“I’m glad, too, Dino,” Arrington said.

“Before I forget,” Dino said, “I’ve been asked to deliver an invitation. Eduardo Bianchi has invited the three of you to join his family for Christmas dinner. Strangely enough, I’m invited, too.” Eduardo was Dino’s former father-in-law.

“Arrington?” Stone asked.

“Yes, of course; we don’t have other plans, do we?”

“The choices are dinner at a hotel or a Chinese restaurant.”

“We’d love to, Dino,” Arrington said.

“Eduardo is very interested to meet Peter,” Dino said. “He’s been hearing about him from Ben.”

“I wonder if the boys will insist on their own table,” Stone said, glancing down to where they sat, talking rapidly and gesticulating.

“Stone,” Dino said, “Ben seems to think that Peter is eighteen. Why is that?”

“I’d better bring you up to date,” Stone said, then he told him about all the arrangements that had been made. “It’s better this way, we think.”

“I think it’s better for Ben, too; I won’t tell him.”

Stone looked up to see Herbie Fisher enter the restaurant in the company of a petite, dark-haired beauty. Herbie brought her to the table. “Good evening, Stone, Dino. I’d like you to meet Gina Carlo.”

Stone and Dino stood and shook hands. “And, Herbie,” Stone said, “you haven’t met my friend Arrington. Arrington, this is my client Herbert Fisher.”

“I’ve heard good things about you,” Herbie said. “Mostly from Joan, Stone’s secretary.”

“I’m glad she has a good opinion of me,” Arrington replied, smiling.

Herbie excused himself, and they were shown to a table at the rear of the restaurant. A moment later, two large men came in and were given a table in Siberia, where the tourists were sent. Then, after another moment, two other large men came in and took seats at their table. Some hard looks were exchanged, and one of the second pair spoke, uninterrupted, for about a minute. The first two men looked at each other, shrugged, and then left the restaurant.

“What was that all about?” Dino asked.

“Herbie,” Stone said, “for reasons too complicated to go into, is now in the care of Strategic Services. The young woman, Gina Carlo, is one of Mike Freeman’s operatives, as are the second pair of men who followed them in. The first two men have been causing Herbie some concern, and, after having been spoken to, they have obviously decided that discretion is the better part of valor.”

“Okay,” Dino said.

“Whatever you say,” Arrington said.

They ordered drinks and looked at the menu.

“Funny thing,” Dino said, “after a trip to Film Forum with Peter, Ben has suddenly acquired an interest in old movies. He can’t stop talking about them.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Stone said. “Peter is obsessed, and it’s good for him to have a friend who shares his excitement.”

“That’s probably what they’re talking about now,” Arrington said.

Dino glanced at the two boys. “I certainly hope so,” he said. “I wouldn’t want Ben to lead Peter astray.”