Near Miss

The blood drained from Matilda’s face. “Oh, my God. I... I knew he wanted us dead, but I didn’t think he’d actually try to do it.”

“Try, yes. Succeed, no.” Stone pulled out his phone and called Dino.

“Miss me already?”

“I thought you’d like to know you’re about to receive word concerning an exploding car.”

“Not yours, I’m guessing.”

“Very astute. I’m not sure who the vehicle belongs to, but I can tell you who was inside.”

“I’m all ears.”

“Trench Molder and his pal Bozo.”

“Next you’re going to tell me you had nothing to do with it.”

“It’s like you’re reading my mind.”

“Anyone hurt on your end?”

“Not a hair on a head.”

“Is there more I should know?”

“Officially, no. Unofficially, the bomb was meant for us.”

“Then unofficially, I’m glad it failed.”

“That makes five of us.”

“That’s my other line ringing. Gotta go.”

“Act surprised.”

“It won’t be the first time.”

Chapter 25

Matilda held out her empty glass. “Another, please.”

Stone poured her another two fingers of Knob Creek. “If you sip it, it will last longer.”

“Tell me that on a day when someone doesn’t try to blow me up.” She downed the whiskey and held out her glass again.

This time, Stone poured a single finger, which she disposed of in the same manner, then stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go lay down.”

Without another word, she headed up to the master bedroom, leaving Stone and Carly in the study.

“I don’t think she’s taking Trench’s death well,” Carly said.

“It’s not so much his death, but that it could have been hers.”

“Clearly, she hasn’t hung around you long enough, or she would be used to it by now.”

“Are you saying you are used to it?”

“Funny, even when we had that trouble in Maine, the threat of death didn’t bother me. In fact, it was kind of exciting.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right attitude to have.”

Carly shrugged. “I can’t help my attitude. It just is.”

“I suppose, but do yourself a favor, and don’t mention that to anyone else. They might not be as understanding.”

“Again, with the warnings.”

“Believe me, it’s for your own good.”

“I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“You do.”

Dino entered the study. “I’m glad to see you both in one piece.”

“Technically, we are two pieces,” Carly said.

“Technically, I’m still glad.”

“Any news yet?” Stone asked.

“The car that’s not a car anymore was registered to one Thomas Bozeman, known to his friends as Bozo. I can confirm there was one other clown with him.”

“Trench Molder.”

“That won’t be official until the DNA test is performed. But I can tell you that a singed and partially intact wallet was found containing ID for said individual.”

“Drink?” Stone asked.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Once Dino had a glass in his hand, he said, “Where’s our Matilda?”

“She’s called it an early night,” Stone said. “I’m afraid the bombing has rattled her.”

“Something like that would rattle anyone.”

“Not me,” Carly said.

“Carly, what did I tell you?” Stone said.

“Oh, right. Sorry.” She clamped a hand over her mouth.

“It didn’t scare you?” Dino asked her.

She glanced at Stone, then shook her head.

“You should probably not tell anyone that.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Chapter 26

“Wait here,” Gregor Dryga, aka the Bean Counter, told his driver. “I won’t be long.”

He entered the building and went to the private elevator that serviced the penthouse. As usual, two men guarded the entrance.

“Is he in?” the Bean Counter asked.

“He is,” one of the men said, “but he left instructions not to be disturbed.”

The Bean Counter knew this meant his boss was not alone. “This is a priority one situation.”

With those magic words, the men stepped to the side, and the Bean Counter entered the elevator.

Alexei Gromyko — who, like his late brother, was also known as the Greek — pulled loose the towel that had been wrapped around... Brenda? Brianna? He couldn’t remember her name, but it wasn’t important. After tonight, he would never see her again. At the moment, however, he was seeing everything, and it pleased him.

“That’s not fair,” she said. “You still have your towel on.”

“Then perhaps you can do something about it.”

She smiled and dropped to her knees. As she began pulling his towel away, someone knocked on the door to the master suite.

“Are we expecting company?” she asked.

“We are not.”

A second knock was followed by, “Sir?”

Gromyko grimaced and barked, “What?”

“Mr. Dryga is here. He says he needs to speak with you.”

The woman gave Gromyko an invigorating rub.

“I’m in the middle of something,” he called out.

“I’m sorry, but he said it was ‘priority one.’ ”

“Shit.” Gromyko took hold of the woman’s hands and lifted them away from his body.

She pouted.

“Watch TV or something. This shouldn’t take long.”

He rewrapped the towel around his waist and walked into the living room where the Bean Counter waited with the guard who’d knocked on the door.

“This better be good,” Gromyko said.

“Good is not how I would describe it,” the Bean Counter said and shot a glance at the guard.

Gromyko nodded at the man. “Leave us.” Once the bodyguard was gone, the Greek asked, “What is it?”

“Your nephew is dead.”