“And has he found attacking men twice his size a profitable activity?”
“He hits unexpectedly, then runs, and he can run very fast.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Stone said, taking another sip. “Anything else?”
“He’s also capable of hiring people to do his dirty work for him. A couple of weeks ago, I was followed out of a restaurant I used to frequent by two men, and it was obvious what they had on their minds. Fortunately, I made it into a cab before they got to me, and I lost them. This is why I don’t want Devlin to know where I’m living. These days, I make it a rule not to go anywhere I usually go. I’ve even dropped two clients that he knew about, because I was afraid I’d come out of their buildings and find Devlin or those two men waiting for me.”
“I think that’s very wise,” Stone said. “Our next move is to get a temporary restraining order against him.”
“I told you before, that won’t stop him.”
“It often doesn’t stop the aggressor, but violating it has legal consequences up to and including jail time, depending on how pissed off the judge is.”
“All right, if you think that’s best.”
“I do. Tell me, can you take a couple of weeks off work without going broke?”
“I suppose so. Why?”
“I think it’s best if we get you out of town for a little while, during which time we can let this business play out.” He took a slim leather notebook from his pocket, placed it on the table and gave her a pen. “Give me Devlin’s address and phone number.”
She wrote it down.
“What sort of daily schedule does he keep?”
“He works in his loft, so he’s usually there during the day. In the evenings he goes out, often to a bar called Crackers and a restaurant called Emile’s, both downtown.”
“Anyplace else he frequents?”
“Wherever I am. When he knew where to find me, he used to devote a good part of his day to tracking me down, then following me around, just to let me know he was still after me. It was unnerving, because I never knew when he might cause a scene in some public place or even attack me.”
“That’s good to know about,” Stone said. “I’ll put it in your petition for the TRO.”
“Will I have to appear in court?”
“No, I can represent you.”
“Oh, good. I don’t want to see Devlin, even in court.”
The waiter brought menus, and they devoted themselves to choosing among the dishes.
Stone signed the check. “Ready?”
“Would you do me a favor?” she asked.
“Sure.”
“Would you take a look outside and make sure he’s not out there?”
“If it would make you feel better.”
“It would.”
“I’ll be right back.” Stone slid out of the banquette, walked to the front door and went outside. He looked up and down Madison Avenue. Traffic was light. A car was double-parked in front of the building next door, and two bored-looking men sat in the front seat.
Stone hailed a cab. “Start your meter. I’ll be right back,” he said to the driver. He went back inside and got Celia. “There are two men waiting in a car outside, and there’s no back way out of here, so we’re just going to have to brazen it out the front way.”
“Whatever you say.”
He led her outside and got her quickly into the cab. “Take your next left, then left again on Fifth Avenue,” he said to the driver. He positioned himself so that he could see the rearview mirror.
The car with the two men followed.
25
Celia looked over her shoulder. “It’s the same two men,” she said.
Stone dug in his pocket and handed the cabbie a hundred-dollar bill. “Do you think you can lose the car with the two guys behind us?”
The cabbie glanced in his rearview mirror, then grabbed the hundred. “I’ll do my best,” he said.
They were on Fifth Avenue now. “Turn right onto Central Park South, then turn into the park at Sixth Avenue,” Stone said.
The cabbie raced up Central Park South, but there was a red light at the corner of Sixth Avenue.
“Run it,” Stone said, “and turn into the park.”
“The park’s closed,” the cabbie said, pointing. “There’s a sign.”
“We could use a cop right now. Do it, and I’ll square it with the cops.”
The cabbie ran the light and turned into Central Park. The car behind them followed.
“Is there a tire iron in the trunk?” Stone asked.
“There’s a tire iron right here,” the cabbie said, reaching down to the floor and handing Stone the steel tool.
“Brake hard and pull over here,” Stone said. “I’m getting out of the car, and if I whistle loudly, get the hell out of here and find a cop.”
The cabbie stood on the brakes and ran the cab up onto the curb. The car behind followed, nearly rear-ending the cab. Stone got out and, clutching the tire iron, advanced on the car. He yanked the driver’s door open, grabbed the driver and pulled him into the street.
The man’s companion got out the passenger door and leveled a snub-nosed revolver at Stone. “Freeze, police!” he yelled.
Stone flashed his own badge. “Yeah? If you’re on the job, what are you doing harassing an innocent woman for money?”
The driver of the car struggled to his feet. “You just assaulted a police officer, pal.”
Stone put away his badge and took out his cell phone, punching a speed-dial button.
“Bacchetti,” Dino said. “This better be good.”
“Lieutenant? This is Stone Barrington. I’ve got two deadbeat cops here who are moonlighting as muscle for a probable felon, and…” He stopped. The two men were back in their car, backing up very fast, then spinning a hundred and eighty degrees and heading the wrong way up the park drive. “Never mind, Dino,” Stone said.
“What the hell is going on?”
“I was being followed by two off-duty cops who’re working for a former friend of Celia’s trying to give her a hard time.”
“Did you get their names?”
“No, but I will next time.”
“You all right?”
“I’m fine. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Stone hung up, got back in the cab and gave the driver Celia’s temporary Park Avenue address.
“Are they gone for good?” Celia asked.
“I doubt it, but they’re gone for now.” They made their way back to Park Avenue, and the cab stopped. “I want you to go pack enough stuff for a week, jeans and like that; you won’t need a cocktail dress. I’m going to go get my car, and I’ll be back here in half an hour. I want you downstairs with your luggage, waiting, all right?”
“Where are we going?”
“I’ll explain when we’re on the way.”
“All right.” She got out of the cab and ran for the door.
“You did good,” Stone said to the cabbie, then gave him his address.
“That was kind of fun,” the cabbie said. “Who were the two guys?”
“A couple of bad cops working for a bad guy.”
“I hope they didn’t get my cab number.”
“Don’t worry, they weren’t interested in you.”
Stone left Joan a note, saying he’d be back in a day or two, and not to tell anyone but Dino where he’d gone, then he got into his car, drove out of the garage and uptown. He didn’t need to pack a bag. He watched for tails all the way.
The doorman at Celia’s building walked her out of the building and put her luggage in the trunk. She got into the passenger seat. “All right, where are we going?”
“You can’t call anybody,” Stone said.
“I’ll have some appointments to break in the morning.”
“I have a little house in Washington, Connecticut, where you’ll be safe. It’ll take us an hour and forty-five minutes to get there.”
“How long am I going to have to stay there?”
“Until I can get your TRO and do some assessing of the threat.”
“I know the threat; you don’t have to assess it.”