Kisser

28

STONE WAS WAKENED by the phone again a little after eleven. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Mitzi,” she said.

“Good morning.”

“You don’t sound up yet.”

“I’m awake-up would be too strong a word.”

“Rough night?”

“Not exactly.”

She gave a low laugh. “I got my fake financial statement from Daddy’s office this morning. You’ll be happy to know I’m worth thirty million dollars-on paper, at least.”

“Whose letterhead is it on?”

“William H. Barrow, CPA.”

“Not your father’s. Good.

“Should I just give this to Sharpe?”

“Why don’t you call him and tell him you’d like to meet with him and Sig Larsen again?”

“Okay.”

“Give him your statement and ask how he would handle it.”

“Right.”

“Does it have individual stocks listed?”

“Yes, about forty of them.”

“Good. Tell him you want his plan in writing.”

“Wouldn’t that put him off?”

“You don’t want to be too easy a mark; that would put him off. Con men get special satisfaction from screwing smart marks.”

“That wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”

“All right, fooling smart marks.”

“Actually, I did have that in mind, but with you, not Sig.”

“What a nice idea. What’s the setup this time?”

“Not a threesome; I’d rather have you to myself.”

“I’m a little under the weather,” Stone said. “How about later this week?”

“I’ll call you,” she said.

“And you can give me a full report then.”

“I’ll give you more than that.”

“Bye-bye.” Stone hung up and groaned. “When it rains, it pours,” he said aloud to himself.

DINO WAS more cheerful than usual. They had met at P. J. Clarke’s for lunch and were having burgers and beers.

“You’re in a good mood,” Stone said.

“Ben got accepted at Choate,” Dino said, speaking of his son.

“Congratulate him for me.”

“I will.”

“Doesn’t this mean you’ll see him less often?”

“Well, yeah, but it means I’ll have to deal with Mary Ann less often, too. No squabbles about which days I see him or what we do together.”

“I’m sure Eduardo will miss him.” Eduardo Bianci was Dino’s ex-father-in-law, a very rich man who had been-perhaps still was-a major Mafia figure, but who had been very discreet about it, ruling from afar.

“That’s true, and I feel for the old man. I’ll make sure Ben sees his grandfather when he’s home.”

“How is Eduardo?”

“Amazingly well. For a man his age, I’d guess you’d say he’s in robust good health. I’m sure he’d appreciate a call from you.”

“I’ll call him today.”

“How’s it going with Carrie?”

“She’s wearing me down,” Stone replied. “Literally.”

“You lead such a tough existence,” Dino said.

“You don’t know the half of it. What are you doing for female company since splitting the blanket with Genevieve?”

“Catch as catch can,” Dino replied.

“As long as you catch a few.”

“There’s the desk sergeant at the 19th,” Dino said. “We have a nice evening about once every week or two. Keeps the machinery oiled and working.”

“She’s the one who ended your marriage, isn’t she?”

“No. Mary Ann took care of that; Sarge was just the excuse.”

“Is that what you call her?”

“In bed as a joke.”

“What’s her real name?”

“Madge Petrillo.”

“Not married, is she?”

“Nah, divorced. I think she may be banging the captain, too, but if so, they’re very, very discreet.”

“Busy lady.”

“You know it. How’s the Derek Sharpe operation going?”

“It’s going. Mitzi’s a smart cop; she’s handling it very well. I’m just trying to stay out of the way.”

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

“Well, I’ve seen Sharpe with her a couple of times, and I give her advice.”

“That’s very fatherly of you. What else is going on there?”

“Let’s not get into that,” Stone said, a little embarrassed.

“Oh, so that’s what’s going on.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“What, you think I condemn you for sleeping with more than one woman at a time?”

“It’s your Catholic upbringing,” Stone said.

“I got over that a long time ago,” Dino replied.

“Catholics never get over it. I’ll bet you still go to confession.”

“Every couple of years, maybe. I love shocking the priest.”

“I’ll bet you do.”

“It’s a good thing you’re not Catholic,” Dino said. “At confession, you’d give a priest a heart attack.”

“You’re right. It’s a good thing I’m not Catholic; I’m not sure I could bear the guilt.”

“Guilt is very important,” Dino said. “It keeps you on the fairly straight and narrow.”

“The fairly straight and narrow? I like that.”

“So do I,” Dino said.

They split the check and walked outside, where Dino’s unmarked car with driver awaited him.

“You want a lift?” Dino asked.

“No, thanks. I think I’ll walk home, get some exercise.”

“I thought you were getting lots of exercise,” Dino said, laughing.

“Well, the cardiovascular thing is important,” Stone said.

“See you later.” Dino got into his car and was driven away.

Stone walked home and entered through the outside door to his office.

Joan flagged him down. “Eduardo Bianci’s secretary called. He would like you to come to lunch at his home tomorrow at noon.”

Eduardo was a mind reader, Stone thought. “Say that I accept with pleasure.”