“It’s a mutually convenient solution to both our problems,” Stone said. “For instance, at the insistence of Woodman and Weld, I’m currently suing a big-time mafioso on behalf of a client they would never represent.”

“Which big-time mafioso?” she asked.

“One Carmine Dattila.”

“Dattila the Hun?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“You clearly need to be reading a better newspaper,” Stone said. “Try the Times.”

“Oh, I read the Times,” she said, “but not for fun. I like the Post and the News for that.”

“You sound like my secretary,” Stone said.

Later, when they had finished dinner, they left the restaurant.

“Can I offer you a nightcap at my house?” Stone said.

“No, you can put me in a cab and send me home.”

“Where do you live?”

“Not far, but you’re in no condition to walk.”

“I didn’t have all that much to drink.”

She pointed at the cane.

“Oh, that. The pain has temporarily subsided.”

“Not enough for you to walk me home. I’ll accept the drink offer when I’m not looking at an early shift on the morrow.”

Stone stepped into the street and flagged down a cab, then opened the door for her.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for dinner. I liked Elaine’s.”

“Another time soon?”

“I’m around this weekend.”

“Alas, I’m out of town. Early next week?”

“Call me.” She got into the cab, and it drove away.

Stone sighed and started looking for his own cab.

33

Stone opened the door and got into the cab, and as he did, someone pushed him across the seat and got in behind him. Stone drew back his right arm, ready to smash an elbow into his assailant’s face.

“Hey, Stone, don’t hit me!” a plaintive voice yelled.

Stone looked over his elbow. “Herbie, where the hell have you been?”

“Don’t yell at me, Stone.”

The driver piped up. “Where to?”

Stone gave him his address. “I’m not yelling,” he said to Herbie. “Now why did you bail out of your deposition?”

“It was those two guys, Stone; they were after me.”

“Did they drag you out of the building?”

“Well, no, not exactly.”

“You left of your own accord, then?”

“Kind of. But they followed me out, and I had to outrun them again.”

“Herbie, if you hadn’t left, they wouldn’t have followed you out.”

“Well, maybe. I was just uncomfortable with them sitting out there, so I hit the elevator.”

“And where have you been since then?”

“Around.”

“And why didn’t you call me?”

“I was embarrassed.”

“I didn’t know that was possible,” Stone said.

“Huh?”

“What do you want, Herbie?”

“I need some money.”

“What for?”

“I’ve gotta get a room somewhere, and I’m broke. I don’t even have subway money. I was waiting for you outside Elaine’s, but when I saw the cops come, I ran.”