“Sure, just don’t move anything.”
Stone walked into the bedroom and looked around. It seemed the same as it had been on his earlier visit. Her tube of Pagan Spring lipstick was still on the dresser. So much for clues, he thought.
Dino walked to the dressing table and raised the lid on a jewelry box. “Some nice pearls,” he said, “and a few rings and bracelets.”
“You’re right,” Stone said, “it wasn’t a burglary.”
There was a scream from the other room, and they both ran back there. The young woman who had shown them into Fair Sutherlin’s office earlier stood in the doorway, being consoled by Shelley Bach, who finally got her quieted down.
“Who are you?” Shelley asked.
“My name is Rose Marie Dyvig,” she said, and spelled the last name, as if she were accustomed to doing so. “I’m Ms. Sutherlin’s secretary. One of them.”
“Dino and I can confirm that,” Stone said.
“I came to check on her,” the young woman said. “She got a call on her cell phone late this afternoon and left the White House, saying she’d be back in an hour. I waited for her, because I had some papers to deliver that needed her signature. Finally, I called her a couple of times, and when I didn’t get a reply and when she didn’t come back, I came over here.”
Shelley sat her down and turned to Dave King. “Did you find her cell phone?” she asked.
“No, there wasn’t one anywhere in the room—not in her handbag, either.”
“The murderer took it,” Dino said, “so we couldn’t check it to see who called her this afternoon.”
“That was very thorough,” Stone said. “I wonder what else she took.”
“Why do you think it was a woman?” Holly asked.
“It’s the March Hare,” Stone replied.
“Who else?” Dino asked.
“I don’t think there’s anything more we can do here,” Shelley said. “Let’s get out and let my people do their work.”
Shelley walked Rose Marie Dyvig to her car, parked at the curb, then Stone and Dino went to the Agency SUV that they had been loaned, and Shelley and Holly to their respective cars.
“You ladies may as well join us for dinner at the Hay-Adams,” Stone called out. They both nodded and got into their cars.
“Have you told the hotel we’re checking out tomorrow?” Dino asked.
“No.”
“Just as well. Looks like we’re not going anywhere.”
ROOM SERVICE DID ITS usual fine work, and they dined without much chat. After dinner, the two couples adjourned to the bedrooms and closed the doors.
STONE AND HOLLY LAY naked in bed, holding hands, but they had not otherwise touched each other.
“You seemed familiar with Fair Sutherlin’s apartment,” she said. “Did you sleep with her?”
“Yes,” Stone said. “Once. Dino and I went to a dinner party there, too.”
“Don’t get the idea that I mind,” Holly said.
“Thanks for not minding.”
“We don’t have that kind of relationship,” Holly said. “What was your impression of her?”
“I liked her. I admired the way she did her work.”