Chapter 18

Stone ordered the broiled salmon, while Monica opted for the southwest chicken salad. For drinks, Stone chose the Kellerei Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio.

"I have to admit, I'm pleasantly surprised," Monica said, after they'd each taken a drink.

"By the wine?"

"By you."

"Me? What did I do?"

"It's more what you didn't do."

"Which is?"

"Disappear on me. In my experience, men have the habit of making themselves scarce after a night together."

"Has this happened often?"

"Often enough to be a pattern."

"The thought never crossed my mind."

"I'm glad for that." She put a hand over his and gave it a squeeze. "You never told me what part of New York you live in."

"Turtle Bay."

"I'm not sure where that is."

"You know where the UN is?"

"Yes."

"Turtle Bay."

"That's a nice neighborhood. You have an apartment?"

"A full townhouse."

"Lucky you," she said.

"You don't know how right you are. I inherited it from my great-aunt when I was still on the police force."

"You were a cop?"

"A homicide detective."

"How does a homicide detective with an inherited house from a great-aunt become a high-powered attorney who is friends with presidents?"

"By means of a bullet to the knee, police department politics, and a lawyer friend who lent me a hand when I needed it most. The rest is just details."

"I'm not sure where to start unpacking all of that."

"How about you? Where do you live?"

"I should probably lie and say I live on the Upper East Side, but the truth is I missed out on the rich great-aunts. The biggest place I was shown in Manhattan that I could afford was barely larger than the closets in my parents' house back in Fillmore. Which is why I live in a one-bedroom in Brooklyn." She smirked. "I'm sorry. Does that mean you are going to disappear on me now?"

"Hardly. Besides, I've known people who lived in Brooklyn."

"Name two. And I don't count."

"Ah, here comes our lunch."

The waiter arrived and set plates in front of each of them. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"I think we're good for now," Stone said, shooting a glance at Monica for confirmation.

She nodded, and the waiter left.

"If you're interested in moving across the river," Stone said, "I have an empty apartment you are welcome to use. It's in the house next door to mine. It's been divided into several flats."

"Is this a serious offer?"

"It could be."

"Thank you. I'll think about it."

The salmon was as good as Stone had hoped, and from Monica's look of satisfaction, her salad was equally delicious.

While they waited for their check, Stone said, "I know we have plans for dinner already, but if you don't need to work this afternoon, can I entice you into a little outing?"

"I'm intrigued. What kind of outing?"

"Oh, no. You need to choose first."

"One second." She pulled out her phone, studied the screen, then set the device down. "Still no word from the person I'm supposed to meet, so it appears that I'm free. Now can you tell me?"

"Absolutely not. But I would suggest putting on something more comfortable."

"You don't like what I'm wearing?"

She had on a pale yellow sleeveless dress that looked stunning against her golden skin. "I like it very much, but trust me, you'll be happier if you change."

"Into what?"

"Pants and a comfortable shirt. Jeans would probably be best if you have them."

"You're not going to be putting me to work, are you?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

After Stone paid the bill, Monica nodded toward the restrooms. "I need to make a stop."

"I'll meet you in front."

When Stone reached the lobby, the only other people present were the hostess and a man looking at his phone, waiting for a table.

Monica soon reappeared in the dining room, walking toward the front. She was almost abreast of the hostess when the waiting diner looked up.

She stopped short when she saw him, both of them staring at each other in surprise.

"What the hell are you doing here?" the man said.

Monica quickly regained her composure and started to walk past him without answering. But he grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"I asked you a question."

One step, and Stone was standing beside him, his hand clamping down on the man's shoulder.

"Hey!" the man said.

"Let her go."

"Stay out of this, buddy. It isn't any of your concern."

As he said this, Monica twisted her arm out of the man's grasp and took a step back.

"I'm not finished with you!" he yelled.

"You damn well are," she said. "I don't work for you anymore, Dalton. Remember?"

His eyes narrowed. "Wait. You're not still trying to prove that ridiculous hunch of yours, are you?"

"We have nothing to talk about. Come on, Stone."

She headed out the door with Stone.

Dalton followed after them. "This is so typical of you. You were always going off rogue and never listened to me. That's why you lost your job, you know. If you'd shown even a little respect, I might have kept you around."

She kept walking without looking back.

"See! I'm right. Still not listening."

Stone had had enough. He turned and stepped in front of the man. "Dalton, is it?"

"I said this is none of your business."

He tried to go around Stone, but Stone shifted so he was still in the man's path.

"Actually, it is." He pulled out a business card and held it out. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Miss Reyes's attorney. If you continue harassing her, I'll have a restraining order slapped on you before the day's out, and I will inform your employer about your behavior."

Dalton looked at the card. "This has a New York address. I doubt you're even licensed to practice in New Mexico."

"You don't think that I have contacts here who would be more than happy to do it for me?"

Dalton grimaced in frustration, then balled up Stone's card and tossed it on the ground. Glaring past Stone at Monica, he shouted, "I don't ever want to see you again!"

"I can assure you the feeling's mutual," Stone said.

Dalton's eyes settled on Stone for a second before he headed back into the restaurant.