Unintended Consequences

Marcel said. “Lunch will be ready shortly. Would you like a drink?”
    “Perhaps some Perrier,” Stone said. He took a chair and the footman brought him the water.
    Marcel joined him. “Now,” he said, “I hope you are comfortable.”
    “Quite comfortable,” Stone said.
    “The storm is very bad. De Gaulle is closed—until midnight, they say.”
    “I hope I might be able to get a flight to New York tomorrow,” Stone said. “I hope we can conclude our business, one way or another, before then.”
    “I, too, hope so,” Marcel said. “Have you thought about my offer?”
    “Yes, and I’ve discussed it with two of our directors, as well. Here is what I am willing to propose to the board: to sell you fifteen percent of our stock for three hundred and fifty million dollars and to invest our net proceeds in a new company, which would operate hotels in Europe and, perhaps, elsewhere in the world.”
    “Well,” Marcel said, “now it is my turn to think.” The waiter entered and announced lunch.
    “I thought some hot soup would be appropriate for the weather,” Marcel said as they took their seats.
    The waiter served a leek and potato soup, which Stone welcomed.
    “I don’t know if you have spoken to Lance,” Marcel said.
    “No, but I’ve heard that you are, perhaps, a little uncomfortable with your arrangement with him.”
    “On reflection, yes. I am French, and I am troubled that I might somehow go against my country’s interests in being associated with him.”
    “I can quite understand that,” Stone said. “I would certainly not enter into an arrangement that would go against my own country’s interests.”
    “Also, I am reluctant to communicate through the means he has given me. I am hardly a Luddite, but I am a little distrustful of electronic devices in conveying sensitive information.”
    “Of course,” Stone said. “If it would be helpful to you, I would be happy to act as a conduit between you and Lance.”
    Marcel brightened. “That is an interesting offer,” he said. “Would you also convey in the opposite direction?”
    “Yes, indeed. I don’t imagine you will be contacting each other on a daily basis.”
    “That is unlikely,” Marcel said.
    “There is something that I should convey to you now, if I may.”
    “Please.”
    “I was visited by the police in the middle of the night,” Stone said, and proceeded to describe Helga’s situation.
    “I am sorry for her,” Marcel said, “but she will surely be safe back in Sweden.”
    “I believe so,” Stone said, “but it has been suggested to me by Rick LaRose that you and I may not be quite so safe.”
    Marcel sighed. “I have been feeling a certain amount of pressure to enter into business dealings which are not attractive to me. This Aldo fellow has been the messenger, and I’ve had an instinctive distrust of him. The people he represents are eager to buy into my Blaise operation and to distribute the car outside of Europe and the United States.”
    Stone told him of Rick’s assessment of Aldo’s business associates.
    “That is shocking,” Marcel said, “but it confirms my worst suspicions, and more.”
    “It seems possible,” Stone said, “that these people may employ more than business tactics in achieving their ends. You should be wary.”
    “I certainly feel wary,” Marcel replied. “After all, there is the business of the bombs planted in my Blaises at the auto show.”
    “Do you have any personal security?” Stone asked.
    “No, I have never felt the need,” Marcel said. “Until now, perhaps.”
    “I serve on the board of a company called Strategic Services,” Stone said, “run by an excellent man named Michael Freeman.”
    “I have heard of them, of course,” Marcel replied. “Their reputation is excellent.”
    “Mike has a Paris branch, and I would be happy to introduce you to him.”
    “I would like very much to meet him,” Marcel replied. “This would seem an opportune moment for me to get out of Paris for a while, I think, and it might be a good time for me to visit New York and see if we can come to some arrangement regarding The Arrington.”
    “I and my colleagues would be very happy to see you in America.”
    “Then tomorrow why don’t you forsake Air France and fly with me to New York?”
    “Thank you, that would be a pleasure. If you are uncomfortable staying in a hotel at this time I would be happy to have you as a guest in my home. We can make you comfortable and