THEY DINED AT L’Abeille at the Hotel Shangri-La, a posh restaurant where dinner clothes were preferred and price was no consideration. At least it wasn’t to Teddy and Dino. Stone was paying.
There was a waiting list for L’Abeille. Dino might have made more of the fact that Stone was able to get a reservation, had he not been distracted by the name of the restaurant. In keeping with its lush garden view, abeille meant “bee.”
“I know it’s the only reason we’re here,” Dino said. “You have it in your mind that B is for Barrington. Like, it’s your own personal restaurant.”
“B is also for Bacchetti,” Stone pointed out.
“Did I make the reservation? Did I order frogs legs? Which are surprisingly good, by the way. Did I choose a place where I have to wear this monkey suit? I don’t dress this well for the mayor’s dinner.”
Stone laughed. “Can you find him something to do on this trip, Billy? He’s really cranky.”
Teddy grinned and dug into his escargot. “Enjoy the ride, Dino. This may be the last meal we have together for a while. Then you’ll be stuck with Stone. And, knowing him, he’ll snag an attractive young dinner date, and you’ll be on your own.”
Stone said, “You’re not helping.”
“Okay, Dino,” Teddy said. “I’ve got a job for you, and it’s not going to be easy. Are you up for it?”
“Sure.”
“You know there’s a man watching us.”
Dino’s raised his eyebrows. “What?”
“He picked us up when we left the hotel and followed us here. He’s out there sulking on the sidewalk while we’re living the high life in here.”
“Do you want me to have him arrested? I could call the prefect of police, and he’d be glad to oblige.”
“I’m sure you could. I’m afraid it’s a little harder than that.”
“You want me to ID him without him knowing it? It’s a lot harder if I can’t arrest him.”
“I can imagine. No, not that.”
“So, what’s this really hard thing you want me to do?”
“When we leave here, and he follows us . . .”
“Yes?”
“Pretend you don’t see him.”