Cut and Thrust

50

Charles Grosvenor arrived at the Bentley dealership, went directly to his office, and called Hugh Gordon, Barbara’s newly hired publicist.

“Good morning, Charles,” the man said smoothly.

“Hugh, how are you coming on the editing of Barbara’s interview with that Hale woman?”

“Charles, I was going to call Barbara in a few minutes. I think I may have gotten the entire interview killed. The CEO at WSFO has told me that he has about decided not to run it.”

“‘About decided’? What does that mean?”

“It means he’s seriously thinking about not running it. Pam is beside herself, of course, but it’s her boss’s decision, and he’s leaning toward not running it.”

“How can he be pushed all the way?”

“That’s my job, Charles, and I’m working hard at it. I’ve told the man that Barbara feels she was sandbagged, which she was, and that if the second part of the interview runs, she will consider legal action. He knows that Barbara has deep pockets and that a successful lawsuit could break his company, and I’ve also been feeding his concerns about the reaction of the arts community in San Francisco, which depends so heavily on Barbara for large contributions. I think he has begun to see that the consequences of running the interview are unpredictable, to say the least.”

“Please be sure to convey all this directly to Barbara, Hugh. She’s very upset, and frankly, she’s driving me crazy. I need to get this business favorably settled and get her out of town. A change of scenery will do wonders for her.”

“Is she awake now?”

“She is, and she would be grateful for your call.”

“Then I’ll call her as soon as we hang up. By the way, Charles, I’m interested in talking with you about a Bentley.”

“Wonderful, Hugh. In which model does your interest lie?”

“The Flying Spur, I think.”

“Hold on just a moment, will you, Hugh?”

“Certainly.”

Charles pressed the hold button and checked his inventory on his computer, then he went back to the call. “Hugh, I have a new Flying Spur that’s being used as a press car at the moment. Why don’t you take it for the weekend and drive someplace beautiful? Down to Carmel or up to Napa?”

“I would be delighted,” Hugh said.

“The car is its own best salesman,” Charles said. “If you have any questions, make a note of them. We’ll have lunch early next week and I’ll answer them.”

“Wonderful, Charles.”

“You can pick up the car here anytime Friday afternoon. Or, if you’d prefer, I’ll have it delivered to you.”

“I’ll pick it up, I think.”

“See you then.”

Charles hung up feeling very much better. He could see an end to this interview business, and he had probably sold a car.

He called his service manager and instructed him to clean the car, and especially the upholstery. He wanted it to have that new-car smell when Hugh Gordon got into it.

He had to find a way to get Barbara happy again. He enjoyed being wealthy, and divorce would not be a good idea. He had seen the effect that rejection had on Barbara, and he did not wish to replace Ed Eagle as the object of her enmity.

Stone accepted an invitation to lunch with Bill Eggers, the managing partner of his law firm, Woodman & Weld. They met at the Four Seasons, where Eggers had a regular table.

Eggers ordered his usual martini, and Stone had mineral water. He had found that it was important to have a clear head during these seemingly informal lunches with Bill.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to see more of you at the convention, Bill,” Stone said. “It got rather busy.”

“That’s quite all right, Stone. All the insiders I know are giving you credit for swinging the nomination to Kate Lee.”

“That’s an exaggeration,” Stone said.

“Still, it makes you an important FOK.”

“A what?”

“Friend of Kate.”

“Ah, yes.”

“If she gets elected, of course. But right now, it looks like her election to lose. Have you seen her commercials?”

“Just one, on Morning Joe, earlier today.”

“I think they’re brilliant. Henry Carson, assuming he gets the Republican nomination, is going to look like the usual Republican stuffed shirt when compared to her. Hank makes Mitt Romney look like a hippie.”

Stone laughed.

“And it doesn’t hurt that half the men in America could imagine themselves in bed with Kate.”

“Well, half the men you’re acquainted with, Bill.”

“Stone, as you know, we’re thought of as a Democratic law firm, and we’ve been very close to Will Lee’s administration.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I’d like us to be much closer to Kate’s administration,” Eggers said. “That’s why I gave her super PAC a million dollars a while back. I assume that’s why you did, too.”

“No, that’s not why. I just think she’d make a terrific president.”

“That, too,” Eggers said, smiling slightly. “Here’s my advice, Stone — turn a section of your iPhone into a Rolodex of people close to Kate. It will become useful next year.”

Stone couldn’t disagree.

“And now that the convention is over, perhaps you could turn your attention to making some rain?”

“I’m always on the alert for new business, Bill. But remember, I have to go to Paris this fall for the opening of L’Arrington there.”

Eggers groaned.

“What, isn’t Marcel duBois a good enough client?”

“Well, now that you mention it, yes. Find me two or three more like him while you’re over there.”

“Bill, there aren’t two or three more like Marcel.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, Bill, I do.”