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Fred drove to Turtle Bay and circled the block twice, before pulling into the garage and closing the door behind them. Stone’s phone was buzzing as he sat down in his office.
“Dino for you on one,” Joan said.
“Good afternoon,” Stone said.
“You’re back?”
“Only just at this moment.”
“Dinner at P. J. Clarke’s at seven?”
“Done.”
They both hung up. Joan came into the office. “I hope it wasn’t too much fun,” she said.
“It was too brief to have been too much fun, but it was very pleasant.”
“It’s been quiet here. Various figures seemed to be casing the house the first couple of days. Then, I guess, they figured you had skipped town, so they vanished. Was there a reception committee on the other side of the pond?”
“An accidental one. We went out to dinner and the person we least wanted to see was sitting across the room. We don’t know if he saw us, but we decamped this morning, just in case.”
“I’ve had an offer on my house for twenty-two mil,” she said.
“Tell Margot to throw a net over the bidder before he escapes.”
“You mean I should accept the offer?”
“Immediately and with both hands.”
“I’ll instruct Margot.” She went back to her desk.
Stone read his mail and returned his calls, then Joan came back. “Margot got him up to twenty-three point five mil, mostly furnished,” she said. “And she’s thrown a net over him. We close next week.”
“I think you’d better put that check in the bank. Our safes here are full to overflowing with your cash.”
“Oh, I’ve been slowly toting it to various banks. All that’s left is your money.”
He gave her back the sterling she had sent with him.
“Why, you hardly spent anything.”
“Wait until you see the Amex bill,” he said.
40
Stone got toClarke’s a little early and found the bar less packed than usual. He took a seat, intending to save the next one for Dino, then he turned to the bartender, to receive his bourbon, which had already been poured. In that moment, the seat next to him was filled, and the occupant turned out to be more attractive than Dino.
She was, in fact, beautiful—a honey blonde with her hair around her shoulders, in a lovely dress that revealed cleavage, and there was much of it to reveal. “May I have a Macallan 18 on the rocks, please?” she said to the bartender, then turned to regard Stone.
“Put that on my bill,” Stone said to the bartender.
She allowed herself a small smile. “You are very kind,” she said, and there was a hint of an accent.
“I detect an accent,” Stone said.
“You are very quick. I am Polish. Anna,” she said, offering a hand.
Stone took it and found it strong and soft. “Stone,” he replied.
