“I’m just fine,” Stone said.
“Oh, sure.”
“It was just some bruising and a couple of cuts.” He tried to sit up, but winced with pain. “And a couple of ribs. What are the bags for? Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m moving in with you,” Arrington said.
“I thought you already had, pretty much.”
“The difference between ‘pretty much’ and moving in is two suitcases.”
“Oh.”
“If it were Mary Ann,” Dino said, “it would be two moving vans. That’s what it’s going to take to cart our stuff up to Sixty-sixth Street.”
“The doctor says you’re going to need two or three days in the hospital,” Arrington said.
“Fat chance.”
“You’re not going to get out of here talking like that. They said they’d let me take you home tomorrow, if I promised to keep you in bed.”
“Promise them anything.”
“Well,” said Dino, “I think my work here is done.”
“Thanks, Dino,” Stone said. “You’d better find those guys before I do.”
Dino threw up his hands. “I didn’t hear that,” he said, walking out of the room.
Arrington pulled a chair up to the bed. “What am I going to do with you?” she said.
“Take me home at the earliest possible moment, that’s what.”
“I’m so sorry I got you involved with Jonathan.”
“His name is Tommy Bruce, and you didn’t get me involved; Amanda Dart did.”
“And I’m very sorry, too,” Amanda said from the door.
“Not your fault, Amanda,” Stone said. “Take a pew. How did you know I was here?”
“I have a source in the emergency room,” she replied. “Arrington, I know this is a terrible imposition, but may I speak to Stone alone for just a moment?”
“Sure, I need some coffee, anyway,” Arrington replied, then left.
Amanda settled herself in the bedside chair. “How badly are you hurt?”
“Only superficially. I plan to get back on the horse tomorrow.”
“Stone, I asked you to drop this investigation.”
“Don’t worry, Amanda, it’s not costing you a dime.”
“I resent that.”
“Sorry, I guess I’m a little irritable today.”
“Dick Hickock and I don’t want anything else done on this, do you understand?”