“They do,” Stone agreed.

“How many houses have you these days, Stone? I lose count.”

“Only five,” Stone replied. “I sold Connecticut to Bill Eggers.”

“This one was done by Susan Blackburn, from the look of it.”

“It was. Susan had nearly finished a complete renovation for the previous owner when I bought the place.”

“And why would the previous owner want to sell?”

“He was dying, and I think he wanted to leave his heirs cash instead of property.”

“You’re in business with Susan, aren’t you?”

“No, my colleagues at Woodman & Weld helped her put together a business plan for expansion and found her some property and the money to buy it. The rest she has done herself.”

“And done very well,” Lance said.

“Do you have an interest in Susan’s business, Lance?”

“Only in passing. I have a London property that I’ve owned for many years. It’s rented at the moment, to a fellow from the embassy, but he’s retiring, and I’m thinking of occupying it myself.”

“Thinking of retiring yourself, are you?”

“Not a bit of it. But I seem to be spending more time in London these days—it’s so close to everything in Europe. It would be nice to have something more than a hotel suite to work from.”

“Would you like an introduction to Susan Blackburn?”

“Thank you, I met with her yesterday afternoon. We took a stroll through the house, and she made some notes. Your name came up.”

“Not in vain, I hope.”

“Certainly not! She’s obviously very fond of you.”

“I gave her another commission. She did the country house Arrington, next door.”

“That was my other stop on the way here—very impressive. I understand you have a neighbor of my acquaintance, as well.”

“Felicity? Yes, she’s just across the river. It was she who brought this place to my attention and insisted I buy it.”

“Ah, yes, I’m sure Felicity can be a helpful neighbor to have. In fact, I hear she’s been helpful to you very recently.”

“I expect you hear all sorts of things, Lance.”

“What an astute observation!” Lance replied, laughing. “The latest thing I’ve heard is that Viktor Petrov is taking an interest in the American film business, and that you had something to do with that.”

“The only people I know in the film business, apart from Gala, are in Hollywood, and I am not acquainted with Mr. Petrov.”

“Well, I did not mean that you had a direct connection, but apparently you somehow spurred a Mr. Tirov to renew a connection with his old friend Viktor.”

“Well, I may have helped make it necessary for Tirov to make that move. I was quite surprised by his dexterity, really.”