Page 129 of Near Miss

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’m worried that she’ll start enjoying what you do too much.”

“She could be the one who provides the spark that could mean the difference between your next celebration being a birthday or a funeral.”

Stone gave him Carly’s number.

They began enacting Teddy and Carly’s plan the next day. The first step was having Joan move the bugged clock from the garden shed to a bookcase in Stone’s office.

Stone eyed it from his desk, still uncertain about having it there. Motion drew his attention to Teddy Fay, who was standing in the doorway, rolling his finger in the air, in a get-on-with-it gesture.

Stone nodded obediently, then activated the intercom, and said, “Joan, who’s first on the call list?”

“Monica Anderson, Emerald River Shipping.”

“Please get her on the line.”

For the next few hours, he spoke to clients, making it sound like he was hard at work, while deftly avoiding confidential topics. Teddy disappeared for a few minutes now and then, but otherwise stayed just outside the room, observing.

A few minutes before noon, Joan buzzed him. “Dino on one.”

Stone hit the speaker button. “Good morning.”

“I’m checking to make sure you’re still alive,” Dino said.

“So far.”

“Good to hear. If that changes, let me know. I’ll need to send my black suit to the cleaners.”

“Your concern is appreciated.”

“Are you going to that dinner on Friday night? Or are you going to continue being a caveman?”

“Bill Eggers would never forgive me if I missed it. You were invited?”

“Not me, Viv. I’m going as her plus one. I assume Carly is yours.”

“We are each other’s.”

“That’s convenient.”

“It is,” Stone said. “Friday’s still a few days away. I assume you’ll be hungry before then.”

“Past history says yes.”

“You and Viv are welcome to have dinner here tonight.”

“Great. Seven?”

“See you then.”

Stone hung up, and then called Joan. “I’m going to grab lunch. I’ll be back at two.”

“I’ll make sure things don’t burn down in your absence.”

Teddy Fay stepped out of the way so Stone could exit his office, and then followed him to the study. Carly was there already, waiting for them.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“Good, as far as I could tell,” Stone said.

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