Unintended Consequences

you to give me some tasty morsel of intelligence to pass along to Marcel.”
    “Well, let me see: I did mention that we think Majorov is coming to New York to kill him, didn’t I?”
    “I’m not sure that passing that along is quite the right thing to do,” Stone replied. “Give me something more hopeful, more entertaining, even.”
    “Ah, I have just the thing: one of Marcel’s German competitors, a rather unpleasant man named Horst Schnell, has suffered a financial loss of sixty million euros from a computer scam operated by our friends from SQUID. When Marcel has stopped laughing, you might mention that Strategic Services also offers an excellent computer security system. Tell Mike Freeman that we are quite willing to share what we know of how the scam operated with his tech people.”
    “Now,
that
is the sort of information that will entrance both Marcel and Mike.”
    “I thought it might. Oh, and our man Joe surveyed your house while you were out this morning, and he will be installing a very nice security system in your home tomorrow morning, early, that will include all the latest goodies.”
    “Lance, if I find out that you are surveilling me with my own security system, I will be extremely annoyed.”
    “Stone, it hurts me to think that you would have such an opinion of me. I should tell you, though, that there may be times when you might want such a service from us.”
    “If that time comes, I’ll let you know,” Stone said.
    “Oh, and Joe has put a big rush on your new windows and doors. They’ll be installed over the weekend, and Joe does very neat work, so he won’t make a mess.”
    “Then I will be grateful to him,” Stone said.
    “Must run,” Lance replied. “See you.” He hung up.
    Stone wasn’t sure what time it was in the Stockholm archipelago, so he sent Helga a text message:
Good news
,
Marcel
’
s attorneys are traveling to New York from Europe and will collect you at Grafair Aviation at Stockholm City Airport at noon
,
the day after tomorrow. Prior to that
,
Lance is providing a helicopter that will land on your front lawn at 10 AM
,
local time
,
to transport you to the airport. Try and get some rest on the airplane
,
because I will make you busy when you arrive. Please confirm receipt of this message. Stone.
    Joan came into his office. “Joe came and went,” she said. “He’ll be back early tomorrow to install your new security system. I gave him a key, so he won’t have to wake you.”
    “Good work. I’m told Joe will be installing new windows and exterior doors over the weekend, so when you come back to work on Monday morning, you will be newly safe. Perhaps I’ll take Marcel to Connecticut for the weekend, so he won’t be disturbed.”
    The phone rang, and Joan went to answer it. “Mike Freeman, on one.”
    “Hello, Mike.”
    “Stone. Marcel is watching our video, goggle-eyed. I don’t think he knew that such a company existed.”
    “Careful, or he’ll buy you,” Stone said.
    “We’ll give him lunch here, then he’ll have his meeting with our design team. I’ll return him to you around five, I should think.”
    “Good. I’ll give him some news then that will make him want you to protect his computer systems, so be ready to make your pitch.”
    “Anything I should know first?”
    “Marcel should know it first. He’ll be in touch, don’t worry.” Stone hung up and buzzed Joan. “Make us a dinner reservation at Patroon at eight, and let the security people know. I don’t want to surprise them. And ask Dino and Viv to join us.”
    “Consider it done,” she said.

36
    S tone and Marcel arrived at Patroon shortly after eight. They pulled up behind a black Lincoln Town Car with city plates, and Stone knew that Dino’s promotion had won him a better car than his usual Crown Vic.
    The owner of the restaurant, Ken Aretsky, greeted them in the dining room and showed them to a corner table, where Dino was waiting. He and Marcel shook hands warmly.
    “Where’s Viv?” Stone asked. “Don’t tell me we have to put up with you alone.”
    “You do,” Dino replied. “Viv is boning up on some Strategic Services operation manuals for her new job.”
    “What will she be doing there, Dino?” Marcel asked.
    “She won’t tell me,” Dino said. “You’d think she had joined the CIA.”
    “Well, Mike comes out of the world of intelligence, and he insists on client confidentiality.”
    “I’m glad to hear that,” Marcel said, “since he will