Lucid Intervals (2010)

remember my painter friend, Sarah?”
    “I remember you hustling us out of her gallery opening the night the place was bombed,” Eggers said.
    “The Wights are Sarah’s parents.”
    “Now that I think of it, he’s a big developer in the UK, isn’t he?”
    “He was; then he wasn’t. Now he is again, I’m told.”
    “Someone mentioned him as a possible client,” Eggers said.
    “I’d be happy to introduce you,” Stone said. “Let’s wend our way over to the fireplace, where he’s warming his backside.”
    And they did.

21
    T hey found Wight before the fireplace, momentarily alone.
    “Lord Wight,” Stone said, “I’d like to introduce you to Mr. William Eggers.”
    Wight nodded. “Howjado?”
    “Bill is the managing partner of the law firm of Woodman and Weld. I’m of counsel to the firm.”
    “Oh, yes,” Wight said, suddenly interested. “I believe someone in London mentioned your firm to me in a favorable light.”
    “That’s very gratifying,” Eggers said.
    “Perhaps we should have a chat in more businesslike surroundings.”
    “If you’re going to be in New York a few days, why don’t you come up to our offices and have lunch with Stone and me?”
    “I’d like that,” Wight said. “Are you available tomorrow?”
    “I am,” Eggers replied, “and I’m sure Stone is, too.”
    “Of course,” Stone said.
    “We’re in the Seagram Building on Park Avenue,” Eggers said. “May we say twelve-thirty tomorrow?”
    “Very good,” Wight replied. “I know the building, of course.”
    The butler stood at the door. “The ambassador invites you to rejoin the ladies,” he said more quietly than usual.
    As Stone was leaving the study, Smith materialized at his elbow. “A word?” he said.
    Stone remained in the study with him while the others made their way out. “Certainly,” he replied.
    “Are you aware of Lord Wight’s former relationship to Stanley Whitestone?”
    “I’ve heard it mentioned,” Stone said. “Are you sure it’s former?”
    “Lord Wight has been at some pains the past few years to make it seem so.”
    “Perhaps all is not what it seems,” Stone pointed out.
    “Should you discover that they are still . . . acquainted, you must be careful not to let Wight know that you know.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because Wight is also . . . acquainted with some dangerous people who would not like you or anyone else to know.”
    “What do you mean by ‘dangerous’?” Stone asked.
    “Wight is not entirely his own man,” Smith said, “and some of his associates have a way of making people who annoy them disappear.”
    “I’ll certainly keep that in mind,” Stone said. “Now, shall we join the ladies?” And they did so.
     
     
     
    THE EVENING WAS over promptly at ten-thirty, and Stone was careful to say nothing of his impending meeting while they were in the car. They were let into the house by Jake Musket.
    “Nothing to report,” Musket said, then saw them onto the elevator.
    “Who was the man you introduced to Wight?” Felicity asked as they moved upward.
    Smith had apparently had a word with her. “The managing partner at Woodman and Weld,” Stone replied. “Bill Eggers.”
    “Why did you make the introduction?”
    “Bill asked me to; he’s interested in Wight as a possible client.”
    “Do you think that’s a good idea?” she asked.
    “Bill does. He and I are having lunch with Wight tomorrow at the firm’s offices.”
    “I don’t suppose you can get out of it.”
    “Why should I want to do that?” Stone asked. “It might give me an opportunity to raise the subject of Stanley Whitestone again.”
    “I believe Smith had a word with you.”
    “He did. Told me that Wight has dangerous associates.”
    They reached the bedroom, and Felicity turned so that Stone could unzip her dress. “Smith is right,” she said. “I shouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
    “Neither would I,” Stone said, moving her hair aside and kissing the nape of her neck.
    She stepped out of her dress and tossed it onto a chair.
    Stone waited until after they had attended to each other’s desires before he spoke again. “Felicity, are you telling me all I need to know about Whitestone and Wight?”
    “I’ve told you all I can,” she replied.
    “That may not be all I need to know,” he said.
    “Go to sleep,” she commanded.
     
     
     
    STONE GOT TO the offices of Woodman & Weld a few minutes early and found Eggers alone in his office. He sat