“Come on in.” Stone led him to the study. “The booze is in the kitchen. I’ve got wet varnish going here; I can’t stop.” He climbed back up the ladder and started to paint again.

Dino came back with something in a glass with ice. “What are you going to do?” he asked. He didn’t have to explain; he knew Stone understood the situation.

“I don’t know,” Stone replied, brushing on the varnish.

“You know what’s going to happen, you go against the grain on this one.”

“I know.”

Dino still hadn’t drunk from his glass. “Stone, you got a lot of time in. A little more than five years, you can walk away with half pay and go practice law, you know?”

“I know.”

“You and I got four years in together. You’re my partner. I respect you.” Dino shook his head. “Jesus Christ, Stone, I love you like you was my brother.”

Stone kept brushing. “Thanks, Dino, I knew that, but I’m glad you told me.”

“I don’t want nothing to happen to you, Stone. I’ll feel responsible.”

“Dino, whatever I decide to do, it’s on my head, not yours. I know the score; I know what can happen. It wouldn’t be your doing.”

“Well, thanks for that, anyway.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dino stood looking up at him. “Stone, I gotta know what you’re going to do.”

Stone stopped painting and looked down at his partner. “Dino, I swear to you, I just don’t know.”

Dino looked down at the floor and shook his head. He set the untouched drink on the floor and left without another word.

Stone heard the front door close. He kept painting, smooth and even strokes. He kept sipping the bourbon.

Chapter

27

Stone woke at seven and turned on The Morning Show. Nothing on the national news. He waited impatiently for twenty-five minutes past the hour and the New York affiliate’s news. Nothing. Surprised, he got out of bed and dressed.

His decision had been made while he slept. Over an English muffin, he reflected that he had always wondered what would happen if he had to choose between the right thing and the department. His choice surprised him.

He picked up a Daily News at the corner newsstand, expecting another headline about the arrest of Hank Morgan. Nothing. Suddenly, for some reason, the leaks in the precinct had dried up.

The squad room was filling up with the morning shift of detectives, and Dino was already at his desk.

“Hi,” he said. “Leary wants to see you.”

“I figured,” Stone said.

“You decide?” Dino asked.

“Yeah.” He turned away and started for the lieutenant’s cubicle; he’d let Dino stew for a while before he told him. He knocked on the glass door, and Leary waved him in.

Stone sat down and waited. He’d make Leary ask him.