{"product_id":"indecent-exposure-isbn-9780735217126","title":"Indecent Exposure","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn this action-packed adventure from #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author Stuart Woods, Stone Barrington learns that privacy is hard to come by when you’re one of the rich and mighty.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs an eligible bachelor, man-about-town, and mover in the highest social echelons, Stone Barrington has always been the subject of interest and gossip. But when he’s unwittingly thrust into the limelight, he finds himself scrambling to take cover. Before too long Stone’s fending off pesky nuisances left and right, and making personal arrangements so surreptitiously it would take a covert operative to unearth them. Unfortunately, Stone soon discovers that these efforts only increase the persistence of the most troublesome pests...and when he runs afoul of a particularly tenacious lady, he’ll be struggling to protect not just his reputation, but his life.\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eIndecent Exposure\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“Another entertaining episode in what has become a bit of a soap opera about the rich and famous...With the socially relevant backdrops of the president, privacy and the paparazzi, there is enough intrigue to connect the dots between the last book and the next one that's sure to come.”—Associated Press \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “[An] irresistible, luxury-soaked soap opera.”—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore Praise for Stuart Woods\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Stuart Woods is a no-nonsense, slam-bang storyteller.”—\u003ci\u003eChicago Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A world-class mystery writer...I try to put Woods’s books down and I can’t.”—\u003ci\u003eHouston Chronicle \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“Mr. Woods, like his characters, has an appealing way of making things nice and clear.”—\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Woods certainly knows how to keep the pages turning.”—\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“Since 1981, readers have not been able to get their fill of Stuart Woods’ \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling novels of suspense.”—\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eOrlando Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Woods’s Stone Barrington is a guilty pleasure...he’s also an addiction that’s harder to kick than heroin.”—\u003ci\u003eContra Costa Times\u003c\/i\u003e (California)\u003cb\u003eStuart Woods\u003c\/b\u003e was the author of more than ninety novels, including the #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling Stone Barrington series. A native of Georgia and an avid sailor and pilot, he began his writing career in the advertising industry. \u003ci\u003eChiefs\u003c\/i\u003e, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award. Woods passed away in 2022.1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone Barrington landed the Citation CJ3 Plus smoothly at Manassas      Airport, in Virginia. As he taxied to the FBO he noticed a large      black SUV parked on the ramp. To his eye it looked government and      armored, and he wondered what VIP could be landing at the small,      general aviation airport. His curiosity was soon satisfied: as he      parked and cut his engines the vehicle began to move, and it      stopped off his wingtip.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone ran through his shutdown checklist, then withdrew from the      cockpit and opened the cabin door. A man in a blue suit with a      shiny button in his lapel stood there.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Mr. Barrington?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yes,\" Stone replied, still mystified.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Secretary Barker asked us to meet you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone then noticed a second, similarly dressed man standing by the      SUV and surveying the ramp, and he realized that Holly Barker had      been sworn in as secretary of state. It was Election Day, and      President Katharine Lee had, apparently, jumped the gun on her      appointment, since she was the once and, if things went as they      were supposed to, future President.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone handed the man a key. \"Front luggage compartment,\" he said.      \"Take everything.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The car stopped in front of the elegant double-width town house in      Georgetown. Stone had not seen the place for some years, but he      now owned it, having come to an arrangement with the Lees by which      he had exchanged his Santa Fe house, plus an adjoining property      and some cash, for this house, which former President Will Lee had      owned with his late father since he was an aide to a United States      senator.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The driver pressed a button on the sun visor and a garage door      opened. The vehicle drove into the basement garage, and the      security man opened the door for him. \"The elevator is straight      ahead,\" he said. \"We'll get your luggage upstairs.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone thanked him, got into the elevator, and pressed the G      button. A moment later he emerged into the main floor central      hallway, where there was a buzz of people and voices. Caterers      were arranging the living room for a party, and Holly Barker stood      in the center of the room, directing traffic. She saw Stone and      ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. \"Here you are!\" she      sang out in a happy voice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Here I am, indeed,\" he replied, joining her in the hug. As      always, she felt just wonderful. \"I thought you were expecting      just a few friends,\" he said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It got out of hand,\" she replied. \"We're at fifty and counting.      I'm learning that nobody declines an invitation from a high      cabinet member. The caterers are felling another ox.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"So, you're already a cabinet member?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I was sworn in this morning.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"My congratulations,\" he said, kissing her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Come on upstairs, I'll show you your room.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone followed her into the elevator and took advantage of their      momentary privacy to kiss her and pull her closer with his hand on      her ass. They broke before the door opened.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She led him into what was, obviously, the master bedroom, which      had two dressing rooms and two baths. \"By tomorrow, all of      Washington will know we're sharing a bed,\" she said. \"I talked it      over with Kate, and we agreed that it was better not to bother      with a nod to convention, just to go ahead and let the world get      used to the idea of a single woman with a sex life as a cabinet      secretary-no fuss, no bother.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm fine with that,\" Stone said. \"It will do wonders for my      reputation.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Your bags are in that dressing room.\" She pointed. \"You get      unpacked, and by the way, we've upgraded to black tie. I knew you      would bring a dinner jacket.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You know me too well. What time do we make an appearance      downstairs?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Seven o'clock,\" she replied. \"I've rented three big-screen TVs,      and that's when the action begins. Would you like a drink now?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'd like a nap now, if that's all right. I was out with Dino and      Viv until late last night. They were sorry they couldn't come, but      the mayor stole them for his party.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Apparently, my social magnet doesn't reach as far as New York,\"      she said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It does, it just can't compete with the mayor's social magnet.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'll wake you at six,\" she said, pushing him onto the bed and      pulling off his shoes. She threw a light blanket over him and      kissed him on the forehead.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone sank into the soft bed and closed his eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e At six, Holly, already half-dressed, woke him, and he shaved and      showered and got into his dinner suit. At five minutes before      seven, they got on the elevator.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You are gorgeous,\" he said, looking her up and down.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm afraid I've infringed on your generosity for a whole new      wardrobe,\" she said. \"The new job requires a lot more dressing up      than national security advisor to the President. Your credit card      is smoking.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's what it's for,\" Stone replied. \"Keep the credit card and      use it as you will.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The door opened, and they spilled into the hallway. There were      already many voices coming from the living room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The first person Stone recognized was Senator Saltonstall of New      York. They shook hands warmly. \"Stone, may I introduce my daughter      Celeste, and her beau, Peter Rule?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was the first time Stone had met Kate Lee's son by her first      marriage. He was a handsome young man of around thirty, and Ms.      Saltonstall was a genuine beauty. \"I'm delighted you're here,\"      Stone said to Peter. Your mother has told me about you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Uh-oh,\" Peter said. \"I hope she hasn't blown our secret.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"She has not,\" Stone replied, \"but I think you just did.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"He has a big mouth,\" Celeste said, kissing him on the cheek,      thereby displaying her left hand, revealing about eight carats of      glittering, emerald-cut stone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And you have a big diamond,\" Stone said, \"so it must not be too      much of a secret.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Dad wants to announce it tonight,\" Celeste said, \"before we      adjourn to the White House for the latter part of the evening. Mom      and Will have to touch a few bases, including campaign      headquarters.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone knew from his mother that Peter was planning a run for New      York's other senatorial seat at the midterm. Stone leaned forward      and whispered into Celeste's ear, \"You'd better get something      smaller for campaigning.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I hadn't thought of that,\" she said, \"but you're right.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Holly pulled him away and began introducing him to all the others,      a few of whom heÕd met before. Then the TV sets were fired up,      everybody got some dinner from the buffet, and the evening began.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Everyone was cheerful and happy, looking forward to Kate's second      term.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 2\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was after midnight, and the polls were now closed in the      continental USA. The crowd was lighter by half and what little      conversation there was was subdued. Everyone was glued to the TVs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Kate had gone into the election with a nine-point lead in the      polls and was predicted to get more than 400 electoral votes.      Instead, she was struggling toward 270. That morning's newspapers      had headlined a story that Will Lee had taken a      fifty-million-dollar bribe from a Saudi prince, to get a huge arms      deal with the USA. The Lee campaign had flooded the airwaves with      her surrogates, denying everything and blaming the lie on her      opponent. From what Stone could see on the TV screens, especially      the jubilant reporting on Fox News, Kate's campaign had taken on      water, and with very little time to right the ship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Holly stared at the screen. \"I'm going to be the shortest-serving      secretary of state in history.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It's going to come down to Florida,\" Stone said. \"How is Kate      feeling about Florida?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Just great, until today,\" Holly replied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A waiter passed among them with a frosty champagne bottle, topping      off glasses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e An anchorman came back from commercial, holding a sheet of paper      in one hand and a microphone in the other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Here it comes,\" Holly said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Some incredible news has just come in,\" the man said. \"Let's go      to Cassie Crane outside Republican campaign headquarters in New      York.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A young woman with a microphone stood on the sidewalk in a light      rain, next to a geeky young man wearing a dark suit and heavy      glasses. \"Chris, I'm here with Jason Foxworthy, who is a poll      analyst with the Jack Marion campaign. Jason, I think it's best      for you to tell your own story, then we'll have some questions.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Thank you, Cassie,\" the young man said in a surprisingly deep      voice. \"Late last night I picked up a phone in our office and      overheard a conversation between James Heckley, a speechwriter for      Senator Marion, and Eliot Wafford, the owner of the Washington      Debater, a conservative newspaper. I know it was Heckley because I      could see him across the room as he spoke, and I recognized      Wafford's voice from seeing him on TV shows. Also, Heckley called      him Eliot, twice, during the conversation. They were confirming      details of the big story that broke today about the alleged bribe      taken by Will Lee. In fact, it might be more accurate to say that      they were getting their stories straight, because Heckley was      reading a draft of the story, and Wafford was suggesting changes      to make it stronger and more damning. When they had finished their      conversation, Wafford said that he was holding the Debater's      presses to get it into the early-morning edition. They both seemed      very pleased with themselves.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Let's be clear, Jason,\" Cassie said. \"You are saying that you      overheard James Heckley and Eliot Wafford contriving this story?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's exactly what I'm saying,\" Foxworthy replied. \"The story is      a lie, a complete fabrication.\" He held up an iPhone. \"And I      recorded all but ten or fifteen seconds of their phone      conversation.\" He held up a wrinkled sheet of paper. \"And I      retrieved the draft from the wastebasket beside James Heckley's      desk.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cassie addressed the camera. \"Chris, I have to get Jason to a      secure location right away, and we've got a car standing by for      him. There's one more revelation in the story, though-I've heard      from two campaign staffers that James Heckley left campaign      headquarters nearly two hours ago for Teterboro Airport, where a      private jet was waiting to fly him out of New York. First reports      say that the airplane had filed a flight plan for Caracas,      Venezuela, but of course that destination could be changed en      route. Back to you, Chris.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The anchor stared gravely into the camera. \"Cassie, that was a      brilliant piece of reportage, and we here all thank you for it.      Unfortunately, the polls have already closed.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was as though lightning had struck the living room-everyone was      talking at once, some happy, others in tears. Two people were      shouting into their cell phones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone stood up and pointed at the TV set. \"Everybody shut up!\" he      shouted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The anchorman was now standing next to the campaign map. \"We have      just heard that Florida has reported its election results, and by      a margin of less than four thousand votes, Katharine Lee has      carried the state, and with Florida's twenty-nine electoral votes,      has been reelected President of the United States, winning three      hundred and three electoral votes. I think it's fair to say that a      national catastrophe has been averted.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cheering erupted in the room, and Holly fell into Stone's arms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone awoke a little after seven am to the sound of Holly talking      on the phone. She hung up. ÒBig news,Ó she said. ÒEliot Wafford      has been arrested by the FBI on a charge of election tampering.      TheyÕre still looking for James Heckley, but his flight diverted      to Mexico City and landed there early this morning.Ó\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone switched on the TV, and every news station was reporting its      version of the Heckley\/Wafford story. Kate's victory in the      election seemed almost like an afterthought. He switched it off.      \"I don't think I can take this on an empty stomach.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e As if on cue, a maid knocked and pushed a cart into the room.      Moments later, Stone and Holly were sitting up in bed eating      scrambled eggs and bacon. The TV was back on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And what does your day hold?\" Stone asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm visiting the State Department and being introduced to my      staff, or at least, those I don't already know from working with      them on the National Security Council. Stan Adamson is going to be      there to introduce me. And you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm due for a drink with Kate and Will in the family quarters at      six. So are you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh, yes.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Since they appointed me their personal attorney, I've put      together a team at Woodman \u0026amp; Weld, which will be known as The      Barrington Group. There's a thick envelope on the table across the      room containing a document I put together explaining everything.      I'll deliver a copy to them this evening.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'll look forward to reading it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"There's something else I want to discuss with you, but I don't      want to talk about it here.\" He tapped an ear with his forefinger.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Holly looked shocked. \"Really? Not here?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's correct,\" Stone said. \"We'll talk about it later, when the      circumstances are more favorable.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Whatever you say,\" Holly replied. She jumped out of bed. \"I've      got to get myself together.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 3\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e That evening they took the elevator to the basement garage, where      Holly's SUV awaited them. The street door was open, and Stone      pulled her up the ramp with him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'll be just a minute,\" Holly called to her security team.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone put his briefcase into the SUV, then they turned down the      block.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Okay, shoot,\" Holly said, taking Stone's arm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stone didn't hesitate. \"I want you to have the house swept by your      security team for listening devices, and I want them to do this at      least every three or four days, but not on a regular schedule.      Your car, too.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Are you coming over all paranoid on me, Stone?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I don't think that the political opposition is going to      cheerfully accept the election results,\" he said, \"and we've      already seen how far they're willing to go.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"But Wafford is already in jail, and Heckley is a fugitive.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Wafford has certainly already been bailed out, and being a      fugitive won't keep Heckley from operating for long. Even if I'm      wrong about this, it won't hurt to be a little paranoid.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"All right, whatever you say.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Also, you have to start being more careful in how you proceed      with your life.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"What do you mean?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"For instance, you had your car meet me at the Manassas Airport      yesterday. That's personal use of an official vehicle, and that      could come back to bite you on the ass.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I suppose,\" Holly said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"When you get to the office tomorrow, I want you to report that to      your chief administrative officer, have him give you a bill for      the cost of that service, and reimburse the State Department with      a personal check. Thereafter, anytime you make personal use of any      government property or service, do the same thing. You want to      establish a consistent paper trail.\"","brand":"G.P. Putnam's Sons","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301107159269,"sku":"NP9780735217126","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780735217126.jpg?v=1767730015","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/indecent-exposure-isbn-9780735217126","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}