Page 31

That evening, Stone was at the bar at P.

J.

Clarke’s when a familiar set of fingers slid down his arm and over his hand.

“I’m sorry to break this to you,” he said without looking back, “but whoever you are, I have a prior engagement and am unavailable for whatever it is you have in mind.”

“That’s the correct response,” Tamlyn said.

Smiling, Stone stood and kissed her.

“I’m so glad you’re back.”

She traced the curve of his jaw with a finger.

“As am I.”

“Careful, or we’ll have to skip dinner entirely.”

“Food is overrated,” she said.

“But I’d hate to make Dino eat alone.”

They kissed again.

“Something to drink?” Stone asked.

“A glass of Sancerre. I really enjoyed it last time we were here.”

“Coming right up.”

He caught the bartender’s attention and passed the request along as Tamlyn settled in the chair next to Stone.

“When did you land?” he asked her.

“This morning, early.”

“Then you must be tired.”

“Not even a little bit. I was able to hitch a ride on one of the Strategic Services jets and slept most of the flight.”

“That sounds like an excellent use of your time. Did you get everything done in London that you needed to?”

“I did. And before I forget, thank you for letting me use your place. Not only was it gorgeous and comfortable, but it was also well situated for my needs.”

“You’re welcome to stay there anytime.”

“Careful. I might take you up on that.”

“Please do.”

“How are Jack’s wife and niece doing?” she asked.

“I hope they weren’t too badly hurt.”

Stone brought her up to speed.

“I can’t believe someone did that to them purposely. Do the police know who’s responsible?”

“Dino hasn’t been able to figure that out yet.”

“Because it’s not my job to figure it out,” Dino said, slipping into the seat on the other side of Tamlyn.

“I have people for that.”

“Hello, Dino,” Tamlyn said, then gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek.

“Thanks for letting me horn in on your date,” Dino said.

“Since Viv’s away, I thought she would appreciate if I made sure you were fed.”

The bartender returned with Tamlyn’s wine, then said to Dino, “Good evening, Commissioner. What can I get you?”

Stefan watched Barrington from the far end of the bar as the lawyer chatted with his friends.

He had been disappointed when Barrington had left his home accompanied only by his driver, as he’d been hoping Sara would be with him.

Thinking that perhaps the lawyer was meeting her somewhere, Stefan had followed him to Clarke’s only to find that instead of Sara, Barrington was joined by the same dark-haired woman Stefan had seen him with last week.

When the two of them kissed, Stefan felt his blood pressure spike.

Whether Barrington was two-timing Sara or not, there was something about the guy that got under Stefan’s skin.

“I should have told Gennaro to kill him,” he muttered, then took a sip of his martini.

“What was that?” the woman in the seat next to him asked, interest in her tone.

Though she was a looker, she appeared to be the same age as Stefan, which was way too old for his taste.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” he said, returning his attention to Barrington and his side chick, or whoever she was, in time to see them joined by another man.

“I was just trying to make conversation,” the lady said.

“You didn’t have to be rude.”

Without looking at her, he said, “Yeah, well, I’m not interested in conversation.”

“Enjoy dying alone, then.”

“What did you just say to—”

The next word died in his mouth as he caught sight of Sara walking into the bar.

He started to smile, but his lips froze when he realized she’d arrived with a man.

She laughed at something her companion said.

When she playfully swiped at the guy’s arm, Stefan had to clench his hands to keep from shaking in rage.

The man couldn’t have been more than a year or two older than Sara and was obviously still wet behind the ears.

The exact opposite of the experienced, suave kind of guy she needed and deserved.

Stefan was so wrapped up in his head that he didn’t realize Sara was taking a look around the bar until her eyes fell on him.

Until now, he’d thought Sara noticing him before he was ready to reveal himself would have been the worst thing that could have happened.

He’d been wrong.

The worst was watching her gaze move right past him without recognition.

His mouth dropped open.

How could she have looked directly at him and not recognized him?

Granted he’d aged a bit since they’d last seen each other, but in his opinion, not enough to warrant this kind of response.

Someone bumped his arm, splashing some of his martini onto his pants, and pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Hey!” he snapped.

The chatty woman next to him was getting out of her chair.

She looked at him blankly.

“What?”

“You spilled my drink.”

“I didn’t touch your drink.”

“You little—”

“Sir, I advise you not to finish that sentence,” the bartender said from the other side of the bar.

Stefan hadn’t noticed him there.

“If you do, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Stefan’s mouth twisted in indignation as the woman and the bartender stared at him, waiting.

Finally, Stefan said, “Yeah, yeah, okay. I didn’t say nothing.”

He took another sip of his martini and turned his back on them.

“You all right, miss?” the bartender asked.

She tsked.

“It would take more than the likes of him to rile me up. But thank you.”

“Glad to hear it. Next time I see you here, first drink’s on me.”

“Now that’s what being a gentleman sounds like,” she said in the same flirty tone she’d used with Stefan at first.

“Do you work tomorrow?”

“I do.”

“Same time?”

“Same time.”

“I’ll see you then.”

As soon as the woman was gone, and the bartender had left to assist other customers, Stefan let out a sigh of relief.

He resumed scanning the room to see where Sara had gone.

At the other end of the bar, Dino was filling in Stone and Tamlyn on the status of the investigation into Sara and Hillary’s accident, when a voice behind them said, “Isn’t this a nice surprise?”

Stone stood upon seeing Sara and Ash.

“Indeed. How are you feeling, Sara?”

“Wonderful.” She beamed.

“That’s right. Congratulations are in order.”

“It feels like the weight of an entire mountain range has been lifted from my shoulders.”

“What are we celebrating?” Dino asked.

“It’s Sara’s news to share,” Stone said.

Sara looked ready to burst.

“As of five p.m. today—”

“Technically, four-fifty-three,” Ash said.

“You should claim every minute you can.”

She grinned at him.

“You’re absolutely right.” Turning back to the others, she said, “Since four-fifty-three this afternoon, I am officially divorced!”

“Brava,” Dino said, raising his glass.

“I take it this is a good thing,” Tamlyn said.

“Very much,” Sara said.

“Sara, I don’t believe you’ve met my friend Tamlyn Thompson,” Stone said.

“Tamlyn, this is Sara Hirschy. She’s Jack’s niece.”

“Ah,” Tamlyn said as she and Sara shook hands.

“I met your uncle last weekend on Stone’s plane.”

“You flew to the U.K., too?”

“I did.”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“Same, and congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“And this is Ash Williamson,” Stone said to Tamlyn.

“He’s my new associate.”

Tamlyn shook his hand.

“Hello, Ash.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Ash said.

“Since Stone seems to have forgotten I’m here, I’m Dino Bacchetti,” Dino said to Ash.

“The police commissioner?” Ash asked, surprised.

“So they tell me.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

“I like him,” Dino said to Stone.

“You should keep him around.”

“You two haven’t met yet?” Stone asked.

“Exactly when would that have happened?” Dino asked.

“I…” Stone stopped to think, then frowned.

“I guess not until now.”

“Bingo.”

“Stone,” Sara said.

“I know we discussed me moving into your empty apartment as soon as possible, but I think I’ll need to postpone for another week or two. At least until Aunt Hillary is back on her feet and doesn’t need any help.”

“Of course. It’s ready when you are.”

“Actually, there’s a possibility I won’t need it at all.”

“Oh?”

She smiled at Ash, and for a moment, Stone wondered if she was about to say the two of them were planning on moving in together.

Ash must have realized how it looked, because he immediately jumped in with, “I vetted several potential properties with your real estate agent today, and narrowed down the list to a few I think Sara will like. The broker will be taking her to view them tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Stone said.

“I’m very excited,” Sara said.

“Would it be all right for Ash to join me? Since he’s seen the places already, he might have insights that could be helpful.”

“That’s fine by me,” Stone said.

“What time?”

“I’m meeting the agent at eleven.”

“Ash, how does that work with your schedule?”

“It shouldn’t be problem.”

“Then it’s settled. Oh, Ash, one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Before you help Sara tomorrow, stop by my office. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Of course.”

In that moment, Stone’s gaze caught on a guy behind Ash, at the other end of the bar.

For a second it seemed as if the guy had been looking directly at him, but then the man turned away and lifted a glass to his mouth.

Stone decided he’d probably been mistaken.

“Are you here for dinner or just drinks?” Tamlyn asked Sara and Ash.

“Dinner,” Sara said.

“Joan said this was a good place to celebrate,” Ash added.

“She’s right,” Stone said.

“You two should join us,” Tamlyn suggested.

“Unless you’re here on a date.”

“No,” Ash said quickly.

“Not a date.”

Sara glanced at him, trying to hide what to Stone looked like disappointment.

“Great,” Tamlyn said.

“Then it’s settled. We can celebrate the start of your new life together.”

“I’ll let them know we need a larger table,” Dino said and headed to the front.

He soon returned with one of the waiters.

“It’s our lucky night,” Dino said.

“A table for five just opened up.”