“I’ll let them know your thoughts when we get our hands on them, in case they want to issue an apology.”
“Have you discovered a connection between them and Weston?”
“No, and I don’t expect to, either. Not a direct one, anyway. They’re both low-level thugs who do this kind of thing for a living.”
“I take it they have records.”
“Long and repetitive.”
“They must work for someone.”
“My understanding is they float around and take jobs asthey come up. But I have people looking into it.” Dino paused. “It might help if one of my people talked to your client.”
“I can make her available, but I’m not sure she knows anything. She was surprised when I told her what happened to Weston and seemed genuinely confused as to why he cut off communication with her.”
“I’ll think about it and let you know if we need to talk to her. Can you at least tell me who she is now?”
“As long as you promise not to approach her without informing me first.”
Dino placed on his heart. “I swear I will not talk to her without your knowledge.”
“Thank you. Her name is Sara Hirschy. She’s Jack and Hillary Coulter’s niece.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I am not.”
“Do you think the attack could have had something to do with Jack’s…you know…”
“Past?”
“That’s the word.”
Dino was also in the know about Jack Coulter and Johnny Fratelli being one and the same.
“I don’t see how,” Stone said. “If this was about Jack, they would have gone after him, not his niece who just moved to the city.”
“Does Sara know about his previous life?”
“Jack told me she does not.”
Their meal arrived and the conversation eventually turned to other things.
As they were enjoying a post-meal digestif, Dino’s phone rang.
“Bacchetti,” he answered. He listened for several seconds. “Where is he now?…Has anyone called his father?…Okay, I’ll be there in twenty.” He hung up.
“Problem?” Stone asked.
“Don’t be surprised if you hear about the arrest of a city councilman’s son, on drunk and disorderly.”
“Sounds like you’re in for a fun evening.”
“I’ll happily send you in my place, if you’re interested.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass, but thanks for the offer.”
After Dino headed out, Stone called Fred and instructed him to bring the Bentley around, then signaled for the check.
