Family Jewels by Stuart Woods Read Free Book Online

had made love, and just before Stone fell asleep, Carrie whispered in his ear, “I have an early appointment in the city tomorrow, so I’ll be leaving here at four AM . Rupert will give you breakfast.”
    “Hmmmf,” Stone replied, then drifted off.

12
    S tone eased into consciousness at a little after ten o’clock. He was unaccustomed to sleeping that late, but at least, he thought, he’d miss the rush-hour traffic into Manhattan. He showered, shaved, dressed, and packed his bag, then carried it downstairs with him.
    Rupert was ready for him and served a big breakfast, which he wolfed down. He’d skip lunch to make up for it. While he was on coffee, Rupert took his luggage out to the car, and he heard the trunk lid slam. Rupert came back shortly. “Everything’s in your car,” he said, “including a small gift from Ms. Fiske.”
    “Then I’ll be on my way,” Stone said.
    “I’ll be on my way, too,” Rupert replied. “I’ve been given a week off.” The two walked down to the front of the house together, and Rupert drove away. Stone followed until he lost the man at an intersection.
    Stone lazily followed the GPS instructions to the Long Island Expressway, and as he entered the highway, someone kissed him on his right ear. He looked in the rearview mirror and found two large black eyes looking back at him.
    “Bob, what the hell are you doing here?” he demanded, but he didn’t get an answer. Bob hopped into the seat beside him and sat down. There was an envelope tied to his collar with Stone’s name on it. He pulled into a rest stop and read it.
    My Dear Stone,
    You were the perfect guest, and the perfect lay, too
.
Thank you for a memorable time
.
I hope you’ll come back soon and even before that
.
Call me in the city
.
    It’s clear to me that you and Bob were made for each other
.
You’re the first person he’s ever shown much of an interest in, including me
.
His food, his vet records, and registration are all in his bag in your trunk, and you’ll be glad to know that the documents making him legal to visit Britain are there, too
.
He’s had all the right shots, etc
.
You’ll find him easy to deal with
.
I’m leaving town for a couple of weeks this midday
.
If, when I get back, you and Bob turn out to have been incompatible, I’ll take him off your hands, but I don’t see that happening
.
Oh, and his meal schedule and some plastic bags are in his bag, too
.
    Kisses,
Carrie
    “Well, Bob,” Stone said to the dog, “it looks as if you and I are bunking together for a couple of weeks.”
    Bob’s tail beat affirmatively against the leather seat.
    He made good time to the house and pulled into the garage. He got out his and Bob’s luggage, put his on the elevator and took Bob’s with him to his office. Joan heard him close the outer door and came in to greet him.
    “Well, who’s this?” she cried, and knelt to greet the dog.
    “This is Bob, and he’s going to be spending a couple of weeks with us.” He handed her the bag. “Here’s his luggage, and there are all sorts of goodies in there. As I recall he has lunch around this time, and there’s food in there, too.”
    Joan took the bag and came back with two bowls and set them on the floor next to Stone’s desk. “There you go, Bob. How about you, boss? Lunch?”
    “I had an enormous breakfast, so I’ll skip that.”
    “A good weekend?”
    “Very good, and I got some new business.” He handed her Carrie’s will and gave her instructions on what to do with it. “A man called Nicky Chalmers will be calling to set up an appointment.”
    “He called this morning. Shall I get him back for you?”
    “Sure. I also picked up a movie director called James Carlton, but I think that was a one-shot meeting.” He sat down while Joan made the call.
    “Nicky on one,” she said.
    Stone picked up the phone. “Good afternoon, Nicky.”
    “And to you, Stone.”
    “I just got back a moment ago, and somewhat to my surprise, Bob came