Dirt

Tommy told his sister, anyway.”
    “What I don’t understand is why they beat you up so bad.”
    “I told them I fucked their sister.”
    “Oh, you
wanted
them to kick the shit out of you.”
    “You ought to see the other guy. He should have a door sticking out of his forehead; I kicked it in on him.”
    “Great, that’ll really help nail them for battery, you kicking in the door of their room.”
    The door opened and Arrington walked in, carrying two large suitcases. She dropped them and rushed over to the bed. “Is he dead?” she asked Dino.
    “Not yet.”
    “I’m just fine,” Stone said.
    “Oh, sure.”
    “It was just some bruising and a couple of cuts.” He tried to sit up, but winced with pain. “And a couple of ribs. What are the bags for? Are you going somewhere?”
    “I’m moving in with you,” Arrington said.
    “I thought you already had, pretty much.”
    “The difference between ‘pretty much’ and moving in is two suitcases.”
    “Oh.”
    “If it were Mary Ann,” Dino said, “it would be two moving vans. That’s what it’s going to take to cart our stuff up to Sixty-sixth Street.”
    “The doctor says you’re going to need two or three days in the hospital,” Arrington said.
    “Fat chance.”
    “You’re not going to get out of here talking like that. They said they’d let me take you home tomorrow, if I promised to keep you in bed.”
    “Promise them anything.”
    “Well,” said Dino, “I think my work here is done.”
    “Thanks, Dino,” Stone said. “You’d better find those guys before I do.”
    Dino threw up his hands. “I didn’t hear that,” he said, walking out of the room.
    Arrington pulled a chair up to the bed. “What am I going to do with you?” she said.
    “Take me home at the earliest possible moment, that’s what.”
    “I’m so sorry I got you involved with Jonathan.”
    “His name is Tommy Bruce, and you didn’t get me involved; Amanda Dart did.”
    “And I’m very sorry, too,” Amanda said from the door.
    “Not your fault, Amanda,” Stone said. “Take a pew. How did you know I was here?”
    “I have a source in the emergency room,” she replied. “Arrington, I know this is a terrible imposition, but may I speak to Stone alone for just a moment?”
    “Sure, I need some coffee, anyway,” Arrington replied, then left.
    Amanda settled herself in the bedside chair. “How badly are you hurt?”
    “Only superficially. I plan to get back on the horse tomorrow.”
    “Stone, I asked you to drop this investigation.”
    “Don’t worry, Amanda, it’s not costing you a dime.”
    “I resent that.”
    “Sorry, I guess I’m a little irritable today.”
    “Dick Hickock and I don’t want anything else done on this, do you understand?”
    “Quite frankly, no; would you explain that to me? A couple of weeks ago you were both nuts to find these guys.”
    “We got over it.”
    “Amanda, don’t you think it’s a little out of character for you to get over something like this?”
    “I know when to cut my losses.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t.”
    “You’re going to keep looking for these people, then?”
    “As soon as I can walk upright and make a fist. In the meantime, the police are looking for them.”
    Amanda made a small noise.
    “What?”
    “Is there anything I can get you?” she asked.
    “I’m fine, thanks.”
    “I hope you won’t continue this,” she said, standing.
    “You can always hope.”
    “Believe me, it’s not in your interests to do so.”
    “Amanda, do you know what these guys want?”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “Does Hickock?”
    “Not to my knowledge.”
    “They’re looking to make some big money; are you buying them off?”
    “No.”
    “Is Hickock?”
    “He’s said nothing to me about it. Look, Stone, Dick has dropped the girlfriend, and he and his wife have managed to patch things up. Don’t go pulling the scabs off their wounds.” “I’ll be as discreet as I possibly can,” Stone said.
    “Thanks for that, anyway.”
    “Thanks for coming to see me.”
    “Good-bye, Stone.”
     
     
    From her car, Amanda called Dick Hickock. “He’s not going to give it up,” she said.
    “That’s his misfortune,” Hickock replied, then hung up.
     
Chapter 54
     
    Tommy and Charlie Bruce spent the afternoon and evening in the movies, seeing four features in three theaters, their luggage on the seats beside them, not venturing onto the streets until after dark. They ate a late dinner at the back