Dirt

by Stuart Woods

  Stone punched the flashing button. “Hello?”

  “Hi, remember me?” she asked cheerfully.

  “Of course.”

  “You said to call you if I thought somebody might be following me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, somebody is.”

  “Where are you calling from?”

  “My apartment.”

  “Let’s not meet there.”

  “How about the Oak Bar at the Plaza in an hour?” she asked.

  Chapter 26

  She got there first. When he entered the high-ceilinged, dark-paneled room she was sitting at a window table wearing a gorgeous fur coat, a Perrier before her, looking out the window. It was early yet, and except for the bartender and a waiter, the two of them were alone in the big room. Stone sat down.

  She rewarded him with a broad smile. “How are you?”

  “Very well; and you?”

  “I’m just fine. Sorry to get you out on such short notice.”

  “Not to worry; I’m at your beck and call.”

  She liked that. “How nice.”

  The waiter approached. “I’ll have one of the same,” Stone said, nodding at the Perrier. They made small talk until the drink came. “Now,” Stone said, “tell me about it.”

  “I was at Bloomingdale’s yesterday afternoon when I saw him. I was browsing in several departments, and whenever I looked up, he was there.”

  “What did he look like?” Stone asked.

  “Tall.”

  “How tall?”

  “Not as tall as you.”

  “I’m six-two,”

  “Six feet, then.”

  “How built?”

  “Slender.”

  “Hair?”

  “Light brown, tending to be sun-bleached at the ends. Collar-length.”

  “Clothes?”

  “Fashionable. A long raincoat, below the knee.”

  “Describe his face.”

  “Long, straight nose, eyes a little close together, strong jaw, wide mouth, full lips.”

  “That’s very good,” Stone said, impressed.

  “I can do better,” she said, bending down and taking a copy of Vanity Fair from a large purse. She put the magazine on the table, flipped through the early pages and turned it toward Stone. “That’s real close,” she said, tapping a full-page photograph. “It’s not him, but it’s real close.”

  It was an ad for a men’s cologne, and the model fit her description perfectly.

  “You’re sure it’s not him?”

  “I’m sure. I don’t make mistakes about men as good-looking as that. The guy who followed me could be doing that kind of work for a living.”

  “Modeling?”

  “Or acting, or both. He’s the type who turns up in classes at mediocre acting schools.”

  “Did he follow you when you left Bloomingdale’s?”

  “Yes. I walked home, and he was with me all the way. At first, I thought he was just interested, you know? But he never approached me, always stayed well back. A couple of times he was on the opposite side of the street, but he was always there. When I got home I looked out the window, and he was half a block down the street, watching.”

  “When did you last see him?”

  She glanced at her watch. “Ten minutes ago.”

  Stone sat up straight. “He followed you here?”

  “Yep. He was out there this morning. Change of clothes, but the same raincoat.”

  They were only a couple of feet above the sidewalk. “Do you see him now?”

  “Nope, but he was down that way a couple of minutes ago.” She pointed toward Fifth Avenue.

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” Stone said. “Don’t leave.”

  He left the room and walked outside. Traffic was heavy on the sidewalk. Stone walked purposefully, west on Central Park South as far as the corner of Sixth Avenue, then all the way back to the front of the Plaza, checking every face coming and going. Nothing. He entered the hotel by the front door and made a sweep of the hallways and the Palm Court, but the man was not in sight. He returned to the Oak Room.

  Tiffany was still at the table, but the Perriers had been replaced by two martinis. “I switched,” she said. “I ordered one for you, too.”

  Stone fingered the glass, but did not pick it up. “It’s a little early for me,” he said.

  “Then leave it; I’ll drink it.”

  “Have you told Dick about this man?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Tell him, but don’t use the phone in your apartment; it may be bugged.”

  “Dick was always careful about that.” She pulled a tiny cellular phone from her coat pocket. “That’s why he gave me this.”

  “Be careful, even using that, and don’t see him until I get a handle on this.”

  “He won’t like that,” she said with a small smile, taking a large swig from her martini.

  “I’ll talk to him. In fact, can I borrow your phone?”

  She handed it over.

  “What’s his number?”

  She gave it to him. “That’s his cellular. Let it ring once, then hang up; that’s our signal. He’ll call back as soon as he can.”

  Stone followed her instructions, then set the little phone on the table. “How long will he take?”

  “Depends; if he’s in a meeting, it could be a while.”

  Stone eyed the martini but didn’t pick it up.

  “Oh, go on; it’s good for you. There was an article in the Times this morning, said it’s good for you.”

  “I’ve got to keep a clear head,” Stone said.

  She leaned forward, and her cleavage made an entertaining sight. “A clear head is not always an advantage,” she said.

  Stone managed a chuckle.

  “Tell me about you,” she said.

  “Not much to tell.”

  “Are you seeing anybody?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

  She looked disappointed. “Pity.”

  “It’s flattering that you think so.”

  “I spend so much time alone,” she said. “Quite frankly, Stone, I’d like some company.”

  The phone rang, and Stone silently thanked God. “You answer,” he said, “then I’ll talk to him.”

  She picked up the phone and punched a button. “Hey,” she breathed. She listened for a moment, then smiled. “I’d really love to, but someone sitting here says we shouldn’t. I’ll put him on.” She handed the phone across the table.

  “It’s Stone.”

  “What the hell are you doing with her?” Hickock demanded.

  “Someone has been following her, and I’m checking it out.”

  “Following her? Oh, God.”

  “Exactly. And I have to tell you that someone is likely to be following you in very short order.”

  “What do you know that I don’t know?”

  “Your wife is considering divorce.”

  “How do you know that when I don’t know that?” he demanded.

  “I can’t go into that, but it’s a fact. For God’s sake, don’t let her know that you know; just play it out, and for the time being, don’t go anywhere near the young lady or her apartment.”

  There was a groan from the other end of the phone.

  “I know that’s tough, but it’ll be tougher still if you’re seen together. I’m going to send someone over to her apartment to find out if there’s any electronic surveillance in the building.”

  “If there is, can you get rid of it?”

  “If there is, I’m going to leave it in place. As long as we know it’s there, it can’t hurt, and it could be useful.”

  “I’ve got to see her,” Hickock said, and he sounded pathetic.

  “Please take my advice, and don’t. And it would be best if you didn’t talk on the cellular phone, either, unless you’re willing to be overheard. It’s not that tough to listen in.”

  “How long is this going to last?”


  “Until either your wife tells you she wants a divorce, or until you make up with her.”

  “God. Listen, I appreciate this.”

  “I know it’s going to be tough, but you could make a bad situation a lot worse.”

  “I understand. Let me speak to her.”

  Stone handed the phone to Tiffany.

  “Hey, baby,” she said. “I’m so sorry. Yes, I know, I feel exactly the same way, but maybe our friend has a point.”

  Stone drew a finger across his throat.

  “He says we have to hang up. I hope I’ll see you before very long. Me, too.” She broke the connection and put the phone back into the pocket of the fur. “Well, I guess it’s just you and me,” she said.

  “Oh, no, it isn’t,” Stone replied. “I don’t know if we’ve already been seen together, but if we are it will just complicate the situation. Now we’ve got two problems – the scandal sheet and Dick’s wife, and both are very dangerous for Dick.” He pushed the martini across the table. “I have to leave now. If you see the guy again, call me immediately, and I’ll see if I can have a word with him.” He scribbled a number on a card and handed it to her. “This is my cellular number; I don’t usually carry it around, but I’ll start.” She looked awful, and he felt sorry for her. “You going to be okay?” he asked.

  “No,” she said, “but I guess there’s nothing to be done about it.” She took a key from her bag and pushed it across the table. “You’ll need this if you’re going to check out my apartment. Or for any other reason you’d like to use it.”

  “I hope this won’t last too long.”

  “You hope,” she said, and her eyes filled with tears.

  “I’ll give you some advice,” he said, “and don’t tell Dick I said this to you. Get yourself a boyfriend, even if only temporarily. If Dick’s wife puts somebody on you, it’ll look a lot better. And,” he said, “you’ll have a lot more fun.”

  She managed a small smile. “You know how a girl thinks,” she said.

  I wish to God I did, he thought. He left some money on the table and left the girl sitting alone in the room, which was now beginning to fill with the noontime trade. He didn’t think she’d be alone for very long.

  Chapter 27

  Stone called Dino after lunch. “Who’s your tech these days?” he asked.

  “Don’t say that over the goddamned telephone,” Dino said, sounding tense. “We’ll talk in person; you free for dinner?”

  “Yes.”

  “Eight-thirty at Elaine’s; I’ll book.”

  Dino was a little touchy, Stone thought. The detectives always had a guy around who could do illegal technical work – tapping, bugging – when they couldn’t get the job done any other way.

  He worked on cases through the afternoon, having a sandwich at his desk, and just after six, when he was almost done for the day, the phone rang.

  “It’s me,” Arrington said.

  “Hello there.”

  “I understand you’ve been hanging out with Dick Hickock’s girlfriend.”

  “Oh? What makes you say that?”

  “Have you checked your fax machine lately?”

  “Hang on.” Stone went to the closet where the machine was kept and found a single sheet there.

  DIRT

  Greetings, earthlings! The plot thickens: Gorgeous Tiffany Potts, who has lately been the favorite plaything of Richard Hickock, was seen today tête-à-tête with shyster/shamus Stone Barrington, over martinis at the Oak Bar. Looks as though Dickie may have been inattentive to poor Tiff lately, which is just as well, because his dear wife, Glynnis, is on the warpath, Informed of her husband’s dalliance by us, she is Taking Steps.

  Stay tuned for more!

  Stone picked up the phone. “It was strictly business,” he said.

  “That’s what they all say, but I believe you. Listen, I’ve spent most of the day clearing the decks of my life, and I think I’m ready to curl up with a good detective.”

  “I can recommend somebody.”

  “Tonight suit you?”

  “I’m seeing Dino for dinner at Elaine’s, and Dino always leaves early. Why don’t you join us, and we’ll go on from there.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll bring my toothbrush.”

  “You do that. We’re meeting at eight-thirty, but I need half an hour with Dino. Nine?”

  “Nine it is.” She hung up.

  Stone allowed himself a very deep breath.

  Dino sat down, and he looked pissed off. “What’s this ‘tech’ shit?”

  “I need a tech to…”

  “Stone, you don’t talk about that on the phone these days, not when there’s a commission looking into police corruption.”

  “Sorry, Dino, I…”

  “They’re all over us like flies, you know, even though the Nineteenth is clean as a whistle.”

  “As far as you know.”

  “I know, pal, believe me.”

  “About the tech.”

  “What about him?”

  “I need a man to go over an apartment, see what he finds.”

  “He’s not planting anything?”

  “Not a thing; I just want to see what somebody else might have planted.”

  “Does he have to break in?”

  “I’ve got a key, and the occupant is expecting him.”

  “Give me the key and the address. I’ll contact him.”

  Stone produced the key and wrote down Tiffany’s name and address. “Tell him to call first and say I sent… Wait a minute. No, tell him just to show up, having already written on a piece of paper that I sent him. No names, in case the place is wired.”

  “Okay.”

  “What’s it going to cost?”

  “Since he’s not planting anything, I’ll make him do it for five hundred.”

  “Steep. I haven’t got it on me.”

  “I’ll front it; you can pay me back.”

  Stone had another idea. “While he’s at it, I’d like him to take a look at my place.”

  Dino’s eyebrows went up. “Are we still on the DIRT thing?”

  “We are, and their information is just a little too good. Come to think of it, I’d like him to take a look at Amanda Dart’s place, too, but not until he’s been to me first.”

  “His name is Bob Cantor; he’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Think you can get me a better rate for the three places?”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “What’s new with you?”

  “Mary Ann is apartment-hunting on the East Side.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “You said it.”

  “How is this going to happen?”

  “The old man swears it’s going to be straight up. We’re going to rent it from a corporation that owns it.”

  “Doesn’t sound straight up to me,” Stone said.

  “What? That we rent?”

  “Dino, make sure it’s a corporation that already owns rental units, and that the rent is in line with the market.”

  “That’s what the old man has in mind. The rent will be more than we pay now, but he’ll lay some cash on Mary Ann, to make up for it.”

  “That sounds fairly clean. You’re going to need a checkable story that starts right from the beginning – how you find the agent, how you heard about the agent, a proper lease. It’s got to look like anybody could find this apartment, you understand?”

  “I understand.”

  “Tell Mary Ann to make sure her daddy understands, too.”

  “What, you think the old guy doesn’t know something about hiding ownership?”

  “This isn’t like holding a cement company, Dino; if the commission starts looking into this, it’s got to be airtight, and you be sure that neither the agent or the head of the corporation has a name that rhymes with a pasta.”

  “Right, right.” Dino looked up and smiled. “Hey, look what’s coming in,” he said.

  Stone turned to see Arrington enter the restaurant
. “Not bad,” he said offhandedly.

  “Not bad? You’re losing it. As it happens, I know this one.” He waved at Arrington, who waved back and started for the table. “Give us a few minutes, then get lost, okay?”

  “Sure, Dino, whatever you say.”

  Dino was on his feet, taking Arrington’s offered hand. “Long time no see,” he was saying. “This is my friend…”

  Arrington let go of Dino’s hand, turned to Stone, and planted a large kiss on his lips. “We’ve met,” she said.

  Stone held her chair while Dino stood, dumbfounded. “Sit down, Dino,” he said; then he leaned over and whispered, “Give us a few minutes, then get lost, okay?”

  When Dino had left, Arrington pulled out a copy of the new Vanity Fair. “My first piece for them,” she said, opening the magazine. “It’s about the mayor’s wife.”

  “That’s great, Arrington,” Stone said. “That has got to be a tough market for a writer to break into.”

  “Not if you’re a good enough writer,” she said.

  “Can I have this? I’d like to read it later.”

  “Later you’re going to be busy,” she said, “but you can have it for tomorrow.”

  Stone flipped through the pages of the magazine. “You know any models, by any chance?”

  “I have a passing acquaintance with a few,” she replied.

  Stone found the cologne ad. “How about this guy? Know him?”

  Arrington looked at the ad, then back at Stone. Her face was suddenly expressionless. “Why did you have to do it this way?”

  “What?” Stone was baffled.

  “Why didn’t you just…” She turned away, and there were angry tears in her eyes.

  “Arrington, I don’t understand,” Stone said. “I just wanted to know who this guy is. It’s a business thing.”

  She turned back angrily. “You know who it is,” she said.

  “I swear to you I don’t have the slightest idea.”

  “Are you lying to me?”

  “I am not. Arrington, what is going on?”

  She pointed at the photograph. “That’s him,” she said.

  “Who?”

  “Jonathan.”

  Chapter 28

  “Has he got a brother?” Stone asked. She was still looking very angry.