Stone pretended to think about that. “You’re sure you can’t help him with the tax people, even a little?”

“Not even a little,” Lance replied.

Stone shook his hand. “Deal. You’re a hard man, Lance.”

“We start Monday morning at nine?”

“Good.”

“I’ll have my people stop by to sweep and install the recording equipment.”

“Good.”

Lance was looking very smug by the time his osso buco arrived.

THIRTY-ONE

Lance dropped by Stone’s office the following afternoon, and Stone was ready for him. Joan got them both a drink, and Stone handed him an agreement to read.

Lance read it quickly, but apparently thoroughly. “This seems to reflect our discussion of last evening,” he said, then signed two copies and handed one to Stone.

“Here is your letter to Pablo,” Stone said, handing him a single sheet of paper. “You can have it retyped on your letterhead.”

Lance read it. “This is a little stronger than I had conceived of.”

“That won’t cost you anything, Lance.”

“Oh, all right.”

Stone handed him another sheet of paper. “This is the letter to be signed by the attorney general.”

“You really do have a lot of balls, Stone,” Lance said, reading the letter. “You presume to write the attorney general’s correspondence for him?”

“If he objects, the president can sign instead—on the proper letterhead, of course.”

“I’ll put it to the general.”

“You’d better put it to him right away and get his signature, because I want all these documents signed and sealed before the start of our fourth day together.”

“Or what?” Lance asked insouciantly.

“Or you won’t get the bonus.”

“Ah, I see, you’re saving the best for last.”

“Something like that.”

“Give me a hint.”

“It’s something you want, and nobody else can give it to you.”

Lance thought, then he chuckled. “Surely you’re not talking about—”

“I’m not talking, period,” Stone said. “This conversation is at an end.”

“Oh, all right. I’ll see you Monday morning at nine. Will you be offering breakfast, as well?”

“If you can ask questions while chewing. Who are you bringing with you?”

“Holly will be here, and at least one person who may remain anonymous. Also, there’ll be a court stenographer with his little machine.”

“As long as they’ll all fit at my table.”

“Will you have anyone else there besides Pablo? If so, they’ll have to be cleared.”

“Just the two of us,” Stone said. “Occasionally, Pablo and I may have to consult privately, and as our agreement states, I can instruct him not to answer, if necessary.”

“Ever the lawyer, Stone,” Lance said. He shook hands and left.

Joan came in when he had gone. “So that’s the elusive Lance Cabot?”

“Elusive? Why do you say that?”

“Well, I’ve heard you talk about him for years—usually disparagingly—but I’ve never seen him until now. He’s very good-looking and beautifully dressed, too. It’s strange having two of you in the office at once.”

“I’ll introduce you next week.”

Joan left, and Stone called Pablo.