“Well,” Stone said, “that is a very interesting idea. What makes you think you could get planning permission to build a hotel on that site?”
“I have already explored that possibility with the relevant authorities, and I am assured that they would regard a low-rise, discretely designed and landscaped hotel a welcome addition to the community. They were particularly pleased that I offered to put all parking underground.”
“Well, that’s all very optimistic of you, Mr. Prince.”
“Call me Terry, please.”
“Terry, what sort of offer did you have in mind for the property?”
“Something on the order of a hundred and fifty million dollars,” Prince replied.
Stone shook his head. “I don’t think I could recommend such a price to my client.”
“What did you have in mind?” Prince asked.
“Well, I haven’t had the opportunity to research the land values, but I should think something north of two hundred million dollars would be a good starting point for negotiations.”
Prince blinked. “And you haven’t researched the land values?”
“No, but I know what Mrs. Calder paid for her two recent acquisitions, which were based on the property values of four years ago, when her late husband took the options.”
“Would she sell at the right price?”
“I don’t know, really, but I do know that she enjoys visiting her property in Bel-Air, and since she has no need of the money, I’m uncertain what her reaction would be.”
“All right, then,” Prince said, “let’s see if we can move this along. Please convey to your client that I will pay her two hundred million dollars for her property, and I will build her a house of her own design on the property that she may occupy for her lifetime, with full hotel services provided.”
“Provided at no cost to her?” Stone asked.
Prince bit his lip. “All right, all services provided at no cost to her.”
“Well,” Stone said, shrugging, “next time I speak to her, I’ll mention your interest and see what she has to say.”
Prince looked irritated. “I would appreciate it if you would make it your business to convey my offer to her at the earliest possible moment, certainly no later than close of business on Monday. And please tell her that I wish my offer kept in the strictest confidence until such time as I wish to announce the acquisition permanently.”
“I don’t think you want to press her,” Stone said. “Mrs. Calder is a woman who does not respond well to pressure.”
“Of course not,” Prince said.
“I should also tell you that I believe strongly that your pursuit of Centurion Studios would be a serious impediment to her consideration of your offer.”
“What?”
“Both Mrs. Calder and her late husband have had a great affection for their association with Centurion, and she would be extremely reluctant to do business with someone who threatened the existence of the studio as it now is presently constituted.”
“My offer does not involve Centurion in any way. These are two separate transactions.”
“Mrs. Calder won’t see it that way,” Stone said. “Shall we just forget this conversation?”
“Please convey my offer to her as it now stands,” Prince said. “And call me when you’ve spoken to her.”
Stone shrugged. “If you wish,” he said, “but I’m not optimistic about this.”
“Perhaps she can learn to be optimistic about two hundred million dollars and a free house.”
“Speaking of houses,” Stone said, “when are you planning to move into your new Virginia residence?”
“I was planning to move in immediately,” Prince said, “but I now understand that there is a problem in the house with raccoons and bats.”
“I believe she stated that on the disclosure form,” Stone said, “and she told me she also mentioned it to you personally.”
“I did not think she was serious,” Prince said frostily. “Good day.”
And he marched out of the house, followed by his armed retinue.
35
The pianist returned to his work, and Stone moved out of the corner and back into the thick of the party.
Jack Schmeltzer, his host, reappeared. “Why don’t we step out onto the deck for a moment?” he said to Stone.
“Of course,” Stone replied. They moved through the French doors and onto the now-empty expanse of teak overlooking the Pacific.
“I know, of course,” Schmeltzer said, “of the controversy over the sale of part of the Centurion property.”
“I suppose word has gotten around,” Stone said.
“I invited Terrence Prince here this evening to get a close look at him. We don’t move in the same circles.”
“I’m not sure what circles Mr. Prince moves in,” Stone said, “though I did notice that he brought more than himself to your dinner party.”
“Yes, he told me they are all ex-Secret Service agents.”
“Did he mention why he felt he needed that sort of security?”
“I asked him that,” Schmeltzer replied, “but he was evasive. Quite frankly, from what I’ve been hearing, there are people around who need protection from Prince. Are the rumors true?”
“I’m not entirely certain which rumors you’re referring to,” Stone said. “Can you be more specific?”
“The rumors about Jennifer Harris and Jim Long.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard those particular rumors, too,” Stone said. “I’m inclined to give them a certain degree of credibility.”
“You know,” Schmeltzer said, “I knew Vance Calder pretty well; I produced three pictures with him, and I liked him a lot. If Vance were still alive, I would be on his side of this deal.”
“How do you feel about his widow?” Stone asked.
“I’ve met her once, and she was charming, but I don’t really know her.”
“I see”.
“I’ll tell you this, though: having now seen Mr. Prince up close, I like Arrington Calder more than him.”
“Are you a shareholder, Jack?”
“I own fifteen thousand shares.”
“Are you interested in selling them?”
Schmeltzer gazed out to sea. “What do you hear from Jim Long?” he asked.
“I hear he’s in and out of consciousness but not well enough to make a business decision.”
“And you need his shares for a majority?”
“That’s correct.”
“Do you know the reason for this dinner party, Stone?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“I opened a picture last weekend, Window Shade.”
“I hope it’s doing well.”
“It brought in sixty-five million dollars domestic for the weekend. It’s the biggest hit of my career, and I think it’s going to have legs both in this country and around the world.”
“I congratulate you.”
“I made that picture at Centurion for a third less than it would have cost to produce at a major, and it’s going to make me rich beyond my fondest dreams.”
“I congratulate you again.”
“The fact is, when I agreed to sell my shares to Prince, I did it because I needed the money to make my next
