Chapter 2

Stone got Holly into his Bentley, which was nearly as well armored as the car the government supplied for her, and shipped her off to the East Side Heliport. She was wearing a burka that Ralph Lauren’s people had made for her, which saved her from recognition by the public. Her helicopter was something smaller than Marine One, and that helped, too. It was normally used by the CIA, but they were happy to loan it to her, especially at budget time.

Stone went back into his study and called Dino Bacchetti.

“Yo.”

“ ‘Yo’? Is that the person to whom I am speaking?”

“Yeah, who’s this, Lily Tomlin?”

“Dinner at Clarke’s, in an hour?”

“You’re on.” Dino hung up.

They got through a drink at the bar before they were called to their table. There was a very attractive woman seated next to Stone, opposite a handsome young man.

“I need to powder my nose,” she said to her companion, and he let her out from behind their table, though not too graciously.

As soon as she had gone, the young man threw some money on the table and got a waiter’s attention. “Bring her another drink and tell her I was called away on important business. Keep the change.” He departed.

Stone and Dino both took note of his behavior. A few minutes later the woman returned and sat down.

“I’m very much afraid you have been abandoned by the cad you came in with,” Stone said.

“Well put,” she said, glancing at the empty seat across from her.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

“I had thought I had that in my immediate future,” she said, “but it was not to be. Did he say something about important business?”

Stone nodded. “I’m Stone Barrington, and this is my friend, Dino Bacchetti,” he said. “If you’d like to join us for dinner, we promise to be harmless.”

“How kind of you!” she said brightly, moving toward them, while the waiter made adjustments with the table.

“Are you often abandoned so rudely?” Stone asked.

“Only by that particular gentleman,” she replied.

“May I ask your name?”

“I’m Matilda Martin,” she said.

“I know you may not believe this,” Stone said, “but my mother’s name was Matilda.”

“Was she from Massachusetts?”

“From Great Barrington.”

“Then I believe you. Was she a painter?”

“She was.”

“When I was growing up, wanting to be a painter, she was my role model.”

“Did you realize your ambition of painting?”

“Yes, but only on weekends. I’m a personal financial adviser.” She took a folded brochure from her purse and handed it to him. “The illustrations are my own, but at least I’m published.”

Stone looked at them. “You should paint more and advise less,” he said.

“Excuse me,” Dino said, leaning in. “Is there an angry ex-husband and/or boyfriend looming over your existence?”

“How well you put it,” she replied. “Of course, every girl worth her salt has disappointed a man or two.”

“Just checking,” Dino said. “I wanted to see how Stone’s personal cliché meshed with yours.”

“As I mentioned, you should paint more and advise less,” Stone said again, ignoring Dino.

“I shall take that as high praise,” she said, laughing.

“That was how it was intended.”

“Excuse me again,” Dino said, “but there’s a side of beef waiting out back to be slaughtered and grilled, too rare. Anybody interested?”

They ordered.

“Is the cad who recently abandoned you of any importance in your life?” Stone asked.

“I had hopes for him, but they didn’t last long.”

“Has he ever behaved violently toward you?”

“No, but he has threatened to, when I used up too much of the conversational air between us.”

“Then he is living down to my expectations,” Stone said. They finished their dinner and declined dessert. “Matilda, would you like to come back to my house for a nightcap? Dino will offer police protection.”

“Dino, are you a policeman?”

“He is the uber policeman, the commissioner.”

“Goodness, I’ve never met a police commissioner.”

“I’m pleased to be your first,” Dino replied. “I should tell you that Stone only wants to show off his house. You’ll be safe enough.”

“I’ll show you my Matilda Stones,” Stone replied.

“In that case, I’d love a nightcap,” she beamed.

Stone filled the ride home with stories of being partners with Dino, in their youth.

“Did you and Stone protect each other?”

“Somebody had to keep him alive,” Dino explained.