Page 27 of Lawbreaker

He shook his head. “I talked to Martha. Teddy’s gone to bed.”

“Teddy can handle it.”

He shrugged. “Maybe.” Tony was deep in thought.

Big Ben’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t like the boss to be absent-minded. “Something bothering you?” Ben asked.

“Donalson,” he said through his teeth. “He’s getting too aggressive with Stasia’s sister-in-law. She wouldn’t admit it to me, but she’s spooked.”

“You backed him down.”

“Yeah. But he’s the sort of vermin that doesn’t pay attention.” His chin lifted as he turned his head toward Ben. “I want him gone. I got a signed contract for the paintings from his boss, so I’m going to suggest that they leave in the morning. You get Donalson to one side before that and tell him what it is. Just in case he has any ideas about getting even with her afterward. You know what a sneaky son of a toad he is.”

“I do. And he’s got an apartment in town not far from hers that he uses when he comes down from Vermont to do business,” Ben reminded him.

“Tell him he’s already had more leeway than I’m used to giving. There won’t be any more warnings.”

“I’ll tell him.” He paused. “Miss Everett is a sweet woman. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. He was following her down the staircase when she went into Rudolf’s turf.” He chuckled. “Most women won’t even go in there. She wasn’t scared?”

Tony grinned. “She likes snakes. And wrestling.”

“Really!”

Tony nodded. “Odd woman.”

“But beautiful.”

Tony shrugged. “Beauty is relative. I’ll take brains and talent over that.”

“She’s got both.”

“Yeah.” His face tautened. “She’ll end up with some rich guy in Texas when she’s tired of singing. If that ever happens.”

“She sings good, does she?”

“Like angels do,” Tony said quietly. “I’ve heard sopranos all my life. I’ve never heard one with a voice like hers. Clear as a summer day, every word enunciated, every pause perfect and she never flats a note.”

“Maybe we can go hear her at the Met one day.”

“Maybe.”

“When do you want me to talk to the weasel?”

“Wait until morning. Oh, and keep an eye on Rudy, will you? He and Donalson almost came to blows earlier. I don’t want him involved in anything right now. Don’t let him give Donalson an excuse to take him to court.”

“I’ll do my best, boss, but Rudy’s a hothead.”

“Yeah. But we need him not to be, at least for the time being,” Tony replied. He looked up. “No sign of rain. I’m glad the weatherman got it wrong this time. I’m taking my guests horseback riding in the morning.”

“Not all of them, I’ll bet,” Ben chuckled. “Miss Stasia is going to be too sick to go, and Teddy and Martha don’t like horses.”

“It will be a small group,” Tony agreed. “One more thing. Put somebody on Miss Everett’s apartment, will you?” he added.

“Because of Donalson?”

“Her brother’s worried that the James man in DC is looking for revenge and lining up soft targets. Stasia will be safe up here and at home, but Odalie doesn’t have protection at her apartment. Right now, she’s the most available soft target because Tanner Everett is her brother.”

“I’ll get somebody good,” Ben agreed.