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rattlesnake!” She picked up the pistol by the barrel with thumb and forefinger and handed it to him. “Hide it somewhere,” she said.
    Stone took the weapon and tucked it into his belt at the small of his back.
    “I remember that you used to go armed, Stone, but that was when you were a policeman. What’s your excuse now?”
    “I’m afraid I’m in a rather delicate position,” Stone said.
    “An angry husband?”
    “Hardly. You remember Dino.”
    “How could I forget the ’orrible little man?”
    “Some years ago, Dino and I sent someone to prison, and he’s apparently decided to make us pay for it.”
    “Who is this person?”
    “We don’t know, really. We only know that he’s…tried to harm people close to us.”
    “Isthat why you didn’t show up for lunch?”
    “Yes, it is. I was so glad to hear from you that I completely forgot that I have to be circumspect about whom I see. This started only very recently, and I’m still getting used to the idea that I shouldn’t endanger other people by associating with them.”
    “Well, this is really very exciting, isn’t it?”
    “I just don’t want it to get too exciting.”
    “Surely, you don’t think you’re endangering me simply by having dinner.”
    “I took some precautions to see that I wasn’t followed, and there are several police officers downstairs. One of them is operating your elevator.”
    Sarah burst out laughing. “This is hilarious,” she said. “I must say, I’ve never had a gun served with champagne.” She sipped the wine. “And Krug! It’s delicious.” She leaned over and kissed him. “And so are you.”
    “When did you get back?”
    “Yesterday; I’m still not entirely over the jet lag. I came by way of London, saw my parents for a few days.”
    “Are you going back to Tuscany?”
    “I haven’t decided. I’m back for a show of my work that will open next week—all the work that I’ve done for the past six years.”
    “I can’t wait to see it,” Stone said.
    “I’ll give you a preview; I promise. Now you know that allI have done these past years is cloister myself in Tuscany and work; bring me up to date on you.”
    “I’ll give you the short version. What exactly was I doing the last time we saw each other?”
    “You were still on the police force, although I heard through friends that you left, and I remember that you had inherited that lovely old house from an aunt, I believe, and you were doing most of the remodeling work yourself.”
    “A great aunt, and yes, I couldn’t afford to hire many people on my cop’s salary.”
    “And you had gotten yourself shot and were recovering.”
    “Right.”
    “Where was it?”

    “In the knee.”
    “Oh, yes; no place important, then.”
    Stone laughed. “So I retired from the force on a full-disability pension—I was nudged in that direction, if the truth be known. I was being awkward about a case I was working on, and somebody decided I shouldn’t be there anymore.”
    “You were always the most unlikely policeman.” Sarah laughed.
    “That’s pretty much what the NYPD thought.”
    “So then what did you do? Live off the fat of the land?”
    “I had my law degree, so I boned up and took the bar exam. I’m of counsel to Woodman and Weld.”
    “I know that name; a prestigious firm, I believe. What does ‘of counsel’ mean?”
    “It means I handle their clients’ more delicate problems. I work out of an office in my home rather than from the firm’s offices.”
    “Sounds intriguing.”
    “It sometimes is.”
    “Are you prosperous, then?”
    “More so than I had ever dreamed I would be. The house is finished and furnished; I live very nearly in the lap of luxury.”
    “You’re certainly dressing better,” she said, stroking his jacket.
    “I’d like to think I’m doing everything better,” he said.
    “That remains to be seen.” She chuckled, her voice low. She stood up. “Come into the kitchen with me and watch me cook.”

    “I’d