“Actually, I’m with the other redhead at the piano, the one Dino’s wife is talking to.”

She recovered her arm. “Big girl, isn’t she?”

“Yes, and tough, too.”

“Nice meeting you.” She wandered off into the crowd.

Holly came over. “Who just dismissed who in that conversation?”

“It was mutual,” Stone replied.

“I’m proud of you. What the hell is going on with you and Dino, anyway?”

“We had a break-in at the house. Fred winged one of them, but they got away. Dino’s people nearly caught him at the ER, but missed him by minutes.”

“Did you lose anything?”

“No. They wanted my mother’s pictures, can you imagine that?”

“Well, yes, they’re very fine pictures.”

“But how would a burglar know I had them and, moreover, what they’re worth? I find that extremely odd.”

“Google yourself, and I’ll bet you’ll find a mention of the pictures and their value.”

“God, it’s that easy to plan a crime these days?”

Laurence came over with Theresa and another young man. “Stone, you know Theresa.”

“Of course. Theresa, this is Holly Barker.”

“And this is my brother, Butch Crane,” Theresa said.

Stone shook the young man’s hand. “Butch, good to meet you.”

“Butch has pretty much replaced me at Ralph Lauren. He’s doing very well there.”

“Good for you, Butch.”

“Thanks very much.” Butch handed him a card. “Stop in and see me when you’re in the store. I’ll see you’re well taken care of.” He handed Holly a card, too. “And you, as well, Holly.”

“I’ll do that,” Holly said, tucking the card into her bra.

“You throw a good party, Laurence,” Stone said.

“No, Mike Freeman does. I only provided the stage for his performance.”

Mike came over. “I talked to my people. They’ve got videotape of your break-in. One of them was the same guy who did it before, one Marvin Jones. The other is a fresh face, fresh out of the joint, named Irving Schwartz. Dino’s people are looking for him.”

“Excuse me,” Butch said abruptly. “There’s somebody I want to speak to.” A moment later, he appeared beside the beautiful actress.

51

THERESA FOUND BUTCH talking to the actress and pulled him aside.

“Listen,” he said, “I’m busy right now.”

“Too busy to accept a gift?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound huffy.”

She took an envelope from her bag. “I’m proud of how well you’re doing, little brother. Every time I see someone from the store I hear compliments.”

“I’m delighted to hear it. I’m working hard and enjoying every day.”

She handed him the envelope. “This is for doing well and making me proud.”

Butch opened the envelope and found the documents transferring title of her apartment to him.

“Good God, sis, this is fantastic.”