She pulled his shorts down to his ankles, and he stepped out of them. “Just the way I like you,” she replied.

“I don’t think I’m going to have any, ah, problems tonight,” he said, unbuttoning her blouse and kissing her breasts.

“I know,” she said.

59

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, STONE MET Bill Eggers on the courthouse steps, and together they walked to the corridor outside the grand-jury room. “We’ll ambush Marty Brougham here,” Eggers said. They took a seat on a bench in the hallway.

“You’re sure this is the best way to do this?” Stone asked.

“He wouldn’t take my phone call yesterday,” Eggers replied, “so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s the only way.”

“Whatever you say.”

“I had lunch with Eduardo Bianchi yesterday,” Eggers said, “and he asked a lot of questions about you.”

“Oh? What kind of questions?”

“The kind that might be construed as coming from a prospective father-in-law,” Eggers said.

Stone didn’t reply to that, but he felt a little queasy.

“He wanted to know about your upbringing and education; how you’re doing financially; what your prospects are.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“The truth, of course. He’s not the sort of man you lie to.”

“And how did he react?”

“It’s funny, but I’ve known Eduardo for a while, and I’ve never heard him express a favorable opinion of anyone until yesterday. Of course, he’s a very reserved man, and polite, and I’ve rarely heard him express an unfavorable opinion, either, but I have to say, I was surprised.”

“That someone would have a favorable opinion of me?”

Eggers laughed. “Not someone; Eduardo. He’s not easy to impress.”

Stone was about to inquire further about this conversation when a hubbub arose down the hallway, and he looked around to see Martin Brougham walking slowly down the hallway, surrounded by half a dozen reporters. As he approached, Eggers stood up; Stone remained seated.

“Good morning, Marty,” Eggers boomed, apparently oblivious to the press. He stuck out his hand, and Brougham was forced to shake it.

“Morning, Bill; if you’ll excuse me…”

“Marty, I heard that you were interested in subpoenaing Stone Barrington, so I’ve saved you the trouble and brought Stone down here for you to question before the grand jury,” He beckoned to Stone.

Stone stood up and offered his hand to Brougham. When the man took it, Stone hung on. “Good morning, Mr. Brougham,” he said, loudly enough for microphones to pick up. “I’ve come down here voluntarily to answer any questions you may have about my relationship with Susan Bean and my actions on the night she was murdered. Do you think you could take me first this morning?”

Brougham was flustered but tried not to show it. “I’ll, uh, see what I can do, Mr. Barrington,” he said. “And I appreciate your volunteering to testify.”