“Sorry,” Stone said, straightening back up.
Since Felicity didn’t say anything else, Stone assumed she’d gotten what she wanted.
“I don’t see Lance anywhere,” Dino said.
As Stone scanned the pews in front of them, Lance leaned in from the row behind him and said, “I’m happy to see you gentlemen were able to make it.”
“It’s like saying your name summons you,” Dino said.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Lance said.
“I thought you would be sitting in front with the other dignitaries,” Stone said.
“I will be. I just wanted to see how you two were doing.”
“I’m suspicious that you would care so much,” Dino said.
“Ditto,” Stone said. “By the way, I understand you’re staying at Windward Hall.”
“Where else would I stay?”
“I can think of a dozen places.”
“That reminds me. You don’t mind if I ride to the burial with you, do you?”
“I suppose we can make room.”
“Thank you, Stone. I appreciate it.” Lance stood. “The service will be starting soon, so I should go. I’ll meet you out front after.”
As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, Dino said, “I wonder if Lance is here.”
Stone looked at him, brow creased. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I feel fine.”
“Then why did you ask where Lance was? He just left.”
“I know that. I was just testing if saying his name brought him back. You know, like Beetlejuice.”
“Sometimes I worry about you.”
“Back at you, my friend.”
The funeral started at elevena.m. on the dot and lasted a little more than an hour.
The prime minister himself gave the eulogy, praising Felicity for her service to the country and describing her death as a national tragedy. Given that he was one of the few who knew she was still alive, Stone deemed his performance Oscar worthy.
When it was over, the dignitaries sitting in front exited first. After they had passed, the rest of the mourners crowded into the central aisle and slowly made their way out of the church.
Stone made sure his button camera took in as many of the other attendees as possible.
Once outside, he and Dino gathered up Lance and went to the Maybach for the return ride south.
“I would call that a success,” Lance said, when they were on their way and the partition between the back seat and their driver was up.
“I wasn’t aware funerals were graded on a success/fail scale,” Stone said.
“No one stood up and shouted, ‘Dame Felicity is still alive,’ did they?”
