Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington 23)

“His father says two hundred grand.”

“Including vigorish?”

“Apparently.”

Herbie reached down and picked up the briefcase. “In hundreds? That’s what it feels like.”

“Does it matter?”

“Hundreds count faster, takes half as long as fifties.”

“Herbie, for all I know it’s in pennies.”

“Nah, pennies would fill a couple of trunks.”

“Deal with it.”

“I’ll do that,” Herbie said, looking at his Cartier Tank wristwatch. “If you can get the Leahys for me first thing tomorrow morning, I can make New Haven by noon.” He looked at the paper again. “Dink? What’s the kid’s real name?”

“Denton,” Eggers said. “Exactly what are you going to say to the boy, Herbie? I mean, you’ve got to convince him to take the deal.”

“Bill, I don’t think you need to know that, or want to,” Herbie replied.

“You’re probably right,” Eggers said, looking at his watch. “I’d better get upstairs and get you the name of a clinic and the commitment form.” He signed the check and left.

“So, Stone,” Herbie said, polishing off the Dover sole, “how did my name come up?”

“Your qualifications were obvious,” Stone replied.

“Am I the firm’s new Stone Barrington?”

“Herbie, think of this as an opportunity to impress Eggers and a very, very important client. If you can pull this off smoothly, nice things will happen.”

“And if it doesn’t go smoothly?”

“Failure is never attractive, Herbie.” Stone clapped him on the back and left.

Herbie waved at a waiter. “May I see the dessert menu, please?”

5

Herbie Fisher was up early the next morning. He ordered his car from the garage for nine a.m., then he showered, shaved, and returned to his bedroom, where he made love to Allison, Stone’s associate and Herbie’s girlfriend for the past few months.

He was dressed and ready to go when Willie and Jimmy Leahy arrived. They renewed their acquaintance, then Herbie gave them coffee and sat them down. “Did Stone tell you anything about what we’re doing today?”

“Not much,” Willie said. Willie usually did all the talking for his brother. “He said you wanted us to talk to some people.”

“Not exactly,” Herbie said. “I’m going to do the talking. Your job will be to stand there and look just a tiny bit menacing.”

“We can do that,” Willie replied.

“Okay,” Herbie said, “we’re off to New Haven.” He led them to the elevator and down to the garage.

“What is that?” Willie asked, pointing. “It looks like an overgrown Mercedes.”

“It is an overgrown Mercedes,” Herbie replied. “But it’s called a Maybach. One of you drive, I’ll sit in the back.” Herbie settled into the backseat and called out directions to Jimmy, who was at the wheel. Then he put on a headset and tuned in WQXR, the classical station. Herbie loved sitting in the backseat. No one at Woodman amp; Weld knew that he owned this car. He felt it was not good policy to outdo the partners.

They stopped in front of Dink Brennan’s dormitory at the stroke of eleven.