“No? Even though two of them are Centurion shareholders who take our side in the deal? And the other is suspected of killing Ms. Harris?”
“Again, I have no connection with any of that.”
“I think the police are going to become even more interested, should an attempt be made on anyone else associated with Centurion,” Stone said. “And let me tell you this: if anyone else associated with my client should have some… accident, I am going to take a personal interest in the case-over and above the police investigation.”
Stone placed a hundred-dollar bill on the table and got up. “Good day,” he said, and walked away.
29
Stone drove back to the house in a fury. He found Dino on his way out.
“What are you so pissed off about?” Dino asked.
“Does it show?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I just had lunch
with Prince, and I regret having done so.”
“Wasn’t he nice?”
“He tried to bribe me to throw the Centurion deal his way.”
“What did he offer you?”
“Nothing specific, just the promise of a lot of business in New York.”
“Anything else?”
“He blithely denied any connection to the stabbings of Jennifer Harris and Jim Long. Long is awake, by the way, and it looks like he’ll make it.”
“If Prince doesn’t get to him again.”
“His lawyer has security on the job. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to check in with Rivera, to see if there’s anything new on the recent mayhem.”
“Did you tell him about this guy, Carter, at Parker Center?”
“Yeah, he’s looking into it,” Dino said, then added, “Arrington’s around somewhere.”
“I’ll find her.”
Stone gave Dino the car keys and watched him go. He walked through the house and emerged to find Arrington sunning herself, topless, by the pool. He walked over and kissed her on each nipple.
“That was nice,” she said, smiling.
“It certainly was.”
“Where have you been?”
“Having lunch with Mr. Prince.”
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“No.” Stone told her the details.