Cold Paradise (Stone Barrington 7)

“And Manning’s is a sort of bass-baritone.”

“Yes.”

“Does that do nothing to convince you that Manning and I are not the same person?”

“It helps. Of course, we can resolve the question of identity very easily.”

“How?”

“We can meet, face-to-face.”

“Where are you, at the moment, Mr. Barrington?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“I’d rather not say, too.”

“Then we might as well be on different continents.”

“We may very well be.”

“How are we going to resolve this?”

“I may be able to help you deal with Manning.”

“Deal, how?”

“You’re trying to buy him off, aren’t you?”

“Let’s just say that I’m trying to bring a difficult situation to an amicable close.”

“Then I’ll take him your offer.”

“You know how to get in touch with him?”

“How could I take him your offer, otherwise?”

“All right. Tell him that Allison wants to come to an arrangement with him to get out of her life. If he agrees in principle, then we can discuss it in more detail. Or just get him to call me.”

“I don’t think he’ll do that.”

“Why

not?”

“He’s very shy these days, and he’s not fond of you.”

“Tell him I can arrange for him to live his life more openly, without fear of legal difficulties.”

“Now that might appeal to him. Can I reach you at this number?”

“Yes. How can I reach you?”

But Frederick James had hung up.

Stone turned to Dino. “You heard that?”

“I heard it.”