Free Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods

don’t need to break in,” Lance pointed out. “I know how to pick locks.”
    “Is that how you got in here?”
    “I also know how to give a hundred-euro note to a bellman.”
    “All right, get a satphone to Eggers. I’ll talk to him, and then we’ll talk again.”
    “I’d buy you dinner, but I hear Helga has dibs.”
    “Yes, and don’t you say another word to Helga,” Stone said.
    Lance whipped out his cell phone and started issuing orders.

16
    S tone was dressing for dinner when his cell phone went off. “Hello?”
    “It’s Holly. Didn’t you get my message?”
    “Yes, but I was interrupted and didn’t have a chance to call.”
    “Did you hear from Dino?”
    “Yes, and thank you for that. I was very relieved.”
    “I would have called you myself, but I’ve been in a marathon meeting with no phone.”
    “Are you back in New York?”
    “Tomorrow. Oh, by the way, Lance is going to be confirmed as director.”
    “Yeah, he told me.”
    “You’ve talked to Lance?”
    “Yes, he was in my suite when I got back from lunch—bribed a bellman.”
    “Stone, it’s the drug, you’re hallucinating.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Lance is down the hall in his office.”
    “Not anymore he isn’t.”
    “Stone, you’ve got to see a doctor.”
    “Look, Holly, I’ve just had an extremely unpleasant half hour with Lance, and I’m not hallucinating.”
    “Stone, listen: Lance cannot be in Paris.”
    “I don’t know why the hell not.”
    “I’ve told you, he’s here.”
    “Tell you what, put me on hold, walk down to Lance’s office, and open the door. Then ask his secretary where he is.”
    “Hold on.”
    Stone stood, tapping his foot for two minutes before Holly came back on the line.
    “All right, so he’s in Paris.”
    “And I’m not hallucinating?”
    “And you’re not hallucinating. What did he want?”
    “He wants me to . . . Wait a minute, this isn’t a secure line, is it?”
    “It is on my end. What are you talking on?”
    “My iPhone.”
    “Then don’t say anything that you don’t want heard.”
    Stone was silent.
    “Hello?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Are you going to tell me what he said?”
    “You just told me not to. Make up your mind.”
    “Shit.”
    “Will you excuse me, please? I’ll be late for dinner.”
    “Where and with whom are you having dinner?”
    “I can’t say, I might be overheard.”
    “So what?”
    “So the last person I was talking to, before Lance, had a shot taken at her. I don’t want that to happen to my dinner companion.”
    “You are infuriating.”
    “I’m pretty infuriated, myself. Turns out Lance is responsible for what happened to me.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Well, I can’t explain it to you on this phone.”
    “Never mind, goodbye!” She hung up.
    The phone on the bedside table rang, and Stone picked it up. “Hello?”
    “Stone, it’s Marcel duBois. I hope you’re well.”
    Stone relaxed a little. “Yes, Marcel, I’m very well, thank you.”
    “I wonder if you’re free to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
    “Of course. I’d be delighted.”
    Marcel gave him an address. “Ask for me at the front desk,” he said. “One o’clock?”
    “That’s fine.” They both hung up.
    Stone was five minutes late for dinner and was embarrassed to find Helga waiting for him, already seated at a table by the big windows. He kissed her and sat down, but before he could speak, someone else pulled up a chair. Lance smiled at him sweetly. “Good evening, Stone, Helga.”
    “Oh, Lance!” Helga said, sounding delighted. “What brings you to Paris?”
    “I wish it were you, my dear, but it’s Stone.”
    Helga looked at Stone oddly. “You two know each other?”
    “Unfortunately,” Stone said.
    “Stone,” Lance said, “give me your cell phone and your passport.”
    “Why?” Stone demanded.
    “Don’t be difficult.”
    Stone sighed and handed over the two items.
    Lance produced another cell phone, then turned on