Page 88 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“Not a bad idea,” Stone said.

“Did he work at the Santa Fe gallery?”

“No idea,” Monica said. “He only said he’d contact me at the opening night of the exhibit. I assumed he would have been just another guest, but given where Tristan works, maybe I was wrong.”

“I’ll check that, too,” Dino said.

“What happened when you found Tristan?” Stone asked.

“As soon as he realized who I was, he told me to leave.”

“Not happy to see you, no doubt.”

“More like terrified, I think. It was like he couldn’t get me out the door fast enough. I did try to make an alternative meetup.” She explained about telling Tristan she would wait for him at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel that evening.

“Did he agree?”

“No, but I made sure he knew I’d be there, if he changes his mind. Hopefully, he’ll show.”

“Would you mind some company?”

“He might get scared off if I’m not alone.”

“I can sit nearby. He’ll never know we’re together.”

She considered it for a moment, then nodded. “Actually, that’s a great idea.”

“Dino, you’ve never been to the Roosevelt, have you?”

“I haven’t.”

“You want to join us?”

“Let me check my social calendar.” He took a sip of his gimlet. “You’re in luck. My evening is free.”

“It’s settled, then.”

“Thank you both,” Monica said. She took a sip of her gimlet. “That was my afternoon. What kind of trouble did you two get up to while I was away?”

“We had lunch with our sons, at Centurion Pictures.”

“I bet she’d be interested in what Billy told us,” Dino said.

“Billy who?” Monica asked.

“Billy Barnett, Peter’s producer,” Stone said. “He joined us for lunch, too.”

“And what did he tell you?”

“He recently purchased a painting by my mother. It was to be delivered yesterday, but the delivery van was intercepted en route, and the painting stolen.”

“That’s horrible. But that’s not the MO of the people I’ve been investigating.”

“I haven’t told you the pertinent part yet.”

“Please, go on.”

“The thieves redirected the van onto a road that was blocked off by a wall of fire.”

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