Page 3 of Near Miss

“Was she from Massachusetts?”

“From Great Barrington.”

“Then I believe you. Was she a painter?”

“She was.”

“When I was growing up, wanting to be a painter, she was my role model.”

“Did you realize your ambition of painting?”

“Yes, but only on weekends. I’m a personal financial adviser.” She took a folded brochure from her purse and handed it to him. “The illustrations are my own, but at least I’m published.”

Stone looked at them. “You should paint more and advise less,” he said.

“Excuse me,” Dino said, leaning in. “Is there an angry ex-husband and/or boyfriend looming over your existence?”

“How well you put it,” she replied. “Of course, every girl worth her salt has disappointed a man or two.”

“Just checking,” Dino said. “I wanted to see how Stone’s personal cliché meshed with yours.”

“As I mentioned, you should paint more and advise less,” Stone said again, ignoring Dino.

“I shall take that as high praise,” she said, laughing.

“That was how it was intended.”

“Excuse me again,” Dino said, “but there’s a side of beef waiting out back to be slaughtered and grilled, too rare. Anybody interested?”

They ordered.

“Is the cad who recently abandoned you of any importance in your life?” Stone asked.

“I had hopes for him, but they didn’t last long.”

“Has he ever behaved violently toward you?”

“No, but he has threatened to, when I used up too much of the conversational air between us.”

“Then he is living down to my expectations,” Stone said. They finished their dinner and declined dessert. “Matilda, would you like to come back to my house for a nightcap? Dino will offer police protection.”

“Dino, are you a policeman?”

“He is theuberpoliceman, the commissioner.”

“Goodness, I’ve never met a police commissioner.”

“I’m pleased to be your first,” Dino replied. “I should tell you that Stone only wants to show off his house. You’ll be safe enough.”

“I’ll show you my Matilda Stones,” Stone replied.

“In that case, I’d love a nightcap,” she beamed.

Stone filled the ride home with stories of being partners with Dino, in their youth.

“Did you and Stone protect each other?”

“Somebody had to keep him alive,” Dino explained.

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