Page 20 of Near Miss

“Matilda went back to her place,” Joan said. “She didn’t say why or for how long.”

“Perhaps I’ve been inattentive,” Stone said.

“Perhaps.” The phone rang. Stone picked it up before Joan could. “Hello?”

“You sound normal,” Matilda said.

“Iamnormal,” he replied.

“I’m doing laundry.”

“You could have done it here.”

“I needed fresh clothes. You were getting tired of the ones I was wearing.”

“Your imagination,” he said. “Dinner tonight at Clarke’s?”

“Where we met! How romantic!”

“Shall I pick you up?”

“I’ll meet you there. I’ve got a previous engagement with Bloomie’s.”

“I wouldn’t want to come between you two. Seven?”

“Good.” Everybody hung up.

“Well,” Joan said, “I guess you’re officially normal.”

They assembled in the bar at P. J. Clarke’s, had a drink, then went to their table.

“Did you notice the man in the blue blazer a couple of seats down the bar from me?” Matilda asked.

“I didn’t,” Stone replied.

“I did,” Viv said. “Who is he?”

“I don’t know his real name, but he’s called Bozo. He worked at that athletic club for Huff, whom you will recall.”

“Actually, I recall nothing about Huff. First, he was standing behind me. After that, he was dead, and I was unconscious.”

“You’ll have to trust me, then,” Matilda said. “Bozo was Huff’s assistant. I knew about them both from Trench.”

“He looks well-muscled under the blazer,” Viv said.

“Trust you to notice that,” Dino interjected.

“Trench admires people who can fight,” Matilda said. “And, after all, Bozo does work in a gym.”

Dino looked at Stone. “Are you packing?”

Stone sucked his teeth for a moment. “I forgot,” he said.

“Well, Viv and I both are, so we’ll shoot anybody who bothers you. After this, though, you’re on your own.”

“I’ll try and remember that,” Stone said.

“I’ll remind him,” Matilda said.

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