Criminal Mischief Read Free Page A

him.”
    “Thanks, Charley.”
    “Anytime.”
    Stone hung up, dictated a letter for Tink’s signature and told Joan to craft a letterhead for her and print it out for use. Then he called Tink.
    “Hey, there,” she said. “Missing any valuables?”
    “I haven’t checked, yet. But I’d like you to come by my office and sign a letter that I have written for you, getting you out of Zanian’s fund.”
    “Oh, I won’t be needing that.”
    “Why not?”
    “I talked to Mr. Zanian this morning. He assured me that everything is running normally, and I had no need to be concerned about my investment with him.”
    “I’m sorry you did that, Tink. I did some checking on Mr. Zanian this morning, and it’s important that you get out immediately.”
    “What did you hear?”
    “Let’s call it a case of worst fears realized.”
    “Oh, Stone, you’re such an alarmist. I’m a very good judge of character, and Mr. Zanian is the genuine article.”
    “The genuine what?”
    “Article. Good as gold.”
    “Do you have anyone’s word for this, except that of Mr. Zanian?”
    “I don’t need that. I told you, I’m a great judge of character.”
    “That’s what people always say when they are poor judges of character.”
    “Well, that’s insulting.”
    “Please regard it as merely intuitive. Tink, if you’re at home in bed, and the fire alarm goes off in your building, what would be your first move? Two choices: leave the building immediately or unplug the alarm?”
    “You’re just annoyed because I won’t take your advice.”
    “I have a secondary recommendation.”
    “Oh, good. What is it?”
    “When Mr. Zanian vanishes and your money with him, report it immediately to the Security and Exchange Commission’s enforcement department. Oh, and don’t call me.”
    “Goodbye, Stone,” she said cheerfully, then hung up.
    “SHIT!” Stone yelled into the ether.
    “I beg your pardon?” Joan was standing in the doorway.
    “Someone has just refused to take my advice.”
    “Who?”
    “The person for whom you’ve typed up the letter.”
    “What shall I do with it?”
    “Mail it to her, along with a stamped envelope addressed to Mr. Viktor—with a k —Zanian, One Vanderbilt Avenue.”
    “You know that’s not a real address, don’t you? It’s a mail drop.”
    “It’s where Mr. Zanian gets his mail, as far as I know.”
    “You know, I have an old college friend who’s investing with that guy.”
    “Type her up a copy of the same letter and send it to her. The sooner she’s out, the better.”
    “Do you have any evidence for this?”
    “Charley Fox suspects him.”
    “Oh. In that case, I’ll send her the letter.” She left the room.
    “SHIT!” Stone shouted again.

5
    Stone called Dino.
    “Bacchetti.”
    “You get anything on Viktor Zanian, yet?”
    “I’ll tell you about it over dinner.”
    “Do we have a dinner date?”
    “We do now. Caravaggio, at seven.”
    “Who’s buying?”
    “You are.”
    “Didn’t I buy last time?”
    “Picky, picky, picky. See you at seven.” Dino hung up.
----
    —
    Stone’s drink and Dino arrived at the same moment, and it took only another moment to find Dino’s Scotch. They drank.
    “So,” Dino said, “whaddaya hear from Tink Dorsey?”
    “This isn’t about Tink,” Stone said.
    “It is now. She’s why you want to know about Zanian.”
    “Am I supposed to tell you something about Tink, or are you supposed to tell me something about Zanian?”
    “You first.”
    “I checked with Charley Fox about Zanian and he gave the guy a bad report,” Stone said. “So, I wrote a letter for Tink’s signature, pulling her out of his fund, but she wouldn’t sign it. Said she spoke with Zanian this morning, and he said everything was fine. And she believed him, because she’s a ‘great judge of character.’ ”
    Dino laughed aloud. “Tink really said that?”
    “She really did.”
    “And I bet you’re not getting laid anymore.”
    “That hasn’t