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Zusatztext Praise for Family Jewels “Tony trappings! colorful characters! and a magnificent McGuffin...Dry-witted dialogue keeps the tone light.”— Publishers Weekly “Woods creates another action-packed thriller for his readers to devour! with plenty of interesting twists and turns that make for a nonstop! can’t catch-your-breath read.”— Booklist More Praise for Stuart Woods “Stuart Woods is a no-nonsense! slam-bang storyteller.”— Chicago Tribune “A world-class mystery writer...I try to put Woods’s books down and I can’t.”— Houston Chronicle “Mr. Woods! like his characters! has an appealing way of making things nice and clear.”— The New York Times “Woods certainly knows how to keep the pages turning.”— Booklist “Since 1981! readers have not been able to get their fill of Stuart Woods’ New York Times bestselling novels of suspense.”— Orlando Sentinel “Woods’s Stone Barrington is a guilty pleasure...he’s also an addiction that’s harder to kick than heroin.”— Contra Costa Times (California) Informationen zum Autor Stuart Woods is the author of more than sixty novels! including the #1 New York Times bestselling Stone Barrington series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs ! his debut in 1981! won the Edgar Award. An avid sailor and pilot! Woods lives in Florida! Maine! and New Mexico. 1 Stone Barrington fell into his chair at his desk. He had flown his airplane across the Atlantic from England the day before, and however much sleep he had had that night had not been enough. Joan Robertson, his secretary came into his office bearing a mug of steaming coffee. “Welcome back,” she said. “You look terrible.” “Thanks for confirming that for me. It’s jet lag.” “I thought you didn’t get that, if you flew your own airplane.” “A myth, apparently.” He tasted the coffee and burned his tongue. He made a face. “Do you have to make it this hot?” “That is the temperature that the coffee pot operates at, and you’ve never complained about it before. Let it sit there for a minute or two, and it’ll cool down. Your first patient of the day is waiting to see you.” “Patient? What am I, a dentist?” “More of a psychiatrist, I guess. Somehow, I think of them all as patients.” “I don’t have any appointments this morning.” “This one is a walk-in.” “Do we take walk-ins here? I don’t remember doing that.” “Sure, we do. Some of your most interesting patients have been walk-ins. And anyway, you look as though you could use something to take your mind off the hangover.” “It’s not a hangover; it’s jet lag. I don’t drink when I fly.” “Take your mind off the jet lag, then.” “Oh, all right, send him in.” “Sexist! You assume it’s a man.” “All right, send her in.” “Now you’re assuming it’s a woman.” “I’m running out of choices; humor me.” “Right.” Joan walked out of the office, and he heard her say, “The doctor will see you now.” This was followed by a laugh, a female laugh. Joan led in a woman. “This is Mr. Barrington; Mr. Barrington, this is Ms. Fisk.” Stone tried to focus on her and failed. The blur of her was tall and slim, though, and that was a start. “How do you do?” she asked in a low-pitched voice. Stone felt as if he were Humphrey Bogart, meeting Lauren Bacall for the first time. “Very well, thank you,” he said, struggling to his feet and extending a hand. “Won’t you sit down?” She shook his hand, then sat down across the desk from him and crossed her legs. “Thank you.” “Would you like some coffee?” “You look as though you need it more ...
