Paris Match(21)

            “No, I’m just always thinking—new ideas are flashing through my mind, and I can’t seem to make them go away.”

            “Count sheep.”

            “Why didn’t I think of that?”

            “I’m always happy to give advice.”

            “I’m getting a lot of attention from the press,” she said. “They usually mention you.”

            “In what capacity?”

            “As my boyfriend, paramour, companion, or some other sly reference.”

            “I certainly don’t mind the connection.”

            “Neither do I. Oh, my God!”

            “What’s wrong?”

            “I have to get up and go to work.”

            “Give my best to Kate.”

            “I’ll do that. Have a good day.”

            “I’ll try. Call you later?”

            “Perhaps it’s best if I call you. I’m a lot busier than you are.”

            “As you wish.”

            She made a kissing noise and hung up.

            Stone went back to his paper but didn’t concentrate very well. He found the crossword impossible.





                     12


            There was a hammering on the door. “Entrez!” Stone shouted.

            Dino opened the door from the adjoining room. “Am I interrupting something?”

            “Nothing left to interrupt,” Stone replied. “She’s gone. What are you up to today?”

            “The head of the German intelligence service speaks at ten. Should be interesting. By the way, guess who’s in from London?”

            “I haven’t the foggiest.”

            “You forget easily.”

            “Oh, God, is it Felicity?” Felicity Devonshire, with whom Stone had had a long-running affair, was the head of MI-6, the British foreign intelligence service.

            “Bright as a new penny, as the Brits would say. She sends her regards.”

            “Send mine back, and my apologies for not being in touch.”

            “What shall I tell her?”

            “Anything but the truth—I’m not up to two women. Tell her I’m overwhelmed with the opening of the hotel.”

            “Gee, I hadn’t noticed that.”

            “We have a board meeting this afternoon to hear about progress toward the opening.”

            “They’re doing major stuff to the lobby and sandblasting the exterior.”

            “Good, those are the last things on the list. The rooms are ready for opening.”

            “You don’t really need to be here, do you?”

            “That’s not what I told Bill Eggers. Actually, the board seems to value my advice. Perhaps it’s because I don’t give them much. Are you learning anything from your European colleagues?”

            “Tidbits. We seem to be ahead of them in a lot of areas. I wish the Israelis were here, but they’re not Europeans to the EEC. The Brits have a camera system all around their country that would be the envy of Big Brother.”