Page 32 of Near Miss

“Describe him.”

Fred did so.

“That sounds like Bozo.”

“The clown?”

“Yes, but not the one you’re thinking of.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll take a few turns. To make sure I’m right.”

“If it’s Bozo, you are right. But go ahead.”

Three turns later, Fred said, “He’s still there.”

“Is he being obvious?”

“No, but he’s not being as cautious as he thinks he is.”

Stone looked at the road ahead. “We don’t want him to know we’ve made him. Pull over after the next light. I’ll go into that building. I believe we have a couple of clients there.”

Stone entered the lobby and crossed over to the first-floor café, where he ordered a coffee and then called Dino.

“Trench appears to be back at it,” he said. “He’s having us followed.”

“By the man from the other night? Bozo?”

“One and the same.”

“Do you want me to have him pulled over?”

“No. But I wouldn’t mind having someone followinghim.”

“In case he gets a little frisky?”

“Not the word I would have used, but yes. Call Fred. He’ll give you a description of the vehicle.”

“Consider it done.”

Stone settled down at one of the tables, with a copy of theTimes. After twenty minutes, he called Fred. “Is our friend still there?”

“Last I checked.”

“And Dino’s people?”

“They arrived ten minutes ago.”

“Good. Then come pick me up.”

After watching the lawyer’s Bentley pull into the garage in Turtle Bay, Bozo drove on for another few minutes, stopped at the side of the road, and called Trench.

“Barrington’s at his home office.”

“Does he know you’re watching him?”

“He doesn’t have a clue.”

“Huff thought that, too.”

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