“As soon as they’re inside his building, find a way in; it’ll save time if she needs help.”
“Will do, Lieutenant.”
Dino hung up, and Genevieve was staring at him oddly. “Am I to understand that you have a female police officer who’s going to Devlin Daltry’s studio?”
“Yes, I do,” Dino said.
“Well,” Genevieve said, “I think that’s a very big mistake.”
“What?” Dino asked.
“I went there once, and I almost didn’t get out alive. And believe me, I know how to take care of myself.”
53
Stone’s cell phone rang. He didn’t recognize the caller I.D. number. “Hello?”
“It’s Dierdre.”
“Hi.”
“Dattila’s out of jail.”
“What?”
“His lawyer got a judge to release him, based on the fact that, since Gus’s death and Herbie’s disappearance, we have no witnesses against him.”
“But there’s the tape of Dattila ordering Herbie’s death.”
“The lawyer claimed they would show at trial that it’s fabricated.”
“Did Dattila buy a judge or something?”
“I don’t think the judge can be faulted. Dattila’s lawyer is right, except about the tape. It’s not fabricated, is it?”
“No, it’s genuine.”
“Have you heard from Herbie?”
“Not a word.”
“I know I’m not supposed to say this about my witness, but tell him he’d be smart to leave town. Dattila is going to spare no effort to see him dead. We got a tip that word has gone out to his people all over town: There’s a hundred grand on Herbie’s head.”
“There ought to be a hundred grand on Dattila’s head.”
“This is my third try at getting the guy, and I’ve never even gone to trial.”
“I can imagine how you must feel.”
“No, you can’t. If you hear from Herbie, tell him to scamper. After what happened at the hotel I’m not at all sure we can protect him.”
“I’ll give him the message.”
“Good night.”
“Good night.” Stone hung up and turned to Dino. “Dattila is out, and if what Dierdre says is true, Herbie’s as good as dead.”
Willa watched while Devlin Daltry unlocked three deadbolts on a huge steel door and let them into his building. They were on the ground floor, which was being used as a garage. Daltry pressed a button, and a freight elevator descended.