Loitering with Intent

31

DINO WAS STANDING out in front of the Marquesa when Stone drove up. Following Tommy’s directions, they drove up to Stock Island and found the hospital. A hint of dawn was in the eastern sky.

Stone asked for Evan at the admitting desk.

“Are you a relative?” she asked.

“I’m his attorney,” Stone lied. “He asked for me.”

Tommy came out of a room down the hall and waved them in.

“Oh, go ahead,” the woman said.

Stone and Dino walked down the hall and stopped outside the room. “How is he?”

“He seems to be resting comfortably,” Tommy replied, “since the painkillers kicked in.”

“How bad?”

“He took it through the left shoulder. Somehow the angle allowed the slug to miss the heart and lung. He’s stable.”

“What kind of weapon?”

“Looks like a .223.”

“Sniper?”

“He was sitting in the cockpit of his boat with the Gigi dame, anchored off Key West Bight, having a late drink. The shot probably came from the shore, near one of the big hotels.”

“Telescopic sight?”

“We found the weapon in some bushes: M16 assault rifl e, well used. The sort of thing you’d find at a gun show.”

“Sounds like a pro. Anybody get a look at him?”

“Nope. Gigi emptied a nine-millimeter magazine in the general direction, scaring the hell out of everybody. I’m sure the guy looks like every other tourist in Key West. I mean, he wasn’t dressed all in black or wearing camos.”

“You think he’s still on the island?”

“We’ve alerted the state cops and the locals along Route One North, but more than likely he flew in, rented a car or scooter, and he’ll leave tomorrow the same way, along with five hundred other visitors. If we had the manpower to interview every one of them, we might be able to narrow it to a dozen, but of course we don’t. He’ll walk.”

“Or stay around for another shot?”

“Who knows?”

“People who hire hit men don’t pay for near misses,” Dino said.

“If he feels safe, he’ll try again. He might be in this hospital right now.”

“I’ll put a uniform on the door until they discharge him in the morning,” Tommy said. “Is there anybody to call?”

“I’m sure the shooter has already called Evan’s father,” Stone said wryly. “I’ll see that his grandfather hears about it. Can I see him?”

“It’s okay with me. Gigi’s with him, so watch your back.”

“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.”

“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.”

“And when will that be?”

“Soon, I hope.”

“All right,” Stone said, stuffing bundles of cash into his pock-ets. “I’m your lawyer. If the police ask you any more questions of any kind, refer them to me. Talk to you later.” He and Dino left the room.

Tommy was standing outside talking to a uniformed offi cer. Stone took him aside. “Tommy, Evan has just retained me as his lawyer. I’m not entirely sure why, but in the meantime, please don’t ask him any more questions unless I’m present.”

“What’s the problem?” Tommy asked. “He hasn’t done anything.”

“I know, but in his condition I can’t go into all this with him. I assume you have both Evan’s and Gigi’s statements about the shooting?”

“Yeah.”

“That’ll have to do you for the moment. I’ll know more when I’ve had a chance to sit down with him when his head is clear.”

“Okay, Stone.”

“Thanks for having a cop out here.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Stone and Dino left the hospital and went back to their car.

“There’s an IHOP on our way back; you want to get some breakfast?”

“Sure.”

“You’re buying,” Dino said.