Paris Match

1

Stone Barrington closed his three suitcases and called down for Fred Flicker to fetch his luggage. Fred was quick.

I ll have the car around in five minutes, Mr. Barrington, he said.

Thank you, Fred.

Fred hustled the three cases onto the elevator and disappeared. Stone turned to Ann Keaton, who was sitting on the end of his bed, fully dressed and ready to go to her job at the New York City campaign headquarters of Katharine Lee, the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. Ann was her deputy campaign manager.

Are you crying because I m leaving? Stone asked. I mean, you ve known for weeks that I have to go to Paris for the opening of the new hotel, l Arrington.

No, she said, that s not why.

I ll be back in two or three weeks, and you re going to be so busy with the campaign that you won t even notice that I m gone.

I ll notice, Ann said. I have something to tell you.

Just a minute, Stone said. He buzzed his secretary, Joan Robertson. Ask Fred to pick up the Bacchettis, then come back for me, he said. Then he returned and sat next to Ann on the bed.

All right, he said, tell me.

I m crying because I won t be here when you get back, Ann said.

This was news to Stone. And where will you be?

In Washington.

I don t understand, Kate said you could work out of New York.

Kate changed her mind, Ann said. She wants me to work with Sam more closely. She wants us to meet every day, and Sam can t come to New York. Sam Meriwether, the senior senator from Georgia, was Kate Lee s campaign manager.

And this is until the election? Stone asked hopefully.

Only if Kate isn t elected, Ann said. We ve talked about what happens if she gets elected: I ll be heading up the search operation for administration appointees, while remaining her chief of staff. And after the

Stuart Woods is the author of more than eighty-five novels, including the #1 New York Times-bestselling Stone Barrington series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award. An avid sailor and pilot, Woods lives in Florida, Maine, and Connecticut.

Praise for Paris Match

Another fun-filled ride of action and suspense...the typical life of Stone Barrington will again please fans. Suspense Magazine
 
Woods knack for natural, nimble dialogue moves the plot along. Publishers Weekly

More Praise for Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods is a no-nonsense, slam-bang storyteller. Chicago Tribune

A world-class mystery writer...I try to put Woods s books down and I can t. Houston Chronicle 

Mr. Woods, like his characters, has an appealing way of making things nice and clear. The New York Times

Woods certainly knows how to keep the pages turning. Booklist

Since 1981, readers have not been able to get their fill of Stuart Woods  New York Times bestselling novels of suspense. Orlando Sentinel

Woods s Stone Barrington is a guilty pleasure...he s also an addiction that s harder to kick than heroin. Contra Costa Times (California)