Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 21

though.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Arrington’s feelings on the matter. When I first met with her about her estate planning she told me that you would feel this way.”
    “She knew me well.”
    “She also told me that, if I could keep you from doing something foolish about the money, you would eventually come to your senses. It was her wish that you have the money; she wanted that very much, and you have to take her wishes into consideration.”
    “If she’d asked me, I’d have told her how I feel about her money.”
    “She already knew; that’s why she didn’t ask you.”
    “If she knew that, why did she make this will?”
    “Because she was smarter than you, Stone. She knew that, in time, you’d understand her wisdom and accept it.”
    “That hasn’t happened yet,” Stone said.
    “Give it time, Stone. Take a year or two, then think about it again. You’ll find satisfying uses for the money. Now I want you to promise me you won’t do anything rash, that you’ll consult me before you start disposing of the money, even to Peter. Just let it sit there and grow.”
    Stone sighed. “Oh, all right. I’ll check with you before I give it all away.”
    “By the way, you need to make a decision about developing the Bel-Air property as a hotel and let Mike Freeman know. He’s got investors and a management company on hold.”
    “Good point,” Stone said.
    “I think developing the property is a good idea,” Eggers said. “I can’t see you living in Bel-Air, and if you need to go out there, you’ll have a house on the hotel grounds.”
    “I don’t really want that,” Stone said.
    “Then the hotel can rent it in your absence.”
    “All right, I’ll talk to Mike about it.”
    “Stone, maybe you should take a vacation. How long has it been?”
    “I don’t know, years, I guess, but Peter’s in school. When he’s out for the summer I’m going to take him up to Maine for a while and teach him to sail.”
    “An excellent idea. Another idea: as I recall, you have the lifetime use of the house there, and then it reverts to the foundation, according to your cousin’s will.”
    “That’s correct.”
    “My bet is that the foundation would be very pleased if you bought the house from them now. Then they won’t have to wait for you to die to get their property. They’d only sell it then, anyway. That would be a good use of your inheritance, and Peter will always have the house.”
    Stone brightened. “You’re right, Bill, that would be a good use of the money. I’ll get in touch with them and make an offer for the property.”
    “Good man. Now I have to go back to work.”
    “Thank you, Bill. I feel better now.”
    “Just remember your promise.” Eggers hung up.
    Stone didn’t wait. He looked up the name of the foundation president, called him and made him an offer for the house. The man said he’d discuss it with his board and get back to Stone.
    Next, Stone called Mike Freeman.
    “Good morning, Stone. My men are on the job.”
    “Yes, I know, Mike, and thank you. I called about something else, though.”
    “What can I do for you?”
    “Arrington left me the Bel-Air property. I want to proceed with the hotel development.”
    “I’m delighted to hear it,” Mike said. “I’ll let the investors and the management company know.”
    “Mike, you obviously think this development is a good investment, or you wouldn’t be involved in it.”
    “I think it’s an outstanding investment,” Mike said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be putting Strategic Services’ money into it.”
    “How much, total, do we need to raise to complete the project?”
    “Half a billion dollars,” Mike said, “plus the property purchase. You could lease it to the company to make it easier for them.”
    “How much is Strategic Services investing?”
    “A hundred million.”
    “I’ll invest two hundred million, and that way, you and I will keep control of the project. I’ll keep title to the land and lease it to the company.”
    “That’s wonderful, Stone. I’ll get in touch with the others and put it to them, and we’ll make you an offer on leasing the property.”
    “Good, Mike,” Stone said. “Get back to me, and we’ll work it all out.” He hung up, and reflected on his day’s work. Making these decisions had actually made him feel better, and not just about the money. To his surprise, he felt something he hadn’t felt since Arrington’s death: enthusiasm.

63
    P eter got home from