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STON E A N D D IN O were enjoying a drink on their front porch when Stone’s cell phone buzzed. “Hello?”
“Stone, it’s Wally Millard.”
“Hey, Wally, how are you?”
“I’m okay, but I don’t think everybody else is.”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s this kid’s name you’re looking for?”
“Evan Keating.”
“That’s the one. I got a call from Manny White in Miami, and he was steamed, which isn’t unusual for Manny.”
“I guess not. What’s his problem?”
“Well, Manny doesn’t like to hear from people who want to have some dirty work done.”
“Okay. Who asked him to do what?”
“Somebody called him and hinted that he needed somebody hit.”
“I can see how that might steam Manny. Who was the caller?”
“He’s not positive, but he thinks it was the guy who hired him to fi nd Keating.”
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“He thinks it was Warren Keating?” Stone didn’t like the sound of this.
“That’s right, he wanted Manny to find his son. I passed it on to him after Eggers called me.”
“Why does he think it was Warren Keating?”
“He had an upper-class New England accent; Manny doesn’t get many calls from people who talk like George Plimpton. That’s who Manny said he talks like.”
“When you referred Keating to Manny, did you make the call, or did he?”
“I did.”
“Then how can Manny recognize his voice?”
“It was the accent. Manny can’t think of anybody else who would call him who has an accent like that. And George Plimpton is dead, God rest his soul.”
“Okay, I get all of that.”
“Did you find the Keating kid?”
“Yeah, but I’ve lost him again. Why?”
“Well, Manny cut the guy short, but after he hung up, it occurred to him that what might have been going on was that old Keating wanted young Keating taken out.”