“The Parsons Gallery,” Hildy said.
“Oh, of course. I didn’t make the connection. A lovely gallery it is, too. I bought a Hockney there.”
“Oh? Whom did you deal with?”
“Rita Gammage.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Your father was busy with something else that day.”
This was out of control. Stone tried desperately to think of a way to change the subject. Fortunately, dinner arrived.
22
THE TERIYAKI WAS GOOD. Stone tried not to watch the others eating raw animals. As soon as he had finished his main course, Stone asked to be excused and left the table. He found a quiet corner of the restaurant and called Rita Gammage.
“Hello?”
“Rita, it’s Stone. We’ve got problems.”
“Did something go wrong?”
“If anything, it’s all gone too well,” Stone said.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that Mitzi has gotten a little too much in the swing of things. She’s impressed Sharpe and, incidentally, Hildy, too much. Among other things, she has told them that she bought a Hockney from you, and the way things are going, next she’ll be inviting them over for drinks.”
“Oh, God.”
“Does Philip have a Hockney in the gallery?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Borrow it, will you? And will you please call him right now and tell him that Mitzi bought it? I have the feeling Hildy is going to call her father tonight and ask him.”
“I’m sure he’ll loan it to me for a few days when I explain why,” she said. “I’ll get right on it.”
“Another thing,” Stone said. “Mitzi has told them that Ralph Lauren personally decorated her apartment.”
“That’s outrageous!”
“I know, but she did it.”
“Fortunately, most of my upholstered furniture is from Mr. Lauren’s store.”
“That will be a big help,” Stone said, “but there’s a further complication.”
“Now what?”
“When Hildy questioned whether Lauren personally does decorating jobs, Mitzi told her that Lauren and her father are very old friends and that he was one of Lauren’s early investors.”
“Oh, shit. If I know Hildy, she’ll find a way to track that down.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Do you know Lauren?” “I’ve met him a few times, but I don’t think he’d recognize my name.”
“Does Philip?”