“Then the hotel can rent it in your absence.”

“All right, I’ll talk to Mike about it.”

“Stone, maybe you should take a vacation. How long has it been?”

“I don’t know, years, I guess, but Peter’s in school. When he’s out for the summer I’m going to take him up to Maine for a while and teach him to sail.”

“An excellent idea. Another idea: as I recall, you have the lifetime use of the house there, and then it reverts to the foundation, according to your cousin’s will.”

“That’s correct.”

“My bet is that the foundation would be very pleased if you bought the house from them now. Then they won’t have to wait for you to die to get their property. They’d only sell it then, anyway. That would be a good use of your inheritance, and Peter will always have the house.”

Stone brightened. “You’re right, Bill, that would be a good use of the money. I’ll get in touch with them and make an offer for the property.”

“Good man. Now I have to go back to work.”

“Thank you, Bill. I feel better now.”

“Just remember your promise.” Eggers hung up.

Stone didn’t wait. He looked up the name of the foundation president, called him and made him an offer for the house. The man said he’d discuss it with his board and get back to Stone.

Next, Stone called Mike Freeman.

“Good morning, Stone. My men are on the job.”

“Yes, I know, Mike, and thank you. I called about something else, though.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Arrington left me the Bel-Air property. I want to proceed with the hotel development.”

“I’m delighted to hear it,” Mike said. “I’ll let the investors and the management company know.”

“Mike, you obviously think this development is a good investment, or you wouldn’t be involved in it.”

“I think it’s an outstanding investment,” Mike said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be putting Strategic Services’ money into it.”

“How much, total, do we need to raise to complete the project?”

“Half a billion dollars,” Mike said, “plus the property purchase. You could lease it to the company to make it easier for them.”

“How much is Strategic Services investing?”

“A hundred million.”

“I’ll invest two hundred million, and that way, you and I will keep control of the project. I’ll keep title to the land and lease it to the company.”

“That’s wonderful, Stone. I’ll get in touch with the others and put it to them, and we’ll make you an offer on leasing the property.”