Free Dishonorable Intentions by Stuart Woods Page B

Arrington.”
    â€œSit down and have some dinner.” Geoffrey was ready for him.
    â€œYou must be tired,” Stone said.
    â€œWell, it wasn’t the same as traveling on a G650.” He sat down, and Stone poured him a glass of wine. When he was finished, Geoffrey took him upstairs and got him quartered.
    Stone and Gala soon followed.

17
    T he following morning they met downstairs for breakfast. “We have a choice for you,” Stone said to Dino. “You can come out with us on my new boat—I’m still in training—or you can sit on your ass all day.”
    â€œI did enough of that yesterday,” Dino said. “I’ll take the boat.”
    Chris and Dustin were waiting for them, and they did a quick review of checking fluids and the starting procedure, then they cast off and started downriver with Gala at the helm and Dino watching her like a hawk. As they neared the mouth of the river another boat passed them, going in the opposite direction. Gala ducked and asked Dino to take the helm, and they exchanged seats.
    â€œSomething wrong?” Stone asked.
    â€œThat other boat—there were two men on it, and I know one of them.”
    â€œWho is he?”
    â€œHis name is Kharzy, big fellow with a bald head. He sometimes works for Boris.”
    â€œDid you see Boris aboard?”
    â€œI saw the back of one other man, but I don’t think it was Boris. If he’s aboard, he must be below.”
    Stone moved her to a cabin seat then took the seat next to Dino. “Are you armed?” he asked.
    â€œAlways,” Dino replied. “Shall I stand by to repel boarders?”
    â€œI don’t know if they saw Gala. Let’s see if they turn around.” Stone watched as the boat continued up the river. He got out his cell phone.
    â€œGood morning, Windward Hall.”
    â€œGeoffrey, it’s Mr. Barrington. There is a boat headed upriver that may contain the gentleman who called last night. Please go down to the dock and refuse them permission to land. If they attempt to land, call the police and tell them we have intruders who are making a nuisance of themselves.”
    â€œRight away, sir.”
    â€œPlease keep me posted on the outcome.”
    â€œCertainly, sir.” They both hung up.
    â€œNow, let’s get out of here, so that when they come back we’ll already be in Cowes.” He shoved the throttles forward, and they were soon doing thirty knots up the Solent. When theywere out of sight of the Beaulieu River, Stone got out his phone and called the yacht club.
    â€œGood morning, Royal Yacht Squadron.”
    â€œGood morning, this is Stone Barrington. I’m a new member.”
    â€œOf course, Mr. Barrington, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Castle.”
    â€œI’m motoring on the Solent at the moment, headed your way. May I book lunch for five people, dressed in sailing clothes?”
    â€œOf course, sir. We’ll be serving in the pavilion, behind the Castle.”
    â€œHalf an hour?”
    â€œVery good, sir.”
    â€œMay we dock at the Squadron Marina?”
    â€œOf course, sir. I’ll let the dockmaster know. What size yacht are you?”
    â€œA forty-three-foot motor yacht, beam is fourteen feet six inches, and we draw twenty-eight inches. Her name is
Indian Summer
.”
    â€œVery good, sir. We’ll see you soon.”
    Stone slowed as they approached the Castle and pulled into the marina. A boatman was waiting to take their lines, and they were soon made fast.
    â€œNow I see why you’re wearing that ridiculous cap,” Dino said, as they walked ashore, through the gates, and up to the pavilion at the top of the lawn.
    â€”
    T hey had a good lunch, then Stone, Dino, and Gala walked over to the Squadron jeweler, Benzie’s, while the Hinckley men made the boat ready for departure. Once there, Stone bought a Squadron tie pin, and he bought Gala a ladies’