Stone had a sandwich at his desk and was refreshed by his nap. Joan buzzed him. “A Tracey Hotchkiss for you on one.”

Stone picked it up. “Hello, Tracey.”

“Hi, Stone. Billy tells me you’re desperate for a decorator.”

“No, just in a hurry.”

“How fast do you want this done?”

“Last Thursday.”

“Could you stand it if I took a month?”

“That would please me.”

“If you’ll authorize a trip to New York I can pick up showroom furniture samples and floor displays, have them delivered to a warehouse, then trucked up here toward the end of the project. We won’t have to wait four months for special orders.”

“I like it.”

“In the meantime, I can get the painting and wallpapering and curtains done and be ready to place the furniture when it arrives.’’

“You’re my kind of designer, Tracey.”

“I used to do plays on Broadway and off, and the occasional movie. I learned how to do fast and good. I had a look at your house. Did you know that I designed it for Dick?”

“No, I didn’t, but you did it right. By the way, I’ll need a gun safe in a closet. And landscaping and flowers. Can you handle that?”

“With pleasure. I’ll start moving earth tomorrow. Would you like paving on the driveway, or do you want to stick with dirt?”

“I think I’d like cobblestones from good Maine granite—on the walkways, too, but not too rough; I like smooth stones.”

“Got it. We’ve just added about $150,000 to your budget.”

“That’s okay. You want a deposit?”

“I can use cash for buying a lot of your things. My fee is ten percent of everything, but I’ll get you good enough prices to more than offset that.”

“Great. I’ll send cash today. I’ll put you on with Joan for wiring details.” He put her on hold and called Joan. “Wire this lady $250,000 on account, please, and tell her to let me know when she needs anything else.”

They hung up, and Stone was happy for the first time that day.

Joan came into his office. “I sent her the quarter mil,” she said. “Mind if I ask a question?”

“Shoot.”

“Why are you buying and decorating and landscaping a house in a place where you already have a gorgeous home. Is this just to keep the twins from getting it?”

“Yes,” Stone said. “There are other reasons, too, I think, but I don’t know what they are.”

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