“Quite frankly, no; would you explain that to me? A couple of weeks ago you were both nuts to find these guys.”
“We got over it.”
“Amanda, don’t you think it’s a little out of character for you to get over something like this?”
“I know when to cut my losses.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
“You’re going to keep looking for these people, then?”
“As soon as I can walk upright and make a fist. In the meantime, the police are looking for them.”
Amanda made a small noise.
“What?”
“Is there anything I can get you?” she asked.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“I hope you won’t continue this,” she said, standing.
“You can always hope.”
“Believe me, it’s not in your interests to do so.”
“Amanda, do you know what these guys want?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Does Hickock?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“They’re looking to make some big money; are you buying them off?”
“No.”
“Is Hickock?”
“He’s said nothing to me about it. Look, Stone, Dick has dropped the girlfr
iend, and he and his wife have managed to patch things up. Don’t go pulling the scabs off their wounds.”
“I’ll be as discreet as I possibly can,” Stone said.
“Thanks for that, anyway.”
“Thanks for coming to see me.”
“Good-bye, Stone.”
From her car, Amanda called Dick Hickock. “He’s not going to give it up,” she said.
“That’s his misfortune,” Hickock replied, then hung up.
Chapter 54