“Any news on any front?” Dino asked.

“Yes, and I’m going to call Eggers in a minute. You can listen in, so I won’t have to repeat myself.”

“I’ll try and contain myself,” Dino said drily. Stone pressed the speed-dial button on his phone, and it began to ring. He pressed the speaker button so Dino could hear the conversation.

“Eggers,” the phone said.

“It’s Stone.”

“God, you’re up early; I hope it’s good news.”

“Is there such a person as Harry Keating?”

“Yes, or rather, there was.”

“Was he Warren Keating’s brother?”

“Yes, he was the man I dealt with until his death.”

“What do you know about Warren Keating?”

“That he was Harry’s brother. He wasn’t in the business until Harry died; doesn’t know anything about it, really. He’s a chemist, or at least he has a chemistry degree. I don’t think he had much of a career; he just took a monthly check from Harry.”

“I finally pinned Evan Keating down last night, and he won’t sign the papers.”

“What?”

“He says his father is a liar and a thief.”

“We’re talking twenty-one million dollars! Is the kid nuts?”

“Do you know more about the family than the kid does?”

“Well, no.”

“Who negotiated the deal for the sale of the business?”

“I initiated the talks, but the buyer had to retain another lawyer, since I represent him, too.”

“How was Evan’s share of the proceeds determined?”

“As the managing partner, Warren has the authority in the will to allocate the funds, and he has his father’s agreement.”

“Do you know the father?”

“Yes, he was still running the company when they became our clients. He retired a good ten years ago, and Harry ran the company since then. Grew it a lot.”

“Do you know the old man?”

“Sure.”

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“At Harry’s funeral, about three months ago.”

“Did you have an opportunity to talk with him then?”

“For a few minutes. He was crushed about Harry’s death.”

“Did he seem all right to you at the time?”

“No, I told you, he was crushed.”

“I mean mentally all right.”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess.”

“Evan says his grandfather has Alzheimer’s and that he’s in a home.”

Eggers was silent.

“Are the pieces falling into place, Bill?”

“What are you suggesting?”

“How did Harry Keating die?”

“I don’t know, exactly. He fell ill and died a couple of days later. What are you getting at, Stone?”

“Me? Nothing. But Evan says his father killed Harry.”

Eggers was silent again.

“Bill, are you weighing what our ethical obligations are in this matter?”

“I’m weighing everything,” Eggers replied.

“I can’t force Evan Keating to sign the documents. You’d better tell Warren that.”

“He’s going to be livid,” Eggers said.