Bel-Air Dead (Stone Barrington 20)

“I wish I could follow his wishes, but I can’t,” Arrington said.

“What’s wrong, Arrington? Why the about-face?”

“I need the money.”

Stone was astounded. Arrington had been left a very wealthy woman at Vance’s death. “Arrington, I really am very tired after a long flight. Can I call you in the morning, and then we’ll find the best way to do this?”

“All right, but I’m not changing my mind again,” she said. “Good night.” She hung up.

Dino was looking at him. “She flip-flopped?”

“She flip-flopped.”

“Oh, well, what do you care?”

“I’m too tired to care right now,” Stone said. “I’m going to bed.” Ten minutes later, he was asleep.

Stone woke the following morning in a strange, sunlit room. It took him a moment to orient himself and to realize the phone was ringing. He struggled to sit up in bed and grab the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Stone? It’s Rick Barron,” a voice said. He sounded a lot younger than his ninety-odd years.

“Good morning, Rick,” Stone said. “It’s been a long time.”

“Too long. Arrington called me a couple of days ago and said you were winging your way west.”

“Yes, and she suggested we have dinner. Would you and Glenna like to come here tonight?”

“We’d love that; I’ve always been a sucker for Carmen??s cooking. May we bring a guest?”

“Of course. Seven o’clock?”

“I see you remember L.A. is an early town. That’s perfect.”

“I’ll look forward to seeing you,” Stone said. They said goodbye.

Someone rapped on Stone’s window, and he looked up to see Dino outside, wearing a terry robe. “Come on,” he shouted through the closed window. “Breakfast.”

Stone brushed his teeth and took his vitamin pill, then got into the guest robe and his slippers and went outside.

“I ordered for you,” Dino said, waving him to the seat on the other side of the table. “Man, you were out last night. Sleep well?”

“I think so; I don’t remember,” Stone said, taking a seat.

Manolo and Carmen were coming across the garden with trays. They set them before Stone and Dino and simultaneously took the covers away.

“Eggs Benedict!” Stone said. “My favorite.”

“I knew that,” Dino said.

“Oh, Manolo, Carmen: Rick and Glenna Barron are coming to dinner tonight at seven with another guest. I think you know the things they like.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Stone,” Manolo said. “We will be ready for them.” The couple returned to the kitchen.

“Who are Rick and Glenna Barron?” Dino asked.

“Rick is the chairman and CEO of Centurion Studios,” Stone replied. “I think he’s mostly confined himself to management for a while, now, but he still produces a picture now and then. His wife is Glenna Gleason.”