“One and the same. He was a shit then, and he was a shit until the day the boys put a gun to his head and blew his brains out. He seemed normal much of the time, but he wasn’t normal, and I’m betting the twins aren’t, either. Well, I’m not buying their act. I’m going to treat them as mortal threats.”

“I’m sure those sentiments are returned in kind,” Dino said.

“Me, too.”

“You remember when we used to wear light armor to work?”

“Yes. It was hell in the summer.”

“Not in Maine. It should be quite comfortable there.”

Stone looked at him sharply. “Are you saying you think I’m going up there for the summer?”

“I’d say it’s a sure thing, Stone. I know you well enough to think that you’ll give the appearance of taking all this in stride, until you won’t take it anymore. And my money would be on you, except . . .”

“Except what, Dino?”

“Except there are two of them.”

“Well, everybody keeps telling me that they act as one man, that they’re joined at the hip. If that’s true, they’ll make easier targets.”

“With twice as much firepower. I’ll help, but the mayor would frown on my spending the summer in Maine.”

“Why don’t you just retire, so you can be of more use to me?”

“Because I’d be busier than I am on the job,” Dino said, laughing, “and in greater danger of bodily harm, too.”

“Always thinking of yourself,” Stone said.

“And my widow. Potentially.”

“She’ll be a rich and beautiful widow, and she’ll draw men like flies.”

“I know. Thanks for reminding me.”

“Somebody’s got to keep your head on straight.”

“I’d just like to keep it attached,” Dino said.

“I prefer it that way, too,” Stone replied.

Dino was quiet for a moment. “Maybe the mayor will give me some unpaid leave—a month, say.”

“I’ll pay your salary.”

“Will you stop reminding me that you’re richer than I am?”

“Why? It’s such fun.”

“I’m rich enough to buy anything I want, if I’m careful about what I want.”

“You’re so wise, Dino. You should have been an owl.”

“Maybe I can get Viv to volunteer,” Dino said. “She’s fond of you.”

“I think she likes me better than you,” Stone said.

“Yeah? If that’s true, you’ve got more than the twins to worry about.”

“With the two of you on the job, I’d have no worries. I could even take naps.”

11

Stone had just finished with a client the following morning, when Joan buzzed. “Billy Hotchkiss on one for you.”

Stone picked up the phone. “Hey, Billy.”

“Hey, Stone. I got a call this morning you ought to know about.”

“Uh-oh.”