“I’m very well, Hi. I see in this morning’s Times that you’ve landed a television show.”
“That’s right. In fact, I had hoped to interview you about the Sasha business.”
“It’s a little early for that, I think, but you may remember that when we first met I agreed to tell you what I knew first, in return for your help.”
“I remember that very well indeed, dear boy, and that’s an IOU I intend to collect.”
“Well, I’m not ready for you to publish just yet, but I am ready to start telling you what I know about the case.”
“I’m delighted to hear it.”
“How about lunch today?”
“You’re on. Where?”
“The Four Seasons at twelve thirty?”
“Fine. Use my name; you’ll get a better table.”
“There’s just one thing, Hi.”
“What’s that?”
“If I’m going to tell you all, you’re going to have to do the same.”
“But I thought I already had, Stone.” Barker sounded wounded.
“You held something back, Hi, something important, and today I want to know all about that.”
“Hmmmm,” Barker said, “I wonder if you’re fishing.”
“Today, I’m catching,” Stone replied. “See you at lunch.”
He was fishing, indeed. He didn’t know what Barker was holding back, but he figured there must be something. Most people held back something.
Stone arrived first, and Barker’s trip to their table was slowed as he stopped at half a dozen others to greet their occupants.
“I love this place,” Barker sighed as he slid his bulk into a seat. “It’s just so… perfect.”
“I’m glad I chose it,” Stone said. He ordered a bottle of wine.
“All right,” Barker said when their lunch had come, “you first.”
Stone began at the beginning and took Barker through his investigation of the Nijinsky case. He glossed over the business
with Hank Morgan’s suicide to protect Dino, and Barker didn’t call him on it. When he had finished, Barker looked skeptical.
“Then you’re still nowhere on this?”
“Not quite nowhere,” Stone replied. “I have some new information.”
“Tell me, dear boy.”
“I’ve learned that Barron Harkness wasn’t on the airplane from Rome.”
Barker’s eyebrows went up in delight. “And how did you learn that?”
“I must protect my source.”