Near Miss

Chapter 33

They met again in Stone’s study the following evening, and this time Tom Kinder and his associate had a drink.

“Where’s your U.S. attorney?” Stone asked.

“She will be here shortly,” Kinder replied. “I’m told that when asked to provide a prosecutor, she volunteered herself.”

A distant alarm bell went off in Stone’s brain. But before he had time to identify it, a tall, beautiful blonde walked into the room.

“Stone, may I introduce Tiffany Baldwin, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York? Tiffany, this is Stone Barrington, attorney for our witness, whom you have already met, and his associate, Carly Riggs.”

Stone’s heart sank. He and Tiffany had had half a dozen rolls in the hay in years past, and she would not let go. He avoided her at all times.

“Oh, yes,” Tiffany replied. “Stone and I are old friends. How do you do, Carly?”

“I do very well, thank you,” Carly replied. She appeared to have immediately sensed the circumstances of Stone’s previous acquaintance with Tiffany.

“Shall we start?” Stone asked. He conducted the meeting without so much as glancing at Tiffany, to Carly’s evident amusement.

When they were done, they all had a nightcap. Then Greco departed with the FBI, while the U.S. attorney didn’t budge from her seat. Neither did Carly.

STAY! Stone mouthed at Carly, who kept a straight face.

“May I have another drink?” Tiffany asked.

Stone poured her a very small Scotch.

“Carly,” Tiffany said. “Stone and I have something to discuss. Would you excuse us, please?”

“I’m sorry, Tiffany,” Stone said, “but Carly goes where I go this evening. I can’t have meetings with opposing counsel without her present.”

“You want a witness, then?”

“I think that will help keep the conversation on track.”

“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse,” Carly said sweetly.

“This is a rather intimate discussion,” Tiffany said.

“I have nothing to hide from Carly,” Stone said quickly.

“Looks like I’m here for the duration,” Carly said, handing Stone her glass.

Stone poured her a hefty drink and handed her back the glass.

“Shall I close my eyes?” Carly asked, innocently.

“No,” Stone said firmly.

Tiffany appeared to be ready to spring at him.

“Do tell me how you and Stone happened to meet,” Carly said.

“It was some years ago,” Tiffany replied through clenched teeth. “We were on opposite sides of the bed, in those days.”

“And still are,” Stone said.

“This is so much fun,” Carly said, laughing.

“I’m prepared to make it less fun, if you don’t leave,” Tiffany said to her.

“Please, Tiffany,” Stone interjected. “Carly is both my business associate and my guest.”

Carly smiled. “While you are simply Stone’s opponent in a case,” she said. “Tell me, how long has it been since you and Stone have, ah, shared each other’s company?”

“Too long,” Tiffany replied.

“Not long enough,” Stone said simultaneously.

Tiffany glared at Stone. “Well, perhaps I should leave and allow you and this, ah, girl, to get on with it.”

“Thank you so much,” Carly said.

Stone pressed a button and, momentarily, Fred appeared at the study door. “Fred,” Stone said, “would you kindly show Ms. Baldwin out?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow evening, then?” Tiffany said, smoothing her skirt.

“No,” Stone said. “Tom is returning to Washington tomorrow morning, so our business is concluded.”

“Surely, there are things we haven’t covered,” Tiffany said.

“No, we are all done,” Stone said. “Good night, Tiffany.”

“Yes, Tiffany,” Carly said. “Good night.” She waited until she heard the outside door close before she spoke again. “Oh, good. I was afraid I’d have to help you fight her off, Stone.”

“Your fears were well-founded.”

“An old flame? Or perhaps, torch?”

“And one difficult to stanch,” Stone replied. “I made the error once of giving her a key to the house. I had to have the locks changed.”

“Well, that was a mistake.”

“You have no idea.”

“Then I bid you good night,” Carly said, rising. “Call me, if you need reinforcements.” She got up and left.