After a shower and breakfast in his room, he was feeling a bit better, and thought as long as he didn’t get into a shouting match today, he should be okay.
He’d just finished getting ready when Dino called.
“How’s the patient?”
“Walking and talking.”
“Glad to hear it. Does this mean the trip to England is still on?”
“I didn’t realize it was in question.”
“Given your visit to the ER, I thought it prudent to double-check.”
“I have no intention of disappointing Dame Felicity. Wheels up Friday, ten a.m. Would you like a ride there?”
“I’ll be coming from headquarters, so I’ll have my driver bring me.”
“Offer still stands if things change. Any progress on the men from last night?”
“We have the images our sketch artist created with Fred, but no IDs yet.”
“If you find Ramona and Sofia, I bet they could point you in the right direction.”
“Ah, yes. The damsels in distress.”
“Technically, one damsel in distress and her friend.”
“Technically, zero damsels in distress and two con artists who baited you into a trap.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“We worked up a couple of sketches of them, too, but no hits yet. I’ll let you know if that changes.”
“Thanks, Dino.”
Stone barely had the opportunity to straighten his tie when his phone rang again. This time, it was Viv.
“I understand your England trip is still on,” she said.
“Dino could have just passed you the phone.”
“He could have if I was home, but I’m not. He texted me.”
“That’s right. Barcelona.”
“That was yesterday. I’m sitting in the lounge in Dubai now, waiting for a connection to Bangkok.”
“I thought you were going to Sydney.”
“That’s Friday. And speaking of Friday, your trip?”
“Yes, the trip is still on.”
“In that case, I’m wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“If it is within my purview.”
“Will there be an open seat?”
