Beck froze for half a second, then managed a small smile. “I must relate your observation to the Mossad, the next time I encounter them.”

“Come on, Mr. Beck,” Stone said, “I know who you are. This conversation will probably go better if we don’t try to bullshit each other.”

A captain came with the menus, and Stone ordered the Dover sole, his favorite fish. Beck ordered a large salad. Stone thought the sole must have used up most of the expense account for the day. Stone ordered a glass of Chardonnay; Beck stuck with the mineral water already on the table.

“I will not challenge your assumption,” Beck said after the waiter had taken their order and left them alone.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Beck?” Stone asked.

“Please call me Aaron, and may I call you Stone?”

“Of course.”

“Israelis are an informal people,” Beck said.

“If you say so,” Stone replied. “I don’t suppose I’ve met more than two or three Israelis in my life.”

“You’ve led a sheltered life,” Beck said, smiling.

“Perhaps so. What can I do for you, Aaron?”

“I won’t beat around the bush,” Beck said. “I would like to arrange a meeting with Mr. Pablo Estancia.”

“Who?”

“I thought you wished not to bullshit each other,” Beck replied.

“And why do you believe I can arrange such a meeting, Aaron?”

“You arranged it for my friend Lance Cabot and his people,” Beck said.

“Just how good a friend are you to Mr. Cabot?” Stone asked.

“We have a cordial working relationship.”

“Then perhaps you should speak to Lance about arranging such a meeting.”

“Stone, I have reason to believe that you are not ethically obligated to seek Lance’s permission to arrange a meeting with Pablo.”

“Oh, are you and Mr. Estancia on a first-name basis, too?” Stone asked.

“We have had occasion to meet once or twice in the past.”

“Then why don’t you just ring him up? I’m sure you know how to get in touch with him.”

“Our usual line of communication is presently out of service,” Beck said. “Thus, my meeting with you.”

“Tell me, Aaron, why do you think Pablo would wish to see you?”

“As I said, we’ve met before and done business.”

“Was the business you have done with Pablo conducted to your satisfaction?” Stone asked.

“You might say that,” Beck replied.

“Is there some reason why you didn’t contact Pablo a short time ago when your line of communication was still serviceable?”

“Circumstances change all the time,” Beck said. “I didn’t need to speak to him at that time. Lance didn’t need to contact Pablo until he kidnapped him.”

Stone feigned surprise. “Did Lance tell you he kidnapped Pablo?”

Beck sighed. “I have more than one source of information.”

“Aaron,” Stone said, “do you wish to harm Pablo?”

“Of course not,” Beck replied.