Near Miss

ASPIRING ATTORNEY ACES BAR EXAM!!!

Never been done before. The examiners won’t say who, until the grades are officially announced, but he’s at one of the top firms.

“They say it’s a guy, see?” Joan giggled. “I can’t wait until they have to correct that.”

“How do you know about this, Joan?”

“I know about everything, didn’t you know?”

“You’ve been eavesdropping, then?”

“You’ve all been shouting it from the rafters. Why do I need to eavesdrop?”

“Oh.”

“I hope they gave her a raise,” Joan said.

“Twenty-five percent, and you may as well know it all. She got a bigger office, a sofa, and a TV that disappears into a cabinet when a client shows up. Now, keep it to yourself, will you?”

“This is the one who’s moved into the flat next to mine?”

“Have you moved back in already? If so, this is the first-known case of somebody moving out of a twenty-room house and into a four-room flat.”

“I couldn’t sleep in that place for another night. It just wasn’t me!”

“Well, before you know it, she’ll be moving into a twenty-room house! She’s that smart.”

“I guess you won’t need me anymore, huh?”

“Not after you’ve briefed her on the security system codes and instructions, but stay on, anyway. I’m used to you.”

“Gee, thanks!” Joan flounced out.

“And don’t flounce!”

Joan slammed the door, for emphasis.

Later, Matilda entered Stone’s office. “Knock, knock.”

“Most people knock before they come in.”

“I find it more interesting to keep people on their toes. Are you still busy?”

“No more than usual.”

“Can I assume you are planning on eating dinner?”

Stone glanced at his watch. It was nearly six pm. He’d spent most of the afternoon going from one client phone conference to another and had lost track of time. “If there’s a meal I never miss, it is that.”

“Oh, good. I was afraid I would have to go it solo.”

“That would be a crime. Patroon? Leave in thirty minutes?”

“It’s like you’re reading my mind. I’ll get changed.”

“And I’ll call Dino.”

As Stone and Matilda were getting into the Bentley, Carly pulled into the garage.

“Hungry?” Stone called to her.

“Famished.”

“Then you should join us.”

The look Matilda gave Stone as he climbed in beside her wasn’t exactly annoyed, but it wasn’t not annoyed, either.

“My dear, your green is showing.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Carly popped her head through the doorway a moment later. “I hope I’m not imposing.”

“Not at all,” Matilda said, instantly cheery.

“We’re meeting Dino,” Stone said. “So, you can be his date.”

“No Viv?”

“Working, I’m afraid.”

“My luck, then.”

“Please don’t tell him that, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

They were halfway to Patroon when Fred said, “Our friend is back.”

“What friend?” Matilda asked.

Stone told her and Carly about being followed that morning. Matilda started to turn her head so she could look out the back window.

“Don’t,” Stone said. “We don’t want him to know we know he’s there.”

“Do you know who it is?” Carly asked.

“I personally haven’t seen him, but from Fred’s description, it’s Bozo.”

“The clown?”

“You and Fred should hang out more. This Bozo works with our friend Trench.”

Matilda huffed. “Trench is not my friend.”

“Nor mine.” Stone called Mike Freeman, since Dino would also be on the way to Patroon. “I have a situation I could use some help with.” He explained about the tail.

“How do you want us to handle it?”

“Keep an eye on him and be ready in case he tries anything.”

“How likely do you think that will be?”

“Highly.”

“Understood. Where are you headed now?”

“Patroon.”

“I should have guessed. Have Fred take the long way, and I’ll have a car following within ten minutes. I’ll message you when you can go eat.”

“Don’t take too long. I have two ladies here who might start gnawing on my arm, if you do.”

“That sounds like the kind of problem you enjoy.”

“I’d rather not test the theory.”

Dino was waiting for them at the bar when they arrived.

Carly took in Patroon with a sweeping glance. “Oh, my!” she said.

“Didn’t New Haven’s finest rank with this?” Stone asked her.

“I dismissed New Haven’s finest the first month of my freshman year,” she said. “This place has New York written all over it.”

“How discerning you are,” Stone replied, grinning.

“Oh, I am. I am.”

“I thought you said seven,” Dino said.

“Sorry,” Stone said. “We had to take a slight detour. But we’re here now.”

“And we’ve brought you a date,” Carly said. “Me.”

“Please, don’t tell Viv that,” Dino said.

“Why does everyone keep asking me not to tell people things?”

Chapter 22

“That’s them.” Bozo pulled to the curb around the corner from Patroon, where two people stood waiting. The man, Reggie Hogan, was another trainer at the gym, and the woman, Candy Parker, was a waitress at a diner Bozo frequented.

Trench eyed the couple. “Are you sure you can trust them?”

“Stop worrying. They’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.”

“I do. Now, wait here. I’ll be right back.” Bozo hopped out of the car and approached the couple.