Cut and Thrust

46

Late in the afternoon, as Stone was reading a book in his library, the phone rang, and he picked up. “Stone Barrington.”

“It’s Ed. I just want you to know that I’ve already hired a publicist, and he’s coming to Santa Fe tomorrow with a camera crew.”

“That sounds great, Ed.”

“What we’re going to do is a long interview that can be cut up to address different points, as a way of defending myself. I’m also doing another long interview that will address Barbara’s history of murderous conduct, her convictions, her prison sentences, and her changes of identity over the years. Depending on what she has to say in her first interview, we can be on the air immediately by sending TV stations all or part of the two interviews. Also, the publicist, whose name is Hal Henry, wants me to tell you to tell Ann to go ahead and call 60 Minutes. She can tell the executive producer that they can review all the tapes we’re making and use as much or as little as they like, or they can send a correspondent out here to do their own interview, or I’ll go to New York and be interviewed there. I am at their disposal.”

“Sounds like you’re ready for anything,” Stone said. “I’ll talk to Ann at dinner and ask her to phone 60 Minutes first thing in the morning.”

“That’s wonderful, Stone. Thank you, and please thank Ann for me, too. Now I’ve got to go and talk to Susannah — she’s writing a rough draft of what I’m going to say.”

“Ed, my advice, for what it’s worth, is don’t read from a script. You’re used to talking on your feet. Review your points and sell it like a closing argument.”

“That’s good advice, Stone, and I’ll take it.”

“And if you come to New York for interviews, I insist you and Susannah stay with me and, if you like, record interviews there.”

“That sounds perfect. I’ll keep you posted.” Eagle hung up as Ann entered the room. “That was Ed Eagle. He’s hired a publicist named Hal Henry, and he wants you to call your contact at 60 Minutes.” Stone told her about Ed’s plans to record interviews. “Can you call him first thing tomorrow morning?”

Ann looked at her watch. “He’s a late worker, I’ll try him now.” She sat down in the chair next to Stone’s and picked up the phone. Stone went to fix them a drink, and when he came back, she was just hanging up.

Stone handed her a drink. “How’d that go?”

“Amazingly well,” Ann said. “One of his producers has already had a call from a publicist in San Francisco named Hugh Gordon, shopping the piece.”

“Uh-oh.”

“But there’s a twist,” she said. “They’ve also had a call from an interviewer named Pam Hale, at an independent TV station in San Francisco, who has an interview with Barbara scheduled for tomorrow and an exclusive in her market. The twist is, she’s already researched Barbara’s background, and she plans to let her make her case, then hit her with some hard questions. She’s offered her raw footage to 60 Minutes, and they’re very interested.”

“That sounds good,” Stone said.

“They did a piece on Ed some years ago, about a trial he was conducting, and they like him. They’d like him to come to New York tomorrow and to be available for interviews.”

Stone picked up the phone, called Eagle, and told him about Ann’s conversation with 60 Minutes. “If you want to do it, we’ll pick you and Susannah up in Santa Fe at around eleven your time tomorrow morning and take you with us.”

“Hang on,” Ed said, then put him on hold. He came back a moment later. “We’re on,” he said. “Susannah has told the publicist, and she thinks he should come, too. Have you got room for him and an assistant on the airplane?”

“Plenty of room,” Stone said. “Have him meet us at Atlantic Aviation at Burbank tomorrow morning at ten, and I’ll be happy to put them up at my house.”

“He’ll be there,” Ed replied. “See you here tomorrow at eleven.”

“Bye.” Stone hung up, called Mike Freeman, and told him what was up. “Can you handle the four extra passengers, Mike? Dino and Viv left after the convention. If it’s a problem, please say so and I’ll charter something.”

“No problem at all, Stone. You always bring along such interesting people. I’ll see you at the airport, and I’ll let our pilot know to include Santa Fe in his flight planning.”

Stone hung up and called Joan Robertson. “It’s Stone. Sorry to call so late.”

“Hey, there. You still coming home tomorrow?”

“Yes, and I’m bringing four guests: Ed Eagle and his wife, Susannah Wilde, a publicist named Hal Henry and his assistant. Please have the second-floor suite freshened up for the Eagles and two rooms on the third floor for Henry and his assistant.”

“Will do. What time will you be in?”

Stone did some rough mental calculations with flight times and time zones. “We should be at the house between four and five. Send Fred and the Bentley for us and the Eagles, and another car and driver for the publicists.”

“I can do that.”

“And tell Helene we’ll be six or eight for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Right. Anything else?”

“I’ll call you from the airplane if I think of anything else.” Stone hung up. “I think we’re all set,” Stone said.

Ann looked at him. “I’m impressed with your organizing skills,” she said. “How would you like to work on Kate’s campaign full-time?”

“Thanks, but I still practice a little law now and then, and Woodman and Weld are wondering where the hell I’ve been for the past ten days.”