Class Act

34

Stone made it to Patroon by eight-thirty. As he entered, he looked to his usual table and saw Dino drinking with a woman whose back was to him, but who was not Viv. It didn’t look like Hilda, either.

He approached the table cautiously. It was Tara Wilkes. She stood up and hugged him. “I’m so sorry for my behavior last night,” she said.

He held her a little away from him and looked into her eyes. “Why are you sorry?”

“I had an unreasonable fit of jealousy, and I behaved badly. Will you forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive,” Stone said, reseating her, then seating himself.

“Welcome back into the fold,” Dino said.

“Who?”

“You.”

“Please excuse me,” Tara said, and allowed herself to be steered toward the ladies’.

“Me back in the fold? I thought it was Tara, and the fold was mine.”

“It’s a female thing,” Dino said. “She asks your forgiveness, but what she’s really doing is forgiving you.”

“You’ve been reading Cosmopolitan, haven’t you?”

“Sometimes I pick it up at the barbershop,” Dino admitted. “It’s unisex. You look like you don’t feel well,” he said.

“I don’t particularly. I mean, I’m not sick, I’ve just had some bad news.”

“Share with me. Maybe that will help.”

He told Dino about his conversation with Hilda Ross.

Dino’s eyes widened. “She screamed your name while in Trafficante’s arms? That’s unbelievable!”

“Trafficante believed it. It didn’t take him long to get a fix on me, either. He knows everything but my underwear size and Social Security number.”

“Is Sal the jealous type?”

“Yes, and one who can turn jealousy into revenge in a flash.”

“So that’s why he looked at you that way last night?”

“Here comes Tara,” Stone said. “Try to look cheerful and unconcerned.”

“Sure,” Dino said, pasting a wide smile on his face. Stone did the same.

Tara sat down. “What are you two so happy about?”

“Just happy to see you,” Stone said, working on keeping the smile in place.

“How nice,” she said doubtfully.

“Really,” Stone said. “Really glad to see you.”

“Stone was telling me he’s going to take a vacation,” Dino said.

Stone glared at him. “Is that your advice, Dino?”

“In the circumstances, why not?”

“What circumstances?” Tara asked.

“Stone is feeling a little crowded in New York.”

“Dino,” Stone said. “Please stop talking.”

Dino raised his hands in surrender.

“Where are you thinking of going, Stone?”

“Do you think you could take a week off from your work?” Stone asked. “Maybe two?”

“Well, my preseason shows ended today, and my supervisors have got the new patterns in hand, so there’s not really much for me to do for a while but complain. And I’m sure my people could do without that.”

“I’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow morning,” Stone said. “Bring your passport, casual outdoor clothes, a sweater, some walking shoes, and a dress or three for the evenings.”

“How serious are the evenings?”

“From casual to black tie. You never know.”

“And I’m not supposed to ask where we’re going?”

“Right.”

“How about Viv and me?” Dino asked. “Can we come?”

“Sure, glad to have you.”

“Stone,” Tara said, “you mentioned you have an airplane. Is it big enough for four people and their luggage?”

“Yes,” Stone replied. “And a dog. I’m inviting Bob.”

“How many bags may I bring?” Tara asked.

“About one camel load.”

“Better make it two camel loads,” Dino said. “Viv will bring that much.”

“There’s room for that?” Tara asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Dino said.

“Are we flying east or west?”

“Don’t ask,” Stone said.

“When will I know?”

“When we get there. You can bring a compass, if you’d like an early warning.”

A waiter brought a menu.

“Osso bucco,” Stone said.

“Me, too,” Tara echoed.

“Chicken paillard,” Dino said.

“And a bottle of the Pine Ridge cabernet,” Stone said, handing back the meus. The waiter fled.

“Do you ride?” Stone asked.

“Yes,” Tara said. “Shall I bring a saddle?”

“Just your habit and boots. I think we can find you a helmet.”

“How about a crop?”

“All right, but to be used only on the horse.”

“Will I have time to read?”

“Yes, but we have books at our disposal, if you don’t want to carry a book bag.”

“Anything else?”

“A raincoat. We can supply you with gum boots and an umbrella, should you need them.”

“So it rains where we’re going.”

“It rains almost everywhere,” Stone said. “We are not visiting a desert region. And stop trying to figure out where we’re going. It’s more fun this way.”

“Sounds like Ireland.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Stone held up a hand. “I shall have no further comment on geography,” he said.

Dinner came, and Tara asked no further questions.

At one point, when she opened her mouth to ask something, Stone raised a finger. “Ah, ah.”

“Oh, all right, I’ll shut up,” she said, pouting.

“You don’t have to shut up; just don’t ask travel questions. You already know more than you need to know.”

“Well, this is going to be interesting,” Tara said.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get too interesting,” Dino replied.