Tripwire

Abelstein,” she said. “Right here in town.”
    “Who’s the senior partner?” Tony asked.
    “A guy called David Forster,” Marilyn said.
    “How do we set up the meeting?” Hobie asked.
    “I call him,” Marilyn said. “Or Chester does, but I think right now it would be better if I did.”
    “So call him, set it up for this afternoon.”
    She shook her head. “Won’t be that quick. Could be a couple of days.”
    There was silence. Just the boom and shudder of the giant building breathing. Hobie tapped his hook on the desk. He closed his eyes. The damaged eyelid stayed open a fraction. The eyeball rolled up and showed white, like a crescent moon.
    “Tomorrow morning,” he said quietly. “At the very latest. Tell him it’s a matter of considerable urgency to you.”
    Then his eyes snapped open.
    “And tell him to fax the trust deeds to me,” he whispered. “Immediately. I need to know what the hell I’m dealing with.”
    Marilyn was shaking inside. She pushed down on the soft upholstery, trying to ground herself. “There won’t be a problem. It’s really just a formality.”
    “So let’s go make the call,” Hobie said.
    Marilyn was unsteady on her feet. She stood swaying, smoothing the dress down over her thighs. Chester touched her elbow, just for a second. A tiny gesture of support. She straightened and followed Hobie out to the reception counter.
    “Dial nine for a line,” he said.
    She moved behind the counter and the three men watched her. The phone was a small console. She scanned across the buttons and saw no speakerphone facility. She relaxed a fraction and picked up the handset. Pressed nine and heard a dial tone.
    “Behave yourself,” Hobie said. “You’re a smart woman, remember, and right now you need to stay smart.”
    She nodded. He raised the hook. It glittered in the artificial light. It looked heavy. It was beautifully made and lovingly polished, mechanically simple and terribly brutal. She saw him inviting her to imagine the things that could be done with it.
    “Forster and Abelstein,” a bright voice said in her ear. “How may we help you?”
    “Marilyn Stone,” she said. “For Mr. Forster.”
    Her throat was suddenly dry. It made her voice low and husky. There was a snatch of electronic music and then the boomy acoustic of a large office.
    “Forster,” a deep voice said.
    “David, it’s Marilyn Stone.”
    There was dead silence for a second. In that second, she knew Sheryl had done it right.
    “Are we being overheard?” Forster asked quietly.
    “No, I’m fine,” Marilyn said, brightness in her voice. Hobie rested the hook on the counter, the steel glittering chest high, eighteen inches in front of her eyes.
    “You need the police for this,” Forster said.
    “No, it’s just about a trustees’ meeting. What’s the soonest we can do?”
    “Your friend Sheryl told me what you want,” Forster said. “But there are problems. Our staff people can’t handle this sort of stuff. We’re not equipped for it. We’re not that sort of law firm. I’ll have to find you a private detective.”
    “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 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