Scandalous Behavior - читать бесплатно онлайн полную версию книги автора Stuart Woods (59) #59

59

Stone lingered over a second cup of coffee after the inspector’s departure, and he was shortly joined by Billy Barnett, who poured himself a cup and sat down.

“I have news,” Billy said, handing Stone a copy of the International New York Times, open to page seven.

Stone picked up the newspaper and read the headline:

TV EVANGELIST & WIFE DIE IN RIO SHOOTING

He read on:

Dr. Don Beverly Calhoun, a television evangelist, was found in his Rio de Janeiro penthouse apartment, along with his wife, Cheree, both shot to death. Police said he had been expecting a visitor, who went up to the apartment then left again minutes before a housemaid discovered the bodies. The man was described as heavyset, tall, and with a mustache and horn-rimmed glasses. He was not seen again after leaving the building, and a search is under way for him. The motive was thought to be robbery, but as yet nothing has been found missing from the apartment.

“Sounds like our visitor,” Stone said.

“Doesn’t it? Bar the mustache, of course.”

“Did you have any involvement in this, Billy?”

Billy did not answer the question directly. “My theory is that Dr. Don, on learning that Al Junior had failed in his mission, demanded his money back. Al probably believed that a better way to settle the debt was to eliminate the debt holder.”

Stone nodded. “Makes sense. I seem to remember that Dino told me that the police, when they searched Dr. Don’s New York apartment, found a large sum of cash in his safe.”

“I remember that, too — eight hundred thousand, wasn’t it?”

“I believe so.”

“The article mentions that nothing was found missing from the apartment, but it fails to mention anything being found, either.”

“Are the police looking for Al Junior?”

“I don’t see why they should. I haven’t heard anyone mention a connection between him and Dr. Don. Also, it’s well known that the United States and Brazil do not have an extradition treaty, and that works both ways.”

“Is Al Junior any kind of threat to us?”

“I don’t think so. Al Junior works under contract, and he no longer has an employer with any interest in you or yours.”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, whoever assisted Dr. Don into the next life has done the world a favor,” Stone said.

“I tend to agree. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Agreed. What are your plans now that you’ve wrapped the film?”

“I suppose we’ll all go back to L.A. shortly. I understand from Peter that Ben and Centurion Studios are having talks about his replacing the retiring CEO as head of the studio.”

“Then I’m glad Peter has you to back him up.”

“And I’m glad to be able to help him. I find the work very satisfying. What are your plans?”

“I think I’m going to have to get back to New York and repair some bridges with Woodman & Weld, who seem to think I have spent too much time here of late.”

“It’s nice to be needed,” Billy observed.

“That remains to be seen,” Stone replied. “I like it here so much that I’m afraid New York won’t satisfy me the way it always has.”

“Do I detect a midlife crisis in the offing?”

“That remains to be seen,” Stone said. “Dino and Viv are returning for the wedding, and when that’s over, we’ll all be on our way back.”

“And Susan Blackburn?”

“She can’t be parted from her expanding business.”

“Oh, well.”

“Oh, well, indeed.”