“Well, you’ll see a lot of it in Los Angeles,” Stone said. “Are you available for lunch tomorrow?”

“I believe so.”

“Let me invite a partner to join us who is more savvy about living in California. He will be up to date on taxes, for instance.”

“Of course. What is his name?”

“I have in mind Thomas Wise, our managing partner here. He’s a native Angeleno and a very knowledgeable attorney.”

“May I bring Mrs. Grosvenor?”

“Of course. Would you like to have lunch in the garden here? Say, at one o’clock tomorrow?”

“That would be delightful.”

Stone set down his glass, stood up, and offered his hand. “Until tomorrow at one, then.”

“Good day,” Grosvenor said. He left the bar, leaving Stone to deal with the check.

—

BACK IN THE car he phoned Tom Wise.

“Good afternoon, Stone.”

“Good afternoon, Tom. I think Bill Eggers must have alerted you to the possibility of an important new client?”

“He did.”

“I’ve made a lunch date with him and his wife for tomorrow at one in the garden at the Bel-Air.”

“That’s fine. Will you be joining us?”

“I will, then I’ll hand off to you. His name is Charles Grosvenor, of Eaton Square, London.”

“Family connection to Westminster?”

“I assume so but have no real knowledge. Perhaps you can pry it out of him.”

“What’s his wife’s name?”

“He didn’t say, but she’ll be at lunch. Will your secretary book the table?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Tom. See you tomorrow.”

Stone called Eggers.

“And did you meet your new client?”

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s Tom Wise’s new client,” Stone replied. “I told Grosvenor I’d be available for consultation from New York.”

“Did that put him off?”

“Didn’t seem to.”

“Did he say that he was related to the Duke of Westminster?”

“No, but he did say that he lives in Eaton Square and has a country place near Chester. That puts him in the duke’s neighborhood. Are you coming out for the convention?”

“Can you put me up?”

“No, I’ve got Dino, Mike Freeman, and Ed Eagle staying. I can try to do something at The Arrington for you.”

“Okay, let me know.” He gave Stone his dates.

Stone called the manager and found Eggers a suite and got him some tickets for the gala.

Chapter 13

Stone took Dino and Viv and the Eagles to dinner in The Arrington’s garden restaurant, where Ann Keaton joined them just in time to order. Stone introduced her to Ed and Susannah, Ann complimented her on her film work, and they settled in for dinner.

“I’ve been hearing so much about your two sons,” Susannah said. “I’d love to meet them.”

“I think we can arrange that,” Stone said.