“You know him?”
“My wife and I have bought a few pieces from him over the years. We’re collectors of American furniture.”
Deal spoke up. “Are you saying that Carla left me for an antiques dealer?”
“Not that kind of antiques dealer.”
“What kind, then?”
“One who likes women more than antiques.”
“I don’t believe it,” Deal said.
“Well, she was there when I arrived at Colonel Cabot’s house yesterday afternoon, and she was there when I left. My impression was that she was staying over.”
“Colonel Cabot?” Eggers asked.
“He was a career officer in the Marines before he was an antiques dealer.”
Deal looked at Stone as if he were insane. “A former Marine is an antiques dealer? That doesn’t make any sense at all.”
“I don’t care if it makes any sense,” Stone said. “It’s true.”
“Then you didn’t steal my girl?”
Stone reminded himself that it had been Carla’s idea to sleep with him. “I did not.”
Eggers spoke up. “Harlan, it appears that you’ve been misinformed.”
Deal blinked, literally and figuratively. “Then I must apologize to Mr. Barrington.”
Stone waited for him to do so. “All right, apologize.”
“I apologize.”
“For having my homes broken into?”
“I know nothing about that.”
Eggers looked at him sharply. “Harlan?”
Deal threw up his hands. “My people just had a look around.”
“They rearranged my bedroom and dressing room,” Stone said.
“That was not part of my instructions,” Deal said. “My man has… a whimsical nature.”
“Well, you tell him that if I catch him being whimsical in any residence of mine again I will make a point of curing his whimsy.”
“Now, Stone,” Eggers said. “Clearly, there’s been a misunderstanding all around, and Harlan has apologized. Will the two of you now shake hands and forget this?”
Stone and Deal stared at each other. Finally, Stone extended a hand, and Deal shook it.
“I have to get back to my office,” Deal said, rising. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.” He walked out.
Eggers got up and closed the door behind Deal, then looked at Stone. “You fucked his girlfriend?”
“Bill, didn’t you hear anything I just said?”