“So how did your training go?” Dino asked. “Was it as bad as I told you it would be?”

“Nearly,” Stone said, “but I’m getting through life with only an Ace bandage on my ankle, though I’ve had to give up tap-dancing for a while.”

“Were you able to keep up with the younger kids?”

“The younger kids were in their thirties,” Stone said, “and pudgy.”

“Have you learned how to be a British spy?”

“Only the rudiments.”

“I could still take him with a knife,” Rose said.

“I should explain that Rose, in addition to being a surgeon, may be one of Felicity’s flock. We can’t be sure.”

“Is that convenient for everybody?” Viv asked.

“Well, if she is of that flock, that means she gets paid for being here,” Stone said.

“You should get a bonus for putting up with Stone,” Dino said.

“Oh, he has his uses.”

“I won’t explore that,” Dino said. “Tell me, are the two of you still in mortal danger?”

“Our fearless leader seems to believe that he bagged them all,” Rose said. “But now that you mention it, he didn’t actually claim to have done that.”

“Should I go armed?” Dino asked.

“Why not?” Rose said. “I am.”

“You are?” Stone asked.

She produced a small 9mm pistol.

“Cleverly concealed,” Stone said.

“Don’t ask where.”

“I’m going to need to search you more thoroughly from now on.”

She laughed. “Anytime.”

“Well,” Viv said, rising. “I’m going to have a little nap before dinner.” She looked at Dino. “And you, my darling?”

“Sorry,” Dino said, rising. “I missed my cue.”

“Drinks at seven, dinner to follow,” Stone said.

Rose stood. “I could use a little nap myself.”

“Got that!” Stone said, following her upstairs.

12

The following morning Stone was dressing when he got a phone call.

“It’s Felicity. Can you pop down to your dock, alone, for a chat?”

“Ten minutes,” Stone said.

“Perfect.” She hung up.

“Rose, I have to go out for a bit. Will you excuse me?”

“Can’t I come?”

“It’s a private matter.”

“Oh, all right. See you at lunch?”

“Sure. If you’d like to take a ride before then, invite Dino. When he was a boy his parents sent him to a dude ranch in Montana for a summer, to get rid of him, and he hasn’t gotten over it yet.”

“Perhaps I’ll do that.”

“Just press the button on the phone marked Stables.”

“Right.”

Stone went downstairs, got into the golf cart, and drove down to his dock, just in time to take Felicity’s lines. “Good morning,” he said.

“And to you. I have Bloody Marys already mixed. May I pour you one?”

“Thank you, yes.”

She opened a thermos bottle and poured two glasses.

“What’s up?” Stone asked, raising his glass and taking a sip.

“I wanted to speak to you about our newly minted brigadier,” she said.