Dirt

Chapter 26

She got there first. When he entered the high-ceilinged, dark-paneled room she was sitting at a window table wearing a gorgeous fur coat, a Perrier before her, looking out the window. It was early yet, and except for the bartender and a waiter, the two of them were alone in the big room. Stone sat down.

She rewarded him with a broad smile. “How are you?”

“Very well; and you?”

“I’m just fine. Sorry to get you out on such short notice.”

“Not to worry; I’m at your beck and call.”

She liked that. “How nice.”

The waiter approached. “I’ll have one of the same,” Stone said, nodding at the Perrier. They made small talk until the drink came. “Now,” Stone said, “tell me about it.”

“I was at Bloomingdale’s yesterday afternoon when I saw him. I was browsing in several departments, and whenever I looked up, he was there.”

“What did he look like?” Stone asked.

“Tall.”

“How tall?”

“Not as tall as you.”

“I’m six-two,”

“Six feet, then.”

“How built?”

“Slender.”

“Hair?”

“Light brown, tending to be sun-bleached at the ends. Collar-length.”

“Clothes?”

“Fashionable. A long raincoat, below the knee.”

“Describe his face.”

“Long, straight nose, eyes a little close together, strong jaw, wide mouth, full lips.”

“That’s very good,” Stone said, impressed.

“I can do better,” she said, bending down and taking a copy of Vanity Fair from a large purse. She put the magazine on the table, flipped through the early pages and turned it toward Stone. “That’s real close,” she said, tapping a full-page photograph. “It’s not him, but it’s real close.”

It was an ad for a men’s cologne, and the model fit her description perfectly.

“You’re sure it’s not him?”

“I’m sure. I don’t make mistakes about men as good-looking as that. The guy who followed me could be doing that kind of work for a living.”

“Modeling?”

“Or acting, or both. He’s the type who turns up in classes at mediocre acting schools.”

“Did he follow you when you left Bloomingdale’s?”

“Yes. I walked home, and he was with me all the way. At first, I thought he was just interested, you know? But he never approached me, always stayed well back. A couple of times he was on the opposite side of the street, but he was always there. When I got home I looked out the window, and he was half a block down the street, watching.”

“When did you last see him?”

She glanced at her watch. “Ten minutes ago.”

Stone sat up straight. “He followed you here?”

“Yep. He was out there this morning. Change of clothes, but the same raincoat.”

They were only a couple of feet above the sidewalk. “Do you see him now?”

“Nope, but he was down that way a couple of minutes ago.” She pointed toward Fifth Avenue.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Stone said. “Don’t leave.”

He left the room and walked outside. Traffic was heavy on the sidewalk. Stone walked purposefully, west on Central Park South as far as the corner of Sixth Avenue, then all the way back to the front of the Plaza, checking every face coming and going. Nothing. He entered the hotel by the front door and made a sweep of the hallways and the Palm Court, but the man was not in sight. He returned to the Oak Room.

Tiffany was still at the table, but the Perriers had been replaced by two martinis. “I switched,” she said. “I ordered one for you, too.”

Stone fingered the glass, but did not pick it up. “It’s a little early for me,” he said.

“Then leave it; I’ll drink it.”

“Have you told Dick about this man?”

“Not yet.”

“Tell him, but don’t use the phone in your apartment; it may be bugged.”

“Dick was always careful about that.” She pulled a tiny cellular phone from her coat pocket. “That’s why he gave me this.”

“Be careful, even using that, and don’t see him until I get a handle on this.”

“He won’t like that,” she said with a small smile, taking a large swig from her martini.

“I’ll talk to him. In fact, can I borrow your phone?”

She handed it over.

“What’s his number?”

She gave it to him. “That’s his cellular. Let it ring once, then hang up; that’s our signal. He’ll call back as soon as he can.”

Stone followed her instructions, then set the little phone on the table. “How long will he take?”

“Depends; if he’s in a meeting, it could be a while.”

Stone eyed the martini but didn’t pick it up.

“Oh, go on; it’s good for you. There was an article in the Times this morning, said it’s good for you.”

“I’ve got to keep a clear head,” Stone said.

She leaned forward, and her cleavage made an entertaining sight. “A clear head is not always an advantage,” she said.

Stone managed a chuckle.

“Tell me about you,” she said.

“Not much to tell.”

“Are you seeing anybody?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

She looked disappointed. “Pity.”

“It’s flattering that you think so.”

“I spend so much time alone,” she said. “Quite frankly, Stone, I’d like some company.”

The phone rang, and Stone silently thanked God. “You answer,” he said, “then I’ll talk to him.”

She picked up the phone and punched a button. “Hey,” she breathed. She listened for a moment, then smiled. “I’d really love to, but someone sitting here says we shouldn’t. I’ll put him on.” She handed the phone across the table.

“It’s Stone.”

“What the hell are you doing with her?” Hickock demanded.

“Someone has been following her, and I’m checking it out.”

“Following her? Oh, God.”

“Exactly. And I have to tell you that someone is likely to be following you in very short order.”

“What do you know that I don’t know?”

“Your wife is considering divorce.”

“How do you know that when I don’t know that?” he demanded.

“I can’t go into that, but it’s a fact. For God’s sake, don’t let her know that you know; just play it out, and for the time being, don’t go anywhere near the young lady or her apartment.”

There was a groan from the other end of the phone.

“I know that’s tough, but it’ll be tougher still if you’re seen together. I’m going to send someone over to her apartment to find out if there’s any electronic surveillance in the building.”

“If there is, can you get rid of it?”

“If there is, I’m going to leave it in place. As long as we know it’s there, it can’t hurt, and it could be useful.”

“I’ve got to see her,” Hickock said, and he sounded pathetic.

“Please take my advice, and don’t. And it would be best if you didn’t talk on the cellular phone, either, unless you’re willing to be overheard. It’s not that tough to listen in.”

“How long is this going to last?”

“Until either your wife tells you she wants a divorce, or until you make up with her.”

“God. Listen, I appreciate this.”

“I know it’s going to be tough, but you could make a bad situation a lot worse.”

“I understand. Let me speak to her.”

Stone handed the phone to Tiffany.

“Hey, baby,” she said. “I’m so sorry. Yes, I know, I feel exactly the same way, but maybe our friend has a point.”

Stone drew a finger across his throat.

“He says we have to hang up. I hope I’ll see you before very long. Me, too.” She broke the connection and put the phone back into the pocket of the fur. “Well, I guess it’s just you and me,” she said.

“Oh, no, it isn’t,” Stone replied. “I don’t know if we’ve already been seen together, but if we are it will just complicate the situation. Now we’ve got two problems – the scandal sheet and Dick’s wife, and both are very dangerous for Dick.” He pushed the martini across the table. “I have to leave now. If you see the guy again, call me immediately, and I’ll see if I can have a word with him.” He scribbled a number on a card and handed it to her. “This is my cellular number; I don’t usually carry it around, but I’ll start.” She looked awful, and he felt sorry for her. “You going to be okay?” he asked.

“No,” she said, “but I guess there’s nothing to be done about it.” She took a key from her bag and pushed it across the table. “You’ll need this if you’re going to check out my apartment. Or for any other reason you’d like to use it.”

“I hope this won’t last too long.”

“You hope,” she said, and her eyes filled with tears.

“I’ll give you some advice,” he said, “and don’t tell Dick I said this to you. Get yourself a boyfriend, even if only temporarily. If Dick’s wife puts somebody on you, it’ll look a lot better. And,” he said, “you’ll have a lot more fun.”

She managed a small smile. “You know how a girl thinks,” she said.

I wish to God I did, he thought. He left some money on the table and left the girl sitting alone in the room, which was now beginning to fill with the noontime trade. He didn’t think she’d be alone for very long.