“It’s okay, why?”

“Because if I have to haul you into court, you won’t be driving it much longer. You do get to keep making the payments, though.” Stone handed him his business card. “Give that to your lawyer, and tell him he’ll be hearing from me if I see you in my rearview mirror again, or anywhere near Mr. Hayward.”

The kid stared stonily at him, then Stone went back to the Mercedes and drove away. The Mini sat in the road behind him, unmoving, then Stone turned onto Alameda and didn’t see it again.

“You must have had an effective conversation,” Laurence said, looking back.

“He seemed to get the picture,” Stone said. “Would you like to see some galleries?”

“I’d like that very much,” Laurence replied.

Stone turned into Canyon Road and parked. “Let’s walk up one side and down the other. We can grab some lunch at Geronimo’s.”

—

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER they had reached the top of Canyon Road and were seated at a table on the veranda, when the Mini drove by, and the driver took a snapshot as he passed.

“I guess I didn’t make myself clear,” Stone said.

“What can we do about it?”

“I know the guy he works for. He’s been a problem in the past, but I thought we’d worked things out. I guess I was wrong. Do you have a guest list for the press event?”

“I believe I still have it.”

“Let me know what the kid’s name is.”

“I’ll do that.”

—

AFTER THEY HAD had a good lunch, they walked back down the road, cruising the galleries. At the bottom they got back into the car and drove up the road, picking up Laurence’s purchases along the way. They arrived back at the house with a dozen paintings and sculptures in the luggage compartment; the larger pieces would be delivered. They spent the rest of the afternoon hanging his purchases and taking delivery of a few others.

Later in the day they sat down for a drink. “You said you bought a gun,” Stone said.

“I know, I know, you told me not to. Actually, I think you may have been right—I nearly shot at the kid stringer.”

“Laurence,” Stone said, in his sternest Dutch uncle voice, “do not, under any circumstances, bring the gun to New York. The city has very strict laws regarding the possession of weapons, even in one’s own home, and the penalties are severe.”

“Can I get a permit?”

“Permits are available but in very short supply. If you’re not carrying satchels of currency around on a daily basis, or in the jewelry trade, you will almost certainly be denied a carry permit.”

“How about a permit to keep it in my apartment?”