Стюарт Вудс - Indecent Exposure

“Is that not what you want?”

“I want it, I just didn’t think it was possible.”

“I’m an impatient man,” he said, pulling her down to him again.

“Will my being in your life be a negative thing for the campaign?”

“No, we’re a good fourteen, fifteen months away from announcing, I think.”

“I wouldn’t want for anyone to use me against you.”

“Listen, I’m squeaky clean. The press has gotten used to that, and they won’t blame me for starting to see someone else after that.”

“Squeaky clean?” she laughed.

“There’s only one thing in my past that I would worry about.”

She didn’t ask; she wanted it to come from him.

“Some years ago I had a summer fling on the Vineyard with the daughter of a friend, my next-door neighbor. She was a college girl at the time. It only happened a couple of times, but she got pregnant.”

“Is she likely to be a problem?”

“No, it’s not like that. She got an abortion, and we didn’t see each other again, except socially. Anyway, in the circumstances, she would have as much to lose as I if it came up during a campaign.”

Stone was working when Bob Cantor turned up and took a seat in his office.

“There have been developments,” he said.

“Tell me.”

“Gloria Parsons has got her hooks into Benton Blake.”

“Well, we’ve known about that for weeks.”

“No, this is all new.” He set the little recorder on Stone’s desk and played the conversation. “This just happened last night, and I got it off the autorecorder this morning.”

Stone listened to the whole tape. “Well,” he said, “looks like Benton is serious about this affair. I don’t know whether I underestimated or overestimated him.”

“She’s quite the looker,” Bob said, “and it sounds as if he’s really going all in.”

“I don’t suppose you have any idea who his wife is screwing,” Stone said.

“You haven’t asked me to look into that, but I will if that’s what you want.”

“No, I’m not really interested in his marriage, I just wanted something on Gloria, in case I needed it.”

“Well, you have that.”

“And now that I do, I don’t want it,” Stone said. “In fact, I feel guilty about having initiated this — it’s none of my business, really.”

“I can understand why you might feel that way,” Bob said. “Do you want me to terminate the investigation?”

“I don’t care about what goes on in her apartment or her love life, but I do care about any conversations she might have with Danny Blaine or Alphonse Teppi that concern me.”

“Okay, I’ll stay on it, then.” They shook hands, and Bob left.

Joan came into his office and handed him a note. “Bill Eggers’s secretary called while you were meeting with Bob. She wants to know if you’re available for lunch tomorrow with Bill at The Club at one o’clock.”

“Tell her I’m available,” Stone said.

Stone arrived at The Club a little early and found Bill Eggers ahead of him in the bar. They ordered drinks.

“I’m glad we have a moment to talk before Benton gets here,” Eggers said.

“What’s it about?”

“I’ve heard that he’s interested in practicing law again, when his term is up.”

Stone tried to look surprised. “Do you think he could make some rain?”

“I think he could produce a few thunderstorms. Remember, he appointed all the heads of the state agencies — now he can reap the benefits, and there’s nothing unethical about it.”

“Would you bring him in as a partner?”

“Absolutely, that’s where he’d be the most effective.”

“I agree,” Stone said.

“And there’s something else. Benton has hinted strongly that he’s going to run for the Senate at the midterm, so he wouldn’t be around for much more than a year. By that time we’d have reaped about all from the state that we’re going to.”

“Could he be senator and a partner simultaneously?”

“He wouldn’t be the first,” Eggers said, “but in those circumstances we wouldn’t be paying him as much.”

“Suppose he loses the Senate race?”

“To whom?”

“Well, I expect someone could crop up, perhaps even someone who could beat him.”

“In that case, he could continue with the firm, but his compensation would be based on the business he brings in, so that’s okay with me.”

“It’s okay with me, too,” Stone said.

Eggers was about to say something else, but Benton Blake appeared in the bar, and they sat down for lunch.

“Long time,” Blake said to Stone.

“I don’t get to Albany much,” Stone replied, “and I didn’t see you at the Saltonstall wedding dinner.”

“I had to be in California to entice a tech company to relocate in upstate New York.”

“Successful?”

“I believe so. We’ll know after their next board meeting, which is in a couple of weeks.”

“Good luck.”

“And I want to thank both of you for your support over the past two terms. It’s meant a lot to me, more than just the money.”

“You’re very welcome, Benton,” Eggers said. “Tell me, have you given any thought to what you’re going to do when your time as governor is done?”

That’s making it easy for him, Stone thought.

“I have, Bill. I want to practice law again.”

“That’s very interesting, Benton. When you get closer to the end of your term, let’s talk seriously about that. I’m sure we could find a nice office for you at Woodman & Weld.”

“I’m nearer to the end of my term than you know, Bill, so let’s talk about it now.”

“Tell me what I don’t know.”

“We’re wrapping up my divorce agreement now, and as soon as that’s completed, I plan to resign as governor.”

“What’s the rush?” Eggers asked.

“I’m considering a run for the Senate in two years, and I want to do some good for myself before I do.”

“Well, Benton, we’d be delighted to have you at Woodman & Weld as a partner.”

“I’m delighted to hear that, and I’m sure we can work out something.”

“I’m sure about that, too.” Eggers extended a hand. “Welcome aboard, Benton.”

Stone shook his hand, too. “How long before you can join us, Benton?”

“Within a month. I’m going over to my lawyer’s office after lunch to read the final agreement. If it’s satisfactory, I’ll sign it and as soon as the court accepts it and issues a decree, I’ll resign.”

“I’ll go back to the office and dictate an offer,” Eggers said, “and e-mail it to you. You’ll have it to read by the end of the day, and we can hash out the details soon. We’ll be ready to welcome you as soon as you leave Albany.”

Eggers ordered a bottle of champagne, and they toasted the new relationship.

Stone rode with Eggers back to the Seagram Building, where the offices of Woodman & Weld were located. He wanted to drop in on his group and see how they were doing. “Bill, can I tell my people about this?”

“Wait until Benton has signed on the dotted line. Anyway, nothing he does will affect what goes on in your group.”

“All right,” Stone said. They got out of the car in the garage and took the elevator to the top floor, where both their offices were located. Stone thanked Eggers for lunch and went to the suite of offices occupied by The Barrington Group. Herbie Fisher was on his computer amid the ruins of a brown bag lunch.

“How’s it going, Stone?”

“Very well, thanks, Herb. Is everything running smoothly here?” He took a seat on the sofa.

“We’re shipshape,” Herbie said. “I’m glad to see you. I was going to call this afternoon anyway.”