Turbulence (Stone Barrington #46)(19)

“How had you originally planned to travel?” Lance asked.

“On a government aircraft, of course,” Box replied. “My office is arranging it; perhaps a word from you would be helpful.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Lance said.

“Now, if you’ll instruct your car to take me to my hotel . . .”

Lance smiled. “I’m afraid I’ve already dismissed the car. I had planned to go home in Stone’s car, but apparently that is in use by your friend. I suppose you’ll have to ask the doorman to get you a cab, Senator.”

“Then I bid you all good evening, gentlemen,” Box said, and left the room with as much dignity as he could muster.

“What an asshole,” Dino said.

“Quite,” Lance agreed.

“Lance,” Stone said, “are you really going to arrange a government aircraft to take that idiot to London?”

“I happen to know there’s a C-130 cargo plane delivering some armaments to Poland tomorrow; they could drop him off somewhere in England. I expect I can find a seat on it for old Joe, though he may find it noisier and less comfortable than he had planned.”

“I’m sure he’s expecting Air Force One,” Dino said.





15



WELL,” Stone said, rising, “I think I should see our hostess before I leave the party.”

“May I hitch a ride with you, Stone?” Lance asked.

“If my car is back by the time we leave,” Stone said. “Otherwise we can share a cab.”

“Of course. I’ll be right here when you’re ready to go. There’s something else I’d like to discuss with you on the way home.”

Stone set down his glass and wandered into the living room, where he found Meg Harmon draped over the piano, singing some Rodgers and Hart with the pianist. “There you are,” she said to Stone.

“That’s my line. I’ve been looking for you all evening, but you’ve been constantly occupied.”

“Well, it’s my party, isn’t it?”

“And a wonderful party it is,” Stone said. “You’ve done up the place beautifully, and in record time.”

“Well, I did get some furniture with the apartment, and my Realtor, Margot, recommended a stage designer, who is accustomed to reupholstering and putting rooms together in a hurry.” She took his arm and led him toward a sofa. “I need to talk with you,” she said.

“Talk away,” Stone replied, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing tray.

“I’m afraid I’m not going to be spending as much time as I had thought in New York.”

“Oh? I thought you were backing out of your business.”

“I was, but in addition to a self-driving car, it has been strongly suggested to me by my people and my board that we make an electric version, as well. And, since we’re late to the party—and we have to do the work without violating someone else’s patent—it’s going to take a lot of my time.”

“And,” Stone said, “that will come out of my time with you.”

“I’m afraid it must. I’ll get back occasionally, but I regret that you’ll be spending the next couple of years without much of my company.”

“Life is full of regret,” Stone said. “I’ll miss you.”

She gave him a kiss, then spotted a beckoning guest across the room. “I must go be a hostess,” Meg said, kissing him again.

“Can we have dinner before you leave for the Coast?” he asked.

“I’m afraid I’m on a morning flight,” she said, getting up and, with a little wave, steering herself in the direction of her other guest.

Stone’s phone rang. “Yes?”

“It’s Fred, sir. I’m downstairs.”

“I’ll be down shortly,” Stone said, then went in search of Lance Cabot. He found him where he had left him, in deep conversation with Dino.

“My car’s back,” Stone said.

“Then I will say good night, Dino,” Lance said, getting to his feet.

“I can give you two a lift for two floors down,” Dino said, rising as well. They got into an elevator and dropped off Dino, then continued to the lobby and outside, where Fred and the Bentley awaited. Stone opened the rear door and was surprised to find Kelly Smith waiting in the rear seat.

“Fred and I were having a conversation, and I forgot to go home,” she said.

Lance got into the front seat and answered his cell phone.

“Where shall I drop you?” Stone asked.

“How about at your house?” she said. “I can get a cab from there. If I should need one.”

“Home then, Fred. And when Mr. Cabot gets off the phone, ask him where he’d like to go.”

“Yes, sir,” Fred said.

Lance put away his phone. “You can drop me at the Peninsula, Fred,” he said.

They drove to the hotel in silence, and when Lance got out, he asked Stone to join him on the sidewalk for a moment.

“That was our friend, Senator Box, on the phone,” he said. “His dinner with Owaki has been postponed until the day after tomorrow. It’s just as well, because the C-130 I’m sending him on is going to drop him in Glasgow, and he’ll have to make his way to London. Dinner is at eight o’clock at La Bonne Nuit, and I’d like very much for you to be there, Stone.”