They had finished dinner and were sipping a brandy before the living room fireplace.
"I'm having a tough time making a decision," Vanessa said.
"Anything I can do to help?"
"I'm in something of an ethical quandary. I've promised a friend to keep something in confidence, but to do that might harm someone else."
"That's a tough one," Stone said.
"The person who might be harmed is not a particular friend, though I have nothing against this person."
"Then why are you having so much trouble keeping your promise to your friend?"
"Because it might help Marc-and you-if I told you about it."
"Is there some way you can give me a hint without breaking your word to your friend?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps if I tell you a little about it without revealing the friend'
s identity?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Marc says that he's worried that the police might have more on Arrington than he knows about."
"I've been worried about that, too."
"Well, you're both right to be worried."
Stone sucked in a breath. "Can you tell me any more?"
"I'm sorry," she said. "I don't think I can." She sipped her brandy. "It's just that there may very well have been a witness to what happened that night."
"You mean the Mexican gardener?"
"No, someone else. That's all I can say."
"Have you told Marc about this?"
"No, he'd just browbeat it out of me, and I'd feel terrible. I don't think you would try to do that."
Funny, Stone thought, he had been thinking about doing just that.
"Well," Stone said, "if you can ever see your way clear to tell me more, I'd like to hear it."
"I think that's unlikely," she replied.
Stone looked at his watch. "I'd better go; it's getting late."
She walked him to the door, and he gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for dinner," he said, "and for the good company. I needed it."
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help," she said.
"You've at least confirmed our suspicions," Stone said, "and that's a help." He waved and started toward his car. She waited until he had backed out of the drive before closing the door.
The street was dark, and there were a few cars parked along the curb. As Stone put the car into gear and drove away, he noticed headlights appear in his rearview mirror. Funny, he thought, he hadn't seen a car coming when he'd backed out. He watched the lights in the mirror until he reached Sunset, then lost them in the traffic.
Chapter 41