“Perhaps another time,” she said, smiling.
“My offices are on this level, too. My aunt’s tenant was a dentist, and when he retired I took over the space. It works very well.”
“I must be going,” she said, “but I’ll take you up on the offer of dinner.”
“When are you free?”
“The day after tomorrow?”
“Good, I’ll pick you up.”
“Seven-forty Park,” she said.
“Eight o’clock?”
“That’s fine.”
He put her into her car and watched her drive away. Some widowed aunt!
When Stone wandered into his office the following morning he found Herbie Fisher sitting on his sofa, waiting for him.
“Good morning, Herbie,” Stone said. “I thought you were honeymooning.”
“I’m afraid that’s off,” Herbie said.
Oh, God, Stone thought, he’s screwed up already. Stone took a chair. “What’s the problem?”
“We’ve just heard that Jack Gunn was arrested early this morning.”
“Arrested? For what?”
“I’m not sure; some sort of financial irregularities in his firm. It should be in the papers tomorrow.”
“This is not another Madoff thing, is it?”
> “I hope not,” Herbie said.
“Herbie, have you invested with your new father-in-law?”
“I’m not sure; Stephanie is handling that.”
“Where is she?”
“With her mother.”
“Herbie, you should get over there immediately and find out where your money is, and if it’s with Gunn, you’d better move it fast.”
“Okay, I’ll go talk to Stephanie.”
“Have you canceled your travel plans yet?”
“No. I guess I’d better call the travel agent. We were supposed to fly to Saint Barts this afternoon.”
“That’s exactly what you should do,” Stone said. “If this is a financial scandal, you and Stephanie are better off not being in New York.”
“I’ll see what Stephanie thinks,” Herbie said, then left.
Joan came into his office with a copy of the New York Post. “Is this Herbie’s new father-in-law?” she asked, handing the paper to Stone.