Stone Barrington 06-11

you.”
    “Oh, I’m so relieved,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I don’t think I could be happy without you in my life—as a friend, I mean.” She blushed a little.
    “I feel the same way,” Stone said. “And it’s because I’m your friend that I have to tell you some things, now.” Stone took a deep breath, looked directly into her large eyes, and told her.

Nine

    A RRINGTON STARED AT STONE AS HE SPOKE, HER EYES wide and unblinking. Gradually, tears rimmed her eyes, then spilled down her cheeks. She seemed unable to speak.
    Stone stopped talking for a moment. “Do you remember any of this?” he asked.
    She shook her head, spilling more tears.
    “What’s the last thing you remember before Saturday?” Dr. Judson asked.
    She closed her eyes tightly. “Someone cutting the grass,” she said.
    “And what day was that?”
    “I’m not sure. I had a brief conversation with … Geraldo, his name is. I asked him not to cut the grass quite so closely. We agreed on two inches; I remember that.”
    “Do you remember what plans you and Vance had for Saturday night?” Judson asked.
    She shook her head. “I’d have to look at the book.”
    “What book is that?”
    “The book that Vance and I keep our schedules together in. I have my own book, too, for things I don’t do with him, and he has his own book that Betty keeps.”
    “And who is Betty?”
    “Betty Southard, his personal assistant; she works in his office at the studio.”
    “What were you doing immediately before you spoke to Geraldo?” the doctor asked.
    “I was cutting flowers in the garden,” she said.
    “And what did you do after you finished cutting the flowers and speaking to Geraldo?”
    Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t remember. I suppose I must have gone back into the house, but I can’t remember doing it.”
    “What jewelry had you planned to wear Saturday night?” Stone asked.
    “Diamonds,” she replied. “It was black tie.”
    “Who was the host?”
    “What?”
    “The host of the dinner party?”
    “What dinner party?”
    “The one on Saturday night.”
    She looked lost. “I don’t remember.”
    “Did you take your jewelry out of the safe?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “What is the last thing you remember Vance saying to you?” Judson asked.
    “He said I should wear the diamonds. He was taking his jewelry box out of the safe; I remember that.”
    “What else was in the safe?”
    “I remember who was having the dinner party,” she said. “It was Lou Regenstein.”
    “Did you enjoy the party?” Judson asked.
    “I don’t remember the party,” she said.
    “Arrington,” Stone said, “does Vance own a gun?”
    “I think so,” she replied. “At least, he said he did. I’ve never seen a gun in the house.”
    “Do you know how to fire a gun?” Stone asked.
    “My father taught me to fire a rifle, a twenty-two, when I was sixteen.”
    “Did he teach you how to fire a pistol, too?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever even held a pistol.”
    “Well,” Dr. Judson said, “I think we’ve covered about enough for now.”
    “Is Peter all right?” Arrington asked.
    “Your mother wants to take him back to Virginia with her for a visit.”
    “I think that’s a good idea,” Arrington said, nodding. “I want to say good-bye to him.”
    “Suppose you telephone him,” the doctor said.
    “Yes, I could do that.” She turned to Stone. “Tell me the truth. I’m not crazy, and I want to know. Is Vance dead?”
    “Yes,” Stone replied. “I’m afraid he is.”
    She was silent, seeming to think hard. “Who’s taking care of everything?” she asked finally.
    “You mean the house? The servants are there.”
    “No, I mean, there has to be a funeral; things have to be done; decisions made. I don’t know if I can do this.”
    “I’ll help in any way I can,” Stone said. He had intended to bring this up, himself.
    “Oh, would you handle things, Stone? There are legal matters, too, I’m sure.”
    “Who is your lawyer?” Stone asked.
    “You are, I guess; I don’t have another one. Vance has one, but I can’t think of his name.”
    “Would you like me to represent you both legally and personally?” Stone asked.
    “Oh, yes, please, Stone. I’d feel so much better, if I knew you were handling everything.”
    “What about medical decisions?”
    “I’ll make those myself,” she said. “Unless I’m not able to, then I’d like you to make those decisions,