Stuart Woods - Strategic moves

"It's so smooth," Willa said.

"Welcome to jet travel."

"Airliners aren't this smooth."

"They are when they have smooth conditions, as we do today."

"What a great way to travel," she said. "Where the hell are we going?"

"East by northeast. Air traffic control is being very nice to us today. Either there isn't much traffic or they think we're Air Force One."

Twenty minutes from destination they were given a descent to eleven thousand feet, and, once there, were handed off to Bangor approach and given five thousand. Stone canceled his IFR plan and aimed for just south of the short runway at Islesboro.

"Bangor is in Maine, isn't it?" Willa asked.

"Yes, and so is Penobscot Bay, below us, as is that long, skinny island right there, which is known as Islesboro."

"I've never been to Maine. This is exciting."

"I'm glad you think so." Stone turned final for runway one, lined up his approach, dropped the landing gear, and put in full flaps. The airplane quickly slowed to its approach speed of 88 knots, and Stone set down and braked sharply. "That's for us," he said, nodding at the old Ford station wagon as they rolled past it.

Half an hour later they had unpacked and were enjoying a hot toddy before a cheerful fire in the study.

"Well," Willa said, "you certainly know how to make a second date interesting."

"Thank you."

"How is it you chose this place?"

Stone told her the story of Dick Stone's death and his inheritance.

"That's sad," she said, "but in the end, fortunate for you."

"I can't deny that," he said.

"So, what's this I hear about this big conference at your house Monday morning?"

Stone looked at her, dumbfounded. "Please tell me exactly what you've heard," he said.

"That you're somehow involved with the CIA-they're your clients, or something, except you're representing somebody else on this occasion."

"And please tell me who told you that."

"The DA himself," she said, "when your name came up."

"And what is the DA's interest in me and my meeting?"

"He didn't say, exactly, just that he hoped to get some prosecutions as a result of the meeting."

Stone was baffled. This had to have come from Lance, but why would Lance have told a local, non-federal prosecutor, albeit the most important DA in the country, to expect prosecutions?

"Well?" Willa asked. "Is this true?"

Stone thought about the agreement he had drawn and that Lance had signed. He had neglected to insert provisions of secrecy, believing that Lance had no reason to mention it to anyone outside the Agency and that he would, routinely, keep it a secret.

"Well, since information about this thing is abroad in the land, I may as well tell you, on the condition of absolute confidentiality."

"But why, when I already know about it?"

"Okay, let's forget it and change the subject."

"Oh, all right, absolute confidentiality."

Stone gave her the background to the story.

"And that's the Mercedes that ended up in that swimming pool in Westchester?"

"One and the same."

"And your client was driving… flying it?"

"For a short time, yes."

"That is the wildest story I've ever heard!"

"Tell me, is the DA expecting to call my client as a witness in these prosecutions he's so looking forward to?"

"That was my impression," Willa replied.

Well, Stone thought, we'll see about that.

Stone excused himself, let himself into Dick Stone's secure office, and called Lance Cabot's cell number.

"Yes, Stone? And why are you in Maine again on such a cold weekend?"

Stone ignored the question. "Why does the Manhattan district attorney believe that Pablo's questioning is going to result in numerous prosecutions for him and that Pablo will be testifying?"

Lance sighed. "I happened to have dinner with him at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn the evening before last. I'm afraid he may have overestimated his potential involvement in the results of Pablo's testimony."

"Were you drunk?" Stone asked.

"Now, Stone, don't make too much of this, please."

"Too much of it? Apparently, details of my client's cooperation are abroad in the land. Surely you're aware that that sort of information could endanger his life and those of his family?"

"Nonsense. Pablo has nothing to fear."

"Well, let's take a hypothetical example: Pablo tells you, on tape, that he sold X arms to X person on X date, and someone in the DA's office lets that slip to an acquaintance of X. What do you think X's reaction will be?"

"You have a hypothetical point, Stone, but don't stretch it. It won't happen that way."

"Lance, I give you notice now: if you ask Pablo a question the answer to which might put his life in jeopardy, I will instruct him not to answer."

"Stone, I'm sure our four days together will go very smoothly, and I'll do everything I can to protect Pablo's health and happiness during the proceedings."

"Thanks, Lance. I'm going to hold you to that, and afterwards, too." Stone hung up and returned to Willa.

"Problem?" she asked.

"Not anymore," he replied, hoping it was true.

They had a good dinner and retired early. Willa came to bed wearing only a short, filmy nightgown, and Stone received her wearing only boxer shorts. Shortly, neither was wearing anything.

"You have a reputation to live up to," Willa said, throwing a leg over and snuggling close, her breasts firmly against his chest.

"Oh, God," Stone breathed, but he did his best to live up to it.

When they had finished and lay on their backs, letting the ceiling fan cool their sweating bodies, Willa said, "I hope what I said about the DA hasn't disrupted anything for you."

"What you said hasn't," Stone said, "but what the DA said may, before this is over."

"He wasn't supposed to know about your meeting?"

"He was told by a participant who was indiscreet," Stone said. "I'll take steps to see that it doesn't matter."

"I hope that works out for you," she said.

"So do I."

The following morning they took a walk along the snowy shore.

"This place is more fun when we can take out a boat," Stone said.

"Last night made up for the absence of boats," Willa replied.

"That's your fault," Stone said. "You were irresistible."

"A girl likes to be irresistible," she replied.

"Tell me, what brought Herbie Fisher to the attention of someone as lofty as you in the DA's office?"

"As part of my ADA's supervision, I read a memo describing her-how shall I put it?-negotiation with you."

"And?"

"It read more like a capitulation," Willa replied. "I had a few words with her about that, and next time she encounters a defense lawyer she'll be a lot tougher."

"The young woman saved your office the expense of a prosecution that you'd have lost and the resulting embarrassment," Stone said. "Speaking as an ex-cop who enjoyed putting criminals away, I think she made the right call. So does Dino, you'll remember."

"I can't judge my people by what the cops think of them," Willa said.

"I should have thought that the cops' opinion of a prosecution would be a very important factor in judging new ADAs," Stone said. "It doesn't take any guts to bring a case to prosecution, if there's any kind of case at all, but it takes some guts and smarts to look at the evidence and see that it's not enough for a conviction."

"Maybe, but a different, more experienced prosecutor might have come to a different conclusion about the evidence."

"No," Stone said, "if I had been talking to you instead, you would have come to the same conclusion."

"And why do you think that?"

"Because in a case like Herbie's, I'm a better defense attorney than I was a lover last night."