Fast and Loose

29

Jake knocked on Macher’s office door and was shouted in.

“What is it?” Macher asked sourly. He had been in a bad mood since Fox had so suddenly departed.

“Just an update,” Jake said. “I’m getting no results on watching Barrington’s house. His car has left the garage a couple of times, but the windows are tinted and my guys can’t spot who’s inside. Also, they weren’t dressed for last night’s unforecast big rain, and one of them has what sounds like walking pneumonia and is going to be in bed for a few days.”

“Did you put new people on it? People with umbrellas, maybe?”

“Yes, sir, they’re on station now, but they’re getting nothing. Also, I think there may be a rear way out of the house, through the common garden, but we can’t cover that. It’s private, and somebody would immediately call the cops.”

“Maybe it’s time to hurt somebody.”

“What would that accomplish, sir? We’ve lost the Carlsson takeover, and we can’t get that back.”

“All right, just annoy them, make them think we’re thinking about them.”

Jake sighed. “All right, sir. I’ll have my men take out a couple of the Bentley’s tires. That will take time and effort to correct. The car will have to be flat-bedded to a dealer.”

“Call it a goodbye kiss,” Macher said, managing what resembled a little smile.

“I’m on it.”

“Oh, and I’ve made two new bids for small companies, ones that were on a list Christian was working from.”

“What are they?”

“An electronic parts maker and a company that sends out mechanics to work on cars at people’s homes or garages. They’ve already got twenty-five men working in the city, and they’re ready to expand to other cities, if they can get fresh capital.”

“Sounds great. I hope you didn’t underbid, like Christian did.”

“Get out of here,” Macher growled. “And keep an eye on the computer file of those two companies.”

“Yes, sir.”

Fred was backing the Bentley out of the garage when he felt two small jolts to the car, one in back, one in front. He had a notion of what that was, but he waited until he had turned onto Third Avenue before getting out and inspecting the vehicle. There were two small marks, one on a rear tire, one on a front tire. He found a place at the curb and called his boss.

“Yes, Fred?” Stone asked.

“Mr. Barrington, our two watchers outside the house have taken a couple of potshots at two of our tires.”

“With what effect?”

“No real effect, sir, since the tires are the special ones you ordered, constructed to absorb rounds and reseal. I just thought you’d like to know.”

“Any reason to take it to the dealer?”

“I shouldn’t think so, sir.”

“Then carry on.”

“Yes, sir.” Fred got back into the car and continued on his mission.

Stone was thinking this over when Dino called.

“Hey.”

“You sound thoughtful,” Dino said. “Something on your mind?”

“Yes. Macher has two people watching the house. We’ve been ignoring them, but this morning they tried to shoot out two of the Bentley’s tires. No effect, since they’re security equipment. Still, I don’t think I should let it go unanswered.”

“Are they still there?”

“They’re always there. This morning they were both wearing trench coats, hats, and carrying umbrellas.”

“Leave it to me,” Dino said. “I’ll get back to you.”

“Okay.”

“Dinner tonight?”

“Sure, just the two of us?”

“Yeah, Viv is traveling.”

“You mind if I bring my new investment partner, Charley Fox? He’s an interesting guy — CIA, followed by Goldman Sachs and St. Clair.”

“Sure. P. J. Clarke’s at seven?”

“See you then.”

Joan came into his office. “I thought you’d like to know that I just saw the cops pick up our two watchers outside.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Any trouble?”

“An argument, quickly resolved by the uniforms. They’re gone.”

Jake Herman was at his desk when a call came in. “This is Jake.”

“Jake, it’s Martini. Gimlet and I got busted outside Barrington’s house an hour ago. We need bail money.”

“What’s the charge?”

“Well, you told us to take out two tires on Barrington’s Bentley, and we did, but it drove away. Fifteen minutes later we were busted, and Gimlet doesn’t have his carry permit yet, and we’re both charged with vandalism.”

“Where are you?”

“At the Nineteenth Precinct. They’re taking us downtown to be arraigned in a few minutes.”

“I’ll have a lawyer meet you there.” He hung up and phoned an attorney St. Clair kept on retainer for such things. He didn’t feel like telling Macher about this just yet; he’d let it ride until tomorrow.

Stone, Dino, and Charley met at Clarke’s and had a drink at the bar before going into the back room for dinner. Dino and Charley got on immediately. Stone was impressed, because Dino usually reserved immediate camaraderie for cops and ex-cops.

“Thanks for clearing the street in front of the house,” Stone said to Dino, when he got a chance to interrupt.

“No problem,” Dino said.

“The security tires were a good move, I think.”

“I don’t use anything else on my official vehicles.”

“I bridled at the cost, but not anymore.”

“Somebody tried to shoot your tires out?” Charley asked.

“Your pal Jake Herman’s people. Dino had them scooped up, and they got a few hours in the lockup.”

Charley chuckled. “I wish I could see Macher’s face when he finds out.”

Dino chimed in, “Oh, that reminds me — you remember that other thing we talked about, that late-night visit?”

“I do,” Stone said.

“How about I schedule that for soon?”

“I like the idea.”

“I’m going to need a basis for a search warrant.”

“I think I’ve got just the thing,” Stone said.

Then they were called to their table.