“Of course.”
“I’d be honored to attend.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. Bring Dino and Viv, too, if you can.”
“I’ll ask them.”
“And that lovely insurance investigator I’ve been hearing about.”
“You mean Monica. Sadly, she took a job in San Francisco and that’s pretty much that.”
“What a pity. Well, if there’s someone else you’d like to bring along, feel free.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Until Saturday.”
“See you then.” Stone hung up, checked his calendar, then buzzed Joan. “Clear my schedule on Friday. Monday, too, while you’re at it. And let Faith know we’ll be flying to Windward Hall Friday morning, wheels up at ten a.m.”
“Got it.”
Stone called Dino.
“What may the great city of New York do for you this morning?” Dino asked.
“Dinner tonight?”
“Can’t tonight. Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s good.”
“Patroon’s? Seven?”
“Done.”
“It’ll only be me. Viv leaves for Barcelona tonight. Hence the reason I am unavailable.”
“Lucky Viv,” Stone said. “One other thing. Dame Felicity is having a party on Saturday night, and we are all invited. I’ll be flying out on Friday, if you care to join me.”
“I’m game, but I’ll have to check with Viv. I’m not sure when she’s coming back. I’ll let you know when I know.”
Stone hung up and turned his attention back to the files he’d been working on. An hour later, Joan knocked on his doorjamb.
“It’s time,” she said.
Stone looked up, confused. “Time for what?”
“Your lunch with Jack Coulter.”
“Right.” He looked at his watch. It was already a quarter past noon. “Tell Fred—”
“He’s waiting for you in the garage.”
Fred was Stone’s factotum, a job that included the role of chauffeur.
“Thank you, Joan. What would I do without you?”
“I ask myself that question daily.”
