Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 12

a cabinetmaker and furniture maker in New York.”
    Rhinehart looked thoughtful. “Not Malon Barrington?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’ve seen some of his work. He was as good as they come.”
    Stone wondered if he’d seen that work in people’s homes, after breaking in. “You said you liked Dick?”
    â€œI did. He was easy to work with, and he paid on time. He understood what we were doing for him and how good the work was.”
    â€œWould you like to do something for Dick?” Stone asked.
    â€œWhat could I do for him now?” Rhinehart asked, as they reached the front door.
    â€œYou could break into his house,” Stone said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI want to know how hard it is. You know the place.”
    â€œI know he has an elaborate security system,” Rhinehart said. “A bunch of guys from out of the state were just beginning to install it when we were finishing the study.”
    â€œWill you come and take a look?” Stone said. “I’d really like your opinion; it might help me learn who killed Dick.”
    â€œSince you put it that way,” Rhinehart said. Stone shook his hand. “After work?” “Around six.”
    â€œSee you then.” Stone led Dino out of the place.

22
    D INO WAS FUMING as they drove away from the cabinet shop.
    â€œJesus, I’m glad you’re not a cop anymore. You’ve gone all squishy soft. We might have gotten something out of him.”
    â€œNo, we wouldn’t,” Stone said. “He was trying to be cooperative, against his better instincts, and I didn’t want to piss him off.”
    â€œWhy the hell should you care if you piss him off?”
    â€œBecause it’s a small island, and I might need some cabinetwork done someday. And because we need him.”
    â€œWhat, that business about breaking into Dick’s house?”
    â€œYou know anybody more qualified?”
    â€œNow that you mentioned it, no,” Dino replied, settling down a little. “Of course, it’s a perfect opportunity for him to case the place in preparation for a later visit, maybe in the winter, when you’re not here.”
    â€œNo, Rhinehart has too much to lose. He’s got a new life now and, apparently, a good one. He’s not going to piss in his own well.”
    â€œOh, all right,” Dino said. “I never could talk to you when you get this way.”
    Â 
    RHINEHART SHOWED UP at six, when Stone and Dino were having a drink in the study.
    â€œWould you like a drink, Hal?”
    â€œThanks, no. I’d better get started. I’m going to go outside, and I want you to go through the house and make sure that every window and door is closed and locked, then turn on the alarm system.” He turned and left.
    â€œYou take the upstairs,” Stone said to Dino, then headed for the kitchen. He went around the ground floor, checking and locking windows and doors, then went to the front door, tapped in the alarm code, then back to the study and his drink. Dino was already there. He had barely sat down when he looked up to see Hal Rhinehart standing in the doorway.
    â€œHow the hell did you get in?” Dino asked.
    â€œUpstairs bathroom window on the south side,” Rhinehart said.
    â€œWhat are you, a human fly?”
    â€œNo, the climbing part was easy; there was a ladder leaning against the house.”
    Stone looked at Dino. “I believe that was one of your windows,” he said. “You want to go close it and double-check the others?”
    Dino got up and stalked from the room.
    Rhinehart crooked a finger. “Come here, I want to show you something.” He led Stone to the keypad by the front door, then opened the door. “Tap in the code,” he said, looking away.
    Stone tapped in the code.
    â€œNow look at the little screen on the keypad. What does it say?”
    Stone peered at the screen. “Front door open,” he said.
    â€œBefore, it would have said ‘Upstairs bathroom window open.’ And the alarm won’t arm if there’s something open. The house has to be sealed tight.”
    Dino came back downstairs. “All right, everything’s closed.”
    â€œI’m going outside again,” Rhinehart said. “Arm the alarm.”
    Stone did so, then returned to the study with Dino. They had finished their drinks when the front doorbell rang. He went and let Rhinehart in. “Will