“Well, I don’t know…”
“Tax free.”
Magic words, those. Stone’s palms were sweating. The thought of a million bucks at rest in his safe gave him a warm feeling all over.
“I take it, you’ll take it.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Lance.”
“Write down these numbers.” Lance gave him Barton’s home and cell phones. “Cell service is dodgy up there, as I’m sure you know, but you can always leave a message on his machine when you find the secretary.”
“Tell Barton to send me any photographs he has of the piece, or pieces, and a list of any identifying marks on the them. I’d also like to know which one I’m looking for.”
“He will respond immediately. I’ll have one of my people drop off an envelope by nightfall.”
“Give my best to Holly,” Stone said.
“You may give her your best in person.”
Stone wondered what he meant by that.
“And while you’re up there, you might just look in on Barton and see how he’s doing.” Lance hung up.
Stone tried to bring his pulse down. He was going to need Dino’s help to find the thing and maybe Bob Cantor’s, too, so he would just have to accustom himself to parting with some of Barton’s reward.
11
Stone was sitting in Elaine’s, studying the photographs of the mahogany secretary when Dino walked in and sat down.
Before he could speak a waiter set a glass of Scotch before him.
“You’re still interested in antique furniture?” Dino asked.
“More than ever.”
Dino took the photograph and looked it over. “Well, it’s certainly a handsome piece of work,” he admitted. “I’m not sure I’d fork out twenty-five mil for it, but that’s just me.”
“You know,” Stone said, taking the photo back, “I think if I had a billion, I’d pay twenty-five mil for it, but that’s just me.”
“Let’s call it a purely academic disagreement,” Dino said, sipping his Scotch. “Where’d you get the picture?”
“Barton sent it to me.”
“Why? Does he think you’re a potential buyer?”
“Hardly. He wants me to find it for him.”
“You? What are your particular qualifications for finding a missing piece of antique furniture?”
“About the same as yours.”
“But I’m not looking for it.”
&
nbsp; “Yes, you are.”
“Stone, why do you think I’m going to help you find this thing?”