Criminal Mischief by Stuart Woods Read Free Book Online

bank just deducted it from your account.”
    “I thought of that. Different banks.”
    “I guess you’re in the clear, then.”
    They ordered another drink and some food, then Stone’s phone rang. “Hello?”
    “It’s Kitty. How are you, my darling?”
    “As well as can be expected,” Stone replied.
    “Uh-oh, have you had further, ah, contact with Harry?”
    “He appeared, standing behind me at the bar at P.J. Clarke’s a few minutes ago, but Dino waved his badge at him and scared him off.”
    “I’m so sorry about that. I thought that he would take my seeing somebody better than he has.”
    “I’m sorry you were disappointed,” Stone said. “As things stand, this isn’t going to end until one or both of us is mortally wounded, or worse.”
    “I’ll have a word with Harry.”
    “It’s going to take many words, I fear, and if you could slip in a mention of grievous bodily harm or even death, that might help.”
    “As you wish. Oh, the reason I called was to apologize about that cockup at the bank.”
    Stone’s stomach made some sort of sideways movement. “Whose bank?”
    “Mine. It seems that my broker didn’t move the requested funds into my account quickly enough, and so my check has been returned to the dealer, unpaid.”
    Stone struggled for words.
    “It sounds as if you’re struggling for words,” Kitty said.
    “Ah, yes. So now, the dealer is coming after me to make your check good?”
    “It won’t come to that, sweetie,” Kitty purred. “All will be made right tomorrow.”
    “Please say that you will make it so.”
    “Of course.”
    “I’d hate for the dealer to show up at your building, seeking the return of the car,” Stone added for emphasis.
    “Could they do that?”
    “They could. Have another chat with your banker first thing tomorrow and ask them to see that the funds are available to cover your check.”
    “I’ll do that very thing,” Kitty said. “And I’ll have that word—ah, words, with Harry.”
    “Thank you, Kitty. I have to eat a steak now. Goodbye.” He hung up.
    “You guaranteed her check for a Bentley?” Dino asked. “Really?”
    “It wasn’t like that. I just told the dealer that I would vouch for her.”
    “You’re the lawyer. Doesn’t that mean you’ll cover her check?”
    “Vouching is just expressing an opinion that she’s good for it,” Stone said.
    “Would a judge buy that?”
    “It won’t go that far. Her broker was just slow at moving money to her checking account.”
    “It was what? A quarter of a million dollars?”
    “Give or take.”
    “I can loan you a few thousand, but not the whole melon.”
    “There’s no melon, Dino. The check will be paid tomorrow morning.”
    “Well, if you have to pay it, that will do wonders for your reputation.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean that the dealer, for one, will be very impressed that you made good on the check.”
    “None of that is going to happen, Dino. It was just a glitch.”
    “What if Harry kills Kitty before the check clears?”
    “Harry wants to kill me, not Kitty.”
    “You never know when you’re dealing with someone in that frame of mind. Will the check get paid if she’s at the bottom of the East River?”
    “Stop it.”
    “Well, maybe her banker doesn’t read the tabloids or watch local TV news. I’m sure it will be fine.”
    “Thank you for your confidence.”
    “Of course, if . . .”
    “Dino, if you say another word, I’m going to hit you with a steak.”
    Dino took a big bite of his steak and managed to chew and grin at the same time.

13
    Stone had just tied his necktie and was about to go downstairs when his phone rang at the stroke of nine o’clock. “Hello?”
    “Mr. Barrington?”
    “Yes?”
    “It’s Stephen, at Bentley. I’m afraid Ms. Crosse’s check didn’t clear this morning.”
    “Perhaps you should speak with her bank manager?”
    “I just spoke to him. She can’t cover the check.”
    “Please don’t worry about it.