Page 36 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

Simon frowned at how arbitrary that sounded. “Okay. Which artists?”

“Matilda Stone.”

“And?”

“Just her.”

“I see. Are there particular pieces of hers you’re interested in?”

“I’ll send you a list.”

“I just want to make sure you’re aware, there is the possibility I might not be able to acquire three from your list. Are you okay with that?”

“If would be a shame, but if unavoidable, any Stone paintings will do.”

“I’m sorry?”

“We want three. As many of those as you can from the list would be appreciated.”

“I’ll…see what I can do.”

Chapter 13

Stone was waiting on a couch outside Ed’s office when the door opened. Ed stepped out in the company of a man and two women, all in their forties or fifties.

From the trio’s similar facial features, Stone guessed they were related, and from their grim expressions, he was sure the topic they’d been discussing had not been a happy one.

The older of the women shook Ed’s hand. “Thank you, Ed. We know you’re doing what you can. We’ll discuss everything and decide how we want to proceed.”

The other two also shook hands with Ed, then Ed’s secretary escorted them out.

Once they were alone, Ed clapped Stone on the back. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”

—

They walked to an Italian restaurant called Cavano’s, a couple of blocks from Ed’s office.

Before Stone had a chance to crack open his menu, a white-haired man sporting an impressive mustache approached their table.

“Ed, it’s been too long.”

“Danny, I’m starting to worry about your memory,” Ed said. “I had lunch here three days ago.”

“I know. Three days is too long.”

“If I ate here every day, I’d be as big as a house.”

“You’re as big as a house now, so what would it matter?”

Danny wasn’t wrong. While Stone considered himself tall in most circumstances, at nearly six foot eight, Ed towered over him by several inches, and was sturdily built.

“Let me introduce you to my friend Stone Barrington. Stone, this is Danny Cavano, the owner.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Danny said, shaking Stone’s hand.

“The pleasure’s all mine.” Stone opened his menu. “What do you recommend?”

Danny snatched it from him, then grabbed Ed’s. “Do me the honor of ordering for you.”

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