Strategic Moves

THIRTY-ONE

Lance dropped by Stone’s office the following afternoon, and Stone was ready for him. Joan got them both a drink, and Stone handed him an agreement to read.

Lance read it quickly, but apparently thoroughly. “This seems to reflect our discussion of last evening,” he said, then signed two copies and handed one to Stone.

“Here is your letter to Pablo,” Stone said, handing him a single sheet of paper. “You can have it retyped on your letterhead.”

Lance read it. “This is a little stronger than I had conceived of.”

“That won’t cost you anything, Lance.”

“Oh, all right.”

Stone handed him another sheet of paper. “This is the letter to be signed by the attorney general.”

“You really do have a lot of balls, Stone,” Lance said, reading the letter. “You presume to write the attorney general’s correspondence for him?”

“If he objects, the president can sign instead—on the proper letterhead, of course.”

“I’ll put it to the general.”

“You’d better put it to him right away and get his signature, because I want all these documents signed and sealed before the start of our fourth day together.”

“Or what?” Lance asked insouciantly.

“Or you won’t get the bonus.”

“Ah, I see, you’re saving the best for last.”

“Something like that.”

“Give me a hint.”

“It’s something you want, and nobody else can give it to you.”

Lance thought, then he chuckled. “Surely you’re not talking about—”

“I’m not talking, period,” Stone said. “This conversation is at an end.”

“Oh, all right. I’ll see you Monday morning at nine. Will you be offering breakfast, as well?”

“If you can ask questions while chewing. Who are you bringing with you?”

“Holly will be here, and at least one person who may remain anonymous. Also, there’ll be a court stenographer with his little machine.”

“As long as they’ll all fit at my table.”

“Will you have anyone else there besides Pablo? If so, they’ll have to be cleared.”

“Just the two of us,” Stone said. “Occasionally, Pablo and I may have to consult privately, and as our agreement states, I can instruct him not to answer, if necessary.”

“Ever the lawyer, Stone,” Lance said. He shook hands and left.

Joan came in when he had gone. “So that’s the elusive Lance Cabot?”

“Elusive? Why do you say that?”

“Well, I’ve heard you talk about him for years—usually disparagingly—but I’ve never seen him until now. He’s very good-looking and beautifully dressed, too. It’s strange having two of you in the office at once.”

“I’ll introduce you next week.”

Joan left, and Stone called Pablo.

“Hello?” He sounded relaxed, but alert, as he always did.

“Mr. C. has just left my office. We have concluded arrangements, and I’d like to tell you what they are.”

“Please do, I’m dying to know.”

“He’s going to have four eight-hour days of your time to interview you. He’ll be bringing several of his people to sit in, and the entire interview will be recorded with video and audio, two copies. You get one, he gets one. That way there can be no later dispute about who said what to whom.”

“All right, but I don’t want our discussion about you-know-who recorded—audio or video.”

“That’s fair. We’re going to get all the signed documents—including a letter from the attorney general—before we introduce that subject. It will be the very last thing on the agenda.”

“Good. I will need a large-scale map of the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

“I’m not going to ask him to bring that; it would tip him off. Visit a map store. There’s one on West Forty-third Street, just east of Sixth Avenue.”

“As you wish,” Pablo said.

“Pablo, now would be a good time to move your family,” Stone said.

“I have already done so,” Pablo replied. “My family and my staff have moved to my house in—”

“I don’t need to know that,” Stone said.

“My wife called me last night. They are safe and comfortable.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“It will be a great relief for her when this business is concluded.”

“I’m sure it will be.”

“You will have to come and visit us, Stone. I live in very nice places. You’d like Marbella.”

“That’s on the coast of Spain, isn’t it?”

“Yes, a lovely spot.”

“It would be very pleasant to come and see you, Pablo.”

“Stone, I would like you to draw a new will for me.”

“I’d be happy to, as a courtesy.”

“I’ll messenger over a list of my bequests, so you can have it ready to be executed when I see you.”

“Pablo, do you have a residence in Florida?”

“I do, in Palm Beach.”

“I’m going to get a document for you to sign declaring Florida as your legal residence.”

“Is there a tax or some other advantage?”

“Yes, you’ll avoid paying New York State and City income taxes. In Florida you’ll pay a small intangibles tax on your investment holdings—stocks and bonds.”

“That would be acceptable,” Pablo said.

“What address have you filed your tax returns from?”

“My Marbella address.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Can you recommend a trustworthy private detective?”

“I can, but I need to know what you have in mind. I don’t want to screw up our deal with these people, either before or after our meeting with them. You’re going to have to promise to be a law-abiding citizen.”

“Then let’s wait until we meet to discuss that.”

“Certainly.”

“Do you need any other local referrals?”

“A good shoe repair shop,” Pablo said.

“Jim’s Shoe Repair, East Fifty-ninth, between Park and Lex.”

“Thank you so much, Stone.”

“They’ll be here at nine sharp on Monday morning,” Stone said. “I suggest you come here at eight for breakfast, so we can have a little time to talk.”

“I’ll be there at eight sharp,” Pablo said.

“Good day, then.” Stone hung up. This was going to be either fun or absolute hell, depending on how Lance conducted himself, and Stone knew he could do little about that.