“But I don’t need an insurance company, do I? I could self-insure.”

“Yes, you could, but you’d want to put in some time with a mentor pilot until you feel comfortable flying alone. How much total time do you have?”

“About twelve hundred hours. Four hundred of that in a King Air. My stepfather owns that, and I began making business trips with him and his pilot, who was an excellent instructor. Eventually, I moved to the left seat, and I guess I’ve got a little over a hundred hours single pilot.”

“If you’re comfortable in the King Air, you’ll be fine in the CJ 3.”

Fred came in and set a table, then brought up dinner. They talked for another couple of hours before Laurence began to look drowsy.

“You’d better get some sleep,” Stone said. “You’ve had a big day, and we’ve got a busy day tomorrow. Fred will wake you at seven, and we’ll leave at eight forty-five. First stop, your new bank.”

“Don’t forget my check,” Laurence said.

“I won’t.”

4

THEY ARRIVED at Woodman & Weld’s offices in the Seagram Building at nine, and Herbie was there to meet them. They took an elevator and got off at the bank’s offices. The receptionist sent them into Conrad Trilling’s office, and introductions were made.

“Now,” Trilling said, waving them to seats, “if my information is correct, Mr. Hayward wishes to open both a personal checking account and an investment account.”

“That is correct,” Laurence said.

Stone took the check from his pocket and handed it to Trilling. “And this is Mr. Hayward’s initial deposit.”

Trilling looked at the check, then did a double take. “Stone,” he said, “are you funning me?”

“I am not, Conrad.”

“Will you excuse me for a moment?” he said.

Stone turned to Laurence and Herbie. “Conrad will be telephoning the lottery office in West Palm.”

Herbie used the time to grill Laurence about himself. Ten minutes later, Conrad returned and sat down. “Mr. Hayward, the lottery office would like to get your permission to wire-transfer these funds to your new account. I’ve already given them the account number, you just need to identify yourself and approve the transfer.” He handed Laurence the phone and pressed a button.

“Of course,” Laurence said.

“I have Mr. Hayward for you.”

Laurence gave his name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number, then his driver’s license and passport numbers. He was asked and answered personal questions based on information that he had given them when he had picked up their check.

“Mr. Hayward, do you wish us to transfer the entire amount of your prize to the account number Mr. Trilling gave us?”

“I do.”

“Very well, the transfer will take place within the hour, and we will cancel the check we gave you.”

“Thank you.” He handed the phone back to Trilling.