Stone was sitting at a stop sign, waiting to turn into Vance Calder’s street, when a Rolls-Royce convertible drove past. The driver was David Sturmack. Stone turned right, then turned right again, into Vance’s drive. The gates were closed. Stone rang the buzzer.
“Yes?” Vance’s voice said over the intercom.
“It’s Stone, Vance.”
“Oh, Stone; something’s come up; can I call you later?”
“No, I want to see you now.”
“Stone, I’m sorry, I just can’t.”
“Vance, open the gate and talk to me, or I’ll go straight to the tabloids and the police with what I have.”
After a moment’s silence the gates swung open. By the time he had parked and walked to the front door, Vance was waiting, and he looked grim.
“Stone, I’m sorry you came; I just can’t tell you anything,” he said, standing in the doorway.
Stone brushed past him. “Let’s go into your study, shall we?”
Vance followed him through the living room. “I really can’t talk; I just wish you’d take my word for it.”
Stone went into the study and settled into a comfortable chair, pointing at one for Vance.
Vance sat down on the edge of the chair and looked at the floor.
“You’ve got to let me help you, Vance.”
The actor shook his head. “I can’t; I’m sorry.”
“Are they threatening to harm Arrington?”
Vance looked up. “I’m talking to her every day; she’s fine.”
“And what does she say, Vance? ‘Get me out of here? Take me home? Protect me?’”
Vance winced. “It’s just awful,” he said. “I’ve agreed to what they want, but it’s going to take a few days to set it up, before Arrington can come home.”
“What do they want?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Who are ‘they’?”
He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“David Sturmack was just here; he must be deeply involved.”
“I didn’t say that, you did,” Vance said, looking alarmed.
“And Lou Regenstein.”
“I didn’t say that.”
He wanted to ask who the red-haired man was who had been in his study the night before. “And Ippolito.”
“Stone, please stop it; I can’t tell you any more. You just can’t imagine what’s at stake.”
“I think I can; Arrington’s life and that of her baby are at stake.”