Elaine shrugged. “Who can keep track of all those people at the bar? They come, they go, they get murdered.”

“She was friends with a woman named Jean Martinelli.”

“Her I know,” Elaine said. “I threw her out of here when she used to get drunk and start annoying people at the tables.”

“She apparently works at the DA’s Office, too,” Stone said. “Deacon seems convinced that I knew Susan before the other night, that I’d seen a lot of her in here. I told him I had no memory of her.”

“She used to be fat,” Dino said.

“You knew her before, then?”

“I testified in trials that she was prosecuting—two or three times, I think. She lost a hell of a lot of weight and started doing things to herself, you know? Maybe that’s why you don’t remember her.”

“Remember Van Fleet?” Stone asked.

“I believe I shot him dead,” Dino said. “How could I forget?”

“Well, I defended Van Fleet on some minor charge, once, and Deacon said Susan was assisting the prosecutor, a guy named Haverty.”

“Could be,” Dino said. “I think she was in the DA’s Office since she got out of law school.”

“You think you could give Brougham a ring and tell him I didn’t murder Susan?”

“Well, I guess if I were completely convinced of that, I could.”

“Do it tomorrow, Dino; I don’t want those people to start leaking to the press that I’m a suspect.”

“Maybe I’ll do it right now,” Dino said, nodding toward the door.

Stone turned to see Martin and Dana Brougham coming through the front door.

18

STONE WATCHED AS ELAINE MADE HER way through the crowd to meet Martin and Dana Brougham. They were obviously asking for a table, but the place was jammed. Then Elaine was pointing at Stone’s table.

“Dino, I think Elaine is suggesting they join us,” Stone said.

“Be interesting to see their reaction,” Dino said.

Their reaction was to nod yes.

“What the hell,” Dino said. “Now is as good a time as any.”

“Why would they want to sit with us if Brougham thinks I murdered Susan?”

“I guess we’ll find out,” Dino said, as the couple made their way to the table.

Sarah turned to Stone. “Later, I hope you’ll take the time to explain to me what the fuck is going on.”

“I will,” Stone said, as he got to his feet.

“Hi, Dino,” Martin Brougham said. “Hi, Stone. You remember Dana?”

“Of course,” Stone said. “This is Sarah Buckminster; won’t you join us?”

The Broughams sat down and ordered a drink. “Have you eaten yet?” Brougham asked.

“Not yet,” Stone said.

“Then dinner’s on me; we’re celebrating.”

“I heard; congratulations. Any truth to the rumor that the old man is going to retire and anoint you?”

Brougham laughed aloud. “Not while there’s a breath left in his body.”