Kisser (2010)

that.”
    “I spoke to Rita. She’s going to borrow a Hockney from Philip Parsons.”
    “Well, that’s all solved, then, isn’t it?”
    “Not quite. Now we have to deal with your chummy relationship with America’s most famous designer, who has personally decorated your apartment.”
    “Well, it looks as though he decorated it,” she said innocently.
    “And that stuff about your father investing with Lauren years ago.”
    “Oh, that’s perfectly true,” she said.
    Stone looked at her skeptically. “Are you sure about that? Because that’s a loose end that can’t be left untied.”
    “Of course, I’m sure.”
    “All right, then we’re okay on that story about your father and Ralph. What are we going to do if Hildy gets to him and asks if he decorated your apartment?”
    “Oh, I’ll call Ralph in the morning and square that with him.” She turned and took him by a lapel. “Did you really think I would spout all that stuff without being able to back it up?”
    “Frankly, yes. I had no idea where that was coming from, and it would have been nice if you had tipped me off before you said it.”
    “Oh, ye of little faith,” she said.
    “And what about the Hockney? Did you have that all squared, too?”
    “Well, Rita took me to the gallery, and I saw a Hockney there. I figured something could be done.”
    “Mitzi, if you continue this high-wire act, you’re going to give me a coronary,” Stone said.
    “Yeah,” Tom echoed from the front seat, “she gives me coronaries all the time. You’d better get used to it.”
    “Tell me about your own little monkey wrench,” Mitzi said.
    “What are you talking about?” Stone asked.
    “I’m talking about Carrie Cox,” she said. “God, what a scene.”
    “Well, I had no idea she was going to be there,” Stone said lamely. “I hustled her out of there as fast as I could.”
    “And did you tell her I’m a cop?”
    “I had to; she would have blown you on the spot.”
    “Talk about high-wire acts,” Mitzi said, laughing. “You know, I think she actually lent some credibility to our little farce. Even her jealous act helped.”
    “I hope you’re right,” Stone said.
    “So, you and Carrie are an item,” Mitzi said.
    “I told you, I’ve done some legal work for her.”
    “Well, I guess it was legal,” Mitzi replied. “I mean, she is of age, isn’t she?”
     
     
     
    AT 740 PARK, Stone walked Mitzi to her door.
    She kissed him on the cheek. “By the way,” she said, “you acquitted yourself very well yesterday afternoon.”
    “I must say, that was a surprise,” Stone said.
    “Judging from the look on your face, I’d say it was a shock!”
    “Well . . .”
    “Let’s do it again sometime.”
    “Absolutely,” Stone tried to say with confidence. He was still a little rattled by the experience.
    “And Rita feels the same way,” Mitzi said. “Good night.” She gave him a little wave and went into the building.
    Stone got into the front seat of the Bentley. “That woman is something,” he said to Tom.
    “You don’t know the half of it,” Tom replied.

23
    THE FOLLOWING DAY STONE WENT to the stage door of the Del Wood Theater, gave his name to the watchman, introducing himself as Carrie’s attorney, and went and stood in the wings.
    Carrie was in the middle of what was apparently her big dance number, and Stone was impressed. Paco, from the night before, was her dance partner, and he was trying gamely to keep up and almost making it. The number ended, and the choreographer called Paco over for a chat.
    Carrie grabbed a towel and patted her face. When she saw Stone in the wings she came over. “Visitors aren’t allowed at rehearsals,” she said. “Wait for me in my dressing room.” She pointed the way and then walked back onto the stage.
    Stone found a door with a star tacked to it and let himself in. It was fairly large, with a big dressing table, a long couch, and a couple of chairs, as well as an en suite bathroom. The decor wasn’t much, he thought, but there were a couple of paint cans and some wallpaper rolls in a corner, so he reckoned that would change soon. He settled on the sofa and leafed through a Variety from the coffee table.
    Carrie came in after a few minutes and slammed the door behind her.
    Stone got up to greet her.
    “You were very mean to me last night,” she said, pouting.
    “You were behaving badly,” he said, “so I had to be mean. You could have caused a great deal of