Page 5

Joan stepped into Stone’s office.

“Your four o’clock is here.”

He looked up from his computer.

“I wasn’t aware I had a four o’clock.”

“Sara Hirschy. You told me you’d meet with her as soon as she was able. She’s able now.”

That had indeed been his instructions, but he had assumed it would be a few days before the meeting would occur.

“Show her in. Oh, and please bring me a copy of the list.”

Joan was back in a flash with Stone’s new client in tow.

He came around his desk and extended his hand.

“Good afternoon, Miss Hirschy. I’m Stone Barrington.”

They shook.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Barrington.”

With curly, dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders, sparkling eyes that were a blend of hazel and green, and a youthful complexion, Sara looked even younger than her twenty-eight years.

“Call me Stone. I hope to be not only your attorney but also your friend.”

“I could use a few of those, but only ones who call me Sara.”

“Consider it done.”

Stone gestured to the chair in front of his desk, and she sat.

“Can we get you anything to drink?” he asked.

“I would love some water.”

“Still or sparkling?” Joan asked.

“Sparkling, please.”

Joan handed Stone a manila envelope.

“Coffee for you?”

“Please.”

She left and Stone returned to his seat.

“I’m not one hundred percent sure why I’m here,” Sara said, “but Uncle Jack seems to think you can help me.”

“I can, but only if you desire it.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure what I need help with.”

“How about we start with what your uncle thought most pressing? I understand you are in the process of getting a divorce.”

The liveliness in her eyes dulled.

“I am.”

“I also understand it’s dragged on longer than necessary.”

“Mr. Hardgrove, he’s my attorney, warned me that it could take some time.”

“He’s in Chicago?”

“Yes.”

“When was the last time you spoke with him?”

She chewed her lip, thinking.

“Maybe two weeks ago.”

“Did he call you or did you call him?”

“I called him to let him know I was moving.”

“And when was the last time he called you? And I don’t mean in response to a message you left.”

“Gosh, I’m not sure. It’s been a while.”

“More than a month?”

“At least that long.”

“More than two?”

She thought again, then shrugged.

“Maybe.”

“May I suggest consulting another attorney?”

“Is that the real reason Uncle Jack sent me to you?”

“In part.”

“But wouldn’t changing lawyers drag things out even longer?”

“Quite the contrary, I believe. I have a colleague at Woodman & Weld who is well versed in handling complicated divorces. If you’re okay with it, I’d like you to speak to him. You would be under no obligation to work with him, of course, but I’m confident he can speed things up for you.”

“If he can, that would be wonderful.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“Uncle Jack said to trust you, so yes.”

“Excellent.”

Joan entered with the drinks.

“Perfect timing,” Stone said.

“Can you set up an appointment for Sara with Herb? Tell him I’ll give him the details when I have a moment.”

“Will do.”

She exited.

“What’s next?” Sara asked.

“Your uncle tells me that you’re new to the city.”

“I am. I’ve visited many times, of course, but I’ve never lived here.”

“And you’re staying at your aunt and uncle’s place right now?”

“I am.”

“Is that a situation you’re happy with?”

“I love my aunt and uncle, but I feel like a burden. The sooner I can get my own place, the better.”

“Purchase or rent?”

“Purchase, I think. Grandfather always says property is a good investment.”

“He’s not wrong. I’ll arrange for you to talk to a Realtor I know. Tell her the type of place you’d like, and she’ll set up viewings. But don’t buy anything without talking to me first.”

“I won’t.”

“In the meantime, if you’d like someplace temporary, I own the home next door. It’s divided into apartments, and recently one has become vacant. If you’d like to use it, it’s all yours.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

“I would love that.”

“Before you leave, I’ll show it to you, and you can make a final decision then.”

“Uncle Jack wasn’t kidding when he said you were a good person to know.”

Stone smiled.

“Do you have friends in the city? People you’d like to live near? If so, I can tell that to the real estate agent.”

“There’s a girl I went to college with, but we’re not that close. She did set me up on a blind date last weekend, but I don’t see any need to live near her.”

“How did the date go?”

“Not well.”

“He wasn’t your type?”

“I have no idea. I thought I’d be adventurous and took the subway. It was my first time, and I ended up going the wrong way. By the time I got there I was already over a half hour late, and he wasn’t there. I tried calling him and messaging him, but he never responded. So, I ended up having dinner there alone. It was very good, though.”

“Where did you go?”

“A place call Liesel’s. Do you know it?”

“I do.” A thought hit him.

“What night was this?”

“Last Thursday.”

That was the same night Stone had dined with Tamlyn, Viv, and Dino.

“Your date wouldn’t happen to have been named Paul, would he?”

She blinked in surprise.

“Yes. Paul Weston. How did you know?”

Stone told her about what had occurred.

“I had no idea,” she said when he finished.

“Is he still in the hospital?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is there a way we can find out?”

“As a matter of fact, I know just the person to ask.” He picked up his phone and called Dino.

“Are you canceling dinner on me?” Dino asked.

“Not why I’m calling.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Also not canceling.”

“Good. Then why did you call?”

“I’m meeting with a new client. She had a blind date last Thursday, and you’ll never guess who it was with.”

“The guy from that show?”

“What show?”

“The one with the roses and the fancy mansion.”

“ The Bachelor ?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

“Not a guy from The Bachelor .”

“Then I’m out of guesses.”

“Paul Weston.”

“That name sounds familiar.”

“It should.”

“How about a hint.”

“Think Liesel’s. Restroom. Man on the floor.”

“ That Paul Weston?”

“That Paul Weston.”

“I thought he was there alone.”

“He was waiting for his date.”

“Who turns out to be your client.”

“Who turns out to now be my client.”

“Does she want to sue him for not showing up?”

“She doesn’t want to sue him at all. She wants to know if he’s still in the hospital.”

“Then call the hospital.”

“I don’t know to which one he was taken. But since the good folks at the NYPD are on the case, I thought you might have that information. Maybe even know if he’s been released yet.”

“You’re buying dinner tomorrow.”

“Fine, I’m buying dinner.”

“Hold on.”

Stone put his hand over the receiver and said to Sara, “He’s checking.”

“Who’s he ?”

“Dino Bacchetti. Not only is he my best friend, but also the police commissioner.”

“That sounds important.”

“It is. He’s the city’s top cop.”

“Oh.”

The line clicked, and Dino came back on.

“Paul Weston was taken to Mount Sinai and released on Sunday.”

“I see. Any news on the perps?”

“Nothing yet.”

“Thanks, Dino.”

Stone hung up and told Sara what Dino had said.

“I’m glad he was released, but I feel terrible. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened to him if I’d been on time.”

“I don’t think it would have mattered. I had the impression they had come for him specifically.”

She let that sink in for a few seconds, then pulled out her phone and made a call.

As soon as it connected, she frowned and hung up.

“An unavailable message again.”

“Paul?” Stone asked.

She nodded.

“You weren’t sent to voicemail?”

“No, that is kind of odd, isn’t it?”

“Would you like me to try?”

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all.”

She brought up Paul’s number and showed it to Stone, who punched it into his desk phone.

The line rang twice, then clicked, and a man said, “Hello?”

Sara leaned forward to say something, but Stone held a finger to his lips to keep her from speaking.

“Paul Weston?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

“My name’s Stone Barrington. We met the other night at Liesel’s.”

Voice suddenly nervous, Weston said, “Hey, man. I did exactly what I was told. I haven’t talked to her since. You can back off, okay?”

“I think you have me confused with someone else. I was sitting next to you at the bar, and I’m the one who stopped the guys in the restroom from attacking you.”

“Oh, uh…okay. Thanks for that, I guess. How did you get my number?”

“Turns out I’m an acquaintance of Sara Hirschy, the woman you were supposed to meet. She’s been trying to get a hold of you, but she—”

“Tell her to leave me alone, all right? I don’t want anything to do with her.”

“Can I ask why?”

“ Because , all right? Just because.”

Weston hung up before Stone could ask another question.

“That was rude,” Sara said.

“What did I ever do to him?”

“Nothing, as far as I know.”

“I just wanted to know if he was okay.”

“In my opinion, you’ve dodged a bullet with Mr. Weston. I had a conversation with him before the incident, and let’s just say he seemed more interested in your money than you.”

She blew out a resigned breath.

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“He implied that what happened to him had something to do with you. Is it possible someone you know would have wanted to hurt him?”

“Someone I know?” she asked, perplexed.

“Perhaps your estranged husband?”

She frowned.

“I’d like to think he wouldn’t do something like that, but then again, I didn’t think he’d cheat on me, either.”

“If it’s all right with you, I’ll have someone check him out, just in case.”

“If you think that’s best.”

There was a tap on the door, then Joan opened it and leaned in.

“I have Herb on the line. He just finished a meeting with a client and is wondering if the two of you would like to meet him for drinks at Anton’s.”

“That works for me,” Stone said.

“Sara?”

“I could definitely use a drink after that phone call.”

Stone said, “Tell Herb we’ll meet him there in twenty minutes and have Fred bring the car around.”

Joan started to leave.

“Oh. And, Joan.”

She stopped.

“Let Bob Cantor know I have a job for him, and that I’ll call him later with details.”

As soon as Joan was gone, Stone handed Sara the envelope Joan had left him earlier.

“What’s this?”

“We call it the list. It contains contact information for the kind of things new residents could use help with when moving to the city. Doctors, dentists, who to talk to at which banks, and the like.”

“That’s very helpful. Thank you.”

Stone smiled.

“I would also encourage you to have an expert review your financial situation.”

“Is there someone on the list for that?”

“There is, but for you, I would suggest someone I send very few clients to. He handles my investments, and much of those of your aunt and uncle. His name is Charley Fox, and he works for a company called Triangle Investments. If that sounds good to you, I can set a meeting up.”

“Please do.”

Joan stuck her head in again.

“Fred’s out front.”

Stone stood and gestured toward the door.

“Shall we?”