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Back Reckless Abandon Save as PDF
Chapters (62)
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  33. 33
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  61. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  62. AUTHOR’S NOTE

“What kind of information?”

“It was possible to conclude that all three men were Arab—very likely Lebanese or Syrian.”

“You can tell that from DNA?”

“Yes. Also, they were related—not brothers, but certainly cousins.”

Stone looked at Holly. “So you’re saying that the people who are trying to kill Holly and me are a family of Lebanese or Syrian assassins?”

“You make it sound like something out of The Arabian Nights. More likely, the three cousins are members of the same terrorist cell, that’s all.”

“What do you mean, that’s all? That’s more than enough. Why would a terrorist cell have an interest in Holly and me?”

“I think it’s fairly obvious,” Lance said.

“Well, you’re going to have to make it even more obvious if I’m going to get it.”

“Think about it: Trini Rodriguez is dealing with an Arab group on this money-laundering thing, right?”

“Right.”

“So he tells his contacts that you and Holly are a threat to their transaction.”

“Okay, now it’s obvious.”

“What is also obvious is that by killing three of them, you’ve probably annoyed the other members of the group, so I think you and Holly should stay in Orchid Beach until the FBI has thrown a net over these people.”

“Wait a minute. Why do you think we’re in Orchid Beach?”

“Because you filed a flight plan for Vero Beach, which is the airport serving Holly’s hometown.”

“You figured that out, huh?”

“Yes, but I doubt if your Lebanese friends did. Anyway, I thought you’d like to know that I’m not trying to kill you.”

“And do I know that? You could be making all this up.”

“Stone, use your head. The reason you should know I’m not trying to kill you is that you’re still alive.” He hung up.

Stone turned to Holly. “You’d better sit down,” he said.

33

HOLLY LISTENED TO Stone’s report of his conversation with Lance. When he had finished she shook her head. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

“Neither do I.”

“I mean, the part about the Arab assassins would be funny if you and I hadn’t already killed three of them. I wouldn’t believe it, otherwise.”

“Neither would I.”

“And he said they wouldn’t know we’re in Orchid Beach?”

“He said that he figured it out, but they wouldn’t.”

“I hope to God he’s right.”

“So do I.”

“Still, I’m sleeping with a gun.”

“Good idea.”

“Speaking of sleeping . . .”

“I’m right behind you.” Holly let Daisy in from her nightly run in the dunes, then led Stone upstairs. “Daisy, get in your bed,” she said, and the dog curled up where she had been told.

“Good,” Stone said, stroking her hair, “I don’t want anybody between us tonight, and I’m glad Ham’s out of the house, too.”