Free Dishonorable Intentions by Stuart Woods Page A

rudder. The JetStick controls a computer that controls both jet drives and a bow thruster, so if you want to go ahead, you push the stick forward. If you want to go aft, you push it backward, and if you want to go sideways, you push it sideways, which is very handy for docking.”
    They both tried docking the boat and found it easy.
    â€œAnd you can spin the boat on her own axis, by twisting the JetStick.” Chris demonstrated.
    They took the boat down the river and Chris demonstrated the electric anchoring process, then they had lunch.
    At five, they returned Felicity to her dock, then practiced more docking at Windward. Then Stone had the two Hinckley men driven to their inn, and arranged a pickup time for the following day.
    â€œI think one more day of training will do it for me,” Stone said. “It’s similar enough to my old Hinckley Picnic Boat.”
    â€œGood, then we’ll have a day or two to see some of England,” Chris said.
    Stone and Gala returned to Windward Hall for dinner.
    They were having drinks in the library when Geoffrey entered the room. “There’s a call for Ms. Wilde,” he said.
    â€œThat’s odd,” Gala said. “Who’s calling?”
    â€œHe wouldn’t say, but the gentleman did have a foreign accent.”
    Stone and Gala exchanged a glance. “Geoffrey, tell the gentleman that there is no Ms. Wilde here, nor will there be, and ask him not to phone again.”
    Geoffrey left to deliver the message. “Thank you, Stone. I can’t imagine how he got this number.”
    â€œThe house is listed in the phone book. What I can’t imagine is how he learned where I live.”
    â€œBoris has been known to employ private detectives to get information on the people he does business with. It would not shock me to learn that he uses them in London, as well.”
    Geoffrey returned to refresh their drinks.
    â€œHow did the gentleman take it, Geoffrey?” Stone asked.
    â€œPoorly, sir. I had finally to hang up on him.”
    â€œIf he calls back, just tell him to go away.”
    â€œWith pleasure, sir. Dinner will be served in about twenty minutes.”
    â€œIf Boris persists, I’m going to have to find a way to deal with him,” Stone said.
    â€œI hope it doesn’t come to that.”
    â€œHe seems to be pathological about you.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s too strong a term, but I don’t think you can have him committed.”
    â€œAnd it would be a lot of trouble to kill him. Still . . .”
    Gala laughed. “Don’t be tempted.”
    â€œI’ll try to restrain myself.”
    Stone’s cell phone rang. “Hello?”
    â€œMr. Barrington?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œThis is Jefferson Bramble. I’m the delivery pilot for your airplane.”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    â€œI’ve made landfall, and I’m about an hour out of your airfield.”
    â€œFly the published approach into my strip, and I’ll have customs meet you, and someone to drive you wherever you need to go.”
    â€œJust to the nearest railroad station. I’ll get a train to London. I have a hotel reservation there.”
    â€œThank you, Jefferson.” They hung up as Geoffrey entered with dinner.
    â€œGeoffrey, my airplane is landing in an hour. Will you phone the customs people and inform them, then have the pilot driven to the station after he’s cleared with the local officials?”
    â€œCertainly, sir. Customs are getting accustomed to visiting your airfield.”
    â€œGood.” They sat down to dinner.
    â€”
    A n hour later, as they were on coffee, the door to the library opened, and Dino walked in.
    â€œGood evening,” he said.
    â€œGood God! You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
    â€œI hitched a ride on your airplane—Joan arranged it for me. I’ll fly down to Rome with you for the opening of the