“His total investment is one and a half million dollars.”
“Well, from my point of view, this doesn’t sound insurmountable,” Rubens said. “Hank, how about you?”
“We haven’t heard what else Stone’s client wants,” Cable said.
“Well, immunity, as I said, from all federal prosecution—and Rick, I’ll expect the same for local and state officials. But just as important, my client’s identity must never be revealed to anyone outside your offices.”
“I take that to mean your client doesn’t want to testify,” Cable said.
“His greatest value will be not in his testimony, but in his ability to steer your investigations in the right direction.”
“Does your client have a criminal record?” Cable asked.
“He does not. He is an upstanding citizen, a taxpayer on a grand scale, and of unimpeachable reputation.”
“Except for this little indiscretion you mentioned,” Rubens said.
“His only lapse, and believe me, he was snookered into it.” Stone knew that was a half-truth, but he had to win this negotiation now, if he was going to protect Vance.
“Well, let’s hear what he has to say, and I’ll discuss this with my superiors,” Cable said.
Stone shook his head. “He says nothing until we are in complete agreement, and I must tell you that this offer will be short-lived. My client is aware that if he says nothing, he will probably escape your attentions.”
“That’s blackmail,” Rubens said.
“Actually, it’s extortion,” Stone replied, “a technique not unknown to the IRS.”
Rubens, to his credit, laughed.
“Suppose we just pursue this on our own and arrest your client later? I’m sure he’d be willing to testify then,” Cable said.
“Hank,” Stone said, “you’ve already told me that you’re coming up dry so far, and without my help and that of my client, your whole investigation is likely to just grind to a halt.”
The two men looked at each other, and Stone knew what they were thinking.
“Gentlemen, I’m sure you’d feel more comfortable if you ran this by your superiors and the U.S. Attorney. There’s a phone in the living room and one in the bedroom, and I promise you privacy.” He handed them each a copy of the document he had prepared. “You might read this to them.”
They each read the document.
“You don’t want a hell of a lot, do you?” Cable asked sarcastically.
“My client is asking for a lot less than he is willing to give,” Stone replied.
The two men, without another word, got up and went to find the phones.
“You’re some piece of work,” Rick said. “Do you really think they’re going to buy this, sight unseen?”
“I think they very well might,” Stone said, handing a copy of the document to him. “Aren’t you?”
“Well…”
“You had better start convincing the DA, if you want your department to participate.”
Rick went to look for a phone.
58
They were all gathered around the dining table in Stone’s suite now, and he was anxiously awaiting their decision. John Rubens, without a word, signed Stone’s document and passed it to him. After a moment’s hesitation, so did Hank Cable.