Stone was, at first, stunned, until he remembered that Felicity always seemed to know everything before anyone else.

Stone thanked them. “The appointment is only about two hours old,” he said. “Dame Felicity continues to astonish me with her knowledge of all things.”

“I’d understood that you were a lawyer, Stone,” Tim Barnes said.

“There is no change in that regard,” Stone replied. “I’ll continue to be based in New York and remain active with my firm.”

“What will you advise the director on?” Pink asked.

“That remains to be seen,” Stone replied.

“Of course, you must be secretive about that.”

“Not just yet, since I have not acquired any secrets.”

“I should tell you, too,” Felicity said, “if you don’t already know, that Holly Barker is a former director of Central Intelligence, and that she is, currently, the American secretary of state. Also, it is rumored, she might be soon announcing her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president.” There was a round of quiet applause.

Holly bowed her head in acknowledgment, but said nothing.

The first course arrived and Felicity turned toward Stone. “Perhaps you have not heard that Brigadier Fife-Simpson has left Her Majesty’s service and taken retirement.”

Pink spoke up. “He declined a posting in the Falklands.” There were quiet chuckles around the table.

“I should mention,” Felicity said quietly to Stone, “that the commodore is a retired Royal Marine, and everyone here has signed the Official Secrets Act, so tales are not being told out of school.”

“I’ve met the brigadier only a few times, but I can understand that everyone involved is relieved,” Stone said, raising more chuckles.

“I hope to God that someone is keeping an eye on that fellow,” Sir Jeremy Pink remarked.

“Someone is,” Felicity replied drily. “He was most recently observed drunk, in the In & Out bar of the Naval and Military Club. After dinner, the doorman decanted him into a cab.”

“Somehow,” Pink said, “I feel the country is safer tonight.”

—

They finished with an excellent vintage port, with Stilton, then were offered brandy. Stone drank lightly, as he was driving the Hinckley.

—

On the way back across the Solent, driving more slowly in the dark, Stone explained to Holly who Brigadier Roger Fife-Simpson was.

“Every military or intelligence service attracts a few people like that,” Holly said. “I’ve known my share of them.”

“I’m glad you missed the opportunity of knowing this one,” Stone said.

“I heard from Lance about his visit to Langley and his encounter with Wu.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to see that,” Stone said.

—

Back at Windward Hall, Stone found a note to call Joan. His cell phone had been off for the evening, but it was late afternoon in New York.

“Well,” Joan said when Stone had raised her. “I’ve never known you not to carry your cell phone.”

“I’ve got a new one, and it hasn’t been activated yet.”