D.C. Dead (Stone Barrington 22)

“But she made us eat it, too,” Dino said. “Or tried to. We had lunch at a diner later.”

The president laughed heartily. “Serves her right,” he said, “but don’t ever let her know. You’ll never hear the end of it. Wine, anyone?”

“We wouldn’t dare,” Stone said.

“All right,” the president said, swallowing without chewing, “tell me what you’ve got.”

“Gossip,” Stone said.

“We have gossip?” Dino asked, looking confused.

“I’m sorry, Dino,” Stone said, “I didn’t have a chance to tell you. Mr. President, Holly Barker and I had dinner last night at Maison Blanche, and—”

“I heard she was wearing a smashing yellow dress,” Lee said.

Stone’s jaw dropped.

“It’s Washington,” the president said.

“Yes, sir,” Stone said. “Well, anyway, we were sitting at a banquette, and there was another one back-to-back with us, and we overheard a conversation between a couple that was an eye-opener.” “I can’t wait to hear this,” Dino said.

“Dino, I said I was sorry. Anyway, Mr. President, the woman at the table said that Brixton Kendrick had had a number of affairs.”

“Brix?” Lee asked, looking astonished.

“Yes, sir.”

“So we’re reduced to restaurant gossip?” Dino asked.

“It’s the best lead we’ve had so far,” Stone said.

“What about the lipstick?” Lee asked.

“I’m afraid that’s gone nowhere, sir,” Stone replied. “But it was the rest of the conversation that was interesting.”

“I can’t wait,” Dino said.

Stone shot him a dirty look. “The woman said that a friend of hers had been having an affair with Kendrick, and that she was terrified that she would be questioned by us, and her husband would divorce her.”

“By you?” the president asked. “She knew about you?”

“Mr. President, it’s Washington.”

Lee nodded. “So she said she actually knew someone who was having an affair with Brix?”

Stone nodded. “I thought that gave the conversation more weight than mere gossip.”

“Who was this woman at the restaurant?” Lee asked.

Stone produced his notebook. “I got that from the maître d’ before we left: the couple were Mr. and Mrs. Biddle Trask.”

“Biddle Trask? He’s the secretary of commerce. I appointed him.”

“I don’t know his wife’s name,” Stone said.

“Elizabeth—Betty. I think you’d better have a word with her, and you tell her I sent you—personally.”

“Yes, sir.”