Hit List

21

Dino got out of the elevator and walked over. “All done. They’ll ship my suits to New York.”

“Did you, by chance, watch any television while you were waiting?”

“No, I was in a fitting room, no TV. Why? Was there cricket on?”

Stone explained the report to him.

“Where are the girls?” Dino asked.

Stone produced his phone. “Let’s find out.”

Vanessa answered. “Yes, dear?”

“Where are you?”

“In the car, about to go into Saint Laurent.”

“Scrub that and pick us up at Charvet right away.” He gave her the address.

“Isn’t that a men’s store?”

“It is.”

“Then why would I want to go there?”

“Don’t ask questions, and don’t get out of the car. I’ll explain when I see you.”

“All right.” She hung up.

Stone called Maria and asked her to pack all their things, and told her that someone would pick them up. Then he called Faith, his pilot, and asked her to round up the crew and go to Le Bourget Airport.”

“Where should I file for?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you,” he said. “About an hour.” He hung up, called his car service, and asked them to send a van to pick up the luggage and take it to the airplane. He hung up. “What have I forgotten?” he asked Dino.

“Where we’re going,” Dino replied.

Stone looked at his watch: noon. “Where would this guy have the most trouble following us?”

“Your place in Maine,” Dino said without hesitation.

Stone called Faith back. “File for Presque Isle, Maine. We’ll clear customs there, then fly to Rockland Airport, then on to Dark Harbor.”

“Got it,” she said, then hung up.

“Why Presque Isle?” Dino asked. “Isn’t that out of the way?”

“Exactly, but not much. The obvious choice is Bangor, but he might think so, too. Presque Isle might add a few minutes to our trip, but clearing is faster. Let’s get out of here.” They walked out the door, and the car pulled up to the curb. Stone took the shotgun seat. “We’re going to Le Bourget, Landmark Aviation. I’ll show you the airplane when we get there.”

“Are we leaving the country?” Vanessa asked.

“Yes.” He told her and Viv what had happened. “Marie is packing our things, and they’ll be picked up and taken to the airport.”

“Where are we going?” Viv asked.

“My house in Dark Harbor,” Stone replied. “That will be the toughest place for him to find us.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Viv said.

When they arrived, Faith and her copilot were conducting their preflight inspection.

“Are we fueled?” Stone asked.

“Topped off,” Faith replied. “We’ll be finished in about fifteen minutes. Where’s your luggage?”

“On the way,” Stone said.

As Faith pronounced her inspection complete, a van pulled up, unloaded their luggage, and stowed it.

“We’re off,” Stone said. While the others were climbing aboard, Stone took the van’s driver aside. “Did you notice whether you were followed here?” he asked.

The man shook his head. “No, but I wasn’t looking for that.” Stone tipped him, then got aboard and closed the door behind him.

“Have you had lunch?” the stewardess asked.

“No.”

“The FBO ordered for us. I have sandwiches.”

“As soon as we’re at altitude,” Stone said. The airplane began to move; they were being towed from the hangar onto the tarmac. He went back and took his seat.

“What did the van driver have to say?” Dino asked.

“He saw nothing.”

Dino put up his window shade and observed their progress, and Stone did the same. One engine started, then the other. Immediately, they started to taxi.

“What time will we get to Presque Isle?” Dino asked.

Stone checked his watch. “Late afternoon,” he said. “Figure half an hour, maybe an hour, on the ground there, while we clear and refuel. We should be in Rockland about five, then we’ll fly the Cessna to the island, be there before dark.” He sent his caretaker a text with that plan.

“How about the crew?”

“Faith can fly with us, then go back for the crew. They’ll be in the guesthouse.”

Without stopping, the G-500 turned onto the runway and accelerated. Moments later, they were airborne.

“That’s a relief,” Dino said, as they banked and turned on course.

The satphone next to Stone rang, and he picked it up.

“It’s Rick. I take it you’re in flight. Your cell phone didn’t work.”

“You take it correctly.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Presque Isle, Maine, on the Canadian border, where we’ll clear, then to my house in Dark Harbor.”

“You think he’ll follow?”

“If he does, he’ll have to fly to Boston, change for Dark Harbor, rent a car, then drive to Lincolnville, where he will have missed the last ferry. And that’s only if he can figure out where we’re going.”

“I approve of your escape plan,” Rick said. “I wish I were going with you. It’s pretty dull around here.”

“Then go help the Paris police capture Sigmund Larkin. That would make my escape plan perfect.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Rick said. “Bon voyage.” He hung up.

Immediately, the satphone rang again, and Stone answered.

“It’s Lance. I heard. Where are you?”

“In the air.” Stone related his escape plan.

“I’m on the way to Boston as we speak,” Lance said. “I’m giving a speech at Harvard. I may drop in on you afterward.”

“We’d be glad to have you,” Stone said.

“Remember, you encouraged me.” Lance hung up.

“Suppose the guy finds us,” Dino said. “What’s your escape plan then?”

“I don’t know. Oh, the yacht, I guess. It’s berthed at Rockland.”

“A little sea air never hurts,” Dino said.

Vanessa spoke up. “Tell me about the house in Maine,” she said.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be a surprise, and you’ve already got the clothes for it,” Stone said.