Fast and Loose

7

The following morning Stone called his old friend Bill Eggers, who was the managing partner of Woodman & Weld.

“Where are you?” Eggers asked.

“In Maine.”

“It’s very hot here.”

“It’s very cool in Maine.”

Eggers made a groaning noise.

“Bill, I’ve recently met Dr. Paul Carlsson—”

“Of the Carlsson Clinic?”

“The same.” Stone explained the circumstances of the clinic’s ownership and the offer from St. Clair Enterprises. “Paul has asked me if the firm would represent him in dealing with this matter.”

“Of course we would. I’d be delighted to add the Carlsson Clinic to our client roster.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I have another meeting with Paul this morning at ten, and I think it might be a good idea if you would e-mail me a representation contract for him to sign, and a fee schedule.”

“Certainly.”

“Have you heard about Erik Macher’s taking over at St. Clair?”

“Yes, and I was stunned. Christian was a very elegant fellow, if ethically challenged at times, but Macher is a thug, by all accounts.”

“He has Tommy Berenson on his side, and from what I hear, Berenson drew and witnessed the will.”

“And I’m sure he was paid very handsomely to do so.”

“Who would you have expected to succeed St. Clair in the event of his death?”

“I should have thought one of his division heads, or a CEO at one of his companies.”

“Not Macher?”

“I’m sure Christian found him very useful, but not presentable. If this takeover bid should turn into a fight, you should expect him to fight dirty.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll have my secretary e-mail you those documents immediately.”

“Thanks, Bill.”

Stone hung up and made some notes to himself for his meeting with Carlsson. Dino came down to breakfast and ordered bacon and eggs.

“Dino, could you run a check on Erik Macher for me?” Stone asked.

“Sure. What do you expect to find?”

“I have no expectations, I just want to know what there is.”

Dino made the call to his assistant, then hung up. “A few minutes,” he said.

Stone had a thought; he called Billy Barnett, who worked as a producer in Stone’s son Peter’s film production company at Centurion Studios in L.A. Billy had once been known as Teddy Fay and had been a twenty-year employee of the CIA, rising to deputy head of the technical services division, which equipped intelligence operatives for their missions.

“Stone, how are you?”

“Very well, Billy, and you?”

“Couldn’t be better. What can I do for you?”

“I’m just looking for information about somebody who was a covert operative at the Agency. His time there should have overlapped yours.”

“And who would that be?”

“One Erik Macher.” Stone spelled it for him.

“Sure, I knew him — I probably outfitted him for a dozen or more missions.”

“What was your general impression of him?”

“The man was an assassin. Oh, he was a good officer overall and had a successful career at the Agency, but he had the reputation of being too ready to kill at the drop of a hat. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.”

“Anything else?”

“Very bright and adaptable — if one thing didn’t work, he’d find another way. I think management was always a little leery of him.”

“That’s very interesting,” Stone said. “Thank you, Billy.”

“Are you having dealings with Macher, Stone?”

“I expect I will be.” Stone explained the situation.

“I see. May I make a suggestion?”

“Of course.”

“Will you be having face-to-face meetings with him?”

“Possibly. Certainly someone on our side will.”

“I think that it might be a good idea for me to attend a meeting or two with him — not to say anything, just to let him know that I’m involved with his opposition. It might make him more careful in his dealings with you. I expect to be in New York for a few days soon.”

“That sounds like a very good idea. I’d be interested in your assessment of the man.”

“Let me know when you’d like me to be there. I can arrange my schedule accordingly.”

“I’ll do that, Billy. How are my boys doing out there?” He referred to Peter and to Ben Bacchetti’s son, Dino, who was head of production at the studio.

“Thriving,” Billy said. “You’d be proud.”

“Well, I have to run. I’ll speak to you soon.” They said goodbye and hung up.

Paul and Marisa Carlsson arrived, and they sat down at the dining table to talk. Stone presented the representation agreement and the fee schedule. “Look these over and have anyone else you rely on for advice do so, too. Sign them at your leisure, and keep a copy for your records. I’d be happy to go through them with you.”

“This morning,” Carlsson said, “I spoke to Dr. Willie Keeling, who is representing the stockholders’ association in the negotiations. I let him know that there would likely be a better offer coming and not to do anything rash. He said he’d check with me before taking any further action.”

“Good idea,” Stone said. “We wouldn’t want them to rush into anything. Paul, I believe you know Arthur Steele, at Steele Insurance Group.”

“Of course — we’ve met a number of times. Good man.”

“Art would like to put together an offer from Steele Insurance Group for the association’s stock, and he, as well as people from our firm, would like to go to your head office in New York and be taken through the clinic’s operations and to collect the necessary supporting documentation.”

“Certainly. My younger son, Nihls, is the chief financial officer of the company, and I’ll instruct him to give them whatever they need. When would they visit?”

“Tomorrow morning. There may also be some people along from a security company called Strategic Services, who may be participating in the deal.”

“I know of them. I’ll have our head of security meet with them, and my elder son, Sven, who is chief operating officer, will be available to meet with whomever you wish.”

“What is your position at the clinic?” Stone asked.

“I am chief executive officer and chief of medicine. Marisa is my deputy chief of medicine. Tell me, Stone, how is your health?”

“Very good, thanks. I’m due for my biennial FAA medical exam next week.”

“Well, Marisa is a designated medical examiner for the FAA, in addition to being a pilot. She could administer the exam, if you wish.”

“What a good idea,” Stone said. “I’ll make an appointment.”

“You know the drill about filling out the application online before your visit?” Marisa asked.

“I do.”

She handed him a card. “You may list me as your examiner on the form.”

They talked for a few more minutes, then the Carlssons stood to go.

“Your new yacht will be delivered this afternoon,” Carlsson said. “I’m informed that it was launched this morning and is being sailed over here.”

“I’ll look for it.”

“And I’ll look for you next week,” Marisa said.