when you’re ready to leave the White House staff.”
She stood up and closed her briefcase, then looked at him frankly. “Do I have to wait until then?”
“I think it would probably be best,” Stone said. “I’m sure that neither of us would wish to have to answer any awkward questions during another interview like the one you’ve just conducted.”
“That’s very prudent, Mr. Barrington. I’ll try to contain myself,” she said, offering her hand and offering a small smile.
He stood and took her hand. “It’s Stone, please.”
“Until next time, Stone.” She left the office, and Stone collapsed into his chair.
7
Later in the day, Dino called. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Dinner, Patroon, seven? Viv’s out of town again.”
“You’re on.”
They both hung up. Stone left his office, went upstairs, undressed and got into a shower, which he made progressively colder. He was having carnal thoughts, and it was a double feature. As he got out of the shower the phone rang. He picked it up while using a towel with the other hand.
“It’s Crane.”
“Hi there. Nice to hear your voice.”
“What are you doing right now?”
“Right now? I just got out of the shower.”
“Oh, God.”
“Isn’t that all right? Being in the shower?”
“It just makes me wish I were in the shower with you.”
“I’ve always found the shower overrated as a venue for sex.”
“How about on the bath mat, afterward?”
“Why don’t you come over here and we’ll negotiate a spot.”
“I can’t, I have an appointment in ten minutes, and I’m fifteen minutes away from it.”
“I’m having dinner with Dino at seven. Like to join us?”
“Are you suggesting a threesome?”
“Certainly not. I’m in no mood to share you.”
“I can probably meet you by seven-thirty.”
“Patroon,” he said, and gave her the address.
“Can I stay the night?”
“If we’re certain you’re not being followed.”
“I’ll rely on you to help me shake a tail.”
Stone laughed. “Anything I can do.”
Dino was already halfway through a scotch when Stone arrived and ordered his own drink. “You look rushed,” Dino said. “No, not rushed, excited.”
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” Stone said.
“Huh?”
“You know how when you were eighteen you just wanted to screw all the time?”
“I believe I remember being in that state.”
“I’m in it now.”
“Stone, you’ve been in that state since the day I met you. This have something to do with Crane?”
“Of course it does, but it’s more than that.”
“Tell me.”
Stone explained about his interview with Ann Keaton. “I don’t know what it was, but I was amazingly turned on by the experience, and I think she was, too.”
“Stone, it takes a lot less than that to get you turned on.”
“By the way, Crane is joining us. She’ll be a little late.”
“If you start groping each other in this booth, I’m going home.”
“You remember her giant husband from last night?”
“He’s too big to forget.”
“He sued me today for alienation of affection.”
Dino burst out laughing. “That’s the funniest thing I ever heard.”
“I put Herbie on it. He’ll scare the guy’s lawyer silly.”
“I didn’t know Herbie was that scary.”
“He is when facing opposition.” Stone’s cell phone went off. “Yes?”
“It’s Herb.”
“Hey.”
“I got the suit tossed.”
“How’d you do that? Dugan wasn’t represented, was he?”
“His attorney was in court on another case, and I know the guy. I made my case, and Dugan’s attorney called his client and got him to back off.”
“That’s good news.”
“Why? You didn’t expect it to go to trial, did you?”
“Of course not.”
“One more thing: his attorney says he’s convinced Dugan to sign the settlement document.”
“Too late, we’ve already withdrawn the offer.”
“Get your client to think about it, Stone—she’ll have her divorce. Is it worth the money to her, or does she want to roll the dice in court?”
“Do you really think Dugan would get anything from her from a judge or a jury?”
“Given the brevity of the marriage, probably not.”
“Then you know what I’ll advise her.”
“Okay, up to you. You can buy me dinner for my fee.”
“You’re on.” They hung up. “Herbie got the suit withdrawn.”
“You lead a charmed life,” Dino said.
Stone looked up to see Crane being escorted to their table; he got up and let her into the booth. She pecked Dino on the cheek, then put her hand on Stone’s thigh. He removed it. “Later,” he said.
Dino rolled his eyes.
After dinner, Stone paid the bill. “Will you do me a favor?” he said to Dino.
“Maybe.”
“Will you drop Crane off at my house? I’ll get a cab. Give me five minutes.”
“Sure, I wouldn’t want you shot down on your doorstep.”
Stone found a cab outside, went home and let himself into the house.