Loitering With Intent (Stone Barrington 16)

“Gigi stuffed the money in his mouth.”

“Are you likely to meet up with him again?”

“I certainly hope not. Gigi might kill him next time.”

“He might kill you and Gigi next time,” Stone said. “You should consider that before dealing with the criminal element again. Did the hospital report the knife wound to the police?”

“I told them the cut was from a gaffing hook while fi shing. How did you know I went to the hospital?”

9 8

L o i t e r i n g w i t h I n t e n t

“It’s where I would go, if somebody knifed me.”

“Now may I see the contract?”

“Give me an account of your whereabouts and activities since you graduated from college.”

“You really are a very curious guy,” Evan said. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’m a very curious guy,” Stone replied.

“Maybe I should sic Gigi on you.”

“You may tell Gigi for me that if she ever again approaches me from any angle, I’ll break her pretty face.”

Evan burst out laughing. “I’d like to see you try that,” he said.

“How did you meet Gigi?”

“We hooked up in Miami.”

“In South Beach?”

“How did … never mind. Yes.”

“How much business have you done with South Beach Security?”

“I had an account there when I lived in South Beach,” Evan said warily.

“Did you do any illegal business with them?”

Their food arrived, and Evan used it as an excuse not to answer the question. They ate in silence for a while.

“Do you really think your father poisoned your Uncle Harry?”

Stone asked fi nally.

Evan regarded him evenly over a crab claw. “I think it’s well within the realm of possibility. If I ever see that contract, I can give you a better answer.”

Stone handed him the FedEx envelope.

Evan ate the crab claw, wiped his hands carefully on a paper towel from the roll on the table and ripped open the package. He seemed to be speed-reading, flipping the pages rapidly. Then he stopped halfway through and read more slowly. 9 9

S t u a r t W o o d s

“Well?” Stone said.