Page 19 of Near Miss

“No, I’m under doctor’s orders not to go out. He’s afraid I’ll fall down and hurt myself.”

“That’s always a consideration when you drink that 100 proof bourbon you like so much.”

“Come over here for dinner, and bring Viv.”

“All right, see you then.”

Joe Rouche called Trench Molder.

“What have you got for me?” Trench asked.

“Nothing too alarming. Thomas David Bozeman, thirty-two years old, very physically fit—not unusual, given his work. A couple of arrests, one of them for clocking a woman in a restaurant, the other for winning a bar fight. He’s thought, by those who know him best, to be reliable and a pretty good guy. The athletic club promoted him to Huff’s job, and they wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t been okay. Their members don’t like trash working there. There’s been some grumbling about Huff’s use of the blackjack, and Bozo won’t have that. Generally speaking, he does what he says he’ll do, so he’s viewed as trustworthy by those who know him.”

“Okay,” Trench said, “good to know. My man will send you a check.” He hung up and looked at his calendar. Too soon for another shot at Barrington, he thought. He would wait until the memory of Huff’s blackjack faded.

Viv held Stone’s chin in her hands and looked into his eyes. “You’re not well,” she said. “Not yet.”

“Funny, that’s what the doctor says, too, and it’s why we’re dining in.”

He started to rise, but she pushed him back into the sofa. “I’ll get the drinks. You just sit there and look pretty.”

“Whatever you say,” Stone replied.

Dino looked at him closely, too. “She’s right,” he said.

“She usually is,” Stone agreed. “Look, I’m taking her advice.”

“That’s a smart move. Otherwise, she’ll beat you up.”

Chapter 13

Stone nodded off over brandy and had to be taken upstairs by Dino, using the elevator. There he delivered Stone to the tender mercies of Matilda, who got him into a nightshirt, his favorite mode of dress at bedtime when he wasn’t naked for a good reason.

Matilda slept next to him, checking his inert form every time she rolled over. He was always the same.

Stone woke, rested and clearheaded for the first time since suffering the blow. Matilda was nowhere to be found. He had breakfast in bed, read theTimes, and did the crossword. Finally, he got to his feet and walked around without falling down or bumping into anything. He shaved and took a shower without either cutting his throat or slipping on the wet tiles. Finally, hegot dressed and walked downstairs to his office, just as if he were perfectly well.

“You look perfectly well,” Joan said, when she came to inspect him.

“Thank you, that’s exactly how I feel, just don’t hit me over the head with anything.”

“I’ll try to avoid that.” His phone rang, and Joan answered it at his desk. “Surprise,” she said, “Dino on one.”

Stone picked up. “Good morning.”

“You sound—I don’t know, normal,” Dino said.

“And that’s how I feel.”

“Dinner tonight, Clarke’s?”

“See you then. Viv?”

“Maybe. Matilda?”

“Maybe. I haven’t seen her this morning.”

“Whatever.” Dino hung up.

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