Chapter 7

"You're sure there were four of them?" Detective Morris asked.

They were in Stone's kitchen, out of the way of the crime scene techs. This was the third time Stone was going through what happened.

"I only saw four. There could have been more."

Morris frowned, unconvinced. He was young and, based on his aggressive questioning, newly promoted.

"And you're still saying the dead guy intended to shoot you, so you shot first?"

"I can't tell you what was going on in his head, but when someone points a weapon at you, Detective, what do you do?"

"This isn't about me, Mr. Barrington. This is about—"

"He would have done exactly what you did," Detective Brennan said calmly. He was Morris's partner and a veteran detective Stone knew. "I think we've heard enough, don't you, Jimmy?"

"I think he's hiding something," Morris said.

Brennan snorted. "You think everyone's hiding something."

Dino walked into the room. "Who's hiding something?"

"Morning, Commissioner," Brennan said.

Morris's eyes widened in surprise. "Commissioner Bacchetti."

"I was beginning to wonder if you fell back asleep," Stone said. It had been more than thirty minutes since Stone had called him.

"Trust me. I thought about it. What's going on here?"

"I've been explaining what happened to Detectives Brennan and Morris."

Dino jutted his chin toward Morris. "How many times has he made you go through it?"

"Two and a half so far."

"Not too bad. I remember you making suspects go through their story five or six times, when you were still green."

"Yes, but they were all guilty."

"And you're not? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you did shoot that guy I saw the coroner wheeling out."

"True. But as I was explaining—"

"For the third time," Dino clarified.

"For the third time, I shot him in self-defense."

"I buy it." Dino looked at the two detectives. "Any reason to think otherwise?"

"Nope," Brennan said.

"Sir, I would like to question Mr. Barrington further," Morris said.

"You mean retired NYPD Detective Barrington?" Dino said.

"Detective?" Morris shot a look at Brennan. "You didn't tell me that."

Brennan put a hand on his partner's back and said, "That'll be all, Stone. Thank you for your cooperation."

He guided Morris out of the kitchen.

"What does a guy have to do to get some coffee around here?" Dino asked.

"Allow me, Commissioner." Stone made Dino a coffee, then asked, "I don't suppose there's any news on the ones who got away?"

"I put out an APB after I talked to you, but you didn't give me much to go on."

"So that's a no."

"Perceptive as always."

Stone motioned toward the hallway where the techs were working. "You're not going to need me to stay in town because of all this, are you?"

"I don't know. Could be fun to let Detective Morris spend a little more time with you."

"I'm supposed to meet Holly in Santa Fe tomorrow night." Stone checked his watch. It was almost three a.m. "Make that tonight."

"Far be it from me to stand in the way of the president and her boy toy."

"Promise me you'll never say that again."

"I don't know. I kind of like it. Hey, maybe the Secret Service can use it as your code name."

"Don't even think about suggesting it."

"Would I do you dirty like that?"

"In a heartbeat."

"If going to Santa Fe will keep you from being so cranky, go with my blessing. I'll let you know if we need you back here."

"Thanks, Dino."

"Dinner's on you when Viv and I see you in Los Angeles."

"It will be my pleasure."

Twenty minutes earlier, Nico paced his office, wondering what was going on. Toby had sent him a text, telling Nico he and his crew were going in, and then nothing.

How long did it take to rip up a few paintings?

"Screw this," he said, and headed to his car.

Driving by Barrington's place was probably not the best idea in the world, but what could it hurt? It wasn't like Nico was going to stop and get out. He'd just cruise by and make sure everything was quiet.

The moment he turned onto Barrington's street, the bottom dropped out of his stomach.

In front of the lawyer's home were a half dozen police cars, lights flashing, and what looked like an ambulance.

It's okay,he told himself. Barrington contacting the police after Toby and his team finished the job was to be expected.

As Nico neared the house, two men carried a stretcher out the front door. The sheet covering the person on the stretcher from head to toe could only mean one thing. Someone had died.

Barrington?

Maybe that was why Toby hadn't called in yet. Killing the lawyer hadn't been part of the plan, not that Nico's boss would be too upset.

Nico turned at the next intersection, then found a place to double park. He returned to the corner on foot and found a spot in the shadows from where he could watch the action at Barrington's house.

Not much happened for the next quarter hour, and then a man in street clothes stepped outside. He looked back toward the door and seemed to be talking to someone inside.

Stone Barrington moved into the doorway.

Nico swore under his breath.

The lawyer smiled at something the other guy said. He then gave him a wave and reentered the house. He did not look like a person whose most prized possessions had just been destroyed.

"Oh, shit."

Toby had failed.

Nico's boss was not going to happy.