“Same goes for you, Director.”
Stone looked at Lance. “What Carly said.” He turned back to Carly. “Yes. Let’s have that conversation.”
“Not now,” she said, as if he was being silly. “I have work to do.”
“Where would you like us to put our things?” asked one of the men who’d arrived with Carly.
“There’s a two-bedroom apartment above the garage,” Lance said. “You’ll all be staying there. We’ll set up shop in the main house dining room.” He glanced at Stone. “If that’s okay.”
“Why not? Since you’ve commandeered most of the place anyway,” Stone said.
“Hello, Mr. Barrington,” said the other female member of the group. She had a distinct French accent. “Good to see you again.”
He looked at her, confused at first, then his eyes widened. “Berlin.”
She nodded and smiled guiltily.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I forgot your name.”
“Jillian Courtois.”
“That’s right. Good to see you again, Jillian. Has Lance been treating you well since taking you on board?”
“He has, thank you.” She gave him a quick smile, then followed the others to the garage.
Once she was out of hearing range, Dino asked, “And you know her how?”
“Remember the film festival I went to in Berlin?”
“Where Peter and Ben debutedStorm’s Eye?”
“That’s the one.”
“You met her there?”
“Correct.”
It took Dino a second to connect the dots. “The thing with Teddy?”
He was referring to Teddy Fay, a former CIA operative now living life as film producer Billy Barnett. Teddy had come up against someone who’d wanted him dead while on a press tour in Europe, and Stone had helped him out.
Stone nodded. “She was working for the wrong side but realized it in time, and provided assistance that helped Teddy deal with her employer.”
“And I suppose you flew in and snatched her up,” Dino said to Lance.
“I didn’t fly in and—” Lance stopped himself and thought for a moment. “Well, I guess I did fly in. Hmm. Your statement is correct. And she’s turned out to be quite an asset.”
“In other words, all’s well that ends well,” Stone said.
“I’ve always thought so. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use your cousin Dick’s office and make a few calls.”
Lance headed back to the house.
“This weekend is not turning out the way I planned,” Stone said.
“At least Tamlyn will be here soon,” Dino said.
“She’s not coming.”
