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The door lock clicked open, and Dino let himself into the house.
—
Stone was already pouring the drinks as Dino walked into the study. “Hey, there,” Stone said. “Did Viv get decorated?”
Dino accepted the drink and settled into a chair. “Yep, and the commissioner got all funny with me.”
“How so?”
“He insisted I take the captain’s exam, but promised not to make me take the rank. What do you make of that?”
“I think the commissioner never does anything without a good reason, and you should take his advice.”
“I’ll have to spend some time with a retired captain, cramming for it.”
“You were always good at the exams,” Stone said. “You’ll ace it first time.”
“It makes me nervous,” Dino said.
“You’re afraid he’ll give you a precinct and cuff you to a desk?”
“That or make a politician out of me.”
“The man knows you well, Dino, and he’s always liked you. He’s not going to fuck you.”
“If you say so.”
Stone set his drink on the coffee table, went to a cabinet, and opened it, revealing a safe. He punched in the combination, fished out a small velvet box, then locked the safe again. “I have a present for you,” he said, tossing it to Dino.
Dino opened the box, and found a substantial diamond ring. He gave a low whistle. “Nice rock. You proposing to me?”
“It’s the ring I bought Arrington all those years ago, when I was about to propose to her. Then, of course, Vance Calder shot me out of the saddle, and life changed. You’re going to need a ring, and I know you well enough to know that you hate that kind of shopping. I want you to have this to give to Viv.”
“Well, that would stun her,” Dino said.
“She’ll enjoy the experience,” Stone said. “Women like diamonds, and I have no further use for that one.”
Dino seemed to have trouble speaking. “Thanks, pal,” he finally managed to say.
Stone, Dino, and Viv were having a glass of wine in the kitchen while Stone stirred his risotto, adding stock every minute or so. Holly came in and dropped her bag on the floor with a loud thud.
“I need a real drink,” she said. “Not wine, booze.”
“Right over there,” Stone said, nodding toward the kitchen bar. “I can’t put down my spoon right now.”
“What’s in the bag?” Dino asked. “A mortar?”
“Just my sidearm and three loaded magazines,” Holly said. “It adds up.”
“Three magazines? You expecting trouble?”
“I’m afraid so,” Holly replied, splashing bourbon into a glass filled with ice. “One of my people convinced me I might be next on Jasmine’s list of favorite people.”
“Why are we having dinner with her, Stone?” Dino asked. “Aren’t we in danger?”
“I’ll chance it,” Stone said. “Anyway, she lives here, we can’t throw her out.”
“Not for long,” Holly said, gulping down some bourbon. “I’m moving into our New York station after dinner. You’ll all be safe then.”
