“At least as much as ever,” Stone replied, “maybe more.”
Stone’s cell rang, and he picked it up. “Hello?”
“Stone, it’s Harvey Stein.” He didn’t sound happy.
“Yes, Harvey?”
“I don’t quite know how to tell you this, but there’s a problem with the transfer of Jim Long’s shares in Centurion.”
Stone felt sick. “What kind of a problem, Harvey?”
“It appears that the stock may not have been entirely Jim’s to sell.”
Stone put the phone on speaker and set it on the table. “Rick Barron and Arrington Calder are here. Tell us.”
“It appears that a friend of Jim’s holds a lien on his shares. A Mrs. Charles Grosvenor lent him some money a while back, and he signed a note using the shares as collateral. She neglected to ask for the stock certificate.”
“Who the hell is Mrs. Charles Grosvenor?” Rick asked.
“I’ll explain that later,” Stone said. “Harvey, do you know if Mrs. Grosvenor may have bought some shares from the estate of Jennifer Harris?”
“I’m not sure,” Stein replied.
“Have you spoken with Mrs. Grosvenor?”
“Briefly. I’m afraid I’ll have to refund Mrs. Calder’s money and ask for the share certificate back,” Stein said. “Mrs. Grosvenor wants it before tomorrow’s shareholders’ meeting.”
“Harvey,” Stone said, “have you read the actual note Jim signed?”
“Yes, and I consider it airtight. Jim is very apologetic; he thought he would have Mrs. Grosvenor’s support in selling the shares. I don’t know why he didn’t tell me about the note.”
“I’m sure you understand, Harvey, that I’m going to need to see the note before I can surrender the stock certificate.”
“Of course.”
“I don’t think this is your fault, Harvey,” Stone said.
“I have already taken the liberty of wiring the funds back to Woodman amp; Weld,” Stein said. “May I send someone to pick up the share certificate now? I’ll send along a copy of the note.”
“Yes,” Stone said. He punched the phone off.
“Who is Mrs. Charles Grosvenor?” Arrington asked again.
“From all reliable accounts,” Stone said, “a crazy person.”
“How crazy?”
“A homicidal maniac,” Stone said. He began to explain the woman’s history.
When he had finished Rick said, “I’ve lived a long life and met all sorts of people, but that is the wildest story I have ever heard.”
“Rick,” Arrington said, “is Glenna at home?”
“No, she’s in Santa Barbara; she’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
“Then you’re having dinner here with us,” she said.
“Thank you, Arrington, that’s very kind.”