"Birdie," he said, "that's an absolutely smashing suit you're wearing. Donna Karan, isn't it?"
"No."
"Well, I think it's divine. Birdie, I want to apologize sincerely for not having gotten back to you sooner. I just can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. But I've never been so busy in my life. The goods news is that your investments are doing wonderfully; so far your net worth has increased almost forty percent, and I think it'll do even better this year. I realize that's no excuse for my neglecting you, but I want you to know that I have been working very hard to increase the value of your account."
"Thank you," she said faintly.
He stood, went over to the couch, sat down close to her. He took the gift-wrapped package from his jacket pocket and presented it to her with his dazzling smile.
"For you," he said. "A peace offering."
She held the gift but made no effort to open it. "You know, David, I'm very angry with you. You never came to see me over the holidays, and I didn't even get a Christmas card from you, and you've been almost rude to me on the phone."
He looked at her, shocked and outraged. "You didn't get my card? That's terrible! My secretary said she mailed it a week before Christmas."
"Maybe you need a new secretary."
"Maybe I do," he mourned. "It was a special card I picked out just for you. I'm so sorry, Birdie, but I assure you I didn't forget you."
"I'll take the thought for the deed," she said primly. "But I must tell you honestly that I was so furious at the way you were treating me, I came very close to taking my account away and demanding all my money back."
He was instantly solemn. "First of all, you have every right to do that. The money is yours, and anytime you want to end our business relationship, the assets will be returned to you without delay."
"I'm happy to hear that."
"But before you do it, all I ask is that you consider your financial future carefully. What would you do with your investments? Who would handle them for you? There is an enormous amount of paperwork and very specialized expertise required. Birdie, I don't wish to brag, but I doubt very much if you'll find another asset manager able to provide the kind of return I've been earning for you. Do think it over carefully before you make a decision you may later regret."
"I thought we had more than a business relationship, David, but I guess I was wrong."
"No," he said firmly, "you are not wrong. Of course it is more than a business relationship; we both know that."
She looked at him challengingly. "Well then, what about our taking an apartment together? You never have given me a definite answer."
He rose and paced slowly back and forth in front of the couch. He had contrived a scenario he thought would fly.
"Birdie, I've considered it long and hard. I still feel the risks are tremendous. We know how we feel about each other, and I'd hate to do anything that might jeopardize that feeling. You honestly believe we could make a success of living together. I'm more cautious and conservative than you, just as I am in handling your money. But I've come up with a solution I think is reasonable, and I hope you'll agree."
"What is it, David?"
"Right now I'm heavily involved in a dozen business negotiations for you and my other clients. The pressures are enormous, requiring every bit of my energy and time. At the moment, I couldn't possibly think of moving. But I think I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. I estimate that in six months I'll have things organized and running smoothly. Then you know what I'd like to do?"
"What, David?"
"I'd like to take a vacation. I haven't had a real one in years-just business trips. I'd like to take at least two weeks off, maybe a month, and travel through Europe, Russia, maybe even Japan and China. A long, leisurely vacation that'll enable me to unwind and recharge my batteries. I'd like you to come with me-at my expense, of course. Not only will we have a wonderful time, seeing all the sights, visiting Paris, London, Rome, Moscow, Tokyo, but we'll be living together for at least two weeks. It'll be like a trial run. If we find we enjoy each other's company twenty-four hours a day, then that will certainly be proof that we can make a success of living together when we come back home. What do you say? Will you be willing to make the trip with me in six months?"
She tossed the wrapped gift aside, heaved off the couch, rushed to him, enfolded him in a suffocating embrace.
"Divine!" she cried. "Of course I'll go with you, David. We'll have the time of our lives, you'll see, and really get to know each other better.''
"And you're willing to wait six months?"
"Of course, you silly boy, because I'm positive, just positive, that we'll come home closer than ever and eager to get our own place-together. Oh, I'm so excited! I'm going out tomorrow and start shopping: dresses and shoes and maybe new luggage. There's so much, I've got to make a list of all the things I'll need."
"You do that," he said with a tender smile, "but meanwhile look at your gift."
She ripped away the fancy wrapping, opened the box, removed the engraved compact, and stared at it with widened eyes.
"Oh David, it's beautiful! Just what I wanted."
"I thought it would be," he said.
51
It had been a frustrating morning for Manny Suarez. He and the other yaks were hawking the Fort Knox Commodity Trading Fund, commemorative postage stamps, and pork bellies, but it was one of those days when the mooches just weren't biting. Sid Coe was in a vile mood, stalking up and down the boiler room and screaming, "Close the deal or there's no meal! Get the buck in or get the fuck out!"
Finally, a little after noon, he went stomping downstairs, muttering and cursing. The yaks figured they were safe for a while because it was common knowledge that Coe was humping the comely receptionist in his private office during his lunch hour. Manny Suarez folded up the sucker list, stuck it in his hip pocket, and ducked out.
Just as he had promised, Tony Harker was parked a block away in a white Chevy van. Harker sat behind the wheel. In the back, a bearded young black waited with a classy Leica camera and a battery-powered floodlight. Suarez slid in next to Harker and handed the sucker list to the photographer. He put the list on the floor, turned on his light, adjusted the lens and started snapping.
"How's it going, Manny?" Tony asked.
Suarez flipped his hand back and forth. "Comme gi,
comme ga. Moaney is tight today. The boss is goin' nuts."
"Stick with it," Harker said. "I don't think it'll be much longer. Ullman brought in a canary who's singing his heart out. We're going to nail the whole bunch, including your boss."
"I wanna be there when you take him," Manny said. "Hokay?"
"Sure, I was planning on it. I guess you'll be glad to get back to Miami."
"Oh, I don' know," Suarez said, thinking of the Cuban lady and the.cash he was skimming from his commissions. "It's good duty. Maybe you can use me again?"
"Could be," Harker said. "After this case is closed, there'll be something else. It never ends."
"Have gun, will travel," Manny said.
The photographer tapped Tony's shoulder. "Finished," he said. "I took two of each page, different exposures. We're covered."
"Good," Harker said. "Here's your list, Manny. I hope there's no hassle."
Suarez shrugged. "He don' even know I'm gone."
But he did. When Manny walked into Instant Investments, Inc., Sid Coe was waiting for him, his face twisted with fury, and the agent knew he was in trouble.
Coe jerked a thumb toward his office. "In there, ban-dido," he said, his voice gritty.
Suarez followed him inside, and Coe slammed the door.