"Hi, Mary Ann, it's Stone."
"Hi, Stone," she said cheerfully, then her voice took on a sympathetic tone. "I'm sorry things didn't work out in Venice."
"Thank you, but I think it was for the best."
"Well, since you're not too broken up about it, I don't mind telling you, I think you're lucky to be out of that relationship. I mean, Dolce's my sister, and I love her, but you're far too nice a guy to have to put up with her."
"She registered at the Bel-Air as Mrs. Stone Barrington," he said.
"Oh, Jesus," Mary Ann breathed. "That's just like her."
"She checked out yesterday and said she was returning to New York, but there's no answer at the Manhattan house. Have you heard from her? I want to talk to her."
"Not a word; I knew she went to Vance Calder's funeral, and I thought she was still in L.A. Hang on, Dino wants to speak to you."
"So how's the bridegroom?" Dino asked.
"Don't start. She checked into the Bel-Air as Mrs. Stone Barrington. Are you sure that civil ceremony has no force in law?"
"That's my understanding, but I'm not an Italian lawyer," Dino replied. "Is Dolce giving you a hard time?"
"I'm staying at Vance Calder's cottage at Centurion Studios, and she barged in there this afternoon with a camera and caught me in bed with Betty Southard, Vance's secretary."
Dino began laughing.
Stone held the phone away from his ear for a moment. "It's not funny, Dino. I can't have her going around pretending to be Mrs. Bar-rington and behaving like a wronged wife."
"Listen, pal, you're talking to the guy who warned you off her, remember?"
"Don't rub it in. What am I going to do about her?"
"I guess you could talk to Eduardo; you two are such good buddies. Maybe he'll spank her, or something."
"Yeah, sure."
"I can't think of anybody else who could handle her."
"Neither can I."
"You got the Brooklyn number?" Yes.
"That's what I'd do, in your shoes-that, and talk to an Italian lawyer."
"Thanks, I'll talk to you later." Stone punched off, and it occurred to him that he knew an Italian lawyer. He dug out his wallet and found the cardinal's card. He looked at his watch; it would be early evening in Italy. He called the operator, got the dialing code for Rome, and punched in the number.
"Pronto," a deep voice said.
"Good evening," Stone said, "My name is Stone Barrington; may I speak with Cardinal Bellini, please?"
"Stone, how good to hear from you," Bellini said, switching to English.
"Thank you; I'm sorry to bother you, but I need some advice regarding Italian law, and I didn't know anyone else to call."
"Of course; how can I help you?"
"You'll recall that, before my sudden departure from Venice, Dolce and I went through some sort of civil ceremony at the mayor's office."
"I do."