“Give Brougham hell for me.”

“You bet I will; can I use what you’ve told me?”

“Go right ahead. See you later.”

“You coming to Bianchi’s for dinner tonight?”

“I’ve been invited,” Dino said.

“See you there.” Stone hung up and returned to the bench.

“What’s up?” Eggers asked.

“You’re not going to believe…” Stone was interrupted as the door to the grand-jury room opened and a bailiff stuck his head out.

“Call Stone Barrington!” he yelled.

Stone stood up. “Right here.”

The man opened the door and ushered Stone inside the grand-jury room.

Stone walked quickly to the stand and sat down. He was faced with the members of the grand jury, ordinary-looking people seated on raised tiers before him. Martin Brougham stood, looking confident, his hands folded before him. The bailiff swore in Stone.

“State your name and address for the record,” Brougham said.

Stone did so. He added, “I would like to state for the record that I have not been subpoenaed but have volunteered to appear before this panel.”

“Yes, yes,” Brougham said irritably. “Mr. Barrington, how do you earn your living?”

“I’m an attorney-at-law,” Stone replied.

“You were once a police officer, were you not?”

“I was. I served fourteen years with the NYPD, finishing as a detective second grade.”

“And what were the circumstances of your leaving the department? Why didn’t you serve until you could take retirement benefits?”

“I was wounded in the line of duty and, as a result, discharged from the department for medical reasons—with full pension and benefits.” This seemed to bring Brougham up short. Apparently, Stone thought, he hadn’t been prepared for this answer.

“I see,” Brougham said, recovering himself. “Were you acquainted with a Susan Bean before her death?”

“I was,” Stone replied. “I met her at your home.” He gave the date.

Brougham grimaced; he clearly hadn’t wanted that in the record. “And you knew her previous to that date, didn’t you?”

“I once defended a client in whose prosecution she assisted, but I have very little memory of her from that time. When I met her in your home I had no recollection of ever having met her before; nor did she mention any previous meeting.”

“Is it not a fact that, some years ago, you met Ms. Bean in a bar, picked her up, took her home, and seduced her?”

“I have already given you my entire recollection of my acquaintance with Ms. Bean. I have nothing to add to that.”

“Did you seduce her?”

“Asked and answered.”

Brougham turned his body so that he could face the grand jury while asking Stone his next question. “Is it not a fact, Mr. Barrington, that in a moment of blind rage, you murdered Susan Bean?”

“It is not a fact; I did not murder Susan Bean or harm her in any way,” Stone replied calmly, addressing his answer to the jury.