Fast and Loose

30

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.”

“Great.”

“One thing I should mention, though. St. Clair has already made overtures to both DigiFlood and Automobile Butler Services, so we’re likely to make Macher angry again.”

“Well, if he gets angry enough, maybe he’ll do something stupid that will allow us to neutralize him.”

“As long as you know what’s happening.”

“I’ll have a word with Mike about it.”

Dino finished his steak.

“You were going to call somebody,” Stone reminded him.

“Yeah, an assistant DA who will get us our warrant.” Dino made the call and discussed his raid for a few minutes, then hung up. “Done,” he said. “He’ll see a judge in the morning, and we should be ready to go for tomorrow night.”

On the ride home, Charley spoke up. “Stone, would it be inconvenient for you if I stayed on in the apartment for a few months?”

“Not at all — as long as you like.”

“I’m going to look for something to buy, but right now I’d like to put my time into getting Triangle up and running.”

“Of course.”

“And I’d like to pay rent. I can afford it.”

“And I can afford not to collect it,” Stone said, “so forget it.”

As they pulled into the garage, Fred said, “Mr. Barrington, the street seems to be clean of the trash we’ve had in the block the past few days.”

“That’s good,” Stone said.

“I expect Macher found it unprofitable,” Charley said.

They drove into the garage and said good night.

Stone went upstairs and found a surprise waiting for him in his bed.

“Good evening,” Marisa said. “I used my new key. Did you enjoy your boys’ night out?”

“Not as much as I’m going to enjoy your company,” Stone said, getting out of his clothes and slipping into bed with her.

She threw a leg over his and snuggled close. “Anything new in the world of skullduggery?”

“I think the skullduggers are getting weary,” Stone replied. “The two guys out front have been withdrawn.”

“Oh, good. May we dispense with the armed guards now?”

“Let’s not be hasty about that,” Stone replied. “Maybe another week.”

Then he did his duty.