well, that makes my day,” Stone replied.

“Don’t be sarcastic, Stone. It doesn’t suit you.”

“I was expressing irony, not sarcasm.”

“What do you want me to do about this?”

“I don’t know, what do you usually do when an officer under your command is kidnapped and murdered on home soil?”

“Irony again?”

“That was sarcasm, founded on your apparent indifference to the loss of an officer.”

“I am not indifferent to our loss.”

“Good. I’ll look forward to the results of your investigation.”

“I will appoint an ad hoc commission to investigate the matter.”

“On which I will not serve,” Stone said. “I’ve read our contract and it does not require or permit me to run internal investigations.”

“I don’t like you throwing your contract up to me every time we disagree.”

“I’m a lawyer. Contracts are what I do. And this is the first time I’ve mentioned my contract when we’ve disagreed.”

“And don’t do it again.”

“I’ll reserve the right to do it anytime we disagree,” Stone said.

“Will you assent to advising the ad hoc committee?”

“When they’re done, I’ll read their report and make any comments about the results that I feel are pertinent.”

“I don’t think I’ll want you to do that,” Lance said.

“Are you afraid I’ll disagree with them?”

“You almost certainly will.”

“Then you think they’ll lie in their report?”

“I’m sure they’ll do the right thing.”

“And who gets to determine what’s right?”

“I do,” Lance said, then hung up.

Stone buzzed Joan.

“Yes, sir?”

“Please bring me a copy of my contract with the CIA.”