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“It’s a pity the bar association can’t protect you from—What’s-his-name?”
“Eddie Jr. I’m counting on the NYPD for that assistance.”
“I don’t think a charge of disturbing the peace will keephim far enough away,” Dino said. “Dream up something with some jail time attached, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“I guess that assault on my jacket sleeve wasn’t enough, huh?”
“Get him to assault you with something in his hand, like a baseball bat.”
“I’m not sure I would survive that sort of assault.”
“Okay. How about a closed fist?”
“I think he’s too much of a coward to try that,” Stone replied. “Joan says he’s devoid of any moral character, so I’m sure he’ll think of something we can nail him for.”
“Your police department remains at your beck and call,” Dino said.
FIVE
Stone had breakfast in bed, as always, then showered, shaved, dressed, and went downstairs to his home office.
Joan came in from her office. “Have you called a press conference for this morning?”
“Press conference? Me? What about?”
“My very question,” Joan replied.
“What are you talking about, Joan?”
“There’s a little knot of seedy-looking people with press badges gathered on our doorstep, and they seem to be waiting to be spoken to.”
“Thank God I don’t have a hangover,” Stone said, “or I wouldn’t be able to gather myself to address them.”
“Well, since you don’t have a hangover, why don’t you go outside and disperse them.”
“Because I pay you for that sort of chore.”
“I tried speaking to them, but they ignored me.”
Stone got up from his desk, put on his jacket, and walked outside. “Disperse!” he said to the gathering, making shooing motions. They ignored him and continued to chat among themselves.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” a voice behind Stone said. They all snapped to something like attention.
Stone turned to find Eddie Jr. standing on an upturned flowerpot, from which the flowers had been cast aside.
“I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve called you all together,” Eddie said. They became reverently silent.
“Put that flowerpot back where you found it,” Stone said to him, “and put the flowers back into it.”
“After I’ve addressed the press,” Eddie said.
“Address them somewhere else, or I’ll have the police haul them all away, you included.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Eddie said.
“Joan,” Stone said to her. “Call the police and ask them to haul this crowd away.”
“On what grounds?” she asked, having joined him outside.
