Finger’s tone changed, and he spoke more quietly. “Well, Stone, I have to presume you know who you’re dealing with here.”

“Bernard Finger, Esquire, I presume.”

“Heh, heh. Well I’m sure you understand that my client is not accustomed to being hauled into court on civil matters.”

“Only landlords are accustomed to that,” Stone replied. “I suggest you explain to your client that this is, indeed, a civil matter, which means that he will be required to testify, and he won’t be able to clam up the way he does when he’s addressed by the U.S. attorney. Tell him that I will look forward to questioning him about his various sources of income and his business practices, and I am certain that various members of the federal legal establishment will be present in the courtroom to hear his answers and to learn if he perjures himself. I would also expect a trial to be attended by many members of the media.”

“Well, Stone, that ain’t never going to happen.”

“Then I will see your client in civil jail while he ruminates on his response to my client’s lawsuit.”

“You don’t understand.”

“No, Bernie, your client doesn’t understand, and I hardly need remind you that it is your duty to explain it all to him, a prospect that I do not envy you. By the way, yet another of your client’s employees attacked and injured me in the La Boheme coffeehouse yesterday, and I am contemplating legal recourse. Finally, you should tell your client that I anticipate an extralegal response to this suit, either against my client or myself, and that I welcome such actions, since they will only strengthen my position and make him further liable for a criminal action against him.”

“Stone, you sound very tense, you know. You should have a massage, or something. Good morning.” Bernard Finger hung up.

Stone called Dino.

“Bacchetti.”

“It’s Stone.”

“Morning.”

“Guess who I just had a call from.”

Dino sighed. “Just tell me.”

“Bernard Finger.”

“The man himself?”

“None other. He represents Carmine Dattila.”

“Big surprise, not that he represents Carmine, but that he bothered to call you.”

“Guess who else represents Dattila.”

“You got me again.”

“The lovely Marilyn, from last night.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“She didn’t show for our appointment this morning, and the phone number on her card is a phony. Then, after my conversation with Finger, he says, slyly, that I sound tense and I should have a massage. I think the preponderance of the evidence points to a pecuniary relationship, at the very least, between Marilyn and Carmine.”

“So you think he sent her to Elaine’s to pump you about your lawsuit?”

“What else?”

“That sounds more like something Bernie Finger would do.”

“You have a point,” Stone said.

“I frequently do.”