Worst Fears Realized

neatly on top, with a note saying,SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.
    Stone sat down heavily at her desk, found her phone book and her sister’s number. He broke the news as gently as he could and said he’d be glad to see to the arrangements. The woman thanked him and said that her brother-in-law was a mortician and she’d have him take care of it. Stone expressed his condolences and told the woman how loyal and valuable Alma had been to him and how much he would miss her. Finally, he was able to hang up, drained from the experience. The phone rang almost immediately.
    “Stone Barrington,” he said.
    “Morning, Stone, it’s Frank Maddox,” a man’s voice said. Maddox was the attorney for the insurance company Stone was suing.
    “Yes, Frank?”

    “My client has authorized me to offer your client half a million dollars.”
    “Unacceptable,” Stone said. He had already thought out his strategy in responding to an offer. “I’m ready to go to trial.” He was anything but ready, he thought. “I’ll pass your offer on to my client, but with a strong recommendation that it be rejected.”
    Maddox sighed. “What’s it going to take, Stone? Give me a realistic number, and I’ll go back to my client.”
    “It’s going to take a million dollars, plus a three-hundred-thousand-dollar attorney’s fee, and that’s bottom line, Frank. Don’t bother with a counteroffer; just show up in court tomorrow.”
    “Hold on, Stone.” Maddox punched theHOLD button.
    Stone waited. Maddox was obviously with his client.
    Shortly, the lawyer came back on. “Done,” he said.
    “I’ll want your check by close of business today,” Stone said. “I’m not canceling our court date until the money is in the bank.”
    “I think I can arrange that,” Maddox said. “I’ll messenger it over to your office this afternoon.”
    “Send it to Bill Eggers at Woodman and Weld,” Stone said. “I may be out this afternoon, and my secretary isn’t in today.”
    “Fine; I’ll include the usual release.” Maddox hung up.
    Stone called Woodman & Weld and asked for Bill Eggers, the managing partner.
    “Bill Eggers.”

    “Bill, it’s Stone.”
    “Morning, Stone. You going to trial tomorrow?”
    “They’ve just settled for a million, plus my fee. The check is coming to you this afternoon. Will you let the client know? I’d call her myself, but it’s a very bad day.”
    “Sure, I’ll call her. I think it’s a hell of a settlement. What’s wrong?”
    “Alma was attacked on the street last night, after leaving work; she died this morning.”
    “Oh, Jesus, Stone, I’m so sorry. I know how close you were.”
    “Yeah, I’m pretty shaken. I think I’m just going to shut down the phones and take the day.”
    “You do that. You want me to find somebody to help you out with the work? I can speak to our personnel director.”
    “Thanks, I’d appreciate that,” Stone said. “But don’t send anybody until tomorrow.”
    “Fine. Again, I’m sorry, Stone. You take it easy.”
    “Thanks, Bill.” Stone hung up. He should have been elated at the settlement and a rich fee, but he felt nothing but depression. Two women he knew, one of whom he had been very close to, had been murdered within twelve hours of each other. He switched on his answering machine and recorded a new message. “This is Stone Barrington. I won’t be taking any calls today, but if you’ll leave a message, I’ll return your call tomorrow.”
    He trudged back upstairs, switched off his phone, and fell into bed, exhausted.

5
    STONE GOT UP AS DARKNESS WAS FALLING.He got into some khaki trousers, a shirt, and some moccasins, then went to the kitchenette in the master suite and made himself a cup of tea, with a large dollop of honey. He took the mug down one floor to his study and sat in one of a pair of wing chairs before the window overlooking the garden. The doorbell rang; Stone picked up the phone beside his chair. “Yes?”
    “It’s Dino.”
    “Come on in; I’m in the study.” He pressed the button on the phone that opened the front door.
    Dino walked into the study and threw his coat on the sofa.
    “Hi. Want a cup of tea?”
    “I want a cup of scotch,” Dino replied.
    “Help yourself.”
    Dino went to the little wet bar concealed behind apanel and fixed himself a scotch on the rocks, then came and sat down in the chair next to Stone’s. “How about some lights?” Dino said.
    “I like it this way at dusk,” Stone replied. “Leave it for a