Worst Fears Realized (Stone Barrington 5)

“The murder weapon, I hope.”

“We weren’t quite that lucky, but we did find Susan Bean’s diary.”

“Oh, that’s good!” Stone said. “Have you read it?”

“You bet I have; it’s telegraphic, but it lays out her knowledge of the doctored tapes in the Dante trial.”

“Does the diary implicate-Brougham?”

“Not directly, but it’s hard to see how, if Bean knew about the tape, Marty didn’t. Anyway, it’s a first-rate motive for Deacon; the very fact that he had possession of the diary is incriminating. It makes him our number one suspect and Mick Kelly an accessory after the fact. At the very least, I can get Kelly bounced from the force for not reporting Deacon’s presence near the scene of the murder.”

“Have you picked up Deacon?”

“Not yet, but we’re looking for him; Kelly, too. I haven’t put out an APB yet; I don’t want to spook either of them.”

“That’s great news, Dino, and it comes at a very good time f

or me.”

“Have you testified, yet?”

“I’m waiting to go in, now.”

“Give Brougham hell for me.”

“You bet I will; can I use what you’ve told me?”

“Go right ahead. See you later.”

“You coming to Bianchi’s for dinner tonight?”

“I’ve been invited,” Dino said.

“See you there.” Stone hung up and returned to the bench.

“What’s up?” Eggers asked.

“You’re not going to believe…” Stone was interrupted as the door to the grand-jury room opened and a bailiff stuck his head out.

“Call Stone Barrington!” he yelled.

Stone stood up. “Right here.”

The man opened the door and ushered Stone inside the grand-jury room.

Stone walked quickly to the stand and sat down. He was faced with the members of the grand jury, ordinary-looking people seated on raised tiers before him. Martin Brougham stood, looking confident, his hands folded before him. The bailiff swore in Stone.

“State your name and address for the record,” Brougham said.

Stone did so. He added, “I would like to state for the record that I have not been subpoenaed but have volunteered to appear before this panel.”

“Yes, yes,” Brougham said irritably. “Mr. Barrington, how do you earn your living?”

“I’m an attorney-at-law,” Stone replied.

“You were once a police officer, were you not?”

“I was. I served fourteen years with the NYPD, finishing as a detective second grade.”