Page 52 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“And everything’s on track.”

“I see. Have you figured out the plan for what we do once we have them?”

“I have several ideas I’m working on. I’ll have choices for you next week.”

Petry nodded to himself, mulling it over, then said, “Next time you hear from Seymour, let me know right away.”

He spun around and marched out.

“It’s Simon,” Nico muttered to himself.

Chapter 18

Stone ordered the broiled salmon, while Monica opted for the southwest chicken salad. For drinks, Stone chose the Kellerei Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio.

“I have to admit, I’m pleasantly surprised,” Monica said, after they’d each taken a drink.

“By the wine?”

“By you.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“It’s more what you didn’t do.”

“Which is?”

“Disappear on me. In my experience, men have the habit of making themselves scarce after a night together.”

“Has this happened often?”

“Often enough to be a pattern.”

“The thought never crossed my mind.”

“I’m glad for that.” She put a hand over his and gave it a squeeze. “You never told me what part of New York you live in.”

“Turtle Bay.”

“I’m not sure where that is.”

“You know where the UN is?”

“Yes.”

“Turtle Bay.”

“That’s a nice neighborhood. You have an apartment?”

“A full townhouse.”

“Lucky you,” she said.

“You don’t know how right you are. I inherited it from my great-aunt when I was still on the police force.”

“You were a cop?”

“A homicide detective.”

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