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Somewhat to Stone’s astonishment, Herbie did just that, and in a little over half an hour e
verything was signed and the transaction completed. The seller’s team left.
Stone handed Herbie two sets of keys. “Here are the keys you’re supposed to have. You can move in now.”
Herbie pocketed the keys and shook Stone’s hand. “Thanks, Stone, you’ve been great.”
“See that accountant, Herbie, or soon you won’t have any money left.”
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” Herbie promised and then ran out of the office.
Joan came in. “How’d it go?”
“Very smoothly,” Stone replied. “Good job on the document package.”
“It’s what I do,” she said.
“Among many other things. Felicity was very impressed with how quickly you put together the dinner party for tomorrow night.”
“It was easy, once each guest knew who the other guests would be.”
“Oh, you’d better hire a waiter and somebody to help Helene in the kitchen.”
“I have already done so.”
“I suppose you’ve planned the menu, too.”
“Hot hors d’oeuvres, then crab soup to start, followed by beef Wellington, pommes soufflées and haricots verts. Crème brûlée for dessert. You can pick the wines.”
“Thank you very much, and give yourself a ten percent raise.”
“Oh, good!” she squealed and gave him a big hug.
Stone reflected that if she quit, he’d have to shoot himself.
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Stone went into the dining room to check the table setting and to distribute the place cards. The hired waiter came into the room, and Stone took him to the chair where Hackett would be sitting. “Is Bob Cantor here yet?” Cantor was coming to handle the fingerprinting.
“Ten minutes ago,” the waiter replied.
Stone picked up the three wineglasses at Hackett’s place and polished them with his linen handkerchief. “Now these three glasses are free of fingerprints,” he said. “When you clear away each course, take the empty wineglass into the kitchen, holding it by the stem, not touching the bowl, and give it to Bob, understand?”
“Got it,” the waiter said.
BILL EGGERS AND his wife arrived exactly on time for dinner, which meant ten minutes before anyone else. The waiter served them drinks.
“I wanted to tell you, before the others arrive, that Jim Hackett met with our intellectual property people this afternoon, and they pleased him. He’s on board with Strategic Services, and he’s said that if we do a good job, he’ll give us more business.”
“I’m delighted to hear it,” Stone said.
“You’ll find your rainmaking reflected in your bonus.”
“I’m delighted to hear that, too.”
“Jim has also said that he’d like you to take on some projects for him.”
“I’m glad to do that as long as you’re on board with it.”
