Stone stood, too. “Have you heard anything from Derek about the buy?”
“Not yet. Don’t worry; he’ll call. He’s on the hook.”
“I hope we can keep him there,” Stone said. He walked her to the front door and let her out, then went down to his office.
Joan walked in with the mail, took one look at him, and burst out laughing.
“What?” Stone asked, mystified.
She put the mail on his desk. “Oh, nothing,” she said, then she went back to her office, chortling.
55
DINO WAS UNCHARACTERISTICALLY LATE for dinner at Elaine’s. Stone and Elaine were sitting together, chatting, waiting for him to show. Stone ordered a second Knob Creek.
“You’re looking better,” Elaine said. “You didn’t look so hot last night.”
“I’m feeling better,” Stone admitted.
“You got laid last night, huh?”
“In a manner of speaking. You know Carrie, the actress?”
“Sure. From what I hear on the grapevine, everybody’s going to know her next week.”
“Right.”
“You weren’t with her last night; you were with Mitzi.”
“Right again. I had to go to the hospital very early this morning, because Carrie’s ex took a shot at her.”
“She’s dead?”
Stone shook his
head. “Barely wounded. She’ll make opening night.”
“Somebody ought to lock that guy up.”
“Dino’s working on it.”
At the mention of his name, Dino walked through the front door and headed for his table. A waiter saw him and ordered his usual Scotch. He sat down at the table, and Elaine pinched his cheek.
“Aw, come on, Elaine,” Dino said. “Everybody’s watching.”
“You two enjoy,” Elaine said and moved to another table.
“Yeah, I know,” Dino said to Stone. “I’m late.”
“What happened in Atlanta?” Stone asked.
“You mind if I get a drink first?” A drink appeared before him, and he took a tug at it.
“So?”
“Don’t rush me.”
“Me rush you?”