“Everybody insert the radio earplug for a sound check.” He waited while they did this. “This is a test,” he said into the microphone concealed in his left hand. “Anybody didn’t hear that, raise your hand.” No hands went up. Thank God the equipment was working.
“Now, let me tell you the policy on firearms. You are all carrying concealed weapons. You are not to take out that weapon, unless you see a weapon in the hand of someone not in this room now, such as the subject, Paul Manning. If you do see a weapon and produce your own weapon, you are not to fire unless you feel sure that the subject is threatening to fire. You are not to fire unless you have a clear shot. You are not to shoot any guest. I hope that is perfectly clear.” That got a laugh. “You might remember that if you fire a weapon this evening, you are going to have to answer to the police and, maybe, the courts for your actions. If you are in doubt about whether to fire your weapon, keep that in mind.
“Finally, if you spot the subject or any other threat, do not head for the bride and groom. Four Palm Beach detectives will be assigned to accompany them everywhere they go. Instead, head for the subject, and be ready to use physical force to disarm or disable him. Any questions?” Stone looked around at each face. Nobody spoke.
“All right, if you don’t already have an assigned station, get one from one of the management group. As soon as you have your assignments, we’re going to start at the seawall, and in a straight line, at arm’s length, we’re going to sweep the entire property, check every bush, every flower bed for any unwelcome person or weapon.” Or bomb, he thought, but didn’t say. He walked over to where Jeff Collender stood. “Jeff, the man standing over to the side of the group, there.” He nodded toward a man in his twenties, barely encased in a white dinner jacket, with a head that had recently been shaved.
“Yeah, he’s one of mine. Jason.”
“Assign him to the seawall, to watch for anyone approaching the property in a boat. I don’t want him mingling with the guests. He’ll scare them to death.”
“Will do.”
“All right, everybody, let’s go out to the seawall and start back toward the house.” Stone led them out of the house and toward the yacht. When they were stretched out at arm’s length, he called to them, “Commence your search, and when you get to the house, re-form farther down that way and come back to the seawall. When that’s done, take up your assigned positions.” He looked at his watch. “It’s ten minutes to five. Guests will start to arrive at six, so move quickly but carefully.”
“Dan, Jeff, Dino, the four of us will search the house, starting at the top floor. When we get downstairs, Dino and I will take the kitchen.”
The four men walked back to the house, climbed the stairs to the third floor and went down hallways, knocking on every door, checking every room.
“Dan, your men at the door know that nobody enters the house except through the metal detector?”
“They know.”
“Okay, Dino, let’s check the kitchen.” Stone led the way, and they walked into a large, restaurant-style facility, teeming with people. He found the caterer, spooning caviar into a crystal bowl. “Mr. Weems?”
“That’s me.”
“My name is Barrington. I’m in charge of security.”
“How do you do?”
“I’d like you to walk around the room with me and confirm that every one of these people is known to you as a member of your staff.”
“Okay,” the man said.
Stone walked him around the room, then took him into the dining room, where a bar was being set up. “Do you know every one of these people?” he asked.
“Every one of them. They’re all mine. At the reception, we’ll have half a dozen people serving drinks who are not my regular employees, but they all come well recommended.”
“Thanks for your time.”
“Don’t mention it.” The man returned to his work.
“Looks like you’ve got it covered,” Dino said.
“I hope so,” Stone replied. “Can you think of anything we haven’t done?”
“Nope, not yet, anyway. If Manning gets in and shoots Thad or Liz, then I’m sure I’ll think of a couple of things we should have done.”
“Great,” Stone said.
“By the way,” Dino said, “have you read the guest list?”
“I glanced at it. I don’t know anybody who’s coming except Bill Eggers and a couple named Wilkes.”
“Check it again,” Dino said, “under C.”
Stone removed the list from an inside pocket and ran a finger down to the C’s. He felt a light sweat break out on his forehead. “Mrs. Arrington Calder,” he read aloud.
“Did you know about that?” Dino asked.
“No, I didn’t.”
“I didn’t think so. You’ve been too cool.”
“And why do you think her name on this list would make me less than cool?” Stone demanded.
“Well, you’re raising your voice,” Dino said, “and, all of a sudden, you’re sweating.”
62
Stone and Dino took one more walk around the property, then, at six o’clock, they headed for the front door to check out the arrival procedures. Guests were already pulling up in Bentleys, Rolles and Mercedes-Benzes, and Stone was pleased with the efficiency with which the cars were being taken away and parked by the attendants.
He watched as a couple moved through the metal detector, which had been disguised as a rose arbor. A quiet beep was heard, and a smiling police officer approached the couple.
“Excuse me, sir,” he said, and quickly ran a handheld wand over the man’s clothes.
“Probably my house keys,” the man said, holding up a large clump.
“I expect so, sir,” the cop replied. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“That was handled well,” Dino said quietly.
“That’s the Palm Beach Police Department for you,” Stone replied.
The three dozen wedding guests had been asked to arrive early, and by six-thirty they were all present with drinks in their hands. At six thirty-five, there was a murmur from the group as Liz descended the main staircase, resplendent in a beautiful ivory lace wedding dress. She was met at the bottom of the stairs by Thad, who towered over her a good eighteen inches, Stone reckoned. He escorted her into the living room to the fireplace, where a judge was waiting to perform the ceremony.
“Let’s go outback,” Stone said.
“What, you want to miss the wedding?”
“Nobody in that room is going to bother them. If there’s a threat, it’ll come from outside.”
“Okay.”
They walked into the garden and had a look around until Stone was satisfied. There was applause from inside, and Stone turned in time to see, through a tall window, the bride and groom kissing. “That’s one possibility down,” Stone said.
“What do you mean?”
“If Manning wanted to stop the wedding, he’d have already made his move.”
“I guess so,” Dino replied. “But if he wants to create a very rich widow, he’s got all evening.”
“That’s the scary part,” Stone agreed. He looked up to see Guido and two other men approaching. They were carefully dressed in rented tuxedos, and Stone was relieved to see that the jackets were sufficiently loose-fitting not to reveal any weapons. “Evening, Guido,” he said.
“Yeah, you, too,” Guido said. “Everything cool?”
“So far.” Stone dug into a pocket and came up with three yellow lapel pins. “Put these into your buttonholes,” he said. “They will let security know you’re okay.”
The three men complied.
“Where you want us?” Guido asked.
“Wherever you think best. All the security people are looking for a tall man, but not for a beautiful woman, so you’re on your own, if she turns up.”
“Way I figure it,” Guido said, “if she’s coming, she’s coming for you. We’ll stick close.”
“Not too close,” Stone said. He didn’t want to have to explain to anybody who they were.