“Ask away—the worst I can do is tell you to go fuck yourself.”

Stone laughed. “I’ve no need to do that.”

“I suppose not.”

“The favor is, I need some foreign intelligence, and you’re in that business.”

“Indeed I am. What sort of intelligence?”

“Gala was once married to a Russian named Boris Tirov.”

“Sounds familiar. Isn’t he in the movie business?”

“He is, as is Gala—that’s how they met. They were divorced a year or so ago, and since then he’s made her life hell—making demands outside their settlement agreement, following her around, taking too much of an interest in whom she sees socially.”

“Taking too much of an interest in you, you mean?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t bother me so much if it didn’t bother her so much.”

“I see. Would you like me to have someone shoot him?”

“Gosh, I hadn’t thought of that. Could you, please?”

“I’m sure you’ve thought of that, but I couldn’t have him assassinated unless he were my ex-husband.”

“I’d be very grateful if you could have him looked into. He’s been in the States for only a few years. Before that he was an actor, then a producer in Russia.”

“Do you know anything about his existence there?”

“There are rumors that he’s connected to the Russian mob, and he employs some people who give credence to that.”

“A nasty lot.”

“Indeed.”

“What is it you want to know?”

“I’d like to know anything that would help me deal with the man, get him off our backs.”

“Dirt?”

“I’d love some dirt, but it would have to be bad enough so that I could threaten him with it.”

“I’ve got a man headed back to Moscow next week after some home leave. I could ask him to put his shell-like ear to the ground, I suppose. He’s the sort who would be amused by the request. Do you think this Tirov might have government connections in Russia?”

“I’ve no idea. He must be famous there, though, because he’s had a string of movies that have been worldwide hits and made him a ton of money. I should think the folks in Moscow would be very proud of their expat.”

“That should make it easier to investigate him. What will happen if I can’t find something you can use against him?”

“I’ll just have to strangle him, I guess. Did I mention that he’s staying next door?”

“At your new Arrington? No, you didn’t.”

“I had him banned from all the Arringtons, but before the word got to the management next door, Tirov had already checked in for a week, and apparently the law gives him some rights of possession. As long as he pays his bill they can’t kick him out, unless he disturbs the other guests.”