“I hope you haven’t done anything rash.”
“Like quit?”
“Yes.”
“Not yet, but I’m going to, if he keeps lying to me.”
“Stick it out, Stone. I can’t tell you why you should, but I’d appreciate it.”
“Oh, all right, Bill.”
“Thanks. I’ll remember.” He hung up.
Stone called Dino.
“How you doin’?” Dino asked cheerfully.
“I had a strange weekend.”
“Tell me.”
Stone told him.
“And she inherits the guy’s business?”
“Apparently so. What do you think?”
“You know what I think,” Dino chuckled, “but I have a more suspicious mind than you do.”
“I think I prefer not being suspicious right now.”
“I’ll be willing to bet you hear from Sarah before the day’s out.”
“She’s grieving,” Stone said.
“Yeah, sure. I gotta go; anything else?”
“Nope.”
“She’s going to call you.” Dino hung up.
Stone stood up and stretched, and the phone rang. He picked it up. “Hello?”
“It’s Sarah,” she said.
15
SHE SOUNDED PERFECTLY NORMAL—not depressed, not upset, just Sarah.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Perfectly all right, thank you.”
“What was the outcome of the inquest?”
“Accidental death,” she replied. “Had you expected another outcome?”
“No, I was sure that would be the verdict.”