Page 9

That evening, Stone arrived at Patroon’s and found Dino in the bar.

“No Tamlyn tonight?” Dino asked.

“I’ll have you know, we have yet to go on a date.”

“You’re losing your touch.”

“I’m giving her time to settle in.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

“Have you decided if you’ll be joining me this weekend?”

“I will. Viv won’t. She’ll—”

“Still be in Barcelona?”

“—be in Sydney.”

“Australia?”

“Do you know another?”

“I’m sure there must be at least one.”

“If there is, that’s not the one she’s going to. What’s the dress for the party?”

“Formal, I believe.”

“Then I will pack appropriately.”

A hostess appeared and told them their table was ready.

After they were seated and had ordered, Dino said, “I forgot to tell you. We IDed the guys who attacked your friend Paul Weston at Liesel’s.”

“He’s not my friend.”

“Friend of your client’s then.”

“No friend of my client, either. Which works out well since he wants nothing to do with her, too.”

“How did she take that?”

“I told her she could do a lot better than him, and that seemed to satisfy her.”

“I didn’t realize doling out relationship advice was one of the services you provided.”

“It happens more than you can possibly imagine. Who were the attackers?”

“Snapper Pope and Jimmy Lavine.”

“Snapper? That’s a real name?”

“It’s on his driver’s license.”

“What do they have to say for themselves?”

“Nothing yet. They appear to have left town.”

“That’s not helpful.”

“I’ll let them know your thoughts when we get our hands on them, in case they want to issue an apology.”

“Have you discovered a connection between them and Weston?”

“No, and I don’t expect to, either. Not a direct one, anyway. They’re both low-level thugs who do this kind of thing for a living.”

“I take it they have records.”

“Long and repetitive.”

“They must work for someone.”

“My understanding is they float around and take jobs as they come up. But I have people looking into it.” Dino paused.

“It might help if one of my people talked to your client.”

“I can make her available, but I’m not sure she knows anything. She was surprised when I told her what happened to Weston and seemed genuinely confused as to why he cut off communication with her.”

“I’ll think about it and let you know if we need to talk to her. Can you at least tell me who she is now?”

“As long as you promise not to approach her without informing me first.”

Dino placed on his heart.

“I swear I will not talk to her without your knowledge.”

“Thank you. Her name is Sara Hirschy. She’s Jack and Hillary Coulter’s niece.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I am not.”

“Do you think the attack could have had something to do with Jack’s…you know…”

“Past?”

“That’s the word.”

Dino was also in the know about Jack Coulter and Johnny Fratelli being one and the same.

“I don’t see how,” Stone said.

“If this was about Jack, they would have gone after him, not his niece who just moved to the city.”

“Does Sara know about his previous life?”

“Jack told me she does not.”

Their meal arrived and the conversation eventually turned to other things.

As they were enjoying a post-meal digestif, Dino’s phone rang.

“Bacchetti,” he answered.

He listened for several seconds.

“Where is he now?…Has anyone called his father?…Okay, I’ll be there in twenty.” He hung up.

“Problem?” Stone asked.

“Don’t be surprised if you hear about the arrest of a city councilman’s son, on drunk and disorderly.”

“Sounds like you’re in for a fun evening.”

“I’ll happily send you in my place, if you’re interested.”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass, but thanks for the offer.”

After Dino headed out, Stone called Fred and instructed him to bring the Bentley around, then signaled for the check.

When he walked outside a few minutes later, two young women were standing near the entrance, one crying on the other’s shoulder.

The one not crying was facing Stone.

He gave her a nod, then headed for the curb where Fred was just pulling up.

“Excuse me,” the woman said suddenly.

Stone turned back.

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry to bother you. My name’s Sofia and my friend is Ramona, and well…Ramona just found out her boyfriend’s been cheating on her, so she broke up with him.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, though it sounds like the right decision. I’m not sure how I can help, however.”

“The thing is, we came out with him tonight, and when he left, he had Ramona’s phone with him. My phone’s dead and neither of us have any cash, so we can’t even get a cab. I’m wondering if you could let me use your phone to call someone who can arrange a rideshare for us.”

Ramona pulled back from her friend and wiped her eyes.

“Sorry. Not my best night.”

“Hon, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Sofia said.

“Where do you live?” Stone asked.

“In Chelsea. We share a studio.”

“Well, Sofia and Ramona, I have a better idea. If you’re okay with it, I would be happy to give you both a ride.” He gestured to the Bentley.

“That’s yours?” Sofia asked, sounding impressed.

“It is.”

Ramona wiped more tears away and squinted at the vehicle.

“You have a driver?”

“I do. His name is Fred, and he is very good at what he does. And I’m Stone Barrington.”

The women exchanged glances.

After Ramona nodded, Sofia said, “That would be very kind, thank you. We accept.”

Fred hopped out and opened the back door as Stone led the women over.

“Fred, this is Sofia and Ramona. We’re going to give them a ride home.”

“Very good, sir.”

“I love your accent,” Sofia said.

“You’re English?”

“I am.”

“Single?”

“I am not.”

“Too bad.”

Stone let the women climb in first, and then he followed.

Once Fred was back behind the wheel, Sofia gave him their address.

As they drove, Ramona stared out the side window, her back to Stone and Sofia.

“She’ll be okay,” Sofia whispered to Stone.

“Her boyfriend was a jerk, so it’s for the best.”

Stone nodded but said nothing.

“What kind of car is this?” Sofia asked.

“A Bentley Flying Spur.”

“Wow. Even the name’s impressive.”

Before she could say anything else, Ramona sniffled.

Sofia leaned toward her, and they had a short, whispered exchange.

After that, no one said anything until they stopped in front of the entrance to the women’s building.

There were a few people on the sidewalk, but it was otherwise quiet.

Fred exited the car, circled around, and opened the back door.

“Thank you for the ride,” Ramona said, turning toward Stone.

“You’re most welcome,” Stone said.

Fred extended a hand.

“May I help you out?”

Ramona hesitated, her gaze shooting past Fred to the entrance to her building.

The door was glass and had a keypad and intercom system mounted to the wall beside it.

Through the window, Stone could see a small, unoccupied lobby.

“Is there a problem?” he asked.

“It’s just…” Her shoulders sagged, and she looked back at him.

“Never mind. It’s okay.”

“What is it?” Sofia asked.

Ramona frowned.

“What if Aaron’s waiting for me?”

“Aaron’s the boyfriend?” Stone asked.

“ Ex -boyfriend,” Ramona said.

“Does he have a key to your place?”

At the same time Ramona said, “No,” Sofia said, “Yes.”

Stone’s brow furrowed.

Quickly, Ramona said, “He doesn’t have a key to our apartment, but he does have the code to the building.”

“Ah,” Stone said.

“Would you like me to escort you to your door?”

Ramona looked relieved.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all.”

“Thank you. That would be great.”

She climbed out and Sofia followed.

Fred, who hadn’t heard the conversation from where he’d been standing, was surprised when Stone also exited.

He raised an eyebrow, which Stone knew meant that Fred was asking if he should stay or come back later to pick Stone up.

“I’ll be right back,” Stone said.

“Just making sure they get home.”

“Very good, sir.”

Stone motioned to the building, “Ladies, after you.”