Near Miss

“No, because that would entail being involved with criminal matters until you have made everything squeaky clean. My firm, Woodman & Weld, operates at the highest level of the legitimate practice of the law, and they will not be drawn into enterprises that don’t meet their ethical standards.”

“Understood. May I seek, personally, your counsel from time to time?”

“I’m sorry, no. And we can’t meet again until you have completed your cleansing. I will give you this advice, though: the faster you legitimize the better. It is only when law enforcement agencies such as the FBI begin to fail to make cases against you that they will start to back off a bit.”

“Thank you for that. And I understand your position. I will not violate your boundaries.”

Stone stood up. “Well, then. You might begin your cleansing on this island. Never give anyone here anything to gossip about.”

“Good advice,” Peter said, and escorted him to his car.

Back in the house, Peter sat Marla down and explained to her what had happened with the family and what her obligations would be, beginning with using only legitimate credit cards for her personal and household shopping. He did not raise the subject of Olga.

“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, and you must be, too. You can begin with the occasional generous, but not outrageous, donations to local charities. It will be good for people to think of us as donors, when the subject comes up.”

“I understand,” she said, then came and sat in his lap, surprising him. He found that he enjoyed being surprised.

Chapter 46

Stone returned to his own house, where he found his guests — the Bacchettis and Carly — settled in the living room before a big fire. “It’s starting to rain,” he said to nobody in particular.

“Raining in Maine?” Dino said. “No kidding?”

“We’re not in Scotland, Dino,” Stone replied. “It doesn’t rain constantly here. There are often sunny days.”

“Whatever you say,” Dino replied, gazing at the rain beating against the windows on the seaward side of the house.

“It’s nice weather for the fire,” Carly pointed out.

“Thank you for that,” Stone said. He poured himself a drink and sat down. “I have news from my meeting with Peter Greco.”

“Did he shoot you twice in the head?” Dino asked.

“You will note that my head has only the usual number of holes.”

“Did he miss?”

“This morning, after the Greek’s funeral, Greco was appointed the new head of the family.”

“You should be wearing full body armor,” Dino counseled.

“On the contrary, he is meeting with his council on Monday, and at that time he will give them instructions that neither I nor mine — which includes you lot — are to be touched.”

“I’m happy to be included in your lot,” Dino said.

“We are still to be careful until word has filtered down to the soldier level.”

“Careful?” Carly asked. “What does that mean?”

“Don’t go out alone,” Dino said, “and when you do, go armed.”

“That’s what we were doing anyway, wasn’t it?” she asked.

“Then just keep on doing it. Peter says he’s taking all the family businesses fully legal.”

“Does that include the murder and mayhem part?” Viv asked.

“Apparently, Gromyko incorporated most everything and started paying taxes.”

“You can do that with murder and mayhem?”

“Businesses have been doing that for centuries. But I do believe he intends to divest himself of that particular avenue.”

“Will wonders never cease?” Viv asked.

“Wonders remain to be seen,” Stone replied. “I will say that I am encouraged by what he told me.”

“You are easily encouraged,” Dino said.

“Perhaps, but I am not credulous. I’ve gotten to know him a bit, and I appreciate what he’s trying to do.”

“Does that mean you’re his lawyer now?”

“No, it doesn’t. I’ve explained to Peter that Woodman & Weld deals only with upright clients.”

“Some of your clients will be surprised to hear that,” Dino said.

“You won’t find a cleaner, more ethical law firm in the city,” Stone replied.

“Okay,” Dino said. “I suppose I can stretch your credibility that far.”

“I’m so grateful,” Stone said.

“Stretching calls for another drink,” Dino said, waving his glass at Stone.

Stone complied, and Dino sipped.

“What about the meeting with the FBI?” Carly asked. “Did I remember all that for no reason?”

“Your memory was used as intended. What Peter told the FBI didn’t go away just because he switched sides. As for his relationship with the feds, he has requested a grace period from Kinder, to clean things up.”

“And Assistant Director Kinder went for this?” Viv asked.

“That remains to be seen.”

“My money is on a big fat no,” Dino said.

“My money is staying firmly in the bank,” Stone said.

Dino took a drink, then said, “So, what are we going to do with ourselves on this little vacation, besides watch our asses?”

“What you usually do,” Stone said. “Sail or go motorboating, shoot skeet, fish, swim in the sea — like that.”

“At least half of those activities are precluded by the local water temperature,” Dino said.

“Get used to it. It’s not going to change.”

“Something occurs to me concerning safety,” Viv said.