“And what sorts of things are causing these problems?”
“Tiny things that seem to just come out of the woodwork,” Teddy said. “If it keeps up, it could cost Baxter his fee for producing the film. Of course, he’d still have his profit participation, but I hear Dax is a big spender, lives close to the edge. He’s already bought a big house in Santa Fe, and found a way to redo it at the studio’s expense, and they somehow found out about it and are demanding their money back. Word is, he’s borrowing against the contract for his next production to make ends meet.”
“And how long do you expect this to go on, Billy?”
“Me? I have no expectations, I just do my job every day, and my boss is real happy with me.”
“You’re probably better at it than your boss,” Stone said.
“I’m better at it than Dax Baxter,” Teddy replied. “If I weren’t so happy with Peter and Ben, I’d probably go independent, like Baxter, and make a fortune. My tastes aren’t as expensive as his.”
“What’s with the pickup truck you’re driving, Billy?”
“Oh, I rented that from a fellow I met. I think a new Cayenne might cause some talk among the crew. It’s safely garaged.”
“Billy, don’t you think you may have taken enough out of Dax Baxter’s hide?”
“Oh, I just go with the flow, do what I can. I’m not pressing myself.”
“Ed Eagle and I are both concerned that this whole thing might blow up into something bigger than you’d counted on. Ed’s worried about the effect a production disaster could have on the state film commission, and the money they’ve got tied up in it. He was instrumental in getting the commission established and funded by the state legislature, and a lot of people’s jobs could be affected if the film were shut down. It would make it more difficult to attract new productions if the town seemed jinxed for moviemakers.”
“Well, Dax seems to have a gift for pulling back from the edge just before disaster strikes,” Teddy said, “and I expect he’ll manage that in this case—maybe even get a good picture out of it.”
“But it’ll cost him?”
“That would be my best guess,” Teddy said. “Oh, here comes Sally.”
Stone looked up to see a trim, mostly blond woman approaching. “You’ve done well, Billy,” he said.
“Sally,” Teddy said, rising, “this is an old friend, Stone Barrington. We knew each other in New York.”
Sally offered him a hand. “Hello, Stone.”
“How do you do?” Stone asked, taking the hand. “Will you join us for a minute? Before your hike?”
“Sure.”
Stone pulled up a chair for her. “Margarita?”
“They’re too big here—I might fall off a mountain.”
“I’m staying sober, too,” Teddy said, sipping his diet soda.
“Where are you hiking?” Stone asked.
“I thought I’d show Ted the Bandelier National Monument, up Los Alamos way.”
“I’ve heard good things about it,” Stone said. “Refresh my memory.”
“Upwards of thirty thousand acres, dwelling ruins going back eleven thousand years, plenty of wildlife, gorgeous scenery. Why don’t you join us?”
“Thanks, I’m not dressed for it, and I have to fly to L.A. on business in a little while.”
“Another time, then.”
“Maybe, who knows?”
The two of them excused themselves and went on their way.
Stone drove back to the Eagles’ house and packed his things, then went to say goodbye to his hosts. Ed was alone in his study.
“Did you put the fear of God into Teddy?” he asked.
“I don’t think anything could put the fear of God into Teddy,” Stone replied. “Still, I managed to convey that there might be unintended consequences for others, if he goes too far.”
“Do you think he’ll do that?”
“No, I don’t. So far he’s managed to put Dax Baxter into a world of trouble by doing small things to slow him down. Apparently, his contract calls for Baxter to personally pick up costs over and above the agreed budget, and Teddy is bleeding him in small ways.”
“As long as he doesn’t hurt anybody,” Eagle said.
“I don’t think Teddy gets mad,” Stone said. “He just gets even.”
12
STONE DROVE THE HUNDRED YARDS up the mountain and turned into Anastasia Bounine’s driveway. She was just locking the door to her house, and a suitcase and a train case stood next to her.
“Good afternoon,” Stone said with a kiss. “Ready to go?”
“Always,” she replied.
He stowed her luggage, and they drove to the airport and through the security gate. Stone’s CJ3 Plus awaited, and he put their luggage on board. “Last chance for the powder room,” he said to Ana. She walked into the FBO, and he did a thorough preflight inspection.
“Would you like to be comfortable in the rear?” he asked when she returned.
“Where are you sitting?”
“In the pilot’s seat.”
Her eyes opened a little wider. “Somehow I was under the impression that two gentlemen in those cute uniforms would be occupying the front seats.”
“I prefer doing it myself. Would you like to be copilot?”
Ana raised an eyebrow. “I think that would terrify me, but I’ll do it anyway, just to be near you.”
Stone closed and locked the cabin door, then got her settled and strapped in and adjusted her headset so they could hear each other over the intercom. “The microphone should be close enough to your lips so that you can kiss it,” he said.
She kissed the microphone. “There, dear,” she said.
“Is your seat belt comfortable?”
“It’s a little like being in a straitjacket, isn’t it?” she said.
“It’s called a five-point restraint, to keep you secure. The FAA requires it.” Stone handed her the checklist. “It would be a help if you read me the items one by one.” He pointed at the first.
She began reading, and he began replying with “Check” after accomplishing each task. After a little while, he said, “Now we’re ready to start engines.” He talked her through the procedure as he accomplished it, and soon both engines were running smoothly and the air-conditioning was on.
Stone called the tower for his clearance and permission to taxi, and he turned the airplane and taxied to runway 20. A moment later they were given an initial altitude and cleared for takeoff. The winds were light, so there was no turbulence. He steered the airplane onto the runway center line, then moved the throttles smoothly to the max. The light jet began to roll, and a moment later he eased back the yoke, and the aircraft rose into the clean, clear high desert air.
“It’s very powerful, isn’t it?” Ana said.
“For its size, yes.” He switched on the autopilot and the airplane turned toward its first assigned waypoint.
“Why don’t you have your hands on the thing, there?” she asked, pointing at the yoke.
“The autopilot is flying the airplane, now, and it’s a better pilot than I. It will continue to fly us until we’re ready to land.”
An hour and a half later Stone set down the airplane gently at Santa Monica Airport.
“I’m surprised,” Ana said, “that was actually fun.”
“I always enjoy flying myself rather than being flown. It gives me a sense of accomplishment all out of proportion to what I’ve actually done.” He steered the airplane onto the Atlantic Aviation ramp, ran through his checklist, and shut everything down. A Bentley with the Hotel Arrington insignia on the door pulled up to the airplane; Stone unlocked the luggage compartment, and the driver moved their bags to the car. Then they were gone.
? ? ?
TWENTY MINUTES LATER they were waved through the security gate at the Arrington, and the driver deposited them at Stone’s house, where the butler took charge of their things.
“You keep a butler, even when you’re not here?”
“No, the hotel provides a cook, a maid, and a butler when I’m in residence. It’s very convenient.” While their bags were taken upstairs he gave her a tour of the house. “Oh, your own pool?” she asked, looking out a window.
“Ours alone.”
“Does one need a swimsuit?”