Stone reflected that there had been another reason for Lance’s visit, but he hadn’t wanted to mention it to Gala: Lance had thought it important to warn him that Boris Tirov remained a threat, probably more of a threat than before. Certainly, if the Russian had any inkling that Stone was behind the attempt to deport him, he would be, as Gala had put it, livid.

He called Mike Freeman at Strategic Services in New York. His secretary told Stone that Mike was traveling, but that she could connect him. There was a click.

“Michael Freeman.”

“Mike, it’s Stone.”

“How are you?”

“Very well. Where are you?”

“On the Gulfstream, en route to Paris. What’s up?”

“I think I may need a bit of security at Windward Hall.”

“Gala’s ex?”

“Exactly. Lance Cabot was here for lunch, and he went out of his way to tell me I should be worried. I was involved in a little chicanery, designed to get him deported from the U.S.A.”

“Ah, yes, I read about that. Didn’t work, did it?”

“No, he got Viktor Petrov to intervene on his behalf. The warrant vanished.”

“And Tirov found out you were involved?”

“Lance seemed to think so.”

“I should think that when Lance seems to think something, it might be time to be worried. How much coverage do you want?”

“A man on my dock and two at the house.”

“Around the clock?”

“At least at first.”

“Let’s see, it’s three o’clock U.K. time. I can have them there by, say, seven PM. We’re talking a crew of nine.”

“That’s fine. I’d like them to be unobtrusive—Gala shouldn’t know.”

“Being guarded wouldn’t make her feel better?”

“Maybe, but it might make her feel threatened.”

“I see your point. I won’t have them check in with you, then, they’ll just materialize. I’ll have them housed in the village, not on the estate.”

“That might be better.”

“Armed?”

“I don’t want to cause you legal difficulties.”

“We’re licensed for that sort of thing.”

“As you think best, then.”

“Stone, did Dino tell you I’ve made him an offer to join us?”

“He did. Have you heard back from him?”

“We’ve had a couple of conversations. There are some political considerations, since the mayor is going to run for reelection, but I think his main concern is that he and Viv might get their wires crossed at work. I’ve told him that we’ll call him a consultant, and he’ll report directly to me. That seemed to satisfy him, so we’ll see how the mayor reacts to news of his early departure. I take it this arose because of a conversation with you.”

“I guess it did, at that.”

“Then, if he joins us, I’ll have you to thank.”

“You can buy me a drink.”