Near Miss

Stone arrived at the hospital right on time and was soon joined in an examination room by Dr. Herbert.

“You look a lot better than you did the last time I saw you,” Dr. Herbert said.

“I feel a lot better than last time.”

“Any more headaches?”

“Not for a few days.”

“Dizziness? Vertigo?”

“Same.”

Dr. Herbert checked the back of Stone’s head, then placed his stethoscope against Stone’s chest. When he finished, he said, “And you haven’t hit your head on anything?”

“Just my pillow when I go to bed.”

“Keep it that way, and you should be fine.” He wrote something on a tablet computer, then said, “I’d like to see you again in another month.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Probably not, but best not to take chances, don’t you think?”

On the way back home, Dino called.

“I got the results from the rapid DNA tests. The bodies officially belonged to Trench and Bozo.”

“Did Lance call you?”

“No, why?”

“Trench was the Greek’s nephew.”

“The old Greek or the new Greek?”

“How do you know about the new one?”

“Word gets around fast in my circles.”

“Well, it’s the new.”

“Shit.”

“My thoughts exactly. Come over for dinner tonight?”

“Can I bring Viv?”

“I would be insulted if you didn’t.”

Dino and Viv arrived at six-thirty for drinks before dinner. Stone had just poured Dino his second Knob Creek when Carly called. “I’m sitting alone in my new apartment and thought you could use some company.”

“I have company,” Stone said, “but you are more than welcome to join us.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize. I don’t want to bother you.”

“It’s Dino and Viv.”

“I’ll be right over.”

When he hung up, Dino asked, “Who will be right over?”

“Carly.”

Viv smirked at Dino. “Your date from last night.”

Stone held up his hands. “I didn’t tell her.”

“No, you didn’t,” Viv confirmed. “Dino outed himself.”

“I don’t know what came over me,” Dino said.

“I can verify he kept a respectable distance from Carly at all times.”

“I have no doubt.” Viv patted her husband on the cheek. “Such a good husband.”

Stone let Helene know there would be one more for dinner.

Carly arrived moments later. She surveyed the room, then looked at Stone. “So, tonight I’m your date.”

“See,” Dino said. “This is why I said something to Viv.”

“Said something?” Carly said. “What did you say?”

“Trust me,” Viv said. “It’s not important.” She patted the sofa beside her. “Come. Sit by me.”

Stone poured Carly a drink and retook his seat.

“Since you didn’t call again this afternoon,” Dino said to Stone, “I take it you didn’t have any trouble.”

“Trouble?” Carly said. “I thought you got rid of your trouble last night. Don’t tell me someone else is trying to kill you already.”

“That remains to be seen,” Dino said.

Stone told her about Lance’s revelation concerning Trench’s family connections.

“Surely, you can convince them this wasn’t your fault. Trench was trying to kill you. Me and Matilda, too, for that matter.”

“I don’t think they’ll care.”

“Stone and the Russians have a history,” Dino said.

Carly frowned at Stone. “You really need to get better at making friends. It’s causing me to question all the advice you’ve given me.”

“My advice is sound,” Stone said. “Those who aren’t my friends, aren’t my friends for a reason.”

“He’s not wrong,” Dino said.

“Oh, all right. I’ll continue to listen to you.”

“Stone,” Viv said, “I think having some of our people watch over you for the next few days wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Better hers than mine,” Dino said. “If cops are hanging around you, it’ll be easier to tie you to the bombing.”

“As much as I’d like to say it’s not necessary,” Stone said, “I think you’re right, Viv, and I would appreciate it.”

Viv pulled out her phone and made a call to Strategic Services. When she finished her conversation, she said, “There will be a rotating team watching your place until you think it’s okay to call them off.”

“Thank you.”

Helene entered the room. “Dinner is ready.”

Chapter 30

Korolev woke with his arm draped over Lauren.

Last night, one drink had led to two, two to three, and three to a cab ride back to her place.

Lauren moaned, then stretched her arm and turned so she was facing him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, yourself.”

She looked at him, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I thought you might disappear during the night.”

“Not a chance.”

She laughed. “Oh, you are different. I thought you might be.”

“What? Did you think I was a love-’em-and-leave-’em type?”

“One can never know.”

“Well, I’m not.”

“I guess I’ll have to test you on that.”

“And what does your test entail?”

Her hand slipped between his legs, and she showed him exactly what that entailed.

Thirty minutes later, they moved to the shower where they gave each other a thorough cleansing.

Back in the bedroom, Korolev pulled on his pants, and then checked his phone for messages. He was pleased when he saw an email from Lauren’s contact, with the information he’d requested. “Your contact came through.”

Lauren straightened the dress she’d just put on and looked at her watch. “Three hours early, too.” She turned her back to him. “Zip me up?”

He did so. “I’ll pick you up for dinner later.”