Stuart Woods - Cold Paradise

“Dan, Jeff, Dino, the four of us will search the house, starting at the top floor. When we get downstairs, Dino and I will take the kitchen.”

The four men walked back to the house, climbed the stairs to the third floor and went down hallways, knocking on every door, checking every room.

“Dan, your men at the door know that nobody enters the house except through the metal detector?”

“They know.”

“Okay, Dino, let’s check the kitchen.” Stone led the way, and they walked into a large, restaurant-style facility, teeming with people. He found the caterer, spooning caviar into a crystal bowl. “Mr. Weems?”

“That’s me.”

“My name is Barrington. I’m in charge of security.”

“How do you do?”

“I’d like you to walk around the room with me and confirm that every one of these people is known to you as a member of your staff.”

“Okay,” the man said.

Stone walked him around the room, then took him into the dining room, where a bar was being set up. “Do you know every one of these people?” he asked.

“Every one of them. They’re all mine. At the reception, we’ll have half a dozen people serving drinks who are not my regular employees, but they all come well recommended.”

“Thanks for your time.”

“Don’t mention it.” The man returned to his work.

“Looks like you’ve got it covered,” Dino said.

“I hope so,” Stone replied. “Can you think of anything we haven’t done?”

“Nope, not yet, anyway. If Manning gets in and shoots Thad or Liz, then I’m sure I’ll think of a couple of things we should have done.”

“Great,” Stone said.

“By the way,” Dino said, “have you read the guest list?”

“I glanced at it. I don’t know anybody who’s coming except Bill Eggers and a couple named Wilkes.”

“Check it again,” Dino said, “under C.”

Stone removed the list from an inside pocket and ran a finger down to the C’s. He felt a light sweat break out on his forehead. “Mrs. Arrington Calder,” he read aloud.

“Did you know about that?” Dino asked.

“No, I didn’t.”

“I didn’t think so. You’ve been too cool.”

“And why do you think her name on this list would make me less than cool?” Stone demanded.

“Well, you’re raising your voice,” Dino said, “and, all of a sudden, you’re sweating.”

Stone and Dino took one more walk around the property, then, at six o’clock, they headed for the front door to check out the arrival procedures. Guests were already pulling up in Bentleys, Rolles and Mercedes-Benzes, and Stone was pleased with the efficiency with which the cars were being taken away and parked by the attendants.

He watched as a couple moved through the metal detector, which had been disguised as a rose arbor. A quiet beep was heard, and a smiling police officer approached the couple.

“Excuse me, sir,” he said, and quickly ran a handheld wand over the man’s clothes.

“Probably my house keys,” the man said, holding up a large clump.

“I expect so, sir,” the cop replied. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“That was handled well,” Dino said quietly.

“That’s the Palm Beach Police Department for you,” Stone replied.

The three dozen wedding guests had been asked to arrive early, and by six-thirty they were all present with drinks in their hands. At six thirty-five, there was a murmur from the group as Liz descended the main staircase, resplendent in a beautiful ivory lace wedding dress. She was met at the bottom of the stairs by Thad, who towered over her a good eighteen inches, Stone reckoned. He escorted her into the living room to the fireplace, where a judge was waiting to perform the ceremony.

“Let’s go outback,” Stone said.

“What, you want to miss the wedding?”

“Nobody in that room is going to bother them. If there’s a threat, it’ll come from outside.”

“Okay.”

They walked into the garden and had a look around until Stone was satisfied. There was applause from inside, and Stone turned in time to see, through a tall window, the bride and groom kissing. “That’s one possibility down,” Stone said.

“What do you mean?”

“If Manning wanted to stop the wedding, he’d have already made his move.”

“I guess so,” Dino replied. “But if he wants to create a very rich widow, he’s got all evening.”

“That’s the scary part,” Stone agreed. He looked up to see Guido and two other men approaching. They were carefully dressed in rented tuxedos, and Stone was relieved to see that the jackets were sufficiently loose-fitting not to reveal any weapons. “Evening, Guido,” he said.

“Yeah, you, too,” Guido said. “Everything cool?”

“So far.” Stone dug into a pocket and came up with three yellow lapel pins. “Put these into your buttonholes,” he said. “They will let security know you’re okay.”

The three men complied.

“Where you want us?” Guido asked.

“Wherever you think best. All the security people are looking for a tall man, but not for a beautiful woman, so you’re on your own, if she turns up.”

“Way I figure it,” Guido said, “if she’s coming, she’s coming for you. We’ll stick close.”

“Not too close,” Stone said. He didn’t want to have to explain to anybody who they were.

“Got it.” They wandered off.

At seven, the reception guests started to arrive, and the crowd became thicker.

“Jesus,” Dino said, “this is a hell of a lot of people.”

“Just two hundred of their closest friends,” Stone said. A big dance band began to play tunes from the thirties and forties in the garden. Stone liked the music. It was a beautiful night, and a handsome crowd of people. They wandered through the house and gardens, sipping champagne and chatting with people they knew, and everybody seemed to know everybody. Stone began to relax a little.

The party wore on into the evening. The guests talked, danced, congratulated the bride and groom and did all the other things people did at parties. Some were drunk, but not too drunk. Then, late in the evening, Stone turned toward the house and saw Arrington. She was leaving the main house on the arm of a tall, handsome man of about forty, beautifully dressed. After the shock of recognition, Stone’s next reaction was jealousy.

“Easy, pal,” Dino said. “You look like you want to shoot the guy.”

The tall man had already attracted the attention of a couple of security people, who looked at Stone inquiringly. He shook his head.

“Yeah, that’s all we need,” Dino said. “For security to shoot Arrington’s date.”

“Yes, that would be too bad,” Stone said. Arrington saw him and started toward him, leaving her companion at the bar.

“Hello, Dino,” she said, beaming at him and giving him a kiss on the lips.

“Hiya, kiddo,” Dino said, beaming back.

“Hello, Stone,” she said, almost shyly. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I behaved badly the last time we saw each other,” she whispered. “I know we can work this out. I’m at the Breakers. Call me late tonight, I don’t care how late.”

Stone nodded, then a voice entered his ear.

“Crasher at the front door,” the voice said.

“Arrington, please excuse me,” Stone said. “I have to attend to something. I’ll call you later, I promise.” He made his way toward the front door, closely followed by Dino.

“Don’t you want me to handle the thing at the front door?” Dino asked. “Wouldn’t you rather stay here and talk to Arrington?”

“I just want to see what’s going on,” Stone said. They arrived at the front door in time to see two Palm Beach PD officers hustling a man into a van.