Lance laughed. “I’m not sure that I know everything.”
“Let’s start with what you know.”
“All right; I propose to buy some items in England o
r elsewhere in Europe and sell them to someone in another part of the world for a large profit.”
“How much will you pay for them and what will you sell them for?”
“I expect to pay in the region of half a million dollars for these items, and I expect to sell them for around two million, maybe a bit more.”
“That is a very nice profit indeed. And exactly what are the items?”
“I’m not at liberty to tell you just yet.”
“You understand that I will be unwilling to make the investment until I know?”
“Of course; I don’t think you’re a fool, Stone.”
“Can you give me a general idea?”
“Let’s just say that the goods are of a scientific nature, and that the buyers are lovers of science.”
“Are Ali and Sheila part of this deal?”
“A very important part. They will act as liaison between the sellers and the buyers.”
“Why can’t you do it yourself?”
“Let’s just say that I’m of the wrong nationality, ethnicity, and religion. Ali and Sheila are critical to the success of the transaction.”
Stone took a card from his wallet and wrote a name and telephone number on the back of it. “This is a lawyer in New York who will handle your legal work. But for the record, this is the only part of the transaction that I will ever admit taking part in—a simple reference.”
“I quite understand.”
“Apart from the nature of the goods and the name of the buyer, I will require a means of making my share of the profit bankable and spendable, without attracting the attention of any government agency anywhere.”
“I quite understand. I have such an arrangement already in place, and you may avail yourself of it.”
“When will this happen, and when can you tell me more about it?”
“Once I give the go-ahead, it will take only two or three days to conclude the transaction. The items in question have already been manufactured and will be transported as soon as I transfer the funds to the maker. How soon can you produce your quarter of a million?”
“What do you mean by ‘produce’? Where and when?”
“I mean wire-transfer the funds to an offshore bank, which I will specify.”
“As soon as I know all the details of what you’re delivering and to whom. The funds are currently in a money market fund, awaiting investment. All it will take for delivery is a coded fax to my broker.”
“I like your style, Stone.”
“All we need to know now is if I like yours.”
“I’ll talk to some people and be in touch shortly.”
They raised their glasses in a silent toast, then went back to finishing their lunch.
Stone glanced across the small room at Dino. He was enjoying his lunch immensely.