‘Tomorrow morning would be good for us,’ she said back. ‘There’s an element of urgency, I’m afraid.’
‘Let me call the police for you,’ Forster said.
‘No, David, next week is really too late. We need to move fast, if we can.’
‘But I don’t know where to look. We’ve never used private detectives.’
‘Hold on a moment, David.’ She covered the mouthpiece with the heel of her hand and glanced up at Hobie. ‘If you want it tomorrow, it’s got to be at their offices.’
Hobie shook his head. ‘It has to be here, on my turf.’
She took her hand away. ‘David, what about the
day after tomorrow? It really needs to be here, I’m afraid. It’s a delicate negotiation.’
‘You really don’t want the police? You absolutely sure about that?’
‘Well, there are complications. You know how things can be sometimes, sort of delicate?’
‘OK, but I’m going to have to find somebody suitable. It could take me some time. I’ll have to ask around for recommendations.’
‘That’s great, David,’ she said.
‘OK,’ Forster said again. ‘If you’re sure, I’ll get on it right away. But I’m really not clear exactly what you’re hoping to achieve.’
‘Yes, I agree,’ she said. ‘You know we’ve always hated the way Dad set it up. Outside interference can change things, can’t it?’
‘Two in the afternoon,’ Forster said. ‘Day after tomorrow. I don’t know who it’ll be, but I’ll get you someone good. Will that be OK?’
‘Day after tomorrow, two in the afternoon,’ she repeated. She recited the address. ‘That’s great. Thanks, David.’
Her hand was shaking and the phone rattled in the cradle as she hung it up.
‘You didn’t ask for the trust deeds,’ Hobie said.
She shrugged nervously.
‘There was no need. It’s a formality. It would have made him suspicious.’
There was silence. Then Hobie nodded.
‘OK,’ he said. ‘Day after tomorrow. Two in the afternoon.’
‘We need clothes,’ she said. ‘It’s supposed to be a business meeting. We can’t be dressed like this.’
Hobie smiled. ‘I like you dressed like that. Both of
you. But I guess old Chester here can borrow my suit back for the meeting. You’ll stay as you are.’
She nodded, vaguely. She was too drained to push it.
‘Back in the bathroom,’ Hobie said. ‘You can come out again day after tomorrow, two o’clock. Behave yourselves and you’ll eat twice a day.’
They walked silently ahead of Tony. He closed the bathroom door on them and walked back through the dark office and rejoined Hobie in the reception area.
‘Day after tomorrow is way too late,’ he said. ‘For God’s sake, Hawaii is going to know today. Tomorrow, at the very latest, right?’
Hobie nodded. The ball was dropping through the glare of the lights. The outfielder was leaping. The fence was looming.
‘Yes, it’s going to be tight, isn’t it?’ he said.
‘It’s going to be crazy tight. You should just get the hell out.’
‘I can’t, Tony. I’ve given my word on the deal, so I need that stock. But it’ll be OK. Don’t you worry about it. Day after tomorrow at two-thirty, the stock will be mine, it’ll be registered by three, it’ll be sold on by five, we’ll be out of here by suppertime. Day after tomorrow, it’ll all be over.’
‘But it’s crazy. Involving a lawyer? We can’t let a lawyer in here.’
Hobie stared at him.
‘A lawyer,’ he repeated slowly. ‘You know what the basis of justice is?’
‘What?’
‘Fairness,’ Hobie said. ‘Fairness, and equality. They bring a lawyer, we should bring a lawyer, too, shouldn’t we? Keep things fair?’
‘Christ, Hobie, we can’t have two lawyers in here.’ ‘We can,’ Hobie said. ‘In fact, I think we should.’ He walked around the reception counter and sat down where Marilyn had sat. The leather was still warm from her body. He took the Yellow Pages from a cubbyhole and opened it up. Picked up the phone and hit nine for a line. Then he used the top of the hook in seven precise little motions to dial the number.
‘Spencer Gutman,’ a bright voice said in his ear. ‘How may we help you?’