Chapter 7

There was a repeat performance before breakfast, then Caroline showered, dressed, and left for work. Stone was slower to move after such exertion. It was nearly ten when he made it to his desk, and he thanked himself for staying fit. On days like this, fitness got him out of bed.

Shortly before noon Pepe Perado called.

“How’s it going?”

“Very well, thank you. My team is here at Marty Winkle’s, burrowing into things. I wanted you to know that the two cops are still with me.”

“Is Mike Freeman’s security team still with you, too?”

“Yes, but I have the feeling those two men are just waiting for an opening.”

“Your security people won’t give them one. If you think it would help, I can have them spoken to.”

“What would be said?”

“Not much. Discouragement can take other forms.”

“I don’t want them beaten up.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that, but you might remember what they were going to do to you. They could very well have put you in the hospital, or worse.”

“Perhaps I should be armed.”

“You should not be. The City of New York takes a very dim view of visitors, even citizens, walking around unlicensed, carrying weapons. Being discovered in that condition can radically alter your favorable opinion of our fair city.”

“I understand.”

“I’m glad. I will take steps to discourage your unwanted entourage.”

“Thank you.”

Stone called Mike Freeman at Strategic Services.

“Good morning, Stone.”

“Good morning, Mike.”

“Are my people doing their job?”

“They are, but a bit more needs to be done.”

“I’ve heard that your client is still being troubled by unwanted presences.”

“He is. Could you have these men spoken to?”

“How forcefully?”

“Without violence, if at all possible. My client wants it that way.”

“Stone, I’ve done a little research on the people who employ these ex-cops. Apparently, these two are part of a coterie of enforcers retained by the Messrs. Brubeck and Parisi, who are rather old-fashioned in their methods, both arising from criminal stock. They protect their turf by crude methods and enlarge it the same way.”

“I should have thought that energetic sales would preserve their turf better.”

“Oh, their sales force is buttressed by energetic fellows, too. They really need to be put out of business.”

“Dino is taking a look at that. In the meantime, Pepe Perado is trying to make a business deal, and the unwanted attention is, understandably, making him nervous. He will be a good client, I think, and I don’t want him folding his tent and stealing back to San Antonio.”

“I understand. I employ some men who are artists in the intimidation business. Question is, should they address the two ex-cops or their employers?”

“Good question.”

“It might be more efficient to deal with the root, rather than the branch.”