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Elaine’s, late

Stone Barrington was uncharacteristically late inhis former partner at the NYPD, Lieutenant Dino Bacchetti, for dinner, and Dino was not alone at the table Dino ran the detective bureau at the 19th Precinct Stone’s other dinner partner, Bill Eggers, ious law fir from his home office in Turtle Bay, handled cases and clients of Woodman & Weld that they did not wish to be seen to handle

“You’re late,” Eggers said

“I’m late for dinner with Dino,” Stone said, “but since I didn’t have a date with you, I prefer to think of ”

Eggers ht”

“For me, too?” Dino asked

“For you, too, Dino,” Eggers replied

A waiter set a Knob Creek on the rocks before Stone; the other two lasses of brohiskey before theers put a hand on his arm

“No, I’ll do the toasting tonight,” he said, raising his own glass “To Stone Barrington, who has earned ht out on my expense account”

“Hear, hear,” Dino said