Shoot First(Stone Barrington #45)(45)

“A man named Gino Bellini and his wife, Veronica.”

“The guy who hired Dirty Joe?”

“That’s the one,” Stone replied. “Did I tell you that Dirty Joe and his girl are dead? They were shot while tracking us in Maine.”

“Yeah, you told me. That’s Maine’s problem,” Dino replied. “Who killed the Bellinis?”

“A man named Stanislav Beria and an unsub.”

“I know the name,” Dino said. “Beria is with the Russian UN mission.”

“Well, yes, I saw him go inside the mission, but he also works for Selwyn Owaki.”

“He can’t work for Owaki. Beria is a legitimate Russian diplomat,” Dino said. “I met him at a cocktail party at the Russian Embassy.”

“I don’t question that, but Gino Bellini told me he works for Owaki.”

“Was this before or after Bellini was murdered? We could use a witness.”

“Before, obviously, and I’m a witness to both murders.”

“You actually saw them happen?”

“Yes. Well, more correctly, I heard them happen, one shot, followed a moment later by another.”

“So you’re not a witness?”

“Beria and his gorilla were the only other people in the apartment, besides Bellini and his wife.”

“And you. You were in the apartment.”

“Yes, Dino, I was.”

“Were you in the room?”

“I was in the living room. Everybody else was in an adjoining study.”

“So you’re not a witness.”

“I heard the shots.”

“From the next room.”

“Dino, Beria, his gorilla, and I were the only people in the apartment still standing, and I didn’t kill them, so who’s left?”

“Why didn’t they kill you?”

“I was hiding behind a curtain, and while they were still in the study I made a run for the service elevator, in the kitchen.”

“Why didn’t you take the regular elevator?”

“Because I didn’t want to be seen by the front desk staff leaving the building.”

“Why? You say you didn’t kill them.”

“That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t think I did.”

“Go on.”

“Then I rode down on the elevator with Beria and the gorilla.”

“Let me get this straight. You heard two people shot in the next room, then you rode down on the elevator with the shooters?”

“I was in the kitchen, waiting for the service elevator to arrive on my floor. I got in, the door closed, then it opened again and Beria and the gorilla got in.”

“And they didn’t notice you?”

“They did. I pretended to be visiting a woman upstairs.”

“What woman?”

“There was no woman, Dino. Beria asked if I lived upstairs, and I said no, I was visiting a woman whose husband was out of town.”

“Was this something derived from your own experience, Stone? Visiting a woman whose husband is out of town?”

“No, Dino, I made it up so Beria wouldn’t shoot me.”

“So where are the dead bodies?”

“Where they fell, in the study, I imagine. I suggest you get a team over there right now, then arrest Beria.”

“Beria is a Russian diplomat, and as such, he carries a diplomatic passport and is immune from arrest, even for a double murder.”

“Then arrest the gorilla.”

“You want my people to appear at the Russian mission and ask for a gorilla?”

“I suggest you put a couple of men outside the mission. Since he and Beria appeared to be joined at the hip, when Beria leaves, arrest the gorilla.”

“I’m going to have a hard time getting an arrest warrant for a gorilla,” Dino said. “I don’t think I’d even like to mention a gorilla to a grand jury, under oath.”

“I have done my duty as a citizen,” Stone said. “You want dinner tonight? P. J. Clarke’s at seven?”

“Is Meg still there?”

“Yes.”

“I’d love to have dinner with Meg. See you then.” Dino hung up, and so did Stone.





34




Stone sent Fred over to Arthur Steele’s office with the checks Arthur had signed. As Fred left for Steele’s office, Joan buzzed Stone. “Arthur Steele on one.”

Stone pressed the button. “Hello, Arthur, your checks are on their way back to you by hand.”

“Which checks?”

“The ones you signed and gave to me.”

“Which one did you give Bellini?”

“The one for ten million, but he gave it back, sort of.”

“You’re sending me all four checks, then?”

“That is correct.”

“Did you get the computer files you wanted?”

“Yes.”

“Without paying for them?”

“Yes.”

“Stone, forgive my asking, but how did you do that?”

“It’s complicated, Arthur. I’ll explain when I see you again.”