Free Dishonorable Intentions by Stuart Woods

then.” He hung up.
    He had been working for an hour when a call came in on his cell phone. “Hello?”
    â€œStone, it’s Phil Bennett, at Hinckley.” Bennett was the sales director.
    â€œHow are you, Phil?”
    â€œVery well, thanks. I have good news. Your boat arrived atSouthampton the day before yesterday and cleared customs yesterday. Our team is working on unpacking and cleaning it now, and they tell me they can deliver her to your dock tomorrow around noon.”
    â€œExcellent news!”
    â€œTheir names are Chris and Dustin. I’ll give you their cell numbers.”
    Stone wrote them down.
    â€œThey’ve arranged lodging at an inn near your house, so your training can begin tomorrow, if that’s all right.”
    Three days of training were included in the price. “It could not be more perfect.”
    â€œIs your dock well marked?”
    â€œThere’s a sign saying ‘Windward Hall.’”
    â€œThey’ll call when they’re a few minutes out.”
    â€œI’ll look forward to seeing them.” He hung up and Geoffrey reappeared.
    â€œMs. Wilde has rung from London. She’ll be on the five-ten from Waterloo Station. Shall I meet her, sir?”
    â€œNo, just bring the Porsche around, and I’ll meet her myself.”
    â€œYou know the route to the station, sir?”
    â€œI do.”
    Geoffrey handed him the keys to the Porsche. “The car is already out front, sir. I’d allow twenty minutes to drive to the station.”
    â€œThat’s good. I’m expecting a tailor at four o’clock. You may show him in here when he arrives.”
    â€œVery good, sir.” And Geoffrey left him to his work.
    The tailor arrived on time, and Stone selected fabric for the two suits, then tried on a hat. He had never worn a club yachting cap, and, in the mirror, he thought he looked ridiculous. Nevertheless, he bought two.

16
    S tone met Gala and several shopping bags at Southampton station and drove her back to the house. “How did your day go?”
    â€œJust fine. I enjoyed myself.”
    â€œDid you encounter Boris at Cecconi?”
    â€œI was sitting on the back side of the bar, and I saw him come in and take a table on the other side of the room. I got out without being seen, I think.”
    â€œThat’s a relief. What do you suppose he’s doing in London?”
    â€œBusiness, I expect. He often shoots at Pinewood Studios.”
    â€œSo, he’s not stalking you in England?”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    â€œGood. Oh, more good news—my new boat is being delivered to the dock at around noon tomorrow. Part of my dealwith Hinckley is that I get three days’ training. Would you enjoy that?”
    â€œI would. Will it be hard, do you think?”
    â€œHinckleys are very easy to handle. Do you mind if I ask Felicity to join us?”
    â€œNot at all.”
    â€œShe called this morning. She got me elected to the yacht club at Cowes while I was away.”
    â€œCongratulations.”
    â€œI’ll take you to dinner there. You’ll enjoy it.”
    They arrived back at Windward Hall, and Gala went to put away her things and take a nap. Stone called Felicity, told her about the boat, and arranged to pick her up at her dock.
    â€œI’ll need to leave for London around five,” she said. “Early meeting Monday morning.”
    â€œWe’ll have you back by then.”
    â€”
    T he following day, they took a box of sandwiches down to the dock, just in time to see the new boat coming up the river. She pulled alongside, and Stone and Gala took her lines.
    Half an hour later, they had been through the drill of checking fluids, locating the major systems. They picked up Felicity, and she and Gala were introduced to the JetStick, which controlled the boat.
    â€œAll Hinckley motorboats have jet drives,” Chris told her.“There’s no propeller and no