Dishonorable Intentions Read Free

him not to be at Centurion?”
    â€œFrom the sound of it, it’s probably too late for that. At least he won’t be in management, so he won’t be able to interfere with my new deal at Centurion.”
    â€œHow many pictures is your deal for?”
    â€œThree, but it’s a writing deal, not a production deal. I don’t have a company to move there and take up a lot of office space, the way Boris does. I’ll get a small bungalow, and that’s good enough for me, since I do most of my work at home or while traveling.”
    â€œIf Boris’s deal isn’t signed and sealed, I may be able to have some effect on it after tomorrow, when I’m appointed to the board.”
    â€œDon’t do anything on my account,” Gala said. “It would just get back to Boris and make things more difficult for me.”
    â€œWhatever you say,” Stone replied, downing the rest of his orange juice and pouring himself some coffee. “I’ll stay out of it.”
    â€œThat would probably be best.”
    Stone turned to the Sunday
New York Times
, and in the Arts section immediately found a story about Boris Tirov’s move from Sony to Centurion. He handed it to Gala. “Looks like he’sserious enough to give the story to the
Times
. Or is that just a PR move, to make Sony think twice about his deal there?”
    â€œCould be,” she said. “Boris has done that sort of thing before.”
    Stone picked up his iPhone, looked up the name of the CEO of Centurion, Leo Goldman Jr., and pressed the button.
    â€œGood morning, Stone,” Leo said. “Nice to hear from you on a Sunday.”
    â€œSorry about that, Leo. I just wondered if you’d seen the story in the
Times
about Boris Tirov leaving Sony for Centurion.”
    â€œYes, I did see that, and it was a surprise, since the board is not scheduled to consider that deal until tomorrow. You’ll be there, won’t you?”
    â€œI will be.”
    â€œDo you have a view on the Tirov move?”
    â€œI find it a little premature to announce a deal that is still awaiting board approval.”
    â€œTell me, Stone, is it possible that you are calling from Santa Fe?”
    â€œEntirely possible.”
    â€œI thought perhaps you might be. There’ll be time for a full discussion of the Tirov deal at tomorrow’s meeting. See you there.”
    â€œGoodbye, Leo.” Stone hung up. “Boris’s deal is before the board tomorrow. I think Leo was annoyed that it was in today’s
Times
.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œAnd he figured out that I am here with you.”
    â€œHow did he do that?”
    â€œThe grapevine, I suppose.”
    â€œDoes he know what we did in bed last night?”
    â€œHe’d better not.”
    â€œOh, good, then it’s not so bad, is it?”
    â€œI suppose not. How would you like to see the board’s decision go tomorrow?”
    â€œI don’t have an opinion,” Gala said primly.
    â€œAn ex-wife without an opinion on her husband’s business? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I believe you told me that you’ve already received everything due to you under your settlement?”
    â€œThat’s correct.”
    â€œThen the board’s decision won’t affect you.”
    â€œNot in that way.”
    â€œIs there some other way that it might affect you?”
    â€œI hope it won’t be uncomfortable for me, working on the same lot as Boris.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œI’m glad.”
    Stone turned back to his
Times.

4
    S tone set down at Santa Monica Airport with Ed Eagle in the right seat, and they, along with Susannah and Gala, were met by chauffeur-driven Bentleys from the Arrington. Half an hour later they were deposited in front of Stone’s house on the hotel property, and their luggage was being taken to the master suite, while the Eagles were settled into a guest suite.
    â€œThis is