Strategic Moves

FOUR

The party eventually waned, and Stone escorted Adele Lansdown down to street level to look for a cab.

“I’ve got my car,” Adele said. “I’ll give you a ride.”

They got into a white Mercedes sedan and were driven away. Stone gave the driver his address.

“Is that Turtle Bay?” Adele asked.

“Yes; I have a house there.”

“I’d like to see it,” she said. “I’ve always thought that an interesting neighborhood.”

The car parked out front, and they went inside, where Stone began turning on lights.

“This is very handsome,” Adele said, looking around the living room and dining room. “Beautiful woodwork.”

“My father did all the woodwork in the house,” Stone said. “In fact, this was his first big job, for my mother’s aunt. She left me the house some years ago, and I renovated it.”

“You did a lovely job. You did everything yourself?”

“I hired an electrician and a plumber and some casual labor, but the rest I did myself. Come, I’ll show you the kitchen and garden.” He led her downstairs, walked her through the kitchen, then opened the doors to the garden.

“Oh, a common garden,” Adele enthused. “How pleasant.”

“In warmer weather, yes,” Stone said, taking her back indoors. “Would you like to see the bedrooms?”

“Perhaps another time,” she said, smiling.

“My offices are on this level, too. My aunt’s tenant was a dentist, and when he retired I took over the space. It works very well.”

“I must be going,” she said, “but I’ll take you up on the offer of dinner.”

“When are you free?”

“The day after tomorrow?”

“Good, I’ll pick you up.”

“Seven-forty Park,” she said.

“Eight o’clock?”

“That’s fine.”

He put her into her car and watched her drive away. Some widowed aunt!

When Stone wandered into his office the following morning he found Herbie Fisher sitting on his sofa, waiting for him.

“Good morning, Herbie,” Stone said. “I thought you were honeymooning.”

“I’m afraid that’s off,” Herbie said.

Oh, God, Stone thought, he’s screwed up already. Stone took a chair. “What’s the problem?”

“We’ve just heard that Jack Gunn was arrested early this morning.”

“Arrested? For what?”

“I’m not sure; some sort of financial irregularities in his firm. It should be in the papers tomorrow.”

“This is not another Madoff thing, is it?”

“I hope not,” Herbie said.

“Herbie, have you invested with your new father-in-law?”

“I’m not sure; Stephanie is handling that.”

“Where is she?”

“With her mother.”

“Herbie, you should get over there immediately and find out where your money is, and if it’s with Gunn, you’d better move it fast.”

“Okay, I’ll go talk to Stephanie.”

“Have you canceled your travel plans yet?”

“No. I guess I’d better call the travel agent. We were supposed to fly to Saint Barts this afternoon.”

“That’s exactly what you should do,” Stone said. “If this is a financial scandal, you and Stephanie are better off not being in New York.”

“I’ll see what Stephanie thinks,” Herbie said, then left.

Joan came into his office with a copy of the New York Post. “Is this Herbie’s new father-in-law?” she asked, handing the paper to Stone.

“I’m afraid it is,” Stone replied. “I met him last night.”

“There’s no mention of the wedding in the story,” she said.

“They’ll get around to it, don’t worry.” His phone rang and Joan picked it up. “Mr. Barrington’s office . . . One moment.”

She covered the phone with her hand. “Somebody called Adele Lansdown.”

Stone took the phone from her. “Good morning, Adele.”

“Have you heard?” she asked.

“Yes, Herbie was just here. He’s on his way to the Gunns’ place to see Stephanie.”

“Stop him, if you can,” she said. “There’s a mob scene over there.”

“Hold on, please. Joan, see if you can get Herbie on his cell. Tell him to go straight home, not to the Gunns’, and to try Stephanie on her cell and tell her the same thing.” He went back to Adele. “My secretary is trying to reach Herbie. Do you know anything about what’s led up to this?”

“Not a thing. Jack is the most upright man I have ever met.”

“Do you have money invested with him?”

“Yes, most of my liquid assets.”

“Can you get it out?”

“I can’t do that; it would look awful if Jack’s sister-in-law appeared to have no faith in him.”

“Have you talked to Christine?”

“Just for a moment. She has no idea what’s happening, except some people showed up at their house at breakfast time and took Jack away.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Do I need a lawyer, Stone?”

“Are you in business with Jack, except as an investor?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then just sit tight and get somebody to screen your phone calls. Don’t talk to anybody from the press.”

“Not even to support Jack?”

“Not even for that, until you know more. Call me if you need any help.”

“All right. Thanks, Stone.” She hung up.

“Do you know anybody who invests with Gunn?” Joan asked.

“That was his sister-in-law; she does, but nobody else that I know of. Did you reach Herbie?”

“Yes, I caught him in a cab. He’s going home, and he’s trying to reach Stephanie.”

The phone rang again and Joan answered. “It’s Mike Freeman at Strategic Services,” she said.

“Hello, Mike.”

“Morning, Stone. Have you heard about this Jack Gunn thing?”

“Yes, just a few minutes ago.”

“We’re having a board meeting in half an hour. I’d like for you to be here.”

“I’m on my way. What’s the agenda?”

“Strategic Services has got more than ten million dollars invested with Gunn. That’s the agenda.”

Stone was in a cab when his cell phone vibrated. “Hello?”

“It’s Bill Eggers.”

“Good morning, Bill.”

“I assume you’ve seen the papers, about Jack Gunn.”

“Yes. I met him last night at his daughter’s wedding reception.”

“I just had a call from his corporate counsel, Leighton Craft. He wants us to represent Gunn, and I’d like you to help me handle it.”

“We’ve got a conflict, Bill. Strategic Services has a big investment with him; I’m on the way to a board meeting there right now.”

“It may not be a conflict. Leighton says that Gunn has done nothing wrong and is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney. I’m meeting with them this afternoon, and I’d like you to be there.”

“All right, but I’ll have to tell Mike Freeman about it.”

“Go ahead and do that. I’ll see you at three o’clock here.”

Stone hung up. Yesterday he had never heard of Jack Gunn, and now he was up to his ass in the man’s problems.