Bel-Air Dead (Stone Barrington 20)

“Do I?”

“Oh, yeah. By the way, we’re charging your American Express Card sixty-three thousand dollars for the black Mercedes.” She handed him a written notice to that effect.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Stone said. “That’s what the insurance is for.”

She produced another document. “Here’s the original rental form you signed. See where you initialed in the three circles?”

Stone was stunned. “Yes,” he admitted.

“See where it says ‘declined’?”

“Yes.”

“That means you declined the insurance. Too late to change it, I’m afraid.”

“I always decline it, too,” Dino said. “Maybe I’d better start accepting.”

She put a hand on Stone’s shoulder. “Take it easy. American Express will pay for it, if you don’t already have car insurance.”

“I have car insurance.”

“They’ll pick it up, less your deductible.”

Stone heaved a sigh of relief. “Joan would have killed me.” “Who’s Joan?” the woman asked.

“My secretary; she runs my life.”

“I run my husband’s life,” she said, “but I’ll bet I don’t get paid as well as your secretary.” She stuffed the documents in her briefcase. “Have a nice day,” she said, “and try not to blow up any more cars. We’re running out, and it will make your insurance company unhappy.” She left.

“How much is your deductible?” Dino asked.

“Five grand, I think.”

“You’d better bill that to Arrington.”

“You’re right.”

Rivera stood up and tucked his notebook into his pocket. “I’m outa here,” he said. “I’ve got bad guys to chase.”

“I hope you catch up with them,” Stone said, watching him go.

“Where were we going when the car exploded?” Dino asked.

Stone thought about it. “To have drinks with Rivera.”

“Oh, then we got that taken care of, didn’t we? What do you want to do now?”

“I think we’d better do something,” Stone said, “or I’ll start dwelling on what would have happened if I had started the car. Or if you hadn’t gotten out of it in time.”

“I see your point,” Dino said. “Let’s get out of here.”

Stone got into the new Mercedes.

Dino stood over by the garage, where a man in white overalls was already painting the door. “You start this one,” he yelled. “I’ll wait over here.”

Stone took a deep breath and started the car. It didn’t explode.

They drove down into Beverly Hills and took a run down Rodeo Drive. Finally, Stone pulled into the alley behind the Ralph Lauren store and gave the car to the valet parker, along with a twenty. “Please park this where you can see it, lock it, and if anybody messes with it, call the police.”