Carnal Curiosity - Stuart Woods Page 0,3

Viv going to the Strategic Services shindig tonight?”

“It’s a free meal, isn’t it?”

“Is it? I was thinking just cocktails.”

“I can smell a free meal all the way downtown.”

“Okay, I have a date. Join us for dinner, whether there or elsewhere.”

“If it’s free, we’re there.”

“Then I hope that Mike Freeman provides.”

“Who’s the date?”

“Somebody new. Her name is Crane Hart.” He spelled it.

“How new?”

“Brand spanking new. I think you’ll approve.”

“I approved of the last one, and she stole five million bucks from you.”

“Well, your judgment of women was never that great.”

“How about your judgment? It wasn’t my five million she stole.”

“My insurance company is making me whole.”

“You’re a lucky bastard.”

“I’ve been told that recently, without the bastard.”

“Shall we pick you up?”

“Okay. Crane will be impressed by my pull with the department. Six-forty-five?”

“Yep.”

“And use the siren, that always impresses my dates.”

“We’ll see.”

—

Dino’s black departmental SUV rolled to a stop at the awning of 570 Park. Stone went to get Crane, while Dino transferred to the front seat, leaving his wife, Viv, to share the rear with Stone and his date.

Crane came downstairs, glowing in a simple black Armani dress with a black-and-white houndstooth jacket, topped off with a rope of pearls. They exchanged a kiss that would not disturb her lipstick.

Stone helped her into the SUV and made the introductions. “And that’s Sergeant Devane at the wheel.”

“Ma’am,” the sergeant said.

“What have I done to need so much protection?” Crane asked as the vehicle moved off.

“You’re with Stone,” Dino said. “It’s standard operating procedure. The department would never leave you alone in a car with him.”

“Then I’m grateful,” she said.

The party was held in the executive suite of Strategic Services, which was the world’s second-largest security company, with offices and other facilities worldwide. The big double doors between CEO Michael Freeman’s office and the large boardroom had been thrown open, and the combination kitchenette and wet bar at one end of the room had been put into use. Stone ordered drinks from a waiter, and they quickly arrived.

Mike Freeman came over and welcomed them, and Stone introduced Crane.

“Crane is an admirer of your company,” Stone said.

“That’s always nice to hear,” Mike replied. “Not many women admire large security enterprises staffed by armed personnel.”

“It beats Bergdorf Goodman any day,” Crane replied.

“And what do you do, Crane?”

“I’m a fraud investigator and an adjuster in the large-account division of Steele Insurance.”

“That’s interesting,” Mike said. “Why don’t you all stay for dinner after the mob leaves, Stone, so that I can talk more with Crane about this.”

“We’d be delighted,” Stone said, and Mike moved off to greet his other guests.

“Did you say something to him about me?” Crane asked Stone.

“I did not, but you managed to get his attention in about ten seconds, and you got us a dinner invitation.”

Stone watched as Crane turned toward the arriving guests, and her face fell just a bit. “Someone you know?” he asked.

“Someone I no longer want to know,” she said. “My ex-husband.”

Stone looked at the arriving guests. “Which one?”

“The giant,” she replied.

There was, indeed, a giant among the group. Stone made him at six-six and 240. The man spotted Crane and started toward her.

Crane turned her back on him and faced Stone. “I don’t want to talk to him here,” she said.

Stone stepped between them and held out a welcoming hand. “Good evening, I’m Stone Barrington.”

The giant grasped Stone’s hand in his paw. “And I’m Don Dugan.”

Stone tried not to wince and managed to disengage his hand. “How are you, Don?” The man tried to sidestep him, but Stone was too quick for him.

“I’d like a word with my wife,” Dugan said.

“I’m afraid she has a bad case of laryngitis.”

“Then I’ll just whisper in her ear.”

“She has an ear infection, too.”

“It looks as though I’m going to have to remove you from my path,” Dugan said.

“Please reconsider that.”

Dugan placed an index finger against Stone’s chest and began to push.

Stone took the finger in his hand and bent it backward. Dugan’s knees buckled to relieve the pressure, but Stone kept it up. “Come with me,” he said. Keeping him with bent knees, Stone led him across the room toward the lobby. “If you make a scene,” he said to the man, “I’ll break it off and feed it to you.” They entered the lobby.

Mike Freeman spotted the pair and fell into step with them. “Going down?” He pressed an elevator button and the door opened.

“Thank you, yes,” Stone replied. He walked the giant into the elevator, pressed the button for the