Haggling ensued, and shortly they had made a deal, and Laurence got out his checkbook. “Will you call the service for me and get a driver over here right now?”

“That’s short notice, but we’ll work something out.” He made the call, then covered the phone. “They have a man who can be here in forty minutes. He has to take the subway from Brooklyn. If you don’t want to wait, I can have him deliver the car to you. Do you have garage space?”

Laurence gave him the address.

“And what would you like to do with the other Bentley?”

“I’d like it to be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Chalmers, Ocean Drive, Palm Beach, and I’d like to include a card.”

Dumont produced a card and an envelope, and Laurence wrote: An expression of my affection and my gratitude for your many kindnesses in a difficult time. “I’d like the green car registered in Florida, please, but I’ll be using it here.” He gave the address of his father’s house. “Register it at that address.”

Dumont repaired to his office to do the paperwork, then returned for Laurence’s signature on the documents. “It will take us ten days or so to get Florida plates, but you’ll have a dealer plate that will make you legal. I expect you’ll want insurance?”

“Only liability—twenty million dollars.”

“Let me make a call.” He was back in ten minutes and gave Laurence the card of an insurance broker. “You’re covered. I’ve given him your address and other details, and I’ve told him that you want chauffeurs covered.”

“Thank you.”

“And I’m having the satellite radio programmed. We’ll give you a year’s subscription, free.”

“With each car,” Laurence said.

“Of course.”

—

SHORTLY, a man in a blue suit appeared in the showroom. “Mr. Hayward?” he asked nobody in particular.

Laurence waved him over. “That’s me.”

“I’m Oliver,” the man said, “from Chauffeurs Unlimited.”

“Paul, please give Oliver the keys to the car. It’s outside, Oliver. I’ll be out shortly.”

Oliver took the keys and went to the car.

“Is there anything else I can possibly do for you?” Dumont asked.

“Probably,” Laurence said. “I’ll let you know. By the way, all this must remain entirely confidential. I don’t want to see my name mentioned anywhere.”

“Of course, and I’ll call you with a specific delivery date for the Porsche.”

“In three weeks, I’ll be out of town,” Laurence said. “Hold it for me until I return.”

“Of course. Would you like the Porsche sent to your garage?”

“Good idea.” He gave Dumont the address. “Just leave the keys with the garage manager.”

The two men shook hands, and Laurence went to his new Bentley, where Oliver was waiting with the door open.