The Kill Artist

boys?"
    "I had to fire Christopher last week."
    "So I heard."
    "My competitors had great fun at my expense, but I thought it showed courage. Every Looking Glass employee, no matter how far down the food chain, now knows I'm a tough bastard-but fair."
    "It was a bit harsh for coming five minutes late to a meeting."
    "The principle, Ari. The principle. You should use some of my techniques in your shop."
    "And Jonathan?"
    "Gone to work for the competition. Told him to forget about his inheritance. Said he'd forgotten about it long ago."
    Shamron shook his head at the strange ways of children.
    "So what brings you to my doorstep, Ari Shamron? Certainly not food. You've not touched the caviar. Or the champagne. Don't just sit there. Speak, Ari."
    "I need money."
    "Can see that, can't I? Not a complete idiot, after all. Practically have your cap in hand. What's it for? Share, Ari. Entitled to it after everything I've done for you."
    "It concerns the incident in Paris," Shamron said. "I'm afraid that's all I can say."
    "Come on, Ari. You can do better than that. Give me something I can hang my hat on."
    "I need it to catch the terrorists who did it."
    "Now that's more like it. How much this time?"
    "Half million."
    "What flavor?"
    "Dollars."
    "Down payment or payment in full?"
    "Actually, I may need a line of credit, depending on how long the search for these boys lasts."
    "I think I can manage that. How would you like it delivered?"
    "There's a small shipping company based in Nassau called Carlton Limited. Its largest container vessel is in dry dock undergoing repairs. Unfortunately, the repairs are taking longer and costing much more than the owners of Carlton Limited projected. They need an infusion of cash quickly, or the ship may go down and take Carlton with it."
    "I see."
    Shamron rattled off the number of an account in the Bahamas, which Stone jotted down on a notepad with a gold pen.
    "I can have a half million in the account by morning."
    "Thank you."
    "What else?"
    "I need you to make another investment."
    "Another shipping company?"
    "Actually, in an art dealership here in London."
    "Art! No, thank you, Ari."
    "I'm asking you as a favor."
    Stone let out a long sigh. Shamron could smell the caviar and champagne on his breath. "I'm listening."
    "I need you to make a bridge loan to a firm called Isherwood Fine Arts."
    "Isherwood!"
    Shamron nodded.
    "Julian Isherwood? Julie Isherwood? I have made my share of questionable investments, Ari, but lending money to Julie Isherwood is tantamount to setting it on fire. Won't do it. Sorry, can't help."
    "I'm asking you as a personal favor."
    "And I'm telling you that I won't do it. Julie can sink or swim on his own." Stone made another of his sudden course changes. "I didn't know Julie was part of the brotherhood."
    "I didn't say that he was."
    "Doesn't matter, because I'm not going to give him any of my money. I've made my decision. End of discussion."
    "That's disappointing."
    "Don't threaten me, Ari Shamron. How dare you, after everything I've done for you? The Office wouldn't have a pot to piss in if it weren't for me. I've lost track of how many millions I've given you."
    "You've been very generous, Benjamin."
    "Generous! Christ! I've single-handedly kept you afloat. But in case you haven't noticed, things aren't going well at Looking Glass these days. I have creditors peering into every orifice. I have banks demanding their money before they'll give me any more. Looking Glass is shipping water, love. And if Looking Glass goes down, you lose your unlimited supply of money."
    "I'm aware of your current difficulties," Shamron said. "But I also know Looking Glass will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever."
    "Do you? Do you really? Shit! And what gives you that idea?"
    "My complete confidence in you."
    "Don't fox with me, Ari. I've given freely for many years and asked for nothing in return. But now I need your help. I need you to lean on your friends in the City to loosen the grip on their money. I need you to convince my Israeli investors that it might be best for all concerned if they forgive a substantial portion of my debt."
    "I'll see what I can do."
    "And there's one other thing. I print your black propaganda whenever you ask. Why don't you toss me a real story every once in a while? Something with a little sizzle. Something that will sell newspapers. Show the money boys that Looking Glass is still a force to be reckoned with."
    "I'll try to come up with