Bel-Air Dead (Stone Barrington 20)

“I would be representing her in that and other business. Whether Woodman amp; Weld would be involved is now up to you.”

There was a thoughtful pause. “You understand that I have a board of management that must approve any new partnership.”

“I understand that you run a tight ship, and that the board would certainly respect your wishes.”

“I’ve had the impression that you would not wish the Centurion deal to come to fruition, if you had your way.”

“I would hate to see Centurion Studios gutted for the benefit of a rapacious developer and an investor who doesn’t need the proceeds of such a sale in order to have any little thing her heart desires.”

“The firm would not derive much in the way of revenue from a sale that did not take place,” Eggers pointed out.

“There will be many oppor

tunities in the future for the firm to derive revenue from Arrington as a client, continuing into the next generation.”

The chuckle came again. “You know, Stone, I met your father several times. Do you recall?”

“Of course. You had many dinners at my parents’ home, when we were in law school.”

“I retain a very sharp memory of your father’s appearance,” Eggers said, “and when I met young Peter Calder, I was struck by his resemblance to your father.”

“I have made the same observation,” Stone said.

“May I put a blunt question to you without offense, Stone?”

“On this occasion, you may not,” Stone replied.

Eggers sighed. “All right,” he said.

“All right what?” Stone asked.

“If you bring Arrington into the fold, I will propose to the board of management that you join Woodman amp; Weld as a full partner, with compensation in line with that paid to other partners, which, of course, is based on the revenues they produce for the firm, and I will make the proposal to the board an enthusiastic one.”

“Thank you, Bill, and please be sure that the board understands that the closing of a Centurion deal may very well not be a part of the firm’s representation of Arrington.”

“I understand.”

“Something else,” Stone said.

“Yes?”

“All this will hinge on Arrington’s successful purchase of Champion Farms. Based on your assessment of the value of the company, she will make a one-time offer of thirty-seven million dollars to Rex Champion, and we must insist that he immediately stop selling his blood stock.”

“I will start the process, Stone. When do you want to close? I think an early closing would be an incentive for Rex to accept the offer, given his cash-flow problem.”

“Thirty days, but two weeks, if he insists. If Arrington needs cash to close, I’m sure Chase Private Bank would be happy to advance it, given the size of her portfolio.”

“I know people there.”

“Since you are personally acquainted with Rex Champion, Bill, I think it’s appropriate that you handle this offer and the subsequent transaction.”

“I will do so,” Eggers said. “Do I have authority to proceed?”

“You do,” Stone replied, “but until all our other arrangements are concluded, please withhold knowledge of Arrington’s net worth to your people.” Stone paused for a moment. “One other thing: Arrington’s affairs have heretofore been handled by a Charlottesville attorney named Howard Sharp, and it is essential that Rex Champion understand that word of this deal not reach Sharp until it is concluded. When that is done and the Centurion situation has been resolved, Arrington will fire Mr. Sharp.”

“Of course,” Eggers replied. “Stone, let me say that I am excited by not only the acquisition of Arrington as a client, but with the prospect of your closer ties to Woodman amp; Weld.”

“Thank you, Bill.” They said goodbye, and Stone hung up, breathless with the adrenaline this conversation had fired into his system.