“And the deal includes Manning? Why?”

“I didn’t want to admit to them that Allison was still alive, so I wrote the agreement without reference to names. Now they can’t prosecute anybody.”

“That’s pretty slick, Stone.”

“I’m a pretty slick lawyer,” Stone replied.

“Yeah, sometimes,” Dino admitted.

They were back on the yacht, having a drink with Callie, when Stone’s phone buzzed again. “Hello?”

“It’s Frederick James.”

“What did you come up with?”

“I propose that you and I meet, in order for me to establish my credentials.”

“Okay, where?”

“Where are you?”

“Where are you?”

“I’m in New York, but I have to go to Miami on business later in the week. Is there someplace between New York and Miami we can meet? Preferably in an airport?”

“I’m on the west coast of Florida,” Stone said. “How about Palm Beach International? It’s a couple of hours’ drive for me.”

“Agreed. Now, what do you need from me?”

“In what state are you licensed to practice?”

“New York.”

“Okay. Bring a copy of your New York law license, your New York driver’s license and your United States passport. Also, I’ll need a photograph of you with Paul Manning, taken no earlier than today and no later than tomorrow, and I want a copy of the day’s New York Times prominently displayed in the photograph.”

“I can do all that, I think, although Paul doesn’t like to be photographed.”

“I can imagine. Then I’ll need a copy of Manning’s U.S. passport, with his current identity recorded therein, and I want that clearly visible in the photograph, too.”

“Whoa, whoa, he’s not going to go for that.”

“I’m giving him nothing unless I’m convinced he’s who he says he is, and in order to do that, I’ll need to know who he says he is. He’s going to have to prove it to me.”

“You’re throwing in a whole lot of stuff, here,” James said.

“If you’re a lawyer, you’ll know very well that I have to protect my client, just as you have to protect yours. That’s all we’re talking about.”

“I’ll get back to you,” James said and hung up.

“Any progress?” Liz asked.

“By inches,” Stone said. “Manning is being very cautious.”

“He’s got a lot to be cautious about,” Liz replied.

An hour later, Stone’s phone vibrated again. “All right,” James said. “The day after tomorrow at one P.M., at Signature Aviation, Palm Beach International.”

“Fine,” Stone said. “I’ll see you then, but if my concerns are not met, there’ll be no discussion of terms.”

“I understand,” James said.

Stone hung up. “We’re on.”

Chapter 43

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