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They both hung up.
Joan came into the office with a typed document. “You need to sign this for the judge, to the effect that Eddie’s trust is good for his bail.”
Stone signed. “How’s your new house coming along?”
“Well, I’ve scoured it of everything of Aunt Annetta’s that I hate. So it looks remarkably like a stylish person lives there.”
“I’ll bet it does.”
“I was thinking of having a few people over for dinner soon, say Sunday evening? Will you come and bring a female person?”
“I would be delighted.”
“There’ll be a few people you know. It’s black tie, six-thirty for drinks.”
“Count on me.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Stone’s car delivered them to the house at six-forty. The butler admitted them and showed them to the elevator, pressing the button for them.
They emerged into the living room that Stone had visited before, but a few flashy things had been removed, and there were large arrangements of fresh flowers scattered here and there.
Joan greeted them and was introduced to Bridget. Stone had never seen Joan dressed to kill, and he was impressed. A butler took their drinks order. “You look glorious,” Stone said, “and so does the house.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Joan replied, obviously excited. The butler whispered something to her. “Oh, some special guests have arrived,” she said. “Excuse me.”
“Shall we circulate?” Bridget asked.
“Let’s wait a minute and see who the special guests are.”
“Are you likely to know them?”
“I know most of the people in this room, but let’s wait and see.” They took a position to one side of the elevator.
Shortly, the doors opened and five people stepped out. Stone knew two of them. “Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Shawn,” Stone said. Of the other three people, two were detectives Stone knew and nodded to; the third was Edwin Charles Jr.
“This young fellow,” the mayor said, indicating Eddie Jr., “was at the mansion for a drink, and we asked him to join us. I expect you know him.”
“All too well,” Stone said, not bothering to shake the outstretched hand. “In fact, his late stepmother, who was my client, took out a TRO, barring him from all of her homes.”
“She’s dead,” Eddie protested.
“Nevertheless, we will respect her wishes.” Stone gestured to the cops, and one of them stepped back onto the elevator, bumping Eddie ahead of him.
“I’m very sorry, Stone,” the mayor said. “We had no idea.”
“Not to worry, Mayor,” Stone said. “He’s a well-known party crasher.”
Joan joined her guests. She whispered to Stone, “Did I see what’s-his-name?”
“Here and gone,” Stone said, then introduced Bridget to the mayor.
Others approached the mayor, so Stone and Bridget eased away.
“Ah, so we’re manhandling my client into the elevator, now?”
“It was a brief encounter,” Stone said. “He’s barred from the premises.”
