Page 58 of Distant Thunder

“I recall that. When did you buy this house?”

“I bought it near the end of a two-year renovation, conducted by an interior designer, Susan Blackburn. The owner was ill and died soon after.”

“I love England.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“I have, and often, during my modeling days.”

“We will not be reliving those, since our situation requires us to remain here, preferably indoors, unless we’re riding. Do you ride?”

“I had my own pony when I was a little girl. I remember how.”

Dinner was served: a tomato bisque, followed by a rack of lamb and fresh vegetables from the garden, followed by an apple tart with ice cream, all washed down with a bottle of Château Gloria, 1960.

“I’m going to fall asleep soon,” she said, trying the dessert wine.

“Not before I have ravished you, I hope.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

As it turned out, she did just fine, before she lost consciousness in his arms.

32

The following dayit rained, off and on, and they contented themselves with a good lunch and reading from Stone’s library. At mid-afternoon, Stone’s cell phone rang.

“Yes?” he said cautiously, ready to hang up.

“It’s Lance. That phone I gave you tells me where you are, but not with whom.”

“I think it better not to mention it on the phone.”

“I have a pretty good idea, anyway, and I approve.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness,” Stone replied.

“I’m glad that’s how you think of me. Your sins, whatever they are, are forgiven.”

“No Hail Marys?”

“About ten thousand, but we won’t press the matter.”

“Thank you again.”

“The person you are hosting in a distant land has arrived, has parked his camels, and has been made comfortable by the reception committee.”

“Oh, good.”

“Our mutual acquaintance watches over him.”

“Good luck to both of them, but I’m concerned only with my own ass and that of my companion. The others are on their own.”

“I’ll tell them you said so.”

“Tell them whatever you like. I didn’t get them into this mess.”

“Sometimes a friend is a person who shares your enemies.”

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