both spent, then she put her head on his shoulder and wrapped herself around him. “I love a hot bath, don’t you?” she said.
“Oh, yes,” Stone replied. “I don’t know why anyone ever bothered inventing the shower.”
They stayed that way until the water began to get cold, then they dried each other and went into the bedroom, where they started over, this time with Stone on top.
Sarah lifted her legs and put her ankles on Stone’s shoulders. “Now,” she said, “all the way in.”
Stone gave her everything. They lasted longer this time, changing positions, trying this and that—every orifice, every erotic pressure point, until in one final, earth-rocking spasm, they gave in to the climax, both crying out.
From down the hall, Stone heard Dino’s voice.
“Can you two hold it down a little? A guy could get horny.”
“Want me to go take care of that?” Sarah asked Stone from his shoulder.
“Remember Mary Ann,” Stone said. “She’d track you down and kill you. Never underestimate a Sicilian woman.”
“Good point,” Sarah said, and they fell asleep.
Chapter 47
AFTER BREAKFAST, SARAH LEFT THE house, and Stone called Lance Cabot.
“Hello?” He sounded sleepy.
“It’s Stone; I’m ready to deal on this thing, if you’re ready to talk.”
“How soon can you get the money together?”
“I faxed my broker yesterday; the funds can be transferred with a phone call. But not until you’ve told me everything.”
“Lunch?”
“Where?”
“At the Connaught again?”
“I’ve moved out of the Connaught.”
“Why?”
“I discovered yesterday that Hedger had put a tail on me. Last night, I moved to another hotel, a lot farther from the embassy.”
“Which hotel?”
“I’ll keep that to myself.”
“What’s the matter, do you think Hedger and I are in league?”
“I doubt that.”
“How can I reach you?”
“I’ve rented a cellphone.” Stone gave him the number.
“All right, there’s a restaurant out west of London called the Waterside Inn, in a village called Bray; do you know it?”
“I’ll find it.”
“I’ll pick you up, if you like.”
“No, I have some other things to do; I’ll meet you there.”
“One o’clock?”
“Fine.” Stone hung up and called Mason’s number.
“Yes?”
“I’m on for lunch with Cabot at one o’clock.”
“I’ll send one of our taxis.”
“No, it’s at a place called the Waterside Inn, in Bray.”
“Oh, yes; I hope Cabot is paying; the Waterside is not in my budget.”
“It’s his turn. I’m meeting him there; I’ll need a car that passes for a rental, but nothing cheap, please, since Cabot is buying lunch.”
“The car will be outside the house at noon; do you know how to get to Bray?”
“Haven’t a clue.”
“I’ll send along a map.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m also going to wire you.”
“Oh, no you’re not; with Cabot’s background, he’ll know what to look for.”
“Not the way we do it, he won’t; we have something quite new. Someone will be there at half past eleven to equip you; if you don’t like the equipment, you don’t have to wear it, but I urge you to; if Cabot is going to explain himself, we’ll want it recorded.”
“I don’t want a tail of your people, either; he might spot it.”
“There’ll be a van tracking the car and listening to the wire, but it will be at least a mile away, so don’t worry.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good-bye.” Mason hung up.
Dino, who had heard Stone’s half of the conversation, spoke up. “I’ll tail you.”
“No, no; Mason is going to have a van tracking me from a mile away. You take the morning off.”
“And do what?”
Stone tossed him the
“Yeah, sure; where can I do some shopping? If I come home without something for Mary Ann, she’ll kill me in my sleep.”
“Try Harrod’s; it’s an easy walk from here.” Stone found a London map in the kitchen and showed Dino Harrod’s. “There’s a really good pub right here, for lunch,” he said, showing him the Grenadier, in Wilton Row. “King’s Road is down here, if you want to do some further shopping; Hyde Park is up here, if you feel like a stroll. It’s all very close together.”
“Okay,” Dino said. “It’s Harrod’s; anything else will have to wait until I see how my feet do. After walking a beat, I swore I’d never walk farther than to the can, if I could help it.”
“There are taxis everywhere.”
“Right. You got any English money? I didn’t have time before I left New York.”
Stone gave him a wad of notes. “Spend it in good health; it’s Hedger’s.”
“That’ll make it more fun,” Dino said.
At eleven-thirty sharp, the doorbell rang, and Stone opened the door to find Carpenter standing there, holding a briefcase. “Come in,” he said.
She smiled, the first time she had exhibited teeth, and they were very nice teeth, indeed. “Thank you.” She stepped in and took a seat in the drawing room. “Horrible decor,” she said, looking around.
“A dead man did it.”
“I’m not surprised. Please bring me the jacket you’re wearing to lunch.”
Stone went away and came back with a blue blazer.
“Nothing with brass buttons,” she said. “You should wear a suit, anyway; the Waterside Inn is quite elegant.”
