Stuart Woods - Fast and Loose

“Yes, Fred?” Stone asked.

“Mr. Barrington, our two watchers outside the house have taken a couple of potshots at two of our tires.”

“With what effect?”

“No real effect, sir, since the tires are the special ones you ordered, constructed to absorb rounds and reseal. I just thought you’d like to know.”

“Any reason to take it to the dealer?”

“I shouldn’t think so, sir.”

“Then carry on.”

“Yes, sir.” Fred got back into the car and continued on his mission.

Stone was thinking this over when Dino called.

“Hey.”

“You sound thoughtful,” Dino said. “Something on your mind?”

“Yes. Macher has two people watching the house. We’ve been ignoring them, but this morning they tried to shoot out two of the Bentley’s tires. No effect, since they’re security equipment. Still, I don’t think I should let it go unanswered.”

“Are they still there?”

“They’re always there. This morning they were both wearing trench coats, hats, and carrying umbrellas.”

“Leave it to me,” Dino said. “I’ll get back to you.”

“Okay.”

“Dinner tonight?”

“Sure, just the two of us?”

“Yeah, Viv is traveling.”

“You mind if I bring my new investment partner, Charley Fox? He’s an interesting guy — CIA, followed by Goldman Sachs and St. Clair.”

“Sure. P. J. Clarke’s at seven?”

“See you then.”

Joan came into his office. “I thought you’d like to know that I just saw the cops pick up our two watchers outside.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Any trouble?”

“An argument, quickly resolved by the uniforms. They’re gone.”

Jake Herman was at his desk when a call came in. “This is Jake.”

“Jake, it’s Martini. Gimlet and I got busted outside Barrington’s house an hour ago. We need bail money.”

“What’s the charge?”

“Well, you told us to take out two tires on Barrington’s Bentley, and we did, but it drove away. Fifteen minutes later we were busted, and Gimlet doesn’t have his carry permit yet, and we’re both charged with vandalism.”

“Where are you?”

“At the Nineteenth Precinct. They’re taking us downtown to be arraigned in a few minutes.”

“I’ll have a lawyer meet you there.” He hung up and phoned an attorney St. Clair kept on retainer for such things. He didn’t feel like telling Macher about this just yet; he’d let it ride until tomorrow.

Stone, Dino, and Charley met at Clarke’s and had a drink at the bar before going into the back room for dinner. Dino and Charley got on immediately. Stone was impressed, because Dino usually reserved immediate camaraderie for cops and ex-cops.

“Thanks for clearing the street in front of the house,” Stone said to Dino, when he got a chance to interrupt.

“No problem,” Dino said.

“The security tires were a good move, I think.”

“I don’t use anything else on my official vehicles.”

“I bridled at the cost, but not anymore.”

“Somebody tried to shoot your tires out?” Charley asked.

“Your pal Jake Herman’s people. Dino had them scooped up, and they got a few hours in the lockup.”

Charley chuckled. “I wish I could see Macher’s face when he finds out.”

Dino chimed in, “Oh, that reminds me — you remember that other thing we talked about, that late-night visit?”

“I do,” Stone said.

“How about I schedule that for soon?”

“I like the idea.”

“I’m going to need a basis for a search warrant.”

“I think I’ve got just the thing,” Stone said.

Then they were called to their table.

Dino looked up from his steak. “Okay, what’s my probable cause for a search warrant?”

“Thanks to Charley, here, I have two versions of Christian St. Clair’s will that Erik Macher and Tommy Berenson, his lawyer, colluded on, and the second version gives full operating power of the whole company to Macher. The first one didn’t mention him.”

“I like it,” Dino said, taking a swig of his cabernet. “These two copies were stolen, right?”

“Well, yes,” Stone said, “but the original computer files are still in St. Clair’s system. You can make your warrant for a search for the wills, which a reliable source told you existed, both physical and digital.”

“I think that will fly,” Dino said. “Remind me to call somebody after I finish this steak.”

“Certainly.”

“Dino,” Charley said, “there’s a button somewhere in Macher’s office that, when pressed, will scrub all their computer files clean.”

“Uh-oh. Where is it?”

“I don’t know, somewhere in that room. Just keep Macher and anybody else there out of that office until you’ve had a chance to search the files.”

“Have you got locations and file names for the files?”

“Yes, you can print out the will there, then download them onto a thumb drive. I’m assuming you’ll take an IT guy along on your raid.”

“Right.”

“If he has any problems, he can reach me anytime on my cell.” Charley gave him his business card. “Macher lives on the top floor, in Christian St. Clair’s old apartment, very handsome. Something else you should know, his taste in women runs to call girls. I heard him say once that picking up and seducing the amateurs was too time-consuming, so he’s likely not to be alone when you bust in.”

“There’s another charge you can add to your list,” Stone said.

“Who else lives there?” Dino asked.

“His secretary. Word around the office is, Macher likes her to be available for blow jobs, as well as her regular work. By the way, you want to keep her away from her desk and computer while you’re there. Cuff her to a doorknob or something.”

“Are there any other bedrooms?”

“There are several that are occasionally occupied by visiting business associates and others. It’s quite an elegant house, really.”

“What about Jake Herman, Charley?” Stone asked. “Where does he live?”

“He has an apartment in the neighborhood, but I’ve known him to stay the night at the mansion.”

“Is he likely to offer resistance?”

“Nah, Jake is ex-FBI. He knows the drill. Macher knows the drill, too, but he won’t like it. He could very well give you a hard time.”

“I hope so,” Dino said, grinning.

“So do I,” Charley said. “I wish I could be there to watch the raid.”

“We’ll be doing a video,” Dino replied. “I’ll shoot you a copy so you won’t miss any of the action.”

“Great!”

“Forgive the change of subject,” Stone said, “but is anything happening on the investment front, Charley?”

“I’ve had conversations with two companies on St. Clair’s list — both are good bets.”

“What are they?”

“DigiFlood is one. They make digital components for manufacturers. They’re particularly interesting right now because they’re working on a new kind of storage device that will be revolutionary. They need thirty million dollars to finish the development. The other is called Automobile Butler Services. They work on your car in your own garage or even parking space, if the weather is good. The great thing about them is that they’re authorized warranty agents for the more expensive cars. They’ve got a couple of dozen offices in the tristate area, but they need capital to expand nationwide.”

“Sounds good.”

“They’re both well managed and already profitable.”

“Then move in whenever you’re ready.”

“I’ve also got two new people, starting the first of the month, who I knew at Goldman, and they’ll bring their own ideas with them.”