New York Dead (Stone Barrington 1)

“I kid you not,” Dino said. “Will you stand up for me, be my best man?”

“I know what this is,” Stone said to Elaine, “it’s an elaborate practical joke. I’ll turn up for the wedding, and the whole 19th Precinct will be there, laughing like hell, because I believed this ridiculous story.”

“Stone, I swear to God, I’m doing it. We already got the church booked. I bought her a ring, for Christ’s sake.”

“You stole it from the evidence room.”

Dino looked wounded. “I paid cash money. I know a guy in the Diamond District.”

“This means you can’t bring any more girls in here, Dino,” Elaine said.

“Don’t worry, Mary Ann would kill me in my sleep. She’s Sicilian.”

“You’re in a lot of trouble,” Stone said, “but sure, I’ll stand up for you.”

“It’s a week from Sunday,” Dino said.

“That’s moving pretty quick,” Elaine said.

Dino shrugged. “So, it’ll be a seven-month kid, so what? Happens all the time in my neighborhood.”

Elaine waved at a waiter. “Bring a bottle of champagne, the good stuff. Dino’s got a lot to celebrate, here.”

They celebrated.

Elaine looked at Stone closely. “You’re looking almost human these days,” she said. “A few weeks ago you looked like death.”

“Hard work on the house,” Stone said. “I’m getting used to it.”

“He’s getting over the broad,” Dino said.

“Ahhhh,” Elaine said.

“You’re right,” Stone agreed, “I am.” And he was, except for an occasional spear through the heart, when he thought about her. He had stopped thinking at all about Sasha Nijinsky and Hank Morgan.

On the Friday morning before Dino’s wedding, Stone received a letter. He recognized the handwriting immediately.

Dear Stone,

Please pardon the familiarity, but, although we’ve never met, our lives have been so intertwined that I feel you are a friend.

I’m sorry that my problems at least indirectly resulted in your leaving the police force, but I understand that you are now doing well. I saw your name in the Times, on the list of those who had passed the bar exam.

I think, perhaps, the time is coming when we should meet. Maybe you would come to dinner sometime soon? It would be so nice to meet you, at last.

I’ll be in touch.

Best,

S.

Chapter 40

They sat at a table in the little room in back of the bar at Clarke’s. The mirror behind the bar had been replaced; everybody seemed to want to forget the incident, and Dino was obviously welcome.

“You’re looking better,” Dino said. “You put the girl behind you for good?”

“What else can I do?”