Page 143 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

A waiter appeared and took their order.

Once they were alone again, Stone asked, “Can I assume you’ve been able to arrange everything?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t yet. Surveillance teams are in place, and my people have bolstered our normal security at both the Arrington and the Centurion lot.” Strategic Services oversaw security at both facilities.

“And you, my dear, how was your day?” Stone asked Monica.

“Nerve-racking,” she said. “I spent most of it at the pool, waiting to hear from you.”

“How horrible.”

“Well, I was able to finish the massage I’d left in the middle of before.”

“Always a silver lining.”

Their food arrived, and after the waiters had gone, Monica said, “Quit stalling. I want to hear what you found out.”

Stone and Dino filled Monica and Viv in on their afternoon adventures as they ate.

“Who do you think the blood at the car wash belongs to?” Monica asked.

“Not a clue,” Dino said.

“We can’t even be sure whatever went down there had anything to do with Petry,” Stone said. “Though I for one think it does.”

“I for two,” Dino said.

“Count me in that camp,” Monica said.

“Ditto,” Viv said.

After they finished eating, Stone excused himself to use the bathroom. He was washing his hands when Dino came in.

“You shouldn’t go out there yet.”

“Why not?”

“Viv got a call from her team, telling her Petry just pulled up to the valet out front. He’s in the bar now.”

“By himself?”

“No, that Savage guy is with him.”

“Maybe I should buy him a drink. Get him talking. He might show his hand.”

“I suggested that. But Viv and Monica argued that now might not be a good time to agitate him. They came up with a plan that doesn’t involve us. And before you ask, you’re not going to like it.”

—

“Ready?” Viv whispered.

Monica grinned. “Hell, yes.”

They strolled into the bar acting like two good friends at the beginning of a night out and walked over to a pair of empty stools next to Nico Savage.

“Are these taken?” Monica asked.

“Nope,” Nico said.

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