“Something I don’t understand, Mr. Barrington.”
“What’s that?”
“Why would you want to murder a woman you say you hadn’t seen for more than five years?”
Stone sat up straight. “I did not murder Susan Bean, and I had no motive to do so.” He looked at Simmons, who was still taking notes. “Write that down, please.”
“I’m writing it down,” Simmons replied.
Stone stood up. “I think that will be all,” he said to Deacon.
“I’m sorry you’re reluctant to answer my questions, Mr. Barrington,” Deacon said.
“On the contrary,” Stone replied, “I want it noted for the record that I have answered all your questions. For further information about the events surrounding the death of Susan Bean, I refer you to the detective squad at the Nineteenth Precinct. I have given a full statement to them. As for any further questions to me, I refer you to my attorney, William Eggers, of Woodman and Weld. Good day.”
Deacon got to his feet. “Woodman and Weld? Very elegant firm. I don’t suppose they’re going to be pleased about being involved in this mess.”
“I said good day,” Stone replied, opening the door and letting them out. He had to resist the impulse to plant his foot in Thomas Deacon’s ass as he departed.
17
S TONE LEFT HIS HOUSE AND WALKED UP the block to where an unmarked police car was parked. He got in. “Are Anderson and Kelly in another car around here?”
“Yeah,” the driver replied.
“Can you reach them without using the radio?”
“I can call them on their cell phone,” the cop said.
“Please.”
The cop dialed the number, then handed the phone to Stone.
“Anderson,” a voice said.
“Andy, it’s Stone. I’m in the other car now.”
“I saw you.”
“We’re going to drive away; after we’ve been gone two minutes, please ring my doorbell three times. Miss Buckminster will come out, and you can drive her to Elaine’s. You know where that is?”
“I used to drive Lieutenant Bacchetti,” Anderson replied.
“Make sure you’re not followed.”
“Right.”
Stone broke the connection, then handed the phone back to the cop. “All right, we’re headed for Second Avenue between Eighty-eighth and Eighty-ninth. Don’t go direct; I’ll watch our tail.”
“Right,” the cop said, putting the car into gear. “You want me to use the light?”
“Let’s be inconspicuous,” Stone said.
They drove down to Third Avenue and turned up-town, while Stone watched every car behind them. “Go over to Park, then back to Third,” he told the detective.
“Whatever you say,” the bored detective replied.
They spent half an hour reaching Elaine’s. Just before they arrived, Stone called Anderson again.