ALF BRAND ARRIVED at the pub for his meeting at noon. Two of his men were already at a table in a nook by the fireplace, and he joined them. A couple of minutes later, the other two came in and sat down.

“Now listen,” Alf said, and his group turned quiet.

One of his men who faced the door put a hand on Alf’s arm and stopped him. “Don’t look now, but a man just entered the pub, and he’s casing the place. From the look of him he’s packing, and he’s a pro.”

Alf shifted his chair so that he could get the man into his peripheral vision. “Confirmed,” he said. Then, as he watched, three black people entered the pub, one of them a boy, along with another obvious pro. “The gang’s all here,” Alf said.

—

ACROSS THE ROOM, one of the family’s guards kicked his partner under the table. “Group at a table next to the fireplace,” he said.

“Got ’em,” the man replied.

“Those guys are pros,” the first man said.

54

MIKE FREEMAN LISTENED CAREFULLY TO the report from his man at Windward Hall, then hung up and called Stone Barrington.

“Yes, Mike?”

“Two of my men accompanied the family to a nearby pub for lunch, and they spotted five men there who were obvious pros.”

“Any trouble?”

“Not yet. They left a man to watch from a distance and the leader of the group left in a green Range Rover. He ran the plates, and the vehicle is registered to a London company owned by Christian St. Clair.”

“What steps have they taken?” Stone asked.

“They’re returning the family to their cottage soon and a crew of six will be guarding them, two in the house.”

“Do you have a recommendation?”

“I thought of moving them to the main house, but that would be just more area to patrol. I think it’s better that they stay where they are for the moment.”

“All right. Something you should know—Hank Parker is ex–special ops. He retired as a master sergeant. It might be good to arm him. He’d be an extra man for you.”

“I’ll have it done. You’d better decide if you want to leave them at Windward Hall or move them to Paris or New York.”

“Do you have a recommendation, Mike?”

“If St. Clair could follow them to Beaulieu, he could follow them anywhere, so I don’t think moving them would help. I think they’re well enough guarded, and I’d recommend leaving them where they are for at least a few more days.”

“All right, let’s do that.” Stone thanked Mike and hung up.

—

STONE THOUGHT ABOUT it for a few minutes, then called Lance Cabot.

“Yes, Stone?”

Stone explained what had happened and the steps he had taken.

“I think that’s sensible.”

“Did you discuss the situation with Will at your meeting?”