Stuart Woods' Smolder by Brett Battles

Author:Brett Battles [Battles, Brett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2024-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

After lunch, Stone and Dino met with Ben in his office to go over the agenda for the board meeting, so it was nearing four p.m. by the time they returned to the Arrington.

They found Monica in Stone’s private pool, floating on a raft.

She shaded her eyes and smiled. “I was wondering when you were coming back.”

“We would have returned sooner if I’d known you were waiting. Can I interest anyone in a vodka gimlet?” Stone had made a pitcher before leaving for the studio that should be perfectly chilled by now.

“That sounds divine,” Monica said.

“What she said,” Dino replied.

“Coming right up.”

By the time Stone made it back with the drinks, Monica had left her raft and was sitting at the nearby umbrella-shaded table with Dino.

“Any luck with Tristan?” Stone asked.

“He wasn’t home, so I went to the last place your friend said his phone had pinged. You’re never going to believe where I found him.”

“In an art gallery?”

She looked at him, surprised. “How did you know?”

“It seemed a logical leap.”

“I’ll have to give you that one.” Her disappointment turned into a devilish sneer. “But I bet you can’t guess the name of the gallery.”

“Duchamp Gallery.” It was the first gallery name that came to mind, only because it was the last one he’d visited.

She crossed her arms. “I’m never playing this game with you again.”

“You mean I’m right?”

“You are, but don’t you dare try to rub it in.”

Dino looked back and forth between them. “I feel like I’m missing a crucial piece of information.”

“Monica and I met at the Duchamp Gallery in Santa Fe. If memory serves, she was there to meet a contact for her investigation.”

“That’s correct,” she said.

“The art theft ring you were telling me about?” Dino said.

Monica nodded.

“What happened to your contact there?” Dino asked.

“Remember that fatal car crash I asked you to look into?” Stone said.

“Yeah.”

“That’s what happened to him.”

“Now I’m starting to get it.”

“What did they say when you talked to them?” Monica asked.

“That they didn’t suspect foul play. But maybe I should suggest they take a closer look.”

“Not a bad idea,” Stone said.

“Did he work at the Santa Fe gallery?”

“No idea,” Monica said. “He only said he’d contact me at the opening night of the exhibit. I assumed he would have been just another guest, but given where Tristan works, maybe I was wrong.”

“I’ll check that, too,” Dino said.

“What happened when you found Tristan?” Stone asked.

“As soon as he realized who I was, he told me to leave.”

“Not happy to see you, no doubt.”

“More like terrified, I think. It was like he couldn’t get me out the door fast enough. I did try to make an alternative meetup.” She explained about telling Tristan she would wait for him at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel that evening.

“Did he agree?”

“No, but I made sure he knew I’d be there, if he changes his mind. Hopefully, he’ll show.”

“Would you mind some company?”

“He might get scared off if I’m not alone.”

“I can sit nearby. He’ll never know we’re together.

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