“Liz, this is the quickest, quietest way possible to get you out of this marriage. Just do what you have to do,” Thad said.
“All right, darling,” she said, and put her hand on his.
“Can I be there?” Thad asked. “Liz might feel better.”
“Absolutely not,” Stone said. “You’re a very recognizable figure in Palm Beach, and I don’t want you anywhere near that courthouse.”
“Oh, all right,” Thad said. “Sit down and have some breakfast.”
Juanito appeared, and Stone ordered. “Now, Liz, tell me: How long have you been a Florida resident?”
“Sin
ce I married Winston, I guess. Three years. He was a Florida resident well before that, for tax reasons.”
“The judge will ask you that.”
“What about Paul? He’s not a Florida resident. At least, I don’t think he is.”
“His lawyer says he can show proof of residency. The judge will ask you things like how long you’ve been married, and he’s going to ask you why you want a divorce. What are you going to tell him?”
“That my husband led me into a life of crime and that, when he murdered three people, I didn’t want to live with him anymore.”
“No, no, no,” Stone said. “You want to be general, not specific.”
“You mean like, we just grew apart over the years?”
“That’s better. And if he asks Paul first, just go along with whatever he says. Don’t worry, he has a very good lawyer, and he will have been well briefed.”
“Whatever you say,” she said.
“That’s the right answer, too. Now, another thing. Your agreement with Paul requires you to wire-transfer the money into his lawyer’s trust account as soon as the divorce is final. What I’d like is for you to transfer the money to my trust account today, and I’ll take it from there.”
“The two million dollars?” she asked.
“That’s right.”
“God, but I hate to give that son of a bitch any money.”
“Liz, get a grip. You’ve already signed an agreement to that effect. Yesterday, you were delighted to get off so cheaply.”
“Liz, honey,” Thad said, “two million dollars is small change to me. Let me take care of that.”
“I couldn’t let you do that,” Liz replied.
“No, really. I’d consider it a great favor if you’d let me do that.”
“Oh, Thad,” she said, putting her hand on his cheek. “You’re so sweet.”
Thad turned to Stone. “I’ll move the money this morning.”
“You’re sure that’s the way you want to do this?”
“Yes, I am.”
Stone watched, amazed, as they kissed.
Later, when they were driving to the golf course, Stone brought Dino up to date.