“I thought you were taking that out for me,” Stone said.
“And I thought your meeting was going to last longer.”
He took the bag and said, “I’ll see you both next week.”
Chapter 19
It was already a fewminutes after six when Stone arrived at Teterboro Airport.
Ken, the cabin attendant hired for the flight, met him as he climbed out of the Bentley. “Good evening, Mr. Barrington. Any luggage?”
“Just a garment bag. Has Mr. Bacchetti arrived?”
Ken nodded. “He’s asleep on board.”
Stone arched an eyebrow. “Is he now?”
The attendant took Stone’s bag and followed Stone onto the plane.
Dino was snoring in his usual seat, a glass of whiskey on the armrest beside him.
Stone went up to the cockpit. Faith was in the left seat, and Janet Joe, one of the copilots Faith often used, occupied the right.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said. “Sorry for the delay.”
“You say that like it’s the first time,” Faith said with a smirk.
Janet started to rise out of her seat. “I assume you’ll be handling takeoff.”
Stone motioned for her to remain where she was. “Not tonight. I’ve had a long day already, so I think it’s best to leave the flying to the both of you.”
“Works for me,” Janet said and settled back down.
“What’s our anticipated ETA?” he asked.
“As long as we get clearance in the next fifteen minutes,” Faith said, “we should touch down at Windward Hall at around six a.m.”
“Then I won’t bother you any further.”
Stone returned to the main cabin and took the seat across the aisle from Dino.
As soon as he finished buckling in, Ken appeared beside him and handed him a Knob Creek.
“Thank you, Ken.”
As the plane began to taxi, Dino jerked awake and looked around until he saw Stone.
“Finally,” he said.
“Nice nap?” Stone asked.
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
“Sure you weren’t.” Stone nodded at the drink on Dino’s armrest. “You might want to grab that before you’re wearing its contents.”
Dino picked up the glass, took a sip, then said, “What took you so long?”
“A dissatisfied plaintiff.”
