Bel-Air Dead (Stone Barrington 20)

“I hear Jim Long is in and out of consciousness,” she said. “What do you hear?”

“I haven’t heard,” Stone replied. “I’ll hear when there’s a change.”

“What did you think of your lunch with Terry?” she asked.

“He confirmed all my worst suspicions about him.”

“Which are?”

“Do I have to tell you?”

“I’m reluctant to say anything to you that might be quoted later.”

“Am I the only attorney from whom you’ve sought advice?”

“Yes, you are, but I’m very nervous. If your worst suspicions of Terry are valid, then it’s very dangerous for me to talk to you, let alone see you.”

“I trust you’ve erased me from your cell phone.”

“I have,” she said, “and I’d appreciate it if you’d do the same with your phone.”

“Are you worried that Terry might somehow gain access to my phone?”

“You never know,” she said, digging into her salad.

Stone poured them a glass of Sauvignon blanc. “Let me ask your advice,” he said. “Suppose you were in opposition to Terry; how would you vex him?”

“Vex him? That’s rather an archaic form, isn’t it?”

“How would you get under his skin? Upset him?”

“I’d outbid him for something he wanted.”

“That’s too expensive a way to vex him.”

“Then I’d find something else he wanted.”

Stone smiled. “That’s a nice thought.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

“Maybe it’s time to let him know what you know about this property.”

“All I know is that there’s some acreage.”

“There are eighteen acres,” Stone replied. “Arrington recently took up her option on two adjoining plots.”

“Eighteen of the most expensive residential acres in the United States? That might interest Terry,” she said, “but I don’t think he would enjoy subdividing it and selling the lots.”

“How about living in this house? Or building his own?”

“He’s well-stocked with houses,” Carolyn said. “He has five, scattered here and there, and two of them are in Beverly Hills and Malibu.”

“How about creating his own Bel-Air hotel on the property of America’s all-time biggest movie star?”

She put down her fork. “Now that would turn his head.”

“Would it turn his head away from the Centurion deal?”