Stone presented himself to the headwaiter and was shown to a large, semi-circular booth at the rear of the garden restaurant, where Terry Prince was already seated.
“Forgive me for not getting up,” Prince said, offering his hand as Stone slid behind the table. “Would you like a drink?”
“Some iced tea,” Stone said. He reckoned he should keep his wits about him today.
Prince ordered a mimosa for himself and iced tea for Stone. “I hope you’re having a pleasant stay in our city,” he said.
“Very much so,” Stone replied.
“You mentioned the absence of my driver.”
“I read about it in the L.A. Times.”
“Ah, yes; I didn’t see that myself.”
“Then you don’t know that Alexei was killed in the same fashion as Jennifer Harris?”
“Really? I did read about Ms. Harris, as I suppose you did.”
“Actually, I saw the police report,” Stone replied. “The puncture wound was filled with spirit gum, so that it might go unnoticed. It didn’t, though.”
“That sounds bizarre,” Prince said.
“The mark of a practiced professional, I’d say.”
“Do you have some expertise in professional murders?” Prince asked.
“I was a New York City homicide detective for many years, before I began practicing law.”
“Ah, that wasn’t mentioned in the announcement.”
“Announcement?” Stone asked.
“You haven’t seen this morning’s New York Times?”
“No.”
“There was an announcement of your joining Woodman amp; Weld as a partner.”
“I see. Actually, I’ve been of counsel to the firm for rather a long time.”
“Well, I congratulate you on achieving partner level in such a prestigious firm.”
“Thank you.”
Menus arrived, and they ordered. Stone could not resist the taco soup, a favorite of his.
“Most of my business interests are on the West Coast,” Prince said, “but I’m considering some projects in New York, among them a new hotel.”
“Sounds interesting,” Stone said.
“I think it will be,” Prince replied. “Might you have an interest in representing me for my New York projects?”
“I’m afraid I would have a conflict that would prevent me from doing so,” Stone said.
“You’re referring to your representation of Mrs. Calder?”
“I am.”
“How did you become involved with her?”
Stone paused. Did Prince’s use of “involved” have a double meaning? “We’ve been friends for a number of years.”
“I understand she’s broken ties with Howard Sharp, in Charlottesville,” Prince said.
“I’m not surprised you know about that,” Stone said, “having bought her house there.”
“Yes, that was Mr. Sharp’s last representation of her,” Prince said. “I thought he did a good job.”
“That means the way he did his job somehow reacted to your benefit, I suppose.”
Prince laughed heartily. “You’re very perceptive, Stone.”
“Let’s just say I think she will be happier with Woodman amp; Weld,” Stone replied.
Lunch arrived and they began to eat.
“Stone,” Prince said, pausing to take a sip of his tea. “I’m sorry we seem to be working at cross-purposes in the Centurion transaction.”
“It’s not a transaction yet,” Stone said.
“Touche. In the Centurion offer, shall we say.”
“Yes.”
“I wonder if you might not soften your position in that deal if you were personally participating in it, instead of just representing Mrs. Calder.”
“What are you suggesting, Terry?”
“I would not be so crass as to make you an offer,” Prince said smoothly. “But if you could somehow bring the deal to a swift conclusion, you might be free to represent my New York interests all the sooner, might you not?”
“As long as you were not involved in a business deal adversarial to Mrs. Calder’s interests, that would be ethically possible.”
“Well, then, do you think we might move forward on the Centurion deal, then?”
Stone put down his fork. “I take it that Jim Long is still alive,” Stone said, “and I’m beginning to think that he might even have regained consciousness.”
Prince said nothing, only shrugged.
Stone’s cell vibrated on his belt. “Will you excuse me a moment?” he said, sliding from behind the table and walking into the garden. “Hello?”
“Stone, it’s Harvey Stein. Jim Long is awake, but not talking yet. His doctors seem very relieved, and they may let me see him before the day is out.”
“That’s good news, Harvey. Will you keep me posted?”
“Of course.”
Stone hung up and returned to the table. “Wonder of wonders,” he said, “Jim Long is awake.”
“I’m very happy for him,” Prince said. “You must have good sources.”
“Not as good as yours,” Stone said. “After all, you heard first.”
“Only a short time ago.”
“Still, you had time to talk with me, before I found out.”
“Information is a valuable commodity,” Prince said.
Stone signaled for a waiter to remove his plate. “You must have a very large payroll, Terry,” he said.
“Large enough for my purposes.”
“I understand the police are concerned about connections among the stabbings of Harris, Alexei, and Long. But then, you already knew that, didn’t you?”
“I assure you, I have no connection to any of those events.”
“No? Even though two of them are Centurion shareholders who take our side in the deal? And the other is suspected of killing Ms. Harris?”
“Again, I have no connection with any of that.”
“I think the police are going to become even more interested, should an attempt be made on anyone else associated with Centurion,” Stone said. “And let me tell you this: if anyone else associated with my client should have some… accident, I am going to take a personal interest in the case-over and above the police investigation.”
Stone placed a hundred-dollar bill on the table and got up. “Good day,” he said, and walked away.
29
Stone drove back to the house in a fury. He found Dino on his way out.
“What are you so pissed off about?” Dino asked.
“Does it show?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I just had lunch with Prince, and I regret having done so.”
“Wasn’t he nice?”
