«This is where I came in,» interrupted Sam Devereaux, walking to the mirrored bar and the pitcher of martinis; he hop-skipped and soccer-kicked the fallen glass on the hotel rug.
«Wait a minute!» exclaimed Aaron, adjusting his steel-rimmed spectacles and studying the lovely bronze-skinned woman. «I know you… Seven or eight years ago—Harvard, the Law Review, among the top of your class … an outstanding analysis of censorship within the framework of constitutional law.»
«Nanny’s Naughty Follies, by God!» said Devereaux, laughing as he poured himself a drink.
«Be quiet, Samuel.»
«We’re back to Samuel?»
«Shut up, Counselor… Yes, Mr. Pinkus, you interviewed me, and I was very flattered by your interest.»
«But you turned us down, my dear. Why was that?… You certainly don’t have to answer me, because it’s none of my business, but I’m curious. I distinctly remember asking my associates what firm in Washington or New York you were heading for—frankly, I intended to call whomever it was and tell them how fortunate they were. Washington and New York are usually the goals of the best and the brightest, although I obviously disagree. However, I seem to recall that you went with a small, albeit fine firm in Omaha.»
«It’s where I came from, sir. As you may have gathered, I’m a member of the Wopotami tribe.»
«I half gathered that, although my other half sincerely hoped you might refute the conclusion. Life would be less chaotic, if that were in the realm of possibility.»
«It’s not, Mr. Pinkus. My name is Jennifer Redwing and I’m a daughter of the Wopotamis. I’m also extremely proud of the fact.»
«But where in heaven’s name did you ever meet Samuel?»
«In an elevator—this morning—at the Four Seasons Hotel. He was very tired; he claimed he was exhausted and made several foolish remarks.»
«That was sufficient to cause you to be here with him now, Miss Redwing?»
«She went to my house,» interjected Devereaux. «I apologized—I even tipped the doorman for her—and then I heard this crazy lady give my own address to the taxi driver! What would you have done, Aaron?»
«Obviously, followed her to your house.»
«I did.»
«I went to his house, Mr. Pinkus, because it was the last address I traced down for that demented creature standing next to you!»
«Angry little filly, isn’t she?» observed the Hawk.
«Yes, General Hawkins—you couldn’t possibly be anyone else—I am angry, and no, General, I am not a ‘little filly,’ as you will learn when I get through with you. In court or out of court, I’ll chew your ass off!»
«Verbal abuse, Sergeants. Stay alert.»
«Oh, shut up, you lowest face on the dumbest totem. Incidentally, that beaded jacket you’re wearing tells the story of an idiot buffalo who hadn’t the brains to get out of a storm. Very appropriate.»
«Hey, Red,» broke in Sam, a martini at his lips. «Cool it. Remember the corporate trust.»
«Cool it? Just looking at him makes me want to scream!»
«He has that effect on people,» mumbled Devereaux, drinking.
«A moment, please,» said Pinkus, gently holding up his hand. «I believe I heard something that should be clarified.» The venerated attorney turned to Sam. «What ‘corporate trust’? What have you done now?»
«Just a little pro bono advice, Aaron. You’d approve.»
«You and any approval on my part may well be mutually exclusive at this juncture… Perhaps you will explain, Miss Redwing?»
«I’d be delighted to, Mr. Pinkus. Especially for the benefit of your other guest, General Neanderthal. You may have to translate for him, but I suspect he’ll eventually understand the bottom line, if only because he won’t get anywheres near it.»
«That’s succinct,» said Aaron, his expression not unlike that of Eisenhower’s upon learning of MacArthur’s dismissal.
«It’s brilliant, and despite a profusion of faults too numerous to mention, the concept did originate with your employee, Mr. Pinkus. I must grant him that.»
«The work of a fine attorney starts with a gracious attorney, Miss Redwing.»
«Really? I never thought of it that way… Why? I’m merely asking, of course.»
«Because he—or she—has the confidence of his or her own abilities. There’s no need to feed a tenuous ego by withholding praise from another. Hire that girl or that fellow; neither will distract themselves with real or imagined hostilities.»
«I think I just learned something—»
«It’s hardly original, my dear. Without offense, I should point out that our general here said very much the same thing in military terms. Distraction through hostility—the weaker must pretend, the stronger merely watches, prepared to act.»
«Are you comparing that ape to me …?»
«Now, see here, you little Injun filly…»
«Please, General!… I said only in military terms, Miss Redwing—troop strength, if you like. Say that handsome chest of yours actually did conceal plastic explosives—which I devoutly trust it does not—our general was only trying to instruct his associates to stay on the alert, and not to be distracted by your hostility. The equation is really quite simple.»
«Wad chu think about bein’ distracted by wad is there, huh, man?»
«That’s enough, Sergeant—»
«I agree wid chu, Desi-Uno—»
«Mairzy doats and dosie doats and little lambs eat ivy …»
«Oh, shut up!»
«Samuel, stop it!»
«Son, you’re spilling your drink—»
«What, my dear Miss Redwing, were you about to explain about this concept that was conceived in the brain of my presently not-altogether employee?»
«Quite simply, Mr. Pinkus, as the Wopotami tribe is a registered incorporated entity, a trust at this moment is being set up and signed by the legally empowered Council of Elders, stating that all legal and fiduciary matters be negotiated solely through the offices of the executors of the trust, all parties referred to in prior documents having no authority whatsoever. In short words, the specifically named executors of the trust shall, in concert, hold sole collective power of attorney.»
«That sounds like mighty fine legalese, little lady,» said Hawkins. «What’s it mean?»
«It means, General,» replied Redwing, her eyes ice cold on the Hawk, «that no one, repeat no one, other than the executors of the Wopotami trust, can make any decisions, or enter into any agreements, involving the tribe’s interests—or receive any benefits thereof.»
«Well, I must say that appears to be damn smart protection,» said Hawkins, removing the mutilated cigar, then suddenly cocking his head as if disturbed. «But I suppose the next question is—are these here executors trustworthy, no pun intended, miss?»
«Beyond reproach, General. Among them are two attorneys, several doctors, a president of an international foundation, three vice-presidents of leading banks, a stockbroker or two, and a renowned psychiatrist whom you should definitely make an appointment to see. In addition, they are all true offspring of the Wopotamis, and, lastly, I am the chairperson of, as well as the spokesperson for, the trust’s executors. Any other questions?»