“An ex-wife without an opinion on her husband’s business? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I believe you told me that you’ve already received everything due to you under your settlement?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then the board’s decision won’t affect you.”

“Not in that way.”

“Is there some other way that it might affect you?”

“I hope it won’t be uncomfortable for me, working on the same lot as Boris.”

“I see.”

“I’m glad.”

Stone turned back to his Times.

4

Stone set down at Santa Monica Airport with Ed Eagle in the right seat, and they, along with Susannah and Gala, were met by chauffeur-driven Bentleys from the Arrington. Half an hour later they were deposited in front of Stone’s house on the hotel property, and their luggage was being taken to the master suite, while the Eagles were settled into a guest suite.

“This is lovely,” Gala said, looking around the house. “And it looks as if it has always been here.”

“That was my instruction to the builder and the interior designer.”

They settled into the library and were brought refreshments by a butler.

“Tell me how this Arrington group came into existence,” Gala said. “Ed told me something about it, but I’m hazy on the details.”

“My late wife, Arrington, was previously married to Vance Calder.”

“I knew that part. She’s Peter’s mother?”

“Yes. When Vance died, Arrington and Peter’s trust inherited his property, which included eighteen acres of Bel-Air. I and a group of investors formed the group, and Arrington sold us the land, with the provision that we would build her a permanent residence on the property.”

“What happened to Calder’s old house? I was there once, and it was beautiful.”

“It was expanded and became what is now the reception center and the executive offices. When Arrington died, I inherited her house, still uncompleted, from her estate. Any further questions?”

“So Peter is Vance’s son?”

“No, Arrington and I were an item before she met Vance, and on our last night together she became pregnant, although she didn’t know it until a bit later. She met Calder, was infatuated with him, and they ran off and got married. Peter was the result of that pregnancy. He and I didn’t really become acquainted until after Vance’s death. Fortunately, the relationship took, and we’ve been close since that time.”

“Thank you, I think I’ve got it all now.”

“You’re welcome.”

There was a bustling in the front hall, and Dino and Viv Bacchetti entered the room. “I heard booze was being served in here,” Dino said.

Stone introduced the Bacchettis to Gala, and booze was served.

“What are we doing for dinner?” Dino asked.

“The chef is preparing some of his delicacies for us,” Stone replied.

“That works for me,” Dino said.