Loitering With Intent (Stone Barrington 16)

“That’ll be Dino’s job.” Stone knocked on the door, got a response and walked in, with Dino following. Evan was sitting with the bed cranked up, and Gigi was holding his hand.

“Good evening,” Evan said.

“Morning,” Stone replied. “How are you feeling?”

“Just swell,” Evan replied wanly. “Never better.”

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

“I hope you’ve reconsidered your position on relocating,” Stone said.

“Yes, but not just yet. I have some business to conclude. When do you plan to return to New York?”

“Soon. There’s nothing to keep me here now.”

“I’d like to keep you here for a few days,” Evan said. “I want to retain you as my attorney.”

“I’m not licensed in Florida,” Stone said.

“It won’t require any courtroom appearances,” Evan said. “Or if it does, I’ll hire somebody else. I want you here for a negotiation. I’ll pay you thirty thousand dollars for three, four days of your time. If it runs beyond that, I’ll pay you another thirty.”

Stone looked at Dino. “Can you hang around? I’ll pick up the hotel bill.”

“Why not?” Dino said.

“All right.”

“Gigi,” Evan said.

Gigi picked up a shoulder bag that had been lying on the fl oor beside the bed, rummaged in it and came up with a stack of notes and handed it to Stone. It was three bundles of hundreds, in South Beach Security wrappers.

“Is this money clean?” Stone asked.

“It is.”

“I’ll have to fill out the relevant federal form when I deposit it in my bank.”

“I understand.”

“What do you want me to do now?” Stone asked.

“I’ve got your cell number. I’ll call you when we need to talk.”

“Have you spoken to your grandfather?”

“Not yet.”

“If you like, I’ll have someone notify him about this.”

“No, it would just worry him. He’s better off not knowing. I’ll tell him about it when this is over.”

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S t u a r t W o o d s

“And when will that be?”