Near Miss

“Well, Peter’s the brother who’s still alive. He served for seven years as the organization’s chief financial officer. He believes that Alexei Gromyko, the mob’s current leader, wishes him dead, so he is offering his financial records, contained on a thumb drive, to the FBI, in return for immunity and witness protection.”

“Okay, when do we start?”

“As soon as the FBI men arrive, we’ll have dinner. Then I’ll produce Greco, and he will disclose all.”

“How long will the meeting take?”

“As long as it takes. We may have to pause and continue tomorrow. Everybody’s sleeping here.”

“Okay, I’m game.”

“Good.”

Kinder and his associate, Bob Grant, arrived, declined alcohol, and had dinner. Then they got down to business.

“So, where is your mysterious witness?” Kinder asked.

“Upstairs. He recently changed his name to Peter Greco, but you will probably know him by his birth name, Egon Pentkovsky.”

“Anton and Izak’s brother?”

“Do you know of any other?”

Kinder raised an impressed eyebrow, then turned to Carly. “Ms. Riggs, what is your purpose at this meeting?”

“To remember it,” Carly replied.

Kinder looked at Stone, askance.

“Carly has an extraordinary memory,” Stone said. “When this is over, you will wish to hire her, but you may not. She belongs to Woodman & Weld.”

“Okay,” Kinder said, and there was disbelief in his voice. “We are all set up in your study. Produce your witness.”

Stone picked up a phone and dialed an extension. “Now, please.”

They moved to the study, and the subject turned up. Introductions were made, and everyone took a seat.

Stone handed Kinder a document outlining what Greco was receiving for his testimony. “Read this and sign it.”

Kinder read it and, to Stone’s surprise, signed it without requesting alterations.

“To what extent will Mr. Greco require witness protection?” Kinder asked.

Greco spoke up. “I will choose a location, and you will transport me there and provide security for as long as I deem necessary. I will not require that you furnish housing or create a new life for me. I’ll take care of that myself.”

“Stone,” Kinder said, “I believe your client is underestimating the extent of our involvement in his safety.”

“I assure you, I am not,” Greco said. “I have already purchased a property in a western state under a corporate name. It will be easily surveilled and guarded by your people, and housing will be provided for them.”

“As you wish,” Kinder said. “Let’s get started.”

Five hours later, they concluded the meeting. Everyone at the table appeared very tired.

“That was the most productive such meeting I have ever attended,” Kinder said. “I will need tomorrow to review it and compose other questions, if necessary. After I’ve done that, it will be time to involve a United States attorney to assess the chances of success at prosecution. May we meet again tomorrow evening?”

“Of course,” Stone said.

Kinder and Grant had a brandy, then repaired to their rooms for the night.

“You did astoundingly well,” Stone said to Greco.

“Thank you.”

“Carly, did you get everything?”

“Of course,” she said. “I’ll dictate it to Joan tomorrow, and she can type it up.”

They adjourned for the evening.

Chapter 33

They met again in Stone’s study the following evening, and this time Tom Kinder and his associate had a drink.

“Where’s your U.S. attorney?” Stone asked.

“She will be here shortly,” Kinder replied. “I’m told that when asked to provide a prosecutor, she volunteered herself.”

A distant alarm bell went off in Stone’s brain. But before he had time to identify it, a tall, beautiful blonde walked into the room.

“Stone, may I introduce Tiffany Baldwin, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York? Tiffany, this is Stone Barrington, attorney for our witness, whom you have already met, and his associate, Carly Riggs.”

Stone’s heart sank. He and Tiffany had had half a dozen rolls in the hay in years past, and she would not let go. He avoided her at all times.

“Oh, yes,” Tiffany replied. “Stone and I are old friends. How do you do, Carly?”

“I do very well, thank you,” Carly replied. She appeared to have immediately sensed the circumstances of Stone’s previous acquaintance with Tiffany.

“Shall we start?” Stone asked. He conducted the meeting without so much as glancing at Tiffany, to Carly’s evident amusement.

When they were done, they all had a nightcap. Then Greco departed with the FBI, while the U.S. attorney didn’t budge from her seat. Neither did Carly.

STAY! Stone mouthed at Carly, who kept a straight face.

“May I have another drink?” Tiffany asked.

Stone poured her a very small Scotch.

“Carly,” Tiffany said. “Stone and I have something to discuss. Would you excuse us, please?”

“I’m sorry, Tiffany,” Stone said, “but Carly goes where I go this evening. I can’t have meetings with opposing counsel without her present.”

“You want a witness, then?”

“I think that will help keep the conversation on track.”

“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse,” Carly said sweetly.

“This is a rather intimate discussion,” Tiffany said.