“I was looking into an associate of his for a client, when he turned up.”
“And who is his associate?”
“A so-called artist named Derek Sharpe.”
“I’ve heard of him. Is he complicit in this scam?”
“He introduced me to Larsen, and he was present when Larsen first mentioned this investment.”
“You think Sharpe knows it’s a scam?”
“Based on what I’ve seen and heard of him, I’m prepared to believe the worst about Mr. Sharpe.”
“So, I should investigate them both?”
“Tiff, I can’t tell you what to investigate; if you like Larsen and Sharpe, go get ’em. I’d be happy to see them both off the street for an extended period.”
“You mean your client would be happy?”
“Him, too.”
“I thought it was a she.”
“There’s a he and a she; I don’t believe they’ve met.”
“Tell me about the she.”
“She’s from the south, new in the city, wealthy, and Larsen and Sharpe must think she’s v
ulnerable.”
“Is she?”
“Not really.”
“Then you’re giving her good advice.”
“I try.”
“What is her name?”
“I can’t divulge that without her permission.”
“Then get her permission.”
“Next time I speak to her I’ll ask her if she’d like to be an undercover agent for the federal government.”
“You can be smoother than that, Stone.”
“I find that when someone wants to embroil my client in what might be a dangerous situation it’s better to be blunt about what’s wanted of her.”
“All right, be blunt with her, but do it quick, all right?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Dinner sometime, Stone? Without the cameras, I mean.”
“Tiff, I tried to explain that the presence of cameras in my bedroom was unknown to me, but you wouldn’t listen.”