Page 25

That evening, Stone was having dinner alone in his study, his Labrador retriever, Bob, asleep on the floor nearby, when Dino called.

“You’ll be happy to hear the accident was not Sara’s fault,” Dino said.

“I thought we already established that.”

“It’s officially not her fault now.”

“Great. Whose fault it is?”

“That is a harder question to answer.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that we both know and don’t know.”

“If you’re trying to be frustrating, you’re doing an excellent job.”

“I wasn’t trying, so you can consider it an unintended bonus.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Perhaps you could explain in more detail?”

“Someone placed several remote devices in the Coulters’ car that caused the vehicle to behave as it did. We figured this out because while it appears the devices were designed to fall off once triggered, one of them got jammed in the undercarriage and was still there.”

“Then there was nothing Sara could have done to stop the accident from happening.”

“Not a thing. That’s what I meant by official, in case you were wondering.”

“The news should give her some comfort. But you haven’t explained who the culprit is yet.”

“If you’d give me a chance, I’m about to get to it.”

“I most humbly beg your pardon for interfering with your presentation.”

“That’s better. Do you remember Sasha Maslov?”

“The hit man who worked for the Russian mob?”

“One and the same.”

“If you’re going to tell me Maslov was behind it, I’m going to have serious concerns about the department’s competency. Maslov’s been dead for nearly a decade.”

“It’s been five years, not ten, and of course, he’s not responsible.”

“Then what does Maslov have to do with any of this?”

“If you recall, Maslov was killed while driving on the FDR.”

“That’s right. Didn’t his car end up in the river?”

“I’m glad to see your memory hasn’t completely deserted you. After we pulled the car out, my people found a device connected to the brake line that turns out to be identical to the device found on the Coulters’ car.”

“Why do I have the feeling you’re going to tell me you never caught Maslov’s killer?”

“Because we never caught Maslov’s killer.”

“Hence, knowing but not knowing who did it.”

“Gold star. We’re pretty sure whoever it was has also been involved in several other ‘accidents,’ but where no devices were found.”

“Have you tried seeing if there are any links between the victims? That could help point to who did it.”

“Wow, we never thought to do that,” Dino said, laying it on thick.

“And?”

“Eighty percent of the victims were involved in organized crime, and those who weren’t were being pressured by someone who was.”

“But why target Hillary and Sa—” Stone stopped himself.

“Oh, no. You’re thinking this has something to do with Jack.”

“I’m thinking it has something to do with Jack. And you should be, too.”

Stone sometimes forgot about Jack’s Johnny Fratelli past.

“I was under the impression he wasn’t involved in that world anymore,” Dino said.

“But now I’m starting to think I was wrong.”

“As far as I know, you aren’t. You haven’t told your detectives about his past, have you?”

“No. But someone will need to talk to him about this.”

“I’ll speak to him.”

“I figured you might say that.”

Stone’s phone beeped with another call.

He checked the screen.

“That’s Jack.”

“His ears must be burning.”

“I’ll call you back.”

As Stone hung up and switched to the other line, Bob lifted his head and chuffed.

“If you wanted to sleep, perhaps you should have found someplace quieter,” Stone told him.

Bob chuffed again, then laid his head back down.

Into the phone, Stone said, “Jack, how’s Hillary?”

“Better, all things considered,” Jack said.

“She woke for a while this afternoon, but she’s still sore and tired.”

“I would be shocked if she wasn’t.”

“I’m sorry to bother you on a Sunday evening, but I’m wondering if you might be able to come to our place. There’s something I need to show you.”

“Now?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

“I can be there in thirty minutes.”

“Could you ask Dino to join us, too? If he’s available.”

“I’ll pick him up on my way.”

Dino was waiting at the curb when Stone’s Bentley pulled up.

He waved Fred off, opened the back door himself, and slid in next to Stone.

“Did you find out what this is all about?” he asked as Fred steered them back into traffic.

“I haven’t talked to Jack again,” Stone said.

“So your guess is as good as mine.”

“My guess is that he’s already figured out that the accident might have something to do with his past.”

Their destination wasn’t far, and soon Stone and Dino were stepping off the elevator on the Coulters’ floor, where they found Jack waiting for them at his door.

“Thank you for coming,” Jack said as he ushered them inside.

He looked tense, as if he had something heavy on his mind.

“I hope I didn’t upset any plans.”

“Only a night in by myself,” Stone said.

“Viv’s out of town, so no problem for me,” Dino said.

They entered the living room.

“Please, have a seat,” Jack said.

“Can I get either of you something to drink?”

“Why don’t you tell us what’s going on?” Stone suggested.

Jack took a deep breath, then walked over to the dining table, picked up a Ziploc bag, and brought it over.

Inside was an opened envelope and a piece of paper that looked to have been in it at one point.

“When I came home this evening, this was on the kitchen counter.”

He handed the bag to Stone, who held it up so both he and Dino could read the note inside.

Hi Johnny.

Your wife’s accident is just a taste of what’s to come if you don’t do exactly what we tell you to.

And next time not everyone will walk away.

We’ll be in touch.

XOXO

Stone then turned the bag around so they could see the envelope.

On it was typed Jack Coulter .

“That confirms your theory,” Stone said to Dino.

“I have the knack.”

“What theory?” Jack asked.

“That the crash has to do with your Johnny Fratelli past,” Stone said.

“You figured that out before you read this?”

“Stone left out a crucial piece of information,” Dino said.

“My people found evidence that the crash was a deliberate act.” He told Jack about the device and its link to similar crimes.

“You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who could have done that, would you?”

Jack shook his head.

“I went straight when I was released from prison, and I never went back.”

They all knew that wasn’t exactly true, though those dabblings back into the criminal world had been limited to instances in which he had to protect himself, his family, and his friends—such as Stone.

“I think the important question is: How many people know that you’re Johnny Fratelli?”

“Three. You both and Hillary.”

“No one else?” Dino said.

“Not anymore.”

“It appears someone else has made the connection,” Stone said.

“I can put some feelers out,” Jack said.

“See if there’s been any interest in Johnny Fratelli recently.”

Dino took the Ziploc bag from Stone.

“Has anyone else touched the note since you removed it from the envelope?”

“Only me, and just the edges.”

“Who put the envelope in your kitchen?”

“Ash.”

“Ash?” Stone said.

“He stayed while Sara slept, in case she needed anything.”

“Where are they now?” Dino asked.

“Sara’s still asleep. I sent Ash home to get some rest after I returned home. I don’t think he’s slept since last night.”

“Did he say how the envelope came into his possession?”

“One of the doormen brought it up. And before you ask, I checked with them while I was waiting for you. They said it arrived via a messenger wearing a motorcycle helmet.”

“I assume they log all deliveries.”

“They do.”

“I’ll check when we leave,” Dino said.

“But I can all but guarantee that whatever company the messenger put down doesn’t exist.” He held up the Ziploc bag.

“If it’s all right with you, I’ll take this with me.”

“I assumed you would. I do have a request, though. I’d very much like to keep this quiet. I’ve worked hard to create my new life. The last thing I want is for there to be a story in the paper about how Jack Coulter used to be Johnny Fratelli. People would come out of the woodwork wanting what I have. I also don’t want Hillary to have to deal with all the looks and questions she would get for having a husband who’s an ex-con.”

“I’ll do everything I can to keep the Fratelli angle private,” Dino said.

“If something happens to change that, I’ll let you know.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

Sara stepped from the hallway, looking as if she hadn’t quite woken up.

“Uncle Jack?”

All three men stood.

“Sara, dear, what are you doing up?” Jack asked.

“I was thirsty and was going to get some water. Sorry, I didn’t realize you had guests.”

“We’re the ones who should apologize,” Stone said.

“We stopped by to make sure you and your uncle were doing okay.”

She smiled weakly.

“That was very nice. Thank you.”

“Now that we have, we’ll get out of your hair.” Stone turned to Jack.

“Unless there was something else?”

“No,” Jack said.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Remember, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me or Ash.”

Sara stood straighter and ran a hand through her hair.

“Is Ash still here?”

“I sent him home to get some rest,” Jack said.

The boost of energy she’d received drained away as fast as it had come.

“That’s good. He was up all night. Mr. Barrington, thank you for sending him. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there.”

“I’ll let him know,” Stone said.

“Please do.”