“I wanted you to know that I’m all right,” she continued. “I had feared something like this might happen, so I made some preparations in advance
. I’m in a new place, now, with a new life. Eventually, though, I might get to New York. If I do, would you like to hear from me? Think about that, and I’ll call again sometime. In the meantime, I’ll think about you in bed, and that little thing you do so nicely. Bye-bye.”
Dino hung up and thought for a moment, then he called Stone’s office number.
“Woodman and Weld,” Joan said.
“Joan, it’s Dino. Let me speak to him.”
“Hang, Dino.” She put him on hold.
“Hey, Dino,” Stone said. “Miss me already?”
“Oh, terribly,” Dino said.
“Dinner at Elaine’s, eight-thirty?”
“You’re on, but I’ve got news. Guess who left a message on my answering machine?”