Page 93 of Near Miss

Greco grimaced. “That is a delicate matter. I talked to Kinder before leaving the city and let him know about the change in my status, and that I would no longer be cooperating with his investigation.”

“I imagine that didn’t go over well.”

“I explained to him what my plan was and asked that he give me a little time before he pursued the family further.”

“And he agreed to that?”

“He said he would take it under consideration.”

“That’s more than I would have expected,” Stone said.

“I believe my frankness in our discussions at your house created some goodwill between us.”

“That may be so, but don’t expect it to last forever.”

“I asked him to give me two months. I guess we’ll see if he will.”

“So, are you Egon Pentkovsky again? Or is there a new name I should call you?”

“I’m keeping Peter Greco for now. I know my Pentkovsky roots are the reason they gave me the job, and I will embrace that. But I also feel going by Greco will be a fresh start for everyone.” He leaned forward. “Stone, I want you to know that I attach no blame to you in the matter of either of the Greeks’ death, nor those of my brothers.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Stone said. “Does that go for all the members of your family?”

“I have not spoken to all of them yet, but I will see that the word goes out that neither you nor yours be touched.”

“I hope the word spreads quickly.”

“It will, but do be careful for a few days.”

“Thank you for the warning. But having to watch my back touches on what seems to me will be your biggest problem. By that I mean, restraining the criminal activities of the people who conduct the family’s operations.”

“I will begin addressing that problem on Monday, when I meet with the council. May I retain you and your firm to help with the legitimization?”

“No, because that would entail being involved with criminal matters until you have made everything squeaky clean. My firm, Woodman & Weld, operates at the highest level of the legitimate practice of the law, and they will not be drawn into enterprises that don’t meet their ethical standards.”

“Understood. May I seek, personally, your counsel from time to time?”

“I’m sorry, no. And we can’t meet again until you have completed your cleansing. I will give you this advice, though: the faster you legitimize the better. It is only when law enforcement agencies such as the FBI begin to fail to make cases against you that they will start to back off a bit.”

“Thank you for that. And I understand your position. I will not violate your boundaries.”

Stone stood up. “Well, then. You might begin your cleansing on this island. Never give anyone here anything to gossip about.”

“Good advice,” Peter said, and escorted him to his car.

Back in the house, Peter sat Marla down and explained to her what had happened with the family and what her obligations would be, beginning with using only legitimate credit cards for her personal and household shopping. He did not raise the subject of Olga.

“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, and you must be, too. You can begin with the occasional generous, but not outrageous, donations to local charities. It will be good for people to think of us as donors, when the subject comes up.”

“I understand,” she said, then came and sat in his lap, surprising him. He found that he enjoyed being surprised.

Chapter 46

Stone returned to his own house, where he found his guests—the Bacchettis and Carly—settled in the living room before a big fire. “It’s starting to rain,” he said to nobody in particular.

“Raining in Maine?” Dino said. “No kidding?”

---