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Hot Mahogany (Stone Barrington 15)

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“I don’t know,” Stone said. “He’s an odd one. He sent people into my houses in Washington and in the city. Messed with my dressing room.”

“What?”

Stone told him about the incident. “You may arrive home and find your living room rearranged.”

“I don’t think odd is a strong enough word for this fellow,” Barton said, gazing across the room at his host.

“I was about to say,” Stone said, “that I think I’ll avoid his company in the future, but then, look what I found by seeking his company tonight.” He nodded toward Tatiana, who was coming back from the ladies’, followed by Carla. They stopped to speak to someone.

“There’s something I should tell you about Carla,” Stone said.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, I know that, by now, you must know her better than I, but it’s about her last name.”

“What is her last name? She wouldn’t tell me.”

“It’s Bianchi. Her grandfather is a friend of mine, Eduardo Bianchi.”

“How odd,” Barton said. “I sold him a pair of tables a few years ago.”

“You do get around, Barton. So you know who he is?”

>

“You mean the Mafia connection? I’ve heard about that.”

“Some of the women in the family can be a little screwy,” Stone said, reflecting on his experience with Dolce, Eduardo’s daughter. “You might keep that in mind.”

49

Stone and Tatiana left the party, having said good night to their host, and they got into a cab. “Would you like to take the scenic route home?” Stone asked.

“Why not?” Tatiana replied.

Stone gave the cab driver his address, and when they arrived, he let them into the house and pressed the switch that turned on lights in every room.

“Oh, it’s bigger than my house,” Tatiana said. “And beautifully furnished.”

“I inherited the house from a great aunt several years ago and did most of the renovations myself. Much of the furniture and all of the cabinet work were built by my father, who had a reputation in that field. Most of my decoration was just updating upholstery and fabrics on the original furniture and adding some pieces.” He showed her the library and kitchen. “My offices are on the ground floor, where there used to be a dentist’s office. Would you like to see the master suite?” he asked.

She gave him a little smile. “Perhaps another time,” she said, glancing at her watch. “It’s late, and I’m tired.”

“Then let me lead you up the garden path,” he said, opening the kitchen door to the garden.

“Sooner than I had expected,” she said, stepping outside. “Your garden looks very nice.”

“Oh, I have someone who looks after it.”

“You’re not a gardener?”

“I don’t bend over unnecessarily.” He opened the gate at the end of his plot, and they stepped into the common garden. The moon was big and high, and it illuminated the trees and plants.

“It’s such a beautiful place, isn’t it?” she said.

“The jewel of the city, as far as I’m concerned.”

She led him into her garden and to the kitchen door. “If you don’t mind I’ll give you the tour of my house after the housekeeper comes.” They exchanged cards.



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