Black Dog

Fifty-Four

Stone hung up the phone and buzzed Joan.

“Yes, sir?”

“Strategic Services just called,” he said. “A used Mercedes like mine was registered yesterday to a Delaware corporation. Sounds like Eddie, doesn’t it?”

“Was there a street address?” she asked.

“No, just a PO box in Wilmington.”

“Oh.”

“I had an idea, though, about how to search the furnished apartments classified, without paying Strategic Services to do it.”

“Great! How?”

“You do it,” Stone said, eliciting a groan. “A thought. Look for apartments with garage space.” He hung up. He called Dino.

“Bacchetti.”

“It’s Stone. Eddie Jr. has got himself some new wheels.” He related the details.

“A smart move, looking for apartments with garage space. Eddie wouldn’t expose his new ride to the elements, would he? Are Mike’s people conducting a search?”

“No, Joan is. She’s too cheap to pay Mike. A woman after your own heart.”

“Tell her to call me if she comes up with something. I’ll have my guys run it down for her.”

“You’re a prince of a guy.”

“Clarke’s, six-thirty?”

“Okay.” They both hung up.

They were on their first drink at the bar when Stone became aware that someone, reflected in the mirror, was staring at him. “Oh, shit,” he said to Dino, sotto voce. “Here’s trouble. Check out the mirror.”

“Got him,” Dino said. “You didn’t mention him being that big.”

“He is.”

“Remember the first rule when dealing with a big guy.”

“What’s the first rule?”

“Get in the first punch. He’ll be easier to deal with if he’s flat on his back.”

“That would be a good idea if we weren’t in Clarke’s,” Stone said. “If I keep punching guys in here, I’m going to get myself eighty-sixed. Then who are you going to drink with?”

“It’s so like you to think of me first,” Dino said. “Handle it.”

Stone swiveled his stool through a one-eighty. “Something you want to say to me?” he asked Bryce. Sandy’s old boyfriend.

The man was caught off guard. “Well, uh...”

“That’s what I thought,” Stone said. “Now, do you want to continue this outside, or do you just want to take a hike?”

Bryce turned and walked out.

“Nicely handled,” said Sid, the bartender. “Unless he’s waiting for you when you leave.”

“Thanks, Sid, you’re a sweet guy. Wait here, Dino. I’ll be right back.”

“No chance of that. I want to watch this.”

Stone headed for the back door, while Dino jumped off his stool and followed him.

Stone pulled on a pair of cashmere-lined gloves; no point in getting his knuckles bruised. He walked outside, ready to duck a punch. The block was empty.

“I guess he thought better of it,” Dino said.

“Let’s get some dinner,” Stone said, shucking off his gloves and walking back inside.

The maître d’ seated them at their usual table, and they ordered steaks and a bottle of wine.

Stone’s phone rang. “Hello?”

“It’s Sandy,” she said.

“Hi, there.”

“Are you still at P.J.’s?” she asked.

“Yes, we’re just finishing dinner.”

“Be careful how you go. I heard from a friend that Bryce has rounded up a group of friends and will be waiting for you outside.”

“What is it with that guy?”

“I’m a real catch. He hates losing me, and he hates you for managing that.”

“Do you know if they’re armed?”

“Bryce doesn’t carry, but some of his friends do, licenses and everything.”

“Got it,” Stone said. “Thanks for the warning.” He hung up.

“What?” Dino said.

“That was Sandy. She says Bryce and some friends are waiting for us outside.”

“What do you mean, us?”

“All right, me. Are you bailing?”

“Of course not. Are we ready to leave?”

Stone called the maître d’ over. “Would you check outside of the back door and see if there are some guys loitering?”

“Sure.” He came back in a minute. “Four of them,” he said. “You want to borrow my baseball bat?”

“He won’t need it,” Dino said. “Thanks, anyway.”

The man shrugged and walked away.

“What’s your plan?” Stone asked.

Dino was already on the phone. “It’s Bacchetti. There are three or four guys hanging around the back door at P. J. Clarke’s. I want them braced, searched, and questioned thoroughly. No. No rough stuff, unless they unwisely start it. Call me when you’re in place.” He hung up.

“I think some rough stuff might be fun to watch,” Stone said.

“Do that when you’re on your own, and I’ll watch,” Dino said.

His phone rang again. “Okay, thanks.” He hung up. “They’re up against the wall,” he said. “Let’s go.”

They walked out the rear door and four men were holding up a wall of the place. They were all dressed in blazers or tweed jackets.

“That’s a bunch of pretty shifty-looking guys you got there. Make sure there’s nothing in their pockets.”

They got into Dino’s car and got out of there. “I don’t think they’ll try that again.”

“If they do, I hope you’re around,” Stone said.