Strategic Moves (Stone Barrington 19)

Dino made a note of the man’s name. “Anybody else?”

“A younger sister. She lives in Hong Kong. Her husband works for an American bank there.”

Dino noted that, too. “Either of them in town?”

“Not that I know of,” Stephanie said. “I hardly knew them. I do know that they both liked Aunt Adele better than they liked their brother. He was a bad drunk, and everybody thought he was a real shit.”

“Was Mrs. Lansdown married before?”

“Once, in her early twenties. It lasted only a few months.”

“His name?”

“Karl Stein,” she replied. “Last I heard he was in LA, working in the movie business.”

“As what?”

“He started as a writer, but he produces and directs, too.”

“Any hard feelings there?”

“I don’t think so. They were young and stupid. I don’t think Adele ever heard from him.”

“You know who he works for?”

“Various studios. He has his own production company, Stein-ware Films. I read a magazine piece about him once.”

“Can you think of anyone else that Mrs. Lansdown had problems with? Former employees, that sort of thing?”

“No, she was a very likable person. Her chef had worked for her for years, and they’re quite good friends.”

“Tell me about David’s relationship with his aunt,” Dino said.

“They got along fine,” she replied. “I think between the two of us, he was her favorite.”

“How long has he been seeing Mia Meadow?”

“The better part of a year, I think. She was on the sailing trip with him. The family thinks they might end up married.”

“She and Adele have any problems?”

“No, Adele liked her.”

They were all silent for a moment.

“Would you like a drink?” Stone asked.

“No,” Stephanie replied. “We have to get back to Mother; she’s distraught. We just wanted to know what happened.” She thanked Dino and Stone, and she and Herbie left.

“This is going to be a tough one,” Dino said.

Stone couldn’t bring himself to disagree.

TWENTY-ONE

Stone worked through the week, clearing his desk. On Friday there was a memorial service for Adele at a small, nondenominational church on Lexington Avenue. A few people said nice things about Adele, including her nephew and niece. Stephanie was composed. David barely got through his part; tears ran down his face as he finished. A jazz quartet played a melodic, rather solemn piece, and the service broke up.

The Gunn family was lined up on the front steps, and Stone paid his respects. Herbie stood to one side, waiting for it to be over, and Stone walked over to him. “How are you, Herbie?”