Dino got into the backseat of the black SUV with Stone and slammed the door. “We’ve got fifty-one minutes to make a flight at JFK,” he said to his driver. “Punch it, and use the siren and the lights.”

“God bless you,” Stone said, patting him on the knee.

“Don’t bring God into this, and don’t put your hand on my knee.”

“You want me to shoot him, boss?” the detective in the front passenger seat asked.

“Not unless he does it again. You get on the horn to security at Kennedy and tell them I want to drive onto the ramp. Find out what gate the Alitalia flight to Rome is occupying, and tell them to stand by for an arriving passenger, Barrington.”

“Yes, sir.” The detective whipped out his phone.

Stone dialed Joan’s number.

“I’m here.”

“Am I on the flight?” he shouted over the siren.

“You are—you got the last seat, and I ordered you a car.”

“Good. I need a room at the Hassler in Rome.”

“I’ve already called them and talked to the night man. It’s the middle of the night there, but he’s promised to have you a bed, he just can’t promise you a suite.”

“Where’s the board meeting tomorrow?”

“In a conference room at the Hassler.”

“When did we get notice of the meeting?”

“Do you really need to know?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Maybe ten days ago. I got busy and . . .”

“Okay, go upstairs to my dressing room and pack the following, ready?”

“Shoot.”

“Use the two medium-sized cases. Pack a blue suit, a chalk-stripe, and—I don’t know, maybe a tuxedo, pleated shirt, and black tie. Pack the black alligator oxfords, six pairs of boxers, six pairs of black socks, half a dozen linen handkerchiefs, and six shirts that go with the suits and half a dozen ties, and include my travel toiletries kit. Oh, shit, I don’t have my passport. Find it.”

“Are you wearing your blue blazer with the yacht club buttons?”

“Yes.”

“Try the left inside pocket.”

Stone slapped his chest, rummaged in the pocket, and came up with the alligator passport case. “Got it. How did you know where it was?”

“When the new one came in the mail, I saw you put it there. What else do you need?”

“A briefcase—the black alligator one, and all the stuff that’s in it. You might make sure there’s a legal pad in there.”

“Right. What else?”

“Is it cold in Rome?”

“It’s spring, and Rome is a subtropical climate.”

“No coat, then. What’s the agenda for the board meeting?”

“I’ll fax it to you before I go to bed.”

“FedEx the luggage, so it’ll be there the day after tomorrow. I’ll make do until then.”

“Have a good trip.”