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“Cayman Islands,” Stone said. “Keep them all and resume ransacking.”
“I’m tired,” Joan said.
“There’s a bar in the library,” Stone said. “Let’s ransack that.”
“Allow me,” Joan said, “as you are my guest.” She found some heavy Baccarat whiskey glasses and some ice and poured two stiff Knob Creeks, handing one to Stone, then collapsing into a wing chair by the fireplace.
“Are you feeling quite at home?” Stone asked.
“Oddly, yes. I think I’ll sleep here tonight.”
“The master bedroom looked comfortable.”
“Not until I’ve ransacked it, kept what I like, which will be mostly jewelry and furs, and sent the rest to Goodwill, which will blow their minds.”
“Good thinking. Now, I think we should discuss your successor.”
“My successor? Are you firing me?”
“Surely a person of your great wealth and standing in the community would not wish to continue working for me.”
“Why not? It’s the most fun I’ve ever had. You can refer to me as your assistant, though, and not your secretary. I’ll want to hire my own secretary.”
“Would you like a raise?”
“Just for form’s sake, you can double my present salary.”
“Done. And hire whoever you like and pay her or him whatever you see fit.”
“Tomorrow,” she said, “after we’ve ransacked the safety-deposit boxes.”
SEVENTEEN
Stone met Joan at United States Trust on the Upper East Side just as the doors opened. He noted that Joan was pushing a large, wheeled suitcase. He had dealt before with the manager, a Mr. Hedger, and they were shown into his office.
“Good morning, Stone,” Hedger said. “Please have a seat.”
“I have brought you new business,” Stone said, and introduced Joan. “Ms. Robertson is the niece and only survivor of Annetta Charles, and thus her heir.”
“My condolences and my congratulations,” Hedger said to her.
Stone opened his briefcase and handed Hedger some documents. “This is Mrs. Charles’s death certificate, along with that of her husband, Edwin Sr., who predeceased her. Also, a copy of her last will and testament, which makes Joan her only heir. Please note that Edwin Charles Jr. is explicitly excluded fromany inheritance and that a trust has been provided to meet his basic needs. Don’t let Junior tell you any different.”
“I understand,” Hedger said. “We will be closing his accounts. It will be a relief not to have Junior as a customer any longer.”
Stone handed Hedger a safety-deposit box key. “We assume that this is the key issued to Ed Sr. when he opened his account.”
Hedger checked the number on his computer. “Confirmed,” he said.
“Please change the ownership to Ms. Robertson. Also, any other accounts opened by Ed Sr. or Annetta.”
Hedger did some more computer work, then took a card from a desk drawer. “Ms. Robertson, may I have your address and phone numbers, and a sample of your signature?”
Joan completed the card. “I’d like Mr. Barrington to be a cosigner on all my accounts,” she said, “but not a co-owner.” She smirked a little at Stone.
Hedger handed Stone the card.
“There,” Stone said, signing it with a flourish. “That will be sufficient for me to steal her blind.”
