Hell's Corner

CHAPTER 49

^“Reuben?”

The large man opened his eyes and stared straight up.

Stone gazed down at him. “Docs say you’ll be leaving soon.”

“Great. I don’t have health insurance. So let me just declare bankruptcy right now. Oh, that’s right. Bankruptcy is for people who actually have property.”

“I can see you’re feeling better already.”

This came from Annabelle, who had been planted in the chair ever since Reuben had been admitted. She rose and stood next to the bed.

Stone said, “Your bill is being taken care of.”

“By who?”

“Uncle Sam.”

“Why? Did he bail out the loading dock where I work too?”

“Just get some rest.”

“Did you find those guys?”

Stone shook his head. “The area had been pretty well sterilized.”

Annabelle said, “So you’re still on the job?”

“For now.”

“What else can we do?”

“I think you’ve both done enough.”

“We didn’t learn very much that was new,” she said.

“No, you actually helped shine a whole new light on everything.”

“Russians?” said Reuben. “Are the bastards really behind this?”

“Looks to be the case.”

“Why?” asked Annabelle. “I thought they were our ally now.”

“Allies come and allies go. And it might not be the Russian government, per se.”

“I called Harry and Caleb. They’re coming over later to see Reuben. Well, Harry said he would if you thought it was okay to take some time off his assignment.”

“I think that would be fine. Please let him know.”

As he turned to leave, Annabelle put an arm around his shoulders and said in a low voice, “Please take care of yourself. We almost lost Reuben.” Her eyes glimmered and Stone touched her cheek.

“I will, Annabelle.”

Chapman was waiting for Stone in the hospital lobby. They walked to her car and drove off.

“Well, the meeting with the FBI really gobsmacked me,” she said.

“The fact that we’re still on the case, or something else?”

“The fact that your director seemed very much out of the loop.”

“And I’m wondering why.”

“What do you think happened to Garchik and that evidence?”

“I don’t know, but I think where we’ll find one we’ll find the other.”

“You think he’s a bad cop?”

Stone didn’t answer right away. “No, I don’t. I think he may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Lot of that going around. Look at Alfredo Padilla. And Agent Gross.”

“Right.”

“So the question becomes, if someone is keeping things from the director of the FBI, who could have that kind of clout?”

Stone looked at her. “I need to try and see someone today.”

“Who?”

“Just someone.”

“Is it important?”

“Yes.”

“Where is this person?”

“Well, he lives right across from Lafayette Park.”