“I’d appreciate that.”

Stone told him, in detail, everything that had happened in his absence. When he was through, he stopped talking and waited.

“And you still don’t know if this guy is really Manning?”

“No,” Stone said. “Not even Liz can be sure.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Shames said.

“So do I, but that’s the way it is. She saw him only briefly in Easthampton, and something about the way he moved made her think the man she saw was Paul Manning. But she can’t be sure that Paul Bartlett is Manning.”

“And this guy Bartlett is a friend of Frank and Margaret?”

“Yes, from Minneapolis.”

“And you think he killed his wife for her money?”

“It seems a strong possibility.”

Shames grinned. “Well, this has certainly turned out to be interesting, hasn’t it?”

“That’s one way to look at it,” Stone said. “I’m sorry I don’t have any definite answers for you.”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with them,” Shames said. “Well, Dino, welcome to Palm Beach. Callie told me you were coming, and I’m glad you could join us. Have you been made comfortable?”

“Yes, thanks,” Dino said. “She’s a beautiful yacht.”

“Thank you, I think so.” Thad stood up. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to my room in the main house and have a nap. I’ve been traveling for days, and I’m a little tired. I’ll bounce back for dinner, though.” He gave a little wave and left the yacht.

“He’s a pretty easygoing guy, isn’t he?” Dino said.

“He certainly is.”

“I mean, if I’d come aboard my yacht and found a stranger with a gun, I’d have freaked out, but he didn’t.”

“I thought he behaved very well, in the circumstances,” Stone said. “Looks like our goat-and-lion plan didn’t work. If anything, we’re worse off than we were this morning.”

“Well, there’s still dinner,” Dino said. “If we’re going someplace gaudy, anybody could be there, right?”

“In Palm Beach, you’re right.”

Chapter 33

33

CALLIE’S CHOICE OF A GAUDY RESTAURANT TURNED out to be the high-ceilinged, chandeliered, tapes-tried, velvet-seated La Reserve. Thad seemed particularly pleased with the choice, and he swept the group to a round table at the center of the single large room, slipping the maître d’ a bill on the way, then ordering a Krug champagne for everybody.

“You have beluga, of course,” Thad said to the captain.

“Of course, Mr. Shames,” the man replied. “Fifty grams each?”

“Let’s start with half a kilo for the table,” Shames said. Glasses were filled, and Thad raised his. “To this group,” he said. “I’m happy to be back with you all.” He turned to Liz at his side. “Particularly you.”