Naked Greed

10

Caroline stayed for breakfast and one more roll in the hay, then she showered and took off for work.

When Stone got to his desk he buzzed Joan.

“Yep?”

“Please send two dozen yellow roses to Caroline Woodhouse at Kelly & Kelly advertising, no card necessary.”

“Got it. Also, Brad Kelly is holding on line one.”

Stone punched the button. “Morning, Brad.”

“Morning, Stone. I’ve just messengered over a contract between us and Pepe Perado. It covers the items we discussed when you were both here, plus a lot of nitpicks your associate at Woodman & Weld threw at us. Will you have a look at it and let me know if it’s okay?”

“Sure, Brad.”

“By the way, the first thing you asked me when you called was if we had a beer account. We didn’t, but we did have a beer distribution account. That won’t be a problem, because we resigned it about ten minutes ago, since one clause of the contract seems to bar us from having such clients other than Perado.”

“If I were your attorney, I’d have advised you not to resign the other account until you had a signed contract with Pepe.”

“Well, to tell you the truth, we’re not unhappy to be unloading them.”

“Out of curiosity, who are they?”

“They’re called Bowsprit Beverages, and one of the partners has been nothing but a royal pain in the ass since we signed them two years ago.”

Stone shrank a little inside. “Let me hazard a wild guess: The partner in question is one Gino Parisi?”

“Right, and we’ve heard they’re mobbed up, too, and we don’t go for that.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that, too. Tell me, did you tell Parisi who your new client will be?”

“They wanted to know, and I didn’t see any reason not to tell them. We’d already shaken Pepe’s hand on the deal.”

“Thanks, Brad, I’ll go over the contract as soon as I get it.”

“We’re ready to sign, unless there are problems.”

“I’m seeing Pepe later this morning, and I’ll run it by him.” They both hung up, and Stone called Dino.

“Bacchetti.”

“Morning.”

“You sound tired. Another athletic night?”

“Funny you should mention that. I may have to hire some help.”

Dino thought that was very funny. “That’s what Viv said.”

“You told her about this?”

“You’ve never been married long enough to know this, pal, but fully joined couples tell each other everything.”

“Everything?”

“Well, almost everything. Is bragging about your sex life all you called about?”

“I wasn’t bragging — you asked.”

“Never mind. Why did you really call?”

“My problem with Parisi and Brubeck just got worse.”

“What, did you shoot one of them?”

“No, but I lost them an advertising agency.”

“How did you do that?”

“Pepe hired Kelly & Kelly, and there was a conflict, so the agency dumped Bowsprit. They seemed delighted to do it, because they hate Parisi.”

“And now he has another reason to hate you?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“And you want my advice?”

“It couldn’t hurt.”

“Lock yourself in the house and live on pizza and Chinese food until Parisi dies. On second thought, no pizza — that’s Italian, and Parisi might have a connection. We wouldn’t want you to get poisoned, would we?”

“We would not, but is that the best you can do?”

“What more can I do, until Parisi makes a move? I mean, if you declare your house a foreign embassy I could get you a security detail, but apart from that...”

“Thanks, that’s very helpful.”

“Listen, you’re going to hear from Parisi sooner rather than later. I mean, he could shoot you, or something, then I could arrest him.”

“Gee, Dino, you make it sound so easy.”

“You’ve still got a bulletproof vest in your wardrobe from that thing last time, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then, start wearing it again, and unless Parisi is a fabulous shot and puts one in your head, you’ll be fine.”

“I can’t tell you how much better I feel after I talk to you.”

“Anytime, pal.” Dino hung up.

The messenger arrived with the contract from the ad agency, and Stone was able to get through it before Pepe arrived for their appointment.

“This looks good,” Stone said. “They’ve already signed, and it’s contingent on your closing the deal with Marty Winkle, so if you want to sign it now, I’ll messenger it back to them.”

Pepe signed the document, and Stone gave it to Joan to return.

“One down and one to go,” Pepe said.

“How’s it going out in Queens?”

“My people have been through the books and the business with a fine-toothed comb, and they like it. Marty Winkle is as clean as a Texas armadillo’s tooth. I wish everybody I deal with was so straightforward. His attorney is drafting an agreement now, and it will include the points you raised, including a three-year indemnification against liability suits. We’re agreed on money, so we’re only a couple of days away from closing. I had no idea when I came here that I’d go home with a closed deal, and I owe that to you, Stone. I want you and Woodman & Weld to go on representing us.”

“We’d be delighted.”

Pepe took a document from his briefcase. “Here’s the representation agreement you gave me. It’s signed, and my office is sending you a retainer check.”

“Thank you, Pepe, you’re an easy man to represent.”

“By the way, the two goons have disappeared. I haven’t seen them since yesterday.”

Stone was immediately suspicious. “I’m delighted to hear it, but don’t dismiss your security detail yet. Brad Kelly tells me that they’ve been representing Bowsprit Beverages for the past two years, and they resigned the account this morning.”

“Do Brubeck and Parisi know I’m the reason?”

“I’m afraid so, so we should be cautious for the rest of the time you’re in town.”

“That security team is expensive.”

“If they save your life only once, they’re cheap.”