“I’ve only been in it for five weeks.”

“I still don’t believe it,” she said.

He laughed. “Next weekend really ought to be fun. Oh, and by the way, the boss has sprung for the company jet, so we won’t have to fly the airlines. It’s always a pain in the ass when you have half a dozen cases of photographic equipment, plus personal luggage.”

“That’s great news,” she said.

“A car will pick you up at seven Friday morning. That way, we’ll have most of the day to work and the following morning, as well.”

“Are we going to get an invitation to the big do on Saturday night?” she asked.

“We’ll just have to see if that happens,” he said, “but you might bring a suitable dress, just in case. It’s a dressy event.”

“I can do that,” she said.

“If you’re free this evening, I’ll cook us some dinner.”

“Oh, you cook, too? My God!”

“And bring your toothbrush,” he said, smiling.

At work, Kelli made a beeline to Prunella Wheaton’s office. Prunie poured her a cup of coffee. “I hear you had a very pleasant weekend,” she said knowingly.

“How did you know?”

“Sweetie, you’re going to have to get used to the idea that I know everything. No one can hide anything from me, if I really want to find out.”

“I believe you, Prunie,” Kelli said. “Yes, it was a wonderful weekend. That apartment!”

“Well, he trained as an architect,” she said, “and he does work at Architectural Digest, doesn’t he? He has to hold up his end, and the staff there always know where to find the most beautiful things.”

“I’ve never known a man with that kind of taste and style,” Kelli said. “You wouldn’t believe the state of most men’s living quarters these days.”

“I expect it’s not much worse than when I was your age,” Prunie said, “and it’s probably much better!”

Chapter 45

45

Allison Wainwright came into Stone’s office and laid a small stack of papers on his desk. “We’re up to date on the financial reports from Strategic Services and Steele. These are the ones you need to see. Everything else is just boilerplate.”

“Have a seat, Allison,” Stone said, picking up the papers. He scanned them quickly, then handed them back to her. “Good job,” he said. “That was exactly what I wanted you to do.”

“They’ll be easier to keep track of, now that we’re caught up,” she said.

There was a knock at the door and Stone looked up to see Herbie Fisher standing there. “Come in, Herbie,” he said. “I’d like you to meet my new associate. This is Allison Wainwright. Allison, this is Herbert Fisher, our client, and, incidentally, a law student.”