“Yes, Holly?”
“Do not spring Stone from Paris until after the grand opening of l’Arrington.”
“Why not?”
“Because Stone is taking me, and I have spent a month’s salary on a gown for the occasion. If Stone vanishes, then I will get you.”
Lance laughed uproariously. “And that would be a fate worse than Stone’s at the hands of Jacques Chance! All right, Holly, I’ll see that you get to wear your gown.”
33
Stone got into bed, exhausted, longing for sleep.
Holly, on the other hand, was brightly awake, sitting up in bed with a book on her lap. She was not reading it. “Stone!” she exploded.
“Mmmf? What is it?”
“Who do you think Howard Axelrod really is?”
Stone turned over, presenting his back to her. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”
“Surely you must be curious. He’s supposed to be a well-known journalist.”
“I’m not curious, I’m tired.” Stone pulled the covers half over his head.
“Well, it’s somebody with a bit of wit, anyway. He always makes me laugh. Somehow, I think he’d like me, too.”
“I hope the two of you will be very happy.” Stone turned onto his back. Then he lifted his head. “Wait a minute,” he said, “you’re talking about the son of a bitch who has besmirched my good name and called Kate’s character into question?”
“Your name wasn’t all that good before, not with regard to women, anyway, and Kate’s character is beyond reproach. This will pass in a day or two, wait and see.”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“I think Howard Axelrod is in Paris,” Holly said.
That got Stone’s attention. “Why do you think that?”
“Well, Lance is awfully sure of his ability to manipulate Axelrod, and that would be easier to do if they’re both in the same city.”
“Well, if you find out who and where he is, let me know—I’d like to take a swing at the bastard, and no judge would punish me for it.”
“The gathering of top policemen has drawn top journalists from everywhere to Paris. I’ll bet Howard is among them.”
“I haven’t heard anything about that.”
“It was in this morning’s International New York Times.”
“I didn’t see it.”
“Would you really take a swing at him?”
“You bet your sweet ass I would.” Stone was wide awake now.
“Do you really think Mirabelle Chance has been sleeping with her brother all these years?”
“I confess, that came as something of a shock to me when Lance brought it up. I think it’s a horribly damaging rumor, and I don’t believe for a moment that she has that in her character.”
“I rather liked her this evening. She seemed like a no-bullshit sort of person, very forthright. What is she like in bed? Is she enthusiastic, or does she just lie back and think of France?”
“Holly, shut up and go to sleep.”