Dink looked out of breath. “Yes,” he said. “I’ll be good.” He sounded like a small child who had been chastened.

“Ah, here come your escorts to your new quarters,” Herbie said. “They’ll give you your new gown after they’ve strip-searched you and given you today’s medications.”

Herbie got up to leave as the two large men in white approached. “Enjoy your stay on the farm, Dink. I’ll be in touch from time to time, when I feel like it.”

The two men took Dink’s arms and marched him away.

Herbie went back to the Maybach and turned it toward the city. He thought he might do a little car shopping on the way home.

35

WHEN HERBIE got back to his office, Stone Barrington was seated on his sofa, drinking a cup of coffee. “How did it go?” he asked.

“Pretty much as we expected,” Herbie said “He started with bluster and finished with blubbering. How did it go with Marshall?”

“I think we’ve underestimated Marshall,” Stone replied. “Not only did he take it very well, but I think he had been dreading something like this situation. He seemed, at first, relieved, then determined to leave Dink in your hands, without interference.”

“It’s a responsibility I don’t want, but I’ve got it, and I’ll handle it as best I can,” Herbie said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“Dino called. His people found Parker Mosely at his parents’ home in the city, so he didn’t have to involve the Connecticut authorities. He reduced Parker to a quivering mass of jelly and got a signed statement from him. Both he and Carson will be in rehab facilities before the day is out.”

“I’m very grateful to you and Dino, Stone.”

“Oh, I don’t think you would have been convicted on her evidence alone, Herb.”

“No, but my career would be in ruins.”

“Put that behind you,” Stone said. “If anything, you’re in better shape today than you were this time yesterday. You’ve certainly earned Marshall’s trust, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he sends more business your way.”

Herbie shrugged. “The really bad thing about all this is, I don’t know if it’s going to help Dink. I’m not at all sure that a year at the farm can make a decent human being out of him, and I’m very much afraid that Marshall will end up having to do all the things I told Dink he would.”

“If that happens, Herb, it won’t be your fault. You’ve done everything you possibly could to help him.”

Cookie knocked at the door. “Josh Hook is on his way up,” she said.

“God, I forgot about him,” Herbie said.

“Who’s Josh Hook?”

“He’s the guy who’s running Strategic Defense’s new training camp for armed bodyguards,” Herbie replied. “I said I’d spend a few days up there learning to do whatever it is that they do.”

“It’ll be good for you,” Stone said. “Take your mind off Dink Brennan.” He got up. “I’ll leave you to your client.”