Barely Legal

48

Stone Barrington was planning a dinner menu. So far it was a dinner for four, but it was for Saturday night and there was still time to add guests. At the moment it was him, a dinner companion to be named later, and Dino and Viv, and he hadn’t even asked Dino and Viv yet.

But all that was incidental. What was important was the food. Stone was considering caviar when Joan poked her head in the door. “Do you know a Councilman Ross?”

The name sounded familiar, but not for any reason Stone could put his finger on. “Can’t say as I do.”

“He says it’s about Herbie.”

“I’ll take it.” Stone picked up the phone. “Yes, Councilman, how can I help you?”

“Herb Fisher mentioned you. Said you were great friends.”

“We are indeed, and I can give him the highest reference if you’re looking for an attorney.”

“He’s already my attorney! He’s representing my son.”

The councilman’s name clicked in Stone’s mind. “Ah, yes, I do seem to recollect that now that you mention it.”

“He didn’t show up in court this morning.”

“That doesn’t sound like Herb.”

“It’s true, nevertheless. The judge issued a bench warrant, and no one can reach him.”

“Thanks, Councilman. I’ll take it from here.”

Stone got off the phone and called Dino. “Hey, Dino, I just got a call from Councilman Ross, the father of the kid Herbie’s representing. Herbie was a no-show in court this morning, and the judge issued a bench warrant.”

“What!”

“No one can find him. Can you circumvent the usual missing persons bullshit and see if he’s been taken to any emergency room? I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Shit. I should never have told him about Taperelli.”

“Do you think Taperelli might have done him harm?”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ll call you back.”

Half an hour later, Dino was on the line again and said flatly, “He’s in the drunk tank.”

“What?”

“Charged with murder.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I wish I were. The victim’s his fiancée, Yvette.”

“What’s he saying?”

“Nothing. He’s been in and out of consciousness. I had him transferred to a private cell and he’s sleeping it off.”

“He’s drunk?”

“Or drugged. He reeks of liquor. He was found in bed with the victim, naked and holding the murder weapon. Who knows what he’s going to say when he wakes up.”

“I’m on my way.” Stone slammed down the phone. “Joan! Tell Fred to get the car!”

Fred broke all speed records getting downtown. Stone had no problem seeing his client. Dino had paved the way.

Herbie was sitting on the edge of his bunk, groggy and distraught. He looked up at Stone with tear-stained eyes. “They read me my rights. They say I killed Yvette.”

Stone calmed Herbie down the best he could and went to hunt up the ADA in charge of the case.

The ADA turned out to be Dierdre Monahan, with whom Stone had a history. She leaned back in her desk chair and cocked her head. “Hi, Stone. What can I do for you?”

Deirdre Monahan and Herbie had a long and bumpy relationship. She’d been the ADA of record in several of his arrests, including the murder of the mobster Carmine Dattila. She’d actually done Herbie a favor in that case, suggesting he claim self-defense. Which was pretty nice of her, considering the patrolman Herbie had kicked in the balls during one of his other arrests happened to be her brother.

“Let’s get real here, Monahan. You know and I know Herbie didn’t do it.”

“I know no such thing. He was found in bed with the victim. He was holding the murder weapon. And, yes, there is gunpowder on his hand, showing he fired the gun. I’d go so far as to call this one a slam dunk.”

“This wasn’t some casual one-night stand. Herbie was in love with her. They were engaged. Why would he have killed her?”

“Why does anybody kill his girlfriend? Jealousy? Drunk rage? It’s not inconceivable.”

“It is when the man in question is Herbie. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Tell that to Carmine Dattila.”

Stone shot her an impatient look.

Deirdre sighed. “He was drunk, Stone. He could barely stand up.”

“He’s been drugged. I want a blood test and a Breathalyzer.”

“Little late for a Breathalyzer.”

“Come on, this is serious. Herbie stood up in open court yesterday and asked a witness if he was being manipulated by Tommy Taperelli. I don’t know if you’ve had any dealings with Mr. Taperelli, but he does not take kindly to insinuations of that manner. Retaliation is not unexpected. I wouldn’t put it past him to frame Herbie for murder. That’s kind of a tough break for a young attorney trying to do the right thing, particularly when it isn’t even his goddamned case to begin with.”

“What are you talking about?”

Stone told her the details of David Ross’s case, including the suspected connection between Tommy Taperelli and Detective Kelly.

“Detective Kelly, huh?”

“Do you know him?”

“Not personally.”

“But you’ve heard something about him.”

“Nothing I care to be quoted on.” Monahan frowned. “You really think this is the result of Herbie’s interference in Taperelli’s business?”

“I know Herbie didn’t do it.”

“Well, go ahead and bail him out. Dino’s already fast-tracked him to be released on his own recognizance.”

“Good talking to you.”

ADA Monahan smiled. “Anytime, Stone.”