Near Miss

Since the conversation they’d heard right after the clock had been delivered days earlier, the bug had picked up nothing else. The same was true of the listening devices in the wine basket.

“Do you know why it’s working now?” Sarge asked.

Deacon shrugged. “I guess they got around to finding a place for the clock.”

That had to be it. The Sarge had used the bugs before against more formidable opponents and never once had they been detected. No way an uptown lawyer like Barrington would find them.

“What have you heard?”

“Mostly work calls. Law stuff. But there is one conversation I know you’ll be interested in.”

Sarge leaned over Deacon’s shoulder. “Play it.”

Deacon hit a few buttons, and Barrington’s voice came over the speaker. He was talking with his friend, the police commissioner. Sarge cocked his head at the mention of an event on Friday night that both men would be attending.

“Play it again,” he said.

Deacon did.

The lawyer was finally going to leave his house. This was the break the Sarge had been waiting for.

“This Bill Eggers,” he said. “I’ve heard that name somewhere.”

“He’s one of the partners at Barrington’s law firm.”

“You didn’t hear anything else about the dinner?”

“No. Barrington went to lunch after that. I haven’t heard anything since then.”

Sarge took a step back, intending to go into the bedroom he was using, to make some calls. “Okay. Let me know if you—”

Deacon suddenly pressed his headphones against his ears. He then hit a button, and Barrington’s voice came out of the speaker again.

“Look the file over and let me know if you have any questions.”

“Will do,” a woman’s voice said.

“Is this live?” the Sarge asked.

Deacon nodded.

“Carly,” Barrington said. “Still on for Friday, right?”

“I’m looking forward to it,” the woman said.

“That makes one of us. You know how I hate these bar association dinners.”

“It’ll be fun. You’ll be with me, remember.”

“That is the saving grace.”

“What time do I need to be ready?”

“Fred tells me we’ll need to leave here at six-twenty to make it in time for cocktails.”

If the woman said anything else, the bug didn’t catch it. But that was fine. Sarge had heard more than enough. A bar association dinner on Friday night. The details would be easily obtained.

He clapped Deacon on the shoulder, said “Good work,” and then headed into the bedroom.

Teddy gave Carly a thumbs-up as she walked out of the room, and she took an exaggerated bow. As she walked off, he signaled to Stone he was leaving.

He had work of his own to do.

Stone handed Dino a glass of Knob Creek as his friend entered the study that evening. “Where’s Viv?”

“Outside, having a word with the head of your security team.” Dino took a seat. “Where’s Carly?”

“Here I am,” Carly said, stepping into the room.

Stone handed her a drink.

“Thanks,” she said. “I have a question. Am I reporting to you now or is it still Herb Fisher?”

“Officially, Herb is still your boss. Why do you ask?”

“I had a call from a potential client. Well, new client now.”

“Who’s the client?”

“Cabrera Cosmetics. Have you heard of them?”

“No, but that’s not my area of expertise.”

“They had a million and a half in legal fees last year, and their business has grown twenty percent in the last six months, so that amount will go up.”

“What you’re saying is that you’re making it rain again.”

“I guess I am.”

Stone laughed. “Tell Herb, but I want to be there when you do to see his reaction.”

“Why? Won’t he be happy?”

“That will be one of his emotions.”

“Is Billy not joining us?” Dino asked. “Or did he leave town already?”

“He’s still in the city,” Stone said, “but exactly where and as who, I don’t know.”

Dino held up a hand. “That’s probably more than I need to know already. Forget I asked.”

Viv walked in. “Forget you asked what?”

“I don’t know,” Dino said. “I’ve already forgotten.”

“Which reminds me,” Stone said, “thanks again for your assistance this afternoon.”

“What assistance?” Dino said, innocently. “On a completely unrelated note, I thought you’d like to know there will be a substantial yet discreet police presence at the bar association dinner on Friday night. Coincidentally, this includes the route from your house to the hotel.”

“How fortuitous,” Stone said.

“And you’ll have Strategic Services escort vehicles from here, and a team of bodyguards at the site,” Viv said.

“Maybe with all that,” Carly said, “the Sarge won’t even try anything.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Viv said. “I’ve become a Sarge expert over the last few days, and from what I’ve learned, he doesn’t like to pass up an opportunity.”

Dino stood. “Anyone else need another drink?”

Stone downed what was left in his glass and held it out. “I do.”

Chapter 64

“Can I help you?”

The new arrival stepped inside the dingy office, located in a distribution center that looked as if it had been mothballed years ago. He approached the beat-up metal desk the guy who’d spoken sat behind. “I’m looking for someone called the Corporal.”

“Is that right? Who are you?”

“Why? Are you the Corporal?”