"Just for starters, I think Vance was miserable in the marriage. Oh, he never said so, in so many words, but I knew him as well as anybody, and I think that, in spite of his constant good humor, he was unhappy."
"Give me some example of his unhappiness."
"I can't. It was just the odd comment, the raised eyebrow when Arrington was mentioned. He did love Peter, though; I've never seen a man love a child so much."
"Anything more specific?"
"No, certainly nothing I could testify to under oath."
Stone relaxed a little inside; he hadn't realized he had become so tense. "Well, I hope you'll keep your feelings to yourself. If you think of anything specific you can tell me, I want to hear about it, though."
"Of course."
Stone glanced at his watch. "Let's get started. Will you get me Dr. James Judson at the Judson Clinic?"
Betty placed the call from the conference table phone, then left the room and closed the door.
"Good morning, Jim, it's Stone Barrington."
"Good morning, Stone."
"How's your patient this morning?"
"She's very well, I think. I believe she's about ready to go home."
"Not just yet," Stone said. "She's going to have to talk to the police, and I'd like her to do it from a hospital bed."
"I understand. When do you want them to see her?"
"Today, if you think it's all right."
"I think it should be. She's mentioned that she expects them to come, so we may as well get it over with. I'd like to be with her when they question her, though."
"Of course, and I will be, too. How about early afternoon?"
"All right; I'll prepare her."
"I'll do some preparation, too, before they arrive. I'll let you know the exact time, after I've talked to them."
"I'll wait to hear from you, before I tell Arrington."
"I'm working from Mr. Calders office at the studio, should you need to reach me." Stone gave him the number, then hung up. He found the intercom and buzzed Betty.
"Yes, Stone?"
"Now get me Detective Sam Durkee at the Brentwood LAPD station.
After a short wait, Betty buzzed him, and he picked up the phone. "Detective Durkee?"
"That's right."
"My name is Stone Barrington; I'm handling the affairs of Mrs. Vance Calder."
"I know your name from Rick Grant," Durkee said. "Rick says you're an ex-homicide detective."
"That's right; NYPD."
"Then you'll understand what we have to do."