Quotation

Elaine's, late. The place had exhausted its second wind, and half the customers had gone; otherwise she would not have given Stone Barrington quite so good a table--number 4, along the wall to your right as you enter. Stone knew Elaine, had known her for years, but he was not what you would call a regular--not what Elaine would call a regular, anyway. He rested his left leg on a chair and unconsciously massaged the knee. Elaine got down from her stool at the cash register, walked over, and pulled up a chair.