Naked Greed

Stone took the drink and raised his glass to Dino. “Why don’t we go and talk to somebody else,” Stone said, taking Hank’s arm and steering her toward the grand piano, “like each other?”

“What a good idea,” she said, “and accompanied by good jazz.”

“I understand you’ve just arrived in our city,” Stone said.

“Only a couple of weeks ago.”

“Have you found a place to live?”

“Dad has kept an apartment here for several years. I’m camping there, until I can find time to look for a place of my own.”

“I suppose you don’t have much time for anything but work.”

“Oh, I can be tempted.”

“Temptation is one of the things I do best,” Stone said.

“What are the others?” she asked.

—

Ryan and Sylvia woke from a sex-induced nap. “We’re half an hour late for di

“Are you sure you want to go down for di

“I need the rest,” he said, and rebooked their table. He got up and began dressing. He took a holster containing a small 9mm semiautomatic and snapped it to his belt.

“Do you always carry?” she asked, getting into her clothes.

“Nearly always,” he replied. “I was a cop for a long time, and I got used to it. I feel naked without a piece.”

“I know the feeling,” she said. “I was carrying on the train, but today I had to fly. I couldn’t even bring a switchblade.”

“Jesus, you carry a knife? What have I got myself into here?”

“You’re into a lady who knows how to protect herself. In my business you never know when a mark is going to turn bad on you. Don’t worry, I’ve only had to knife one guy, and just enough to teach him some ma

They took the elevator to the lobby and walked into the dining room, where they were seated immediately.

—

One of Dino’s two detectives for the event was seated in the lobby, reading the Post. He reached for his cell phone and made a call.

—

Upstairs, Dino’s phone went off; he checked the caller ID before stepping out of a group and answering. “Talk fast,” he said.

“Boss, I just saw Gene Ryan walk into the hotel dining room with a woman. Should I take him?”

“Not alone,” Dino said. “Call for backup, but only plainclothes, no fuss. Take him when he leaves the dining room and get him into a car fast. And be careful, he’s probably packing.”

He hung up and rejoined his group, passing Stone on the way. “Maybe you’re not crazy,” he said.

“Huh?” But Dino was quickly in conversation with a couple.

“Did Dino say you’re not crazy?” Hank asked.

“That’s what passes for a compliment from Dino.”

Henry Hasker called for silence, welcomed the crowd, and introduced Dino. Dino gave them ten minutes on the NYPD and how well-protected they were in his city. Mike Freeman had arrived, so Dino also told them how important private security was and how he looked upon them as an extension of his department.

After Dino finished, people started to leave, as if on command, and shortly, di

The suite contained a handsome dining room and a beautifully set table.

Dino stepped aside and called his detective. “What’s happening?”

“Backup is here—we’re waiting for Ryan to finish his di

“Keep it as quiet as you can,” Dino said.

Stone approached. “What’s going on?”

“Are you carrying?”

“Not tonight.”

“Then take a tip and stay as far as you can from me.” Dino went and took his place at the table without another word.

Stone sat between Viv and Hank. Viv leaned over and said, “The next time Dino describes a woman as a camel, I’ll know what he means.”

Stone laughed. He turned to Hank. “We were talking about you—don’t worry, it was nice.”

“Are you married?” Hank asked.

“Widowed. What about you?”

“Divorced. I’m sorry for your loss. Was your wife ill for long?”

“She died from a gunshot wound—a repelled suitor.”

“Any children?”

“A grown son, but he was raised mostly by his mother and stepfather. We didn’t become close until after the gentleman’s death and my reacquaintance with his mother.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“It is. I’ll explain it to you when we have more time.”

“What does your son do?”

“He’s a film director and producer.”

“Not Peter Barrington.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen a couple of his films. He’s very talented.”

“He and Dino’s son, Ben, are partners in a production company based at Centurion Studios, in L.A.”

“I’d like to meet him sometime. I’m interested in film—or rather, film people—as an investment opportunity.”

“Then Peter would be a waste of your time. His stepfather was the actor Vance Calder, and as a result, Peter has a large inheritance and is a major stockholder in Centurion. He’s probably a freer agent than anybody in Hollywood.”

“Then perhaps I should meet him as a prospective investment client.”

“I’m afraid that wouldn’t be a good use of your time, either. Peter is very well advised on all fronts, and he doesn’t have much personal interest in finance, except with regard to film.”

“It sounds as if the Barrington men are impervious.”

“This Barrington certainly isn’t.”

She smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Where do you suggest I look for an apartment?”

“If you’re into hip or cool or whatever the latest thing is these days, go downtown. If not, the Upper East Side might be more comfortable for you. How much space do you need?”

“Well, as a single girl, not so much, but as a businesswoman, quite a lot. I expect to do some entertaining.”

“I’ll give you the names of a couple of brokers when we meet again.”

“And when would that be?”

“It can’t come soon enough for me. How about tomorrow night?”

“Love to.”

“Come to di

“Are you a good cook?”

“I am. I have a repertoire of three or four dishes, and I do those well. Beyond that I’m just a diner and a chooser of wines.” He slipped a card into her hand. “Seven o’clock?”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“As will I.”

“You’re an interesting man, Stone.”

“How would you know that? We’ve just met—you know only that I’m widowed, have a son, and cook a few dishes.”

“I’m not without my sources. I also know that you’re a retired policeman, that you fly your own airplane, and that your mother was a well-known painter. I expect you know a good deal less about me.”

“You’re quite right. Until this afternoon I didn’t know you existed, and then I had to deal with some misinformation.”

“Misinformation?”

“From Dino, but I’m accustomed to that. However, what I’ve seen and heard impresses me and makes me want to know more.”

“Are you interested in investments, then?”

“Not very much.”

“Then what does interest you?”

“That remains to be seen, starting tomorrow evening.”

“How shall I dress?”

“Comfortably.”

The di

“May I give you a lift somewhere?” Stone asked Hank.

“I’m at the Waldorf,” she said.

“That’s on my way.”

They followed the Bacchettis down the hall to the elevators.