“She’s on the phone, but I’m here,” Carly said over Stone’s earpiece.
“Since Pryce is gone, is there any reason for us to hang around?”
“Hold.” The connection went silent for several seconds before she came back and said, “We think we have everything we need, so you’re released.”
“A pleasure doing business with you,” Stone said. He pulled out his phone and turned off the camera, cutting the link to Carly.
As he started to put his cell away, it rang with a call from Josie.
He took a few steps away from Dino and Lance and answered. “Hello.”
“Good morning,” she said.
“It’s afternoon here.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all. What’s up?”
“I just heard from Xavier. TheMinervawill be ready to sail by tomorrow.”
“TheMinerva?”
“It’s the name of the research ship he’s lending us. We couldgo out as early as tomorrow morning, but if I remember correctly, you said you wouldn’t be back by then.”
“You do remember correctly. How about Monday morning?”
“I’ll let them know. They’ll probably want to leave before sunrise.”
“Just tell me where I need to be and when, and I’ll be there.”
“I’ll text you the info.”
“Thanks, Josie. Dinner next week?”
“I’d love that.”
He hung up and returned to Dino and Lance.
“Your new not-girlfriend?” Dino asked.
“It was Josie, if that’s what you’re asking,” Stone said. “We’re on for Monday.” He looked at Lance. “We’re going to—”
Lance held up a hand. “Look at theAmanda Jaeon one of Xavier Silva’s research vessels. TheMinerva, I believe.”
“How did you—” Stone stopped himself. Lance had an uncanny way of knowing things that he shouldn’t. “I’ve had about as much fake mourning as I can take. Anyone for heading back to Windward Hall?”
“I was done before we got to the church,” Dino said.
“I really should make the rounds before I go,” Lance said. “But I suppose I can join you. As they say, leave them wanting more.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever said that about you, Lance,” Stone said.
“Nonsense. Happens all the time. Now, are we going or not?”
That evening, while Stone, Dino,and Lance were having dinner at Windward Hall, Stone received a text from Josie with the information on Monday’s voyage.
After passing the information on to Commander Choi, he said to Dino, “You mentioned wanting to come along on the trip to theAmanda Jae. Is that still a yes?”
