Scandalous Behavior

20

They spent a lazy Sunday morning in bed, watching the political shows and reading the Times. “How’d you and Margo do with your computer program?”

“Very well, with only a couple of glitches, and I’ve already e-mailed that news to the software team. Margo and I are going to meet at your house in a couple of days and nail down the materials she’ll need, and my team will ship them to her late next week. They’ll get to work on the draperies, too, and she’ll have them in about three weeks. A firm in New York I’ve worked with before will do the painting and installations, and we’ll find an upholsterer to redo some of the furniture.”

“So long-distance design works, huh?”

“I am absolutely delighted with the computer program, and with the client’s willingness to make decisions from looking at pictures on a screen. This is going to make me a lot more productive.”

“I’m glad to hear it, if it will make it easier for you to come to New York.”

“It just might,” she replied.

They had lunch downstairs and then left for New York.

They drove back to I-84 West, and as they crossed the state line, they passed a black BMW SUV, parked on the shoulder. Stone watched in his mirror as the driver started the car and pulled into traffic behind them.

“What is it?” Susan asked.

“Another black SUV. Let’s see if he follows us when we get onto I-684.” The SUV followed. Stone called Dan Brady.

“Sorry to trouble you again, Dan, but I’ve got another one on my tail, this time a black BMW SUV.”

“Where are you?”

“In New York State, and I don’t know anyone on the state police here.”

“I’ll call somebody, and they’ll be in touch. What’s your position?”

“On I-684 South, middle lane, coming up on the Hardscrabble Road exit. I’ll be turning off at the Sawmill, at Exit 5.”

“What are you driving?”

“A Blaise. I hope they’ll know what that is.”

“I’m on it,” Dan said, then hung up.

Stone tried driving faster, then slower, and the BMW kept pace, always two or three cars back. As he left the interstate and turned onto the Sawmill his phone rang. “Yes?”

“Mr. Barrington, this is Lieutenant Schwartz of the New York State Police. We hear from Colonel Brady in Connecticut that you’re driving a Blaise and being pursued by a black BMW SUV. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“We should have eyes on you and him within about five minutes.”

“I’m on the Sawmill now, passing Katonah.”

“Stand by.” He was quiet for a moment, then came back. “We’ve got you,” he said. “Pull off the Sawmill at the next exit, and I’ll have him stopped there. You stop, too.”

“Lieutenant, your trooper should know that the last one who followed me was armed with a handgun and a shotgun, both loaded.”

“I heard that from Colonel Brady,” he said. “We’ll have two cars on the stop. Slow down to forty when you’re off the Sawmill, and stay on this line with me.”

“Will do.”

Stone saw an exit coming up and put on his blinker. He left the Sawmill and slowed to forty mph; so did the BMW. As he watched in the mirror he saw two New York State Police cars coming up from behind. One passed the BMW, and the other pulled in behind. Once they had him boxed, their lights came on, and they pulled him onto the shoulder.

“Stay in your car,” Schwartz said.

“Yes, sir.” He watched in his mirror as two troopers pulled a man from the BMW, while two other troopers stood behind his car, weapons drawn. He saw the man being frisked and relieved of a handgun, then cuffed. One of the troopers then opened the rear door and removed what looked like an assault rifle.

“That’s it,” Schwartz said, “he’s in custody, and he doesn’t have a carry license. You may proceed on your way now, and we’ll be in touch if we need you further.”

“Thank you very much, Lieutenant, and goodbye.” Stone made a U-turn and got back on the Sawmill.

“You seem to have very good relations with the police,” Susan said, “and in two states. I’m impressed.”

“Dan Brady did all the work,” Stone said.

“Do you think that man really meant you harm?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think he was armed to protect himself from me.”