Billy drove down a side street off Tesuque Village Road and worked his way around until he was behind Gala’s house. He left the car in a side road, climbed over the fence, and walked toward the rear of the house. He stopped, checked his weapon, then climbed into a tree that gave him a good view from about twelve feet up. Then he made himself as comfortable as possible, braced between two limbs.

Billy was a patient man and, when he chose to be, a still one. He did not move for insects or noises in the night, nor to scratch himself when he itched. He closed his eyes and let his imagination wander; he sometimes had good ideas when he did that. All he had to do was wait, and he was good at waiting.

—

Stone and Gala finished their dinner and did the dishes together. Stone took Bob out for a brief walk, and when the dog had done his duty, went back inside.

Gala was already in bed when Stone got back, and she held out a hand. She wanted him.

He undressed, switched off the lights, and got into bed. She was ready for him, and they turned their attention to each other, pleasing each other slowly. When they were sated, she said, “I’ve been such a fool.”

“Why? That’s such an odd thing to say.”

“Oh, never mind. Go to sleep. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”

Soon, he went to sleep.

57

Boris got into his car and drove around for a while, looking forward to his approaching task.

When it was done, he’d take Gala back—no, he’d summon her, and she would come. He was sure of that. He hoped he’d have enough time with Stone Barrington before he died, so that he could reveal, under torture, the identity of the man he had sent to frighten him into staying away. He would reserve special treatment for that man.

He had no doubt that his plan for the night would work, but he had brought along the weapon that Sergei had supplied to him, with its very effective silencer.

He wished he could call Viktor Petrov and tell him about his plans, as he had done when they were fast friends years ago. Viktor had loved hearing his plans, then reading the investigative reports of the beatings and killings to see how the details matched. Sometimes Viktor had insisted that Boris recite them to him over drinks, followed by sex with two or more women.

After he had summoned Gala once more, he would give her everything she loved, then shoot her in the head with Barrington’s gun. He smiled at the thought.