Stuart Woods 6 Stone Barrington Novels by Stuart Woods

arrived in St. Mark’s. Am I right, or am I being presumptuous?”
    â€œYou’re right; I was going to ask you. I had a ring, even.”
    â€œI think I felt . . . a little panic about that, as if I weren’t really ready to be your wife. I think that may be why I missed the first flight. The snowstorm was something of a relief, I’m afraid.”
    â€œYou were a free woman,” Stone said. “You didn’t have to marry me.”
    â€œThen Vance arrived in town, and although we’d known each other before, something was different this time.”
    Stone recalled that Arrington had been with Vance, at a dinner party, when they had first been introduced.
    â€œWe spent all our time together, working on the interview, which turned into a very long conversation about everything in the world, and before I knew it, we were in love. I can’t explain it; it just happened.”
    â€œIt’s like that, sometimes,” Stone said.
    â€œDo you hate me for it?”
    â€œI could never hate you.”
    â€œOh, 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.
    â€œI 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
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    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.
    â€œWhat’s the last thing you remember before Saturday?” Dr. Judson asked.
    She closed her eyes tightly. “Someone cutting the grass,” she said.
    â€œAnd what day was that?”
    â€œI’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.”
    â€œDo 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.”
    â€œWhat book is that?”
    â€œThe 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.”
    â€œAnd who is Betty?”
    â€œBetty Southard, his personal assistant; she works in his office at the studio.”
    â€œWhat were you doing immediately before you spoke to Geraldo?” the doctor asked.
    â€œI was cutting flowers in the garden,” she said.
    â€œAnd 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.”
    â€œWhat jewelry had you planned to wear Saturday night?” Stone asked.
    â€œDiamonds,” she replied. “It was black tie.”
    â€œWho was the host?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe host of the dinner party?”
    â€œWhat dinner party?”
    â€œThe one on Saturday night.”
    She looked lost. “I don’t remember.”
    â€œDid you take your jewelry out of the safe?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œWhat is the last thing you remember Vance saying to you?” Judson asked.
    â€œHe said I should wear the diamonds. He was taking his jewelry box out of the safe; I remember that.”
    â€œWhat else was in the safe?”
    â€œI remember who was having the dinner party,” she said. “It was Lou Regenstein.”
    â€œDid you enjoy the party?” Judson asked.
    â€œI don’t remember the party,” she said.
    â€œArrington,” Stone said, “does Vance