1
STONE BARRINGTON AND DINO BACCHETTI ENTERED ELAINES on a Sunday evening, and drinks were brought to them immediately.
They took their usual table, and Elaine came over and sat down. You two are oddly dressed,” she said. For you. Whats going on?”
Oh,” Stone said, we delivered our sons to Yale for their freshman year this afternoon, and were dressed for humping boxes of their gear up to their apartment.”
Elaine nodded. So the boys are off?”
Theyre off,” Dino said.
No wonder you both look so glum,” Elaine said.
Stone looked at Dino. Do I look glum?”
Yeah,” Dino said.
So do you.”
Youre empty nesters now,” Elaine chortled. Never thought Id see the day.”
Stone shook his head. Nine months ago I didnt have a son, at least not one Id ever met. Now I dont have a son again.”
Elaine reached over and patted his cheek. You havent lost a son,” she said, youve gained a college boy.” She got up and continued her rounds of the regulars tables.
I guess thats one way to look at it,” Stone said. Do you think hell ever come home again?”
Probably not,” Dino replied. Youve seen the last of that kid.”
Oh, shut up. Youre in the same spot.”
Nah,” Dino said, youre worse off. At least Im not used to having Ben around the house all the time. Hes been at prep school for four years, and then his mother yanked him to her place every chance she got. This afternoon, why didnt you raise the subject of visits home?”
I thought about it,” Stone said, but I was afraid I wouldnt like the answer. After all, the kids got the money he was paid for his film, which is more than I had a year ago, so he doesnt need me for anything.”
He just doesnt need you for buying stuff,” Dino pointed out. He still needs a father.”
You really think so?”
Ben needs me, Im sure of that. Why wouldnt Peter need you, what with his mother dead and all?”
Hes got Hattie. Theyre sleeping together, you know.”
Dino laughed aloud. No shit? What were you doing your freshman year?”
Stone shrugged. Fucking my brains out, if I recall correctly.”
Actually, you continued to do that, at least until you and Arrington got married.”
Stone managed a smile. If anything, the activity increased after that.”
Im getting worried about you, kiddo,” Dino said. Youre gonna have to get back in the saddle pretty soon or youre gonna forget how.”
Yeah, I think about that a lot. Its just that . . . well, its like not being hungry at dinnertime. I just dont have an appetite.”
Dino turned and watched as a very pretty brunette in a short skirt came through the door and took a seat at the bar, crossing her long legs. Doesnt that do anything for you?”
Sort of,” Stone replied. I mean, I remember what it was like, the way you remember how you roller-skated when you were a kid, but it just isnt all that appealing.”
Dino felt for Stones pulse and looked at his watch. Your vital signs seem normal.”
Thats something, I guess.”
Look whos here,” Dino said, nodding toward the door.
Stone turned in time to see a tall redhead in a well-cut pantsuit enter the restaurant. She headed for their table and sat down. Hello, sailors,” she said, leering a little.
Stone leaned over and kissed her. Hello, Holly. What brings you to town?”
Dino kissed her, too. Same question here.”
Agency business,” Holly Barker replied. She was an assistant deputy director for the CIA. I hope you guys remember that youre still under contract to us as consultants.”
How could we forget?” Stone asked. Lance keeps reminding us.” Lance Cabot was Hollys boss, deputy director for operations, or DDO.
Well, fellas, youre about to get the call again.”
Stone slumped. Now what?”
I cant tell you,” Holly replied.
Cant tell us what?” Dino asked.
Thats what I cant tell you, dummy,” she said.
What kind of deal is this?” Stone asked.
Heres the deal: you get the daily rate specified in your contract and five hundred per diem.”
For how long?” Dino asked.
That depends on how good you are,” she said.
Who can live on five hundred a day?” Stone asked.
Clearly, youve been living too well,” Holly replied. If you stay at a Holiday Inn Express, and eat at McDonalds, you can make money on that. Would you like my office to book you in?”
Thanks,” Stone said. Ill make my own arrangements.”
Hell make mine, too,” Dino said. Hes a regular travel agent.”
As you wish,” Holly said.
Come on, give us a hint.”
Heres the only hint youre going to get,” Holly said. Ill have a car left for you at the Manassas, Virginia, airport. Therell be an envelope locked in the glove compartment containing your credentials.”
Credentials?” Dino asked. You think we dont know who we are?”
Sure,” Holly said, but nobody in Washington does. Youll have to prove it, especially at the White House.”
Which White House is that?” Stone asked.
The only one,” Holly said. Find yourselves hotel rooms, then be there at six sharp tomorrow evening, freshly scrubbed and pressed. If youre lucky, youll get dinner, but dont count on it.”
Is it black tie?” Stone asked.
Youre not that important,” Holly said. Just wear one of your nice suits.”
The blue or the pinstripe?” Stone asked.
Your choice, sweetie. By the way, Im very sorry for your loss.”
Thank you. I got your very nice letter. Im afraid I havent responded to all those yet.”
Dont worry about it.”
How are you and the boyfriend doing?” Dino asked.
Hes running a big trauma center in San Diego,” she replied. He didnt take to the agency lifenot enough blood and guts, I guess. Its been a couple of months. It was amicable.”
Let me get you a drink and a menu,” Stone said.
Love to, but cant,” she said. Theres a chopper waiting for me at the West Side heliport, and Ive got a briefcase full of work to keep me awake on the flight home.” She stood up, and both men stood up with her.
See you tomorrow evening,” she said, then walked briskly out.
They sat down again.
Why did you ask her about the boyfriend?” Stone asked.
Because I knew you wouldnt,” Dino replied.
2
STONE PACKED A BAG THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THEN, ON second thought, packed a second bag. The last time he had consulted for the CIA, he, Holly, and Dino had spent a couple of weeks on a tropical isle, pursuing a federal fugitive named Teddy Fay, who gave them the slip. Who knew how long this one would take or where they would end up?
He took the elevator down to the garage and put his bags in the car, then he went to his office and wondered what to put in his briefcase.
Joan Robertson, his secretary, appeared in the doorway. You off to someplace?”
To Washingtonfor a few days, I think.”
Could be longer?”
Its one of those things for Lance Cabot and Holly Barker. Who knows?”
Youd better take your passport,” she said, opening his safe and tossing him the document.
Id take my vaccinations, if I knew which ones to take,” he replied.
You dont look very happy about this,” Joan said, pouring him a cup of coffee.
LM>