Strategic Moves (Stone Barrington 19)

“Well, I tried to get you to do the prenup.”

“It’s not that—not exactly.”

“Then what is it?”

“You remember, we were supposed to go on a honeymoon in the islands?”

“Yes, I recall that.”

“She won’t go now.”

“Herbie, women—especially women as bright and strong-willed as Stephanie—have minds of their own, and they often change them. You will come to have much experience of this.”

Herbie shook his head. “It’s not the changing of her mind that worries me.”

“Unburden yourself, Herbie.”

“You remember the business about the disappearing billion dollars from the Gunn company?”

“How could I forget it?” Stone replied.

“And you remember that David was suspected of that?”

“Again, my recall of those events is

perfect.”

“I’m beginning to think that it wasn’t David. I’m beginning to think it was Stephanie—or maybe Stephanie and David.”

Stone regarded Herbie for a moment. He did not appear to be delusional—indeed Herbie had appeared for some weeks now to be conducting himself entirely within the bounds of rationality, a sort of extended lucid interval. “What makes you think that, Herbie?”

“I’ve overheard snippets of telephone conversations; I’ve heard travel arrangements being made; I’ve heard mention of an island in the South Pacific called Attola.”

“I’ve heard something about that place, Herbie, but I can’t remember what.”

“It’s apparently a very posh place,” Herbie said, “and very far from anywhere.”

“Well, it sounds peaceful,” Stone said.

“It also has something to do with offshore banking,” Herbie said.

“Uh-oh,” Stone replied.

FIFTY-FIVE

Stone regarded Herbie with some sympathy. “Herbie, have you invested all your money, all ten million, with the Gunn company?”

“Not all of it,” Herbie said. “Only seven million.”

“Who do you deal with over there?”

“With Jack Gunn,” Herbie said.

“All right, I’m going to try something; you just sit and listen.” Stone looked up the number of Gunn Investments and asked to speak to Jack Gunn. Somewhat to Stone’s surprise, Jack came on the line almost immediately.

“What can I do for you, Stone?”

“I’m calling on behalf of a client,” Stone said. “This is very sensitive, and I must ask you not to mention this to any of your colleagues.”