Stone thought a little more. “You’re going to need an agent to represent you in this. Since I’m on the Centurion board, I have a conflict of interest.”

“All right, but how do I find an agent?”

Stone picked up the phone on the coffee table. “Joan, please get me Morton Janklow.”

“Who’s Morton Janklow?” Peter asked.

“The best agent I know.”

There was a click on the line. “Stone, how are you?”

“Very well, Mort.”

“I was very sorry to hear of Arrington’s death.”

“Thank you.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I have a new client for you, if you want him.”

“Who would that be?”

“His name is Peter Barrington; he’s my son.”

“Hang on, did you say ‘son’?”

“I’ll explain that part on another occasion,” Stone said. “Let me explain what he needs, and you can tell me if you’re interested.”

“All right, go ahead.”

“Peter is in his last year of prep school, and he’s been accepted at the Yale School of Drama, where he plans to study directing. He’s made a film called Autumn Kill and I’m going to messenger it over to you right now.”

“Okay. What’s it about?”

“It’s better if you see it cold, I think. If, after ten minutes, you can switch it off, I’ll be very surprised. Leo Goldman at Centurion saw an incomplete version and immediately wanted to buy it.”

“Is Centurion who you want to sell it to?”

“I think we owe them the first refusal. I’m on their board, so I don’t want to deal directly with Leo.”

“Do you have any idea what you want for the film?”

“I’ll tell you what I think would be ideal: We sell the rights to the film for a limited period and take some cash, plus a percentage of the gross.”

“A limited rights deal is not what a studio wants,” Janklow said.

“I understand, but let’s start there.”

“I’ll be at home tonight, so I’ll watch the film and call you in the morning.”

“Thanks, Mort. It’s on its way.”

Both men hung up, and Stone buzzed Joan. “I want to messenger something to Janklow & Nesbit, a rush.” She came in and he gave her two discs.

“You’re sure Mr. Janklow is better than someone on the coast?” Peter asked.

“He has a deal with Creative Artists Agency. If he feels they can help, he’ll go through them, but I thought I’d leave that up to him.”

“Okay,” Peter said. “Now I’m starting to get nervous.”

“Don’t be. You already know that Leo wants your film. The rest is haggling.”