“I expect that the Greek has committed crimes in Maine, New York, and, perhaps, in other cities and states. We could pick one, but I think it’s better, in this case, to go federal, if the evidence you have supports a federal crime.”
“How about income tax evasion?”
“Very good. That’s how Eliot Ness got Al Capone, when he couldn’t get him for anything else.”
“So, we go to the FBI?”
“Yes, but the right person at the FBI.”
“And who might that be?”
“I might not trust most of the agents I have dealt with, but there is one who should be a straight enough arrow for this. His name is Thomas Kinder; he’s assistant director for financial crimes.”
“Whoever you wish.”
Stone dug a throwaway cell phone from his desk drawer and dialed a number. “Assistant Director Kinder, please,” he said to the person who answered.
A moment later, another man came on the line. “This is Assistant Director Kinder.”
Stone put the phone on speaker. “Tom, it’s Stone Barrington.”
“Good day, Stone. What a surprise to hear from you.”
“I have something that should go to someone at your level and not to the New York office.”
“Well, I am at my level. Shoot.”
“I have a client who is in possession of sufficient evidence of tax evasion and fraud to put Alexei Gromyko and many members of his organization in prison for a long time.”
“So, you’re playing Eliot Ness?”
“No, you are, if you want this case.”
“In what form is the evidence?”
“It’s on a thumb drive.”
“And over what period of time were these crimes committed?”
“Seven years.”
“And this witness is inside Gromyko’s organization?”
“He was, until recently.”
“And what does he expect for his cooperation?”
“The usuaclass="underline" immunity for any crime he may ever have committed and, very possibly, witness protection.” Stone looked at Greco to confirm, which Greco did with a slight nod.
“And where is this witness now?”
“In New York City.”
“Where in New York City?”
“In a safe place. You will have access to him as soon as you agree, in writing, to a fulsome statement of immunity, and an agreement that you, and only you, will deal with my client.”
“This is an organization. He cannot deal only with me.”
“You or those under your direct supervision,” Stone said.
“Agreed.”
Stone gave him his fax number and email address. “When can we expect you in New York?”
“Are you free for dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Is the witness?”
“As long as dinner is at my house.”
“Is seven o’clock good?”
“Just fine.”
“I’ll bring an associate for dinner, and two other agents will come along to handle video and audio equipment.”
“I can feed them, too, but less sumptuously.”
“They can rough it.”
Stone gave Kinder directions on how to enter his garage from the avenue. “Your men can unload their gear in the garage. Don’t arrive in vehicles with blue lights on top.”
“Got it. We’ll bring body armor, as well.”
“Good. You may need it. I can put up you and your agent in my house. The tech people will have to find a hotel cheap enough to satisfy you.”
“See you at seven.”
“Make it six-thirty, if you want a drink before dinner.”
“Considering who I’m dealing with, I’ll stick to lemonade.”
Stone called Joan next. “Please call Mike Freeman and tell him my request for his people to stand down was premature.”
“On it,” Joan said.
Stone hung up and turned to Greco. “We’re all set. Will it upset your wife if you sleep here tonight, instead of going to wherever home is at the moment?”
“That will be fine.”
“I can have someone pick up some clothes for you.”
“Suite One, Waldorf Towers. I’ll phone my wife and ask her to pack a bag for me.”
“Okay. I’m going to ask a young woman, a lawyer at my firm, to join us. She has a prodigious memory, so we won’t have to take notes. I’ll get us a copy of whatever the FBI records, too.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought of everything,” Greco said.
“I hope to God that’s true,” Stone replied.
Stone phoned Carly Riggs and asked her to come to his study at six o’clock. “This will be a business dinner,” he said to her.
“And what do you require of me at this dinner?” she asked, when she was seated in his study.
“I require you to remember whatever is said, and to prepare a transcript from memory.”
“Who are the attendees?”
“Thomas Kinder, assistant director of the FBI for financial crimes, and an agent of his choosing. There will also be two technicians hovering about to make audio and video records of what transpires.”
“Who’s the client?”
“A new one: Peter Greco, né Egon Pentkovsky.”
“Of the Russian mob Pentkovskys? Brothers, right? Anton Pentkovsky was in charge prior to Serge Gromyko.”
“Well, Peter’s the brother who’s still alive. He served for seven years as the organization’s chief financial officer. He believes that Alexei Gromyko, the mob’s current leader, wishes him dead, so he is offering his financial records, contained on a thumb drive, to the FBI, in return for immunity and witness protection.”
“Okay, when do we start?”
“As soon as the FBI men arrive, we’ll have dinner. Then I’ll produce Greco, and he will disclose all.”
“How long will the meeting take?”
“As long as it takes. We may have to pause and continue tomorrow. Everybody’s sleeping here.”
“Okay, I’m game.”
“Good.”
Kinder and his associate, Bob Grant, arrived, declined alcohol, and had dinner. Then they got down to business.
“So, where is your mysterious witness?” Kinder asked.
“Upstairs. He recently changed his name to Peter Greco, but you will probably know him by his birth name, Egon Pentkovsky.”
“Anton and Izak’s brother?”
“Do you know of any other?”
Kinder raised an impressed eyebrow, then turned to Carly. “Ms. Riggs, what is your purpose at this meeting?”
“To remember it,” Carly replied.
Kinder looked at Stone, askance.
“Carly has an extraordinary memory,” Stone said. “When this is over, you will wish to hire her, but you may not. She belongs to Woodman & Weld.”
“Okay,” Kinder said, and there was disbelief in his voice. “We are all set up in your study. Produce your witness.”
Stone picked up a phone and dialed an extension. “Now, please.”
They moved to the study, and the subject turned up. Introductions were made, and everyone took a seat.
Stone handed Kinder a document outlining what Greco was receiving for his testimony. “Read this and sign it.”
Kinder read it and, to Stone’s surprise, signed it without requesting alterations.
“To what extent will Mr. Greco require witness protection?” Kinder asked.
Greco spoke up. “I will choose a location, and you will transport me there and provide security for as long as I deem necessary. I will not require that you furnish housing or create a new life for me. I’ll take care of that myself.”
“Stone,” Kinder said, “I believe your client is underestimating the extent of our involvement in his safety.”
“I assure you, I am not,” Greco said. “I have already purchased a property in a western state under a corporate name. It will be easily surveilled and guarded by your people, and housing will be provided for them.”
“As you wish,” Kinder said. “Let’s get started.”