Criminal Mischief by Stuart Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

is an upstanding gentleman.”
    “Mr. Zanian is neither upstanding, nor is he a gentleman, Kitty. He is a confidence man and a thief. Do you possess a computer?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Do you know how to use Google?”
    “Yes, do you think I’m some sort of dummy?”
    “No, but Mr. Zanian does. Google him.”
    “I’ll call you back.”
    Stone took the moment to remember that he could afford the loss he had just taken. That was of no comfort whatsoever.
    Joan buzzed him.
    “Is it Ms. Crosse?”
    “How did you guess?”
    Stone pressed the button. “Yes, Kitty?”
    “Well, now I don’t know whom to believe.”
    “What are the choices?” Stone asked.
    “You or Google.”
    “Believe either. Google and I are not at odds.”
    “Well, Google has never lied to me,” she said.
    “Neither have I,” Stone pointed out. “Kitty, you didn’t deposit all your funds with Zanian, did you? I mean, you have other accounts. At your bank and, perhaps, at other institutions, for instance.”
    “Well, of course.”
    “I’m relieved to hear it,” Stone replied. “Now, will you please wire transfer $266,000 to me immediately? My secretary will give you the account information.”
    “You mean the money I owe the Bentley people?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Then I should wire it to them, shouldn’t I?”
    “I have already done so,” Stone replied. “Now I would like you to reimburse me.”
    “What was the amount again?”
    “It’s $266,000.”
    “Oh, dear, I don’t think I have that much in the bank at the moment.”
    “Then why did you write a check in that amount to the Bentley people?”
    “Well, I told them I needed to move the money into mychecking account. I don’t believe there’s that much in the account at the moment.”
    “How much is in the account?” Stone asked.
    “Just a minute, I have a statement here somewhere.” There was a rustling of papers, then the tearing of an envelope. “Here we are,” she said. “Let’s see. The current balance is $245.12.”
    “Is that after deducting the check to Bentley?”
    “Oh, no, before.”
    “Oh, no.”
    “Stone, I told both you and the Bentley people that I had to move money to the account.”
    “Kitty, I need to think about our next move. I’ll call you back later.”
    Stone hung up and pressed his forehead to the glass top on his desk.

14
    Stone had just finished his lunch when the phone rang, and Joan was at lunch. He picked up. “This is Stone Barrington.”
    “Oh, I had hoped it would be,” Kitty said. “I realized after our last conversation that I had forgotten to mention something important.”
    Stone managed not to groan. “What is it, Kitty?”
    “I want to sue Viktor Zanian,” she said.
    “Kitty, everybody wants to sue Viktor Zanian.”
    “Not Mr. Zanian, exactly. I want to sue Harry.”
    “Your ex-husband?”
    “Yes.”
    “Sue him for what?”
    “Bad advice.”
    “What advice?”
    “It was he who urged me to put all my money with Zanian.”
    “Well, you might have some sort of case, but you’ll need to speak to your attorney about that.”
    “I want you to be my attorney.”
    “I’m afraid that would be unethical,” Stone said.
    “How would it be unethical? I need an attorney, you’re an attorney.”
    “Yes, but the bar association frowns on attorneys who have, ah, a relationship with the client.”
    “Do you mean because we’re fucking?”
    “That’s exactly what I mean.”
    “Well, that’s very old-fashioned of them.”
    “I suppose it is. Why don’t you talk to Herb?”
    “Oh, he’s just for divorces, and Harry and I are already divorced.”
    “No, Herb handles all sorts of legal cases. He’s an excellent attorney, and I’m sure he would be happy to represent you in the matter.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “He’s my law partner at Woodman & Weld. I’m sure.”
    “You know,” she said, “when I mentioned that word—you know the one—I got a twinge, you know?”
    “I think I do. I got a