Dirty Work (Stone Barrington 9)

“Twelve years, sir,” she said. “I read law at Oxford, then joined the service.”

“Sir Edward tells me your father was also in your service.”

“That’s correct,” she said, “and my grandfather, as well.” Something across the room caught her attention. The director’s bodyguard was crossing the big room, walking fast, nearly running. He arrived at their table.

“What’s wrong?” the director asked. “Is it Sir Edward?”

“Yes, sir,” the agent replied. “Please follow me, and let’s move quickly.”

Everyone left the table and followed the agent from the dining room, drawing stares from other patrons. They entered a kitchen area, then came to a large door with an EXIT sign above it.

“What’s happened?” the director asked.

“Please wait here just a moment, sir,” the agent said. He walked out the door and returned a few seconds later. “Please hurry, your car is waiting.”

Carpenter followed the three men into one of the black SUVs, and it drove away quickly.

“Now tell me what’s happened,” the director said.

Carpenter thought she knew what had happened. She got out her phone.

Stone and Dino were finishing dinner at Elaine’s when Dino’s cell phone went off.

“Bacchetti,” he said into the phone. He listened for a moment, then spoke. “I’m on it. You on your cell phone? Don’t go back to where you came from, go somewhere else. I’ll get back to you.” He hung up.

Stone looked at Dino. “What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

“It looks like . . .” His phone rang again. “Bacchetti. . . . Yes, sir, I’ve just heard. I have men on their way. . . . Yes, sir, I understand how this looks. I’ll be there personally in ten minutes. . . . Yes, sir, I understand.” He hung up. “Come on,” he said to Stone, and they both ran for the door.

They were in the rear seat of Dino’s car, headed downtown with the siren going before Dino spoke again. “Don’t let anybody slow you down,” he said to the driver, then he got out his cell phone again.

“Wait a minute, Dino,” Stone said. “What’s going on?”

“Looks like your client just popped Sir Edward Fieldstone in the men’s room at the Four Seasons.” Dino dialed a number. “This is Bacchetti. I want four homicide detectives, a crime-scene team, and twelve uniforms at the Four Seasons, on East Fifty-second Street, now. Close the block, don’t let anyone into the restaurant, but let the patrons out as they finish dinner. Screen off the men’s room, and don’t let anybody in there until I’m on the scene and say so. I arrive in six minutes.”

“Oh, Jesus,” Stone said, sinking back into the seat.

“So you had this all fixed, huh?” Dino said.

“At the Four Seasons?” Stone moaned. “Holy shit.”

“That about sums it up for me,” Dino said. “I just had the commissioner on the phone, and if he ever finds out that I was involved in that little business of yours in Bryant Park I’ll be walking a beat in the far reaches of the Bronx for the rest of my career.”

“I don’t believe this,” Stone said. “It was all fixed—everything.”

“I like your idea of all fixed,” Dino said. “Call your client.”

“What?”

“Call her. You’ve got her cell phone number.”

“What am I supposed to say to her?”

“Ask her what she’s going to do next.”

“Why do you think she’ll tell me?”

“Just ask her. Go ahead, call.” Dino handed Stone his cell phone.