Stone Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

buzz me, and to organize
     my professional life. I don’t know why, but I find her desk much more conducive to work. Maybe because it isn’t filled with
     my own garbage.”
    Gathering up his papers, Hershfield stood, then took out a key ring. He opened an adjoining door. “Come in.”
    Good-size place, Decker thought. Not cavernous, but the plate-glass window view opened things up—an endless snapshot of steely,
     gelid air and rooftop machinery. The office itself was paneled in warm red mahogany. Sharing the wall space with the abstract
     oils were lotsof diplomas and certificates. He had a small bookcase in back of his desk, the shelves holding just as many Hebrew books as
     tomes on American jurisprudence. Of course, the firm had its own law library, so the references he had were the ones he probably
     used the most. His desk was rosewood and brass, his desk chair tufted oxblood leather. Two client chairs sat opposite the
     desk, upholstered in a subtle hunter green and maroon floral. In the middle of the room sat a sofa in the same pattern and
     two more client chairs, the arrangements separated by a sleek rosewood coffee table framed in brass. A corner leather wing
     chair rounded out the atmosphere. The parquet wood floor was almost entirely covered by a fringed, ornate Persian rug.
    There was a knock at his door. Hershfield answered it, and Rina came in. She had applied some fresh makeup. She was wearing
     a navy sweater over a navy skirt, and black boots. Hannah was in her arms.
    “And who is this
motek
?” Hershfield asked.
    “This is Hannah.” Rina shifted the girl in her arms. “You wouldn’t have any orange juice on you, would you?”
    “I’d have anything you want.” He buzzed Britta. The brunette came in holding a pencil. “Could you run to Harry’s?”
    “No, I can’t run. But I can walk.”
    Hershfield ignored her. He turned to Hannah. “What can I get you,
kleinkind
?”
    “Are you hungry, sweetie?” Rina said to her daughter.
    “No, just
grumpy
.”
    “But maybe you’d be less grumpy if you ate.” Rina looked at Britta. “Maybe I should come with you.”
    “Sure,” Britta said. “We’ve already done our bathroom bonding. Would any of you gentlemen like something?”
    “Coffee,” Decker said.
    “I’ll go along with that,” Jonathan said.
    “Mr. Hershfield?”
    “If it isn’t too much work,” the lawyer answered.
    “That’s what you’re paying me for, Mr. H.”
    The females left.
    The man was all folksy and polite. In a courtroom, he was part Tasmanian devil /part wolverine. Anyone who came up against
     himgot bit. Decker stuck out his hand. “We haven’t met formally, Mr. Hershfield. I’m Peter Decker.”
    “The Homicide detective I told you about,” Jonathan said.
    “Actually, you’re selling him short, Rabbi Levine. The lieutenant here is actually in charge of the detectives’ division.
     Where do you work? Somewhere in the San Fernando Valley?”
    “I see you’ve done your homework.”
    “I’m nothing if not compulsive.”
    “My division is in the West Valley—Devonshire. Do you know L.A.?”
    “I have a brother in Beverly Hills. Corporate law. He’s got a beautiful house. It’s got an entry hall that you could skate
     in. My brother’s very successful.”
    “It must run in the family,” Decker said.
    “Me?” Hershfield made a face. “I’m just a bulldog who believes in due process. Sit down, gentlemen.”
    The gentlemen sat.
    Hershfield smiled at Decker. “So hiring counsel was your idea. I’m not surprised. You know what the police are capable of.”
    Decker smiled back.
    Hershfield said, “Are you related to the victim?”
    “No.”
    “We’re brothers.” Jonathan pointed to Decker, then to himself. “Half brothers. The victim was my brother-in-law.”
    “I’m just debating how much we should talk in front of him,” Hershfield said.
    “Technically, I can be subpoenaed and made to testify because I’m not a family member,”