Foul Play

Forty-Four

Stone had dinner with the Troutmen and Doug, the head of the security detail. “Have you given any thought to how you want to proceed?” Stone asked.

“I have,” Shep said. “And I’ve come up with nothing.”

“Whatever Shepherd concludes is all right with me,” Rod said.

“It appears that what started all this is not just Kronk’s greed, but the business of the patents. He believes that you deceived him by withholding them from inclusion in the sale.”

“That’s not true. I just didn’t think of them.”

“Now that you have, can you think of a way to use them to extricate yourself from this situation?”

“You mean, just give up the patents?”

“No, offer to sell them to him.”

“For how much?”

“You’ve said they’re worth as much as the business. Start at two hundred fifty million and let him bid you down a bit, so he’ll feel that he’s gotten a bargain.”

“You mean, let him get the best of me?”

“You got the best of him in the original sale, didn’t you? If he were a conventional businessman he would already have sued you to have the patents included, and he would have had a case, one that he might have won.”

“But he’s not a conventional businessman.”

“He’s not. He’s a man who is accustomed to taking what he wants.”

“How can I deal with somebody like that?”

“Let’s try dealing with him as though he were an ordinary businessman, albeit a smart one. He might react well to the opportunity, instead of hunting you down and killing you, which wouldn’t get him the patents anyway.”

“Maybe it’s worth a try,” Shep said. “How will you approach him?”

“I’ll invite him to another meeting at my office. How much will you take to give him the patents and walk away?”

“A hundred million.”

“So I can accept an offer of that number or higher on your behalf?”

“I guess. Do I have to come to the meeting?”

“I think it would be better if you didn’t. He’s already angry with you. Angry with me, too, but less so. I think he regards me as just a lawyer.”

“All right, set it up.”

“I think it’s best for me to meet him in New York. Are you content to stay here until we have a signed deal?”

“Yes, Dad and I are very comfortable here. May we use the pool?”

“The president is in residence next door, but she’s leaving at six. Wait until after that. You don’t want to butt heads with the Secret Service.”

“You mean we’ve been living next door to the president?”

“You have.”

“Do you know her?” Rod asked.

“We’re old friends. I drove her out to Malibu for lunch today.”

“I’ve often thought that would be a great place to have a house,” Shep said.

Stone handed him the real estate agent’s card. “She has a beauty for sale in the Colony. They’re asking twelve million, but will take ten. The president looked at it today. But I don’t think she’ll buy it. I can find out, if you like it.”

“All right, we’ll drive out there.”

“Let Doug set that up,” Stone said. “Don’t take any chances.”

“I won’t.”

Stone was reading in his study later in the day when the house phone rang.

“Hello?”

“It’s Holly.”

“Hi, there. You still leaving?”

“Yes, I’m in the car now. I just wanted you to know that I’ve decided against buying the Malibu house. I’ve already told the agent.”

“As you wish.”

“As for living in sin, I can’t agree to that until I’ve decided whether to run for reelection. And that decision could be some months away.”

“I’ll try and be patient.”

“You? Never!”

“I said ‘try.’ ”

“I’ll be in touch,” she said, and they both hung up.

Stone called Joan in New York.

“Hi, boss. Coming home anytime soon?”

“Tomorrow, I think. Listen. Did that guy, Kronk, leave a number with you?”

“Yes.”

“Call him and see if you can make me a date with him in my office, the day after tomorrow. Tell him I may have a solution to our problem.”

“Will do. Ten am or two pm?”

“Ten. Let’s get it over with.” He hung up.

Five minutes later, Joan called back. “You’re on with Kronk for ten am the day after tomorrow.”

“Good.” As he hung up, he heard people come in the front door. Shep and Rod entered the study.

“What did you think of the house?”

“I loved it. I offered them nine million, furnished, and they accepted.”

“When do you want to close?”

“As soon as possible.”

“I’m going back to New York tomorrow morning, and I have a meeting with Kronk the following day. Let’s wait until after that to set a closing. I’ll get the Woodman & Weld office to have an attorney in the L.A. office to close for you.”

“When will we be able to leave here?”

“Let’s see how the meeting with Kronk goes, then we’ll have a better idea.”

“All right.”

“The pool next door is available now, if you’d like a swim.”

“Great idea.”

“There are swimsuits in your chests of drawers in your rooms.”

“Join us?”

“I’m in the middle of a good book,” Stone said. “I’ll stick with that.”

They went to change, and Stone’s phone rang. “Yes?”

“It’s Joan. I just wanted to say that the gentleman, Kronk, sounded very happy about meeting with you. I was surprised, since he looks like such an unhappy man.”

“Thanks for letting me know,” Stone said. He hung up and wondered if Kronk being happy was good or bad for him.