Ash and Joan entered just as Stone was speaking.
“Stop that, or you’re going to give poor Ash a complex,” Joan said, then set Stone’s coffee on the desk.
“It’s all right,” Ash said. “It doesn’t bother me.”
Joan tsked. “You don’t have to pretend. Stone can be a bit insensitive sometimes.”
“Since when have I ever been insensitive?” Stone asked.
“Just a moment ago, when you said there was no replacing Carly.”
“I was being very sensitive. I was praising Carly. Besides, you walked into the middle of a private conversation.”
“Then you should have closed the door.”
She turned and flounced out.
“Is she always like that?” Ash asked.
“Yes,” Stone and Bob said in unison.
“Good to know.”
Stone pointed at the empty chair next to Bob. “Have a seat.” As Ash sat down, Stone said, “Ash, this is Bob Cantor. He’s the best PI and tech expert I know.”
“Why thank you, Stone,” Bob said.
“I’m only speaking the truth. And this is Ashton Williamson, associate at Woodman & Weld.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Cantor.”
“You can call me Bob.”
“And you can call me Ash.”
The two men shook hands.
To Ash, Stone said, “Did you have enough time to go over Sara’s files?”
“I did,” Ash said, drawing out the last word.
“I sense a question.”
“I was confused by the inclusion of the police report concerning an assault on someone named…” He paused as he checked his notes. “Paul Weston. How is he connected to Ms. Hirschy?”
“That’s actually why Bob is here,” Stone said. He told Ash about Sara’s failed blind date and Weston’s beating. “I asked Bob to look into Sara’s estranged husband to see if he could have been behind it.”
Ash nodded. “Now it makes sense. Thank you.”
“Bob?” Stone said.
Bob pulled out a notebook and flicked through to the page he wanted.
“The husband’s name is Leonard Yates. He’s ten years older than Sara and is a moderately successful real estate broker in Chicago, dealing mostly in commercial properties. Sources told me he moved in with another woman the day he and Sara separated. Several people also said his only interest in Sara now is getting as much money out of her from the divorce as possible.”
“Do you think he could be behind what happened to Weston?” Stone asked. “Perhaps as a way to scare Sara?”
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Yates is not a great guy. But the sense I got is that he doesn’t give a damn about what she’s doing. There are easier and more straightforward ways to get what he wants from Ms. Hirschy than hurting her blind date.”
