Stuart Woods - Strategic moves

"Or what?" Lance asked insouciantly.

"Or you won't get the bonus."

"Ah, I see, you're saving the best for last."

"Something like that."

"Give me a hint."

"It's something you want, and nobody else can give it to you."

Lance thought, then he chuckled. "Surely you're not talking about-"

"I'm not talking, period," Stone said. "This conversation is at an end."

"Oh, all right. I'll see you Monday morning at nine. Will you be offering breakfast, as well?"

"If you can ask questions while chewing. Who are you bringing with you?"

"Holly will be here, and at least one person who may remain anonymous. Also, there'll be a court stenographer with his little machine."

"As long as they'll all fit at my table."

"Will you have anyone else there besides Pablo? If so, they'll have to be cleared."

"Just the two of us," Stone said. "Occasionally, Pablo and I may have to consult privately, and as our agreement states, I can instruct him not to answer, if necessary."

"Ever the lawyer, Stone," Lance said. He shook hands and left.

Joan came in when he had gone. "So that's the elusive Lance Cabot?"

"Elusive? Why do you say that?"

"Well, I've heard you talk about him for years-usually disparagingly-but I've never seen him until now. He's very good-looking and beautifully dressed, too. It's strange having two of you in the office at once."

"I'll introduce you next week."

Joan left, and Stone called Pablo.

"Hello?" He sounded relaxed, but alert, as he always did.

"Mr. C. has just left my office. We have concluded arrangements, and I'd like to tell you what they are."

"Please do, I'm dying to know."

"He's going to have four eight-hour days of your time to interview you. He'll be bringing several of his people to sit in, and the entire interview will be recorded with video and audio, two copies. You get one, he gets one. That way there can be no later dispute about who said what to whom."

"All right, but I don't want our discussion about you-know-who recorded-audio or video."

"That's fair. We're going to get all the signed documents-including a letter from the attorney general-before we introduce that subject. It will be the very last thing on the agenda."

"Good. I will need a large-scale map of the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan."

"I'm not going to ask him to bring that; it would tip him off. Visit a map store. There's one on West Forty-third Street, just east of Sixth Avenue."

"As you wish," Pablo said.

"Pablo, now would be a good time to move your family," Stone said.

"I have already done so," Pablo replied. "My family and my staff have moved to my house in-"

"I don't need to know that," Stone said.

"My wife called me last night. They are safe and comfortable."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"It will be a great relief for her when this business is concluded."

"I'm sure it will be."

"You will have to come and visit us, Stone. I live in very nice places. You'd like Marbella."

"That's on the coast of Spain, isn't it?"

"Yes, a lovely spot."

"It would be very pleasant to come and see you, Pablo."

"Stone, I would like you to draw a new will for me."

"I'd be happy to, as a courtesy."

"I'll messenger over a list of my bequests, so you can have it ready to be executed when I see you."

"Pablo, do you have a residence in Florida?"

"I do, in Palm Beach."

"I'm going to get a document for you to sign declaring Florida as your legal residence."

"Is there a tax or some other advantage?"

"Yes, you'll avoid paying New York State and City income taxes. In Florida you'll pay a small intangibles tax on your investment holdings-stocks and bonds."

"That would be acceptable," Pablo said.

"What address have you filed your tax returns from?"

"My Marbella address."

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Can you recommend a trustworthy private detective?"

"I can, but I need to know what you have in mind. I don't want to screw up our deal with these people, either before or after our meeting with them. You're going to have to promise to be a law-abiding citizen."

"Then let's wait until we meet to discuss that."

"Certainly."

"Do you need any other local referrals?"

"A good shoe repair shop," Pablo said.

"Jim's Shoe Repair, East Fifty-ninth, between Park and Lex."

"Thank you so much, Stone."

"They'll be here at nine sharp on Monday morning," Stone said. "I suggest you come here at eight for breakfast, so we can have a little time to talk."

"I'll be there at eight sharp," Pablo said.

"Good day, then." Stone hung up. This was going to be either fun or absolute hell, depending on how Lance conducted himself, and Stone knew he could do little about that.

Stone was nearly done for the day when Joan buzzed once again. "Stephanie Gunn Fisher for you on line one."

Stone thought that sounded like the name of a substantial heiress and socially prominent woman, which, of course, she was.

He pressed the button. "Good afternoon, Stephanie."

"Hello, Stone," she said cheerfully. "How are you?"

"I'm very well indeed, and I hope you and Herbie are, as well."

"We're very well, too."

Stone hoped that, since the health of everyone involved had been established, she would get on with it. She did.

"Herbie has told me of your interest in investing with the Gunn company, and I'm happy to tell you that I've discussed it with Jack, and he has agreed to accept you as one of his investors."

Stone thought as fast as he could. "That's certainly good news, Stephanie, but since speaking with Herbie about the investment, there have been some changes in my financial setup, so I won't be able to avail myself of that opportunity at the present moment."

There was a long silence. "Something I can help with, Stone? A loan or a line of credit, perhaps?"

"I don't think that will be necessary," Stone said. "I just have a few things to sort out before I can make the commitment."

"I see," she said, and there was a cool edge to her voice.

"I'm very grateful for your speaking to Jack about me, and I will certainly understand if he wants to change his mind, but I just can't do it right now."

"Would you care to mention a time when we should talk again?"

"I'll be in touch as soon as things have calmed down a bit."

"Tell me, Stone, are you in any way connected to the security firm Strategic Services?"

"Yes, I'm their outside counsel and a member of their board."

"Are you aware that they have submitted a request to withdraw their investment from our company?"

"They consult with me mostly on legal matters, not financial ones, and since I've only recently been appointed, I haven't attended a board meeting yet."

"I see. I hope the recent flare-up of publicity hasn't played a part in their decision, because everything at Gunn Investments is in apple-pie order."

"I'm glad to hear that, and I'll be happy to convey your assurances to the CEO when next I see him."

"Thank you, Stone, and I wish you a pleasant week." Stephanie hung up.

Stone sighed, relieved that he had avoided telling an outright lie to get through that conversation.

Joan buzzed again. "Pablo for you."

"Hello, Pablo," Stone said.

"Stone, I have just learned from a reliable source that my passport and those of my family have been flagged by the State Department and thus may not be used to enter or leave the country."

"That's not good news, Pablo. I'm sorry."

"You must get back to Mr. C. and tell him that these flags must be lifted at once, or I will be unable to speak with him and his people next week."

"I'll do the best I can, Pablo, but we have a signed agreement with him that does not include this problem. I'll speak to him; perhaps he will be of help."