“Deposit his check and pay the taxes on it today, please.”
“Got it.”
There was a knock at the door, and Herbie Fisher stood there. “Hey, Stone.”
“Hey, Herbie, come in.”
Herbie took a seat.
“You don’t look so happy,” Stone said. “What’s going on?”
“Well, I’m not seeing very much of Stephanie.”
“Why not? You still live together, don’t you?”
“Of course, but she leaves the apartment at seven in the morning and misses dinner a lot of the time.”
“Well, she’s just started a new job, hasn’t she?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Are you still going on your honeymoon?”
“Eventually, when Stephanie can take a break from work.”
“What, exactly, is she doing at Gunn?”
“International stuff. She sometimes gets calls in the middle of the night about something that’s happening with an overseas market.”
“Is she making lots of money for you yet?”
“Not yet, and not a hell of a lot for herself. She and David only get a ninety-thousand-dollar salary each; they could do better at a bigger firm, right out of college.”
“But they both will do very well indeed over the long run, right?”
“Right, I guess, when Jack decides to retire or kicks off.”
“How’s Jack’s health?”
“He’s in better shape than I am,” Herbie replied.
“More time at the gym, Herbie,” Stone said. “Now, if you haven’t got anything specific to bring up, I have to get back to work.”
Herbie stood up. “Yeah, sure; I’m just glad to know you’re here, representing me.”
“That’s very flattering, Herbie. See you soon.”
Herbie shambled out, and Stone got busy making notes for when Lance returned his call.
THIRTY
Stone and Dino arrived on the sidewalk simultaneously, then walked into Elaine’s together. Their drinks were on the table almost as soon as they sat down.
“Have I got a tale to tell you,” Stone said.
“People been telling me tales all day,” Dino replied. “Did you know that criminals lie all the time?”
“I seem to remember that they do,” Stone said. “But you always catch them at it, don’t you?”