“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Stone said. “I just have a few things to sort out before I can make the commitment.”

“I see,” she said, and there was a cool edge to her voice.

“I’m very grateful for your speaking to Jack about me, and I will certainly understand if he wants to change his mind, but I just can’t do it right now.”

“Would you care to mention a time when we should talk again?”

“I’ll be in touch as soon as things have calmed down a bit.”

“Tell me, Stone, are you in any way connected to the security firm Strategic Services?”

“Yes, I’m their outside counsel and a member of their board.”

“Are you aware that they have submitted a request to withdraw their investment from our company?”

“They consult with me mostly on legal matters, not financial ones, and since I’ve only recently been appointed, I haven’t attended a board meeting yet.”

“I see. I hope the recent flare-up of publicity hasn’t played a part in their decision, because everything at Gunn Investments is in apple-pie order.”

“I’m glad to hear that, and I’ll be happy to convey your assurances to the CEO when next I see him.”

“Thank you, Stone, and I wish you a pleasant week.” Stephanie hung up.

Stone sighed, relieved that he had avoided telling an outright lie to get through that conversation.

Joan buzzed again. “Pablo for you.”

“Hello, Pablo,” Stone said.

“Stone, I have just learned from a reliable source that my passport and those of my family have been flagged by the State Department and thus may not be used to enter or leave the country.”

“That’s not good news, Pablo. I’m sorry.”

“You must get back to Mr. C. and tell him that these flags must be lifted at once, or I will be unable to speak with him and his people next week.”

“I’ll do the best I can, Pablo, but we have a signed agreement with him that does not include this problem. I’ll speak to him; perhaps he will be of help.”

“Thank you. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

Stone hung up and looked in his book for a cell number for Lance, then dialed it.

“Yes?”

“It’s Stone. Something disturbing has come up.”

“How sad. What do you want?”

“The American passports of Pablo and his family have been flagged, preventing them from entering or leaving the country.”

“Well, I suppose you’ll have to take that up with the IRS, Stone,” Lance said. “It’s their beef.”

“No, it’s not; it’s the State Department who has flagged the passports. Will you look into this, please? I know that the Agency has a close working relationship with State, and I don’t want to see Pablo struck mute by this easily solved problem.”