“I didn’t know cricket was a contact sport.”
“The incident did not take place on a cricket pitch,” Lance said,
“and the batter was a woman.”
Stone chuckled in spite of himself. Lance didn’t have much of a sense of humor, usually. “Lance, what do you know about Abner Kramer?”
“Financial bigwig, Democratic Party contributor; rumors about a cabinet post, if Will Lee gets reelected.”
“I can read that in the Times. I’d expect more from a highly placed member of the intelligence community.”
“It’s all I need to know about him.”
“You might need to know more.”
“Why?”
“He and Barton had a brief exchange about the mahogany secretary when we saw him in a restaurant in Connecticut.”
“Oh yes, I hear you were breaking and entering up there.”
“Kramer wants to buy the secretary from Barton. Did Holly tell you about the empty space in his study? Just the right size for the secretary.”
“But it was an empty space, not a piece of furniture.”
“It crossed my mind that, if Barton wouldn’t sell it, Kramer might want it anyway. You know that he and Barton did some business when they were in the Marines.”
“I heard. I’ll put out a couple of feelers on Kramer.”
“I’d especially like to know if he’s had any shady dealings the past few years.”
“I expect the president might like to know that, too.”
“That’s up to you.”
“Anything else you need?”
“Well, there’s a character named Charlie Crow, who was part of the Marine unit, too, and another named Harry Collins; everybody else is dead.”
“You left out your friend, Cantor.”
“I know enough about him.”
“Okay, I’ll put Holly on it.”
“Thanks. I think that could be helpful. Barton liked Holly a lot.”
“My brother was always fond of the ladies, and Holly corresponds to a type I used to see him with.”
“Did that cross your mind when you sent her to Connecticut?”
“I don’t remember.”
“You’re getting as bad as Barton. I hope his memory isn’t as selective.”
“You think he’s holding out on us, Stone?”
“I think he’s a craftier man than he lets on.”