Geoffrey left to deliver the message. “Thank you, Stone. I can’t imagine how he got this number.”

“The house is listed in the phone book. What I can’t imagine is how he learned where I live.”

“Boris has been known to employ private detectives to get information on the people he does business with. It would not shock me to learn that he uses them in London, as well.”

Geoffrey returned to refresh their drinks.

“How did the gentleman take it, Geoffrey?” Stone asked.

“Poorly, sir. I had finally to hang up on him.”

“If he calls back, just tell him to go away.”

“With pleasure, sir. Dinner will be served in about twenty minutes.”

“If Boris persists, I’m going to have to find a way to deal with him,” Stone said.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“He seems to be pathological about you.”

“I don’t think that’s too strong a term, but I don’t think you can have him committed.”

“And it would be a lot of trouble to kill him. Still . . .”

Gala laughed. “Don’t be tempted.”

“I’ll try to restrain myself.”

Stone’s cell phone rang. “Hello?”

“Mr. Barrington?”

“Yes?”

“This is Jefferson Bramble. I’m the delivery pilot for your airplane.”

“Where are you?”

“I’ve made landfall, and I’m about an hour out of your airfield.”

“Fly the published approach into my strip, and I’ll have customs meet you, and someone to drive you wherever you need to go.”

“Just to the nearest railroad station. I’ll get a train to London. I have a hotel reservation there.”

“Thank you, Jefferson.” They hung up as Geoffrey entered with dinner.

“Geoffrey, my airplane is landing in an hour. Will you phone the customs people and inform them, then have the pilot driven to the station after he’s cleared with the local officials?”

“Certainly, sir. Customs are getting accustomed to visiting your airfield.”

“Good.” They sat down to dinner.

—

An hour later, as they were on coffee, the door to the library opened, and Dino walked in.

“Good evening,” he said.

“Good God! You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“I hitched a ride on your airplane—Joan arranged it for me. I’ll fly down to Rome with you for the opening of the Arrington.”

“Sit down and have some dinner.” Geoffrey was ready for him.

“You must be tired,” Stone said.

“Well, it wasn’t the same as traveling on a G650.” He sat down, and Stone poured him a glass of wine. When he was finished, Geoffrey took him upstairs and got him quartered.

Stone and Gala soon followed.

17

The following morning they met downstairs for breakfast. “We have a choice for you,” Stone said to Dino. “You can come out with us on my new boat—I’m still in training—or you can sit on your ass all day.”