Lucid Intervals (2010)

work in the marketplace.”
    “Fascinating,” Eduardo replied. “And for whom are you trying to locate him?”
    “For his former employers.”
    “You actually know people in British intelligence?”
    “Only one person, really, but she is well placed in that community.”
    “And what will they do with this gentleman when you have found him? Slit his throat in some quiet, English-gentlemanly way?”
    “I have been assured that that will not occur, or I would not have accepted the job.”
    Eduardo smiled. “Ah, you are such an ethical man, Stone. You know, it is often said that violence never solves anything, but I have found over the years that the correct degree of violence, discreetly applied, can solve a great many things.”
    Stone was surprised; Eduardo rarely made reference to that part of his past.
    Lunch was served: langoustine on a bed of saffron rice with much garlic butter. The Pinot Grigio was a perfect accompaniment.
    Stone waited until the dishes had been taken away and coffee served before speaking of why he had come. “Eduardo, there appears to be a problem that I need your help in resolving.”
    “Something requiring violence?” Eduardo asked, a small smile playing across his lips.
    “Nothing like that,” Stone said. “It’s a family matter.”
    “I was of the impression that all your family had passed on,” Eduardo said.
    “I was referring to your family, Eduardo.”
    A shadow seemed to pass over the old man’s face. “Most of my family have passed, too, except my sister and my daughters, Anna Maria and . . . Dolce.”
    “It is of Dolce I speak,” Stone said.
    “Ah,” Eduardo replied.
    “She has been spending considerable amounts of time across the street from my house, accompanied by a large man.”
    “Yes,” Eduardo said, “a reliable fellow.”
    “I have begun to feel uncomfortable about her presence, and my secretary is very worried.”
    Eduardo looked surprised. “Does Dolce have some problem with your secretary?”
    “Oh, no,” Stone said quickly. “It’s just that her office window is at street level, and she sees Dolce standing there two or three days a week. This has been going on for about a month.”
    Eduardo looked bleakly into his coffee cup, then took a small sip. “I am afraid I have been foolish, Stone,” he said. “Dolce seemed to have improved greatly over the past months, becoming again much the sweet daughter she once was. As a result, I have permitted her to leave the house and make trips into the city, accompanied by Mario, of course. He is quite fond of her.”
    “I thought that in view of my past . . . difficulties with Dolce that you might wish to know of her visits to my neighborhood.”
    “Yes,” Eduardo said. “You are quite right to inform me of this. You, as well as anyone, have personal knowledge of how dangerous Dolce could be when she was—how shall I put it?—not herself.”
    Stone nodded. “I am concerned for her safety,” he said.
    Eduardo shook his head. “I believe you should, perhaps, be more concerned with your own.”
    “Then you think she may be relapsing?”
    “I am very much afraid that she has already relapsed,” Eduardo said.
    Stone said nothing.
    Eduardo took a deep breath and sighed. “She did not come home yesterday,” he said.
    “She eluded Mario?” Stone asked.
    “Mario is recovering in a hospital,” Eduardo replied, “from a knife wound. Either he was very lucky to survive or Dolce was extremely skillful. She was taught these things by my man.” He nodded in the direction of the butler, who was standing a discreet distance away, watching everything. “She could not have been more than fourteen years,” he said sadly.
    “I see,” Stone said, because he could not think of anything else to say.
    “You may be sure that she is being sought by acquaintances of mine,” Eduardo said. “I have so far been able to avoid involving the police, and I hope that you will do so as well.”
    “Of course,” Stone said.
    “And I would be grateful if your secretary could call mine should Dolce visit your neighborhood again.”
    “Certainly,” Stone replied.
     
     
     
    ON THE DRIVE home, Stone felt a dread he had not felt since the day Dolce had shot him. The wound, he realized, had been deeper than he had believed.
    He drove around his block, looking for Dolce, before he pulled into his garage and closed the door behind the car.
    He went into the house and to Joan’s office.
    “How was lunch?”