The Exchange: After The Firm

Barry Ruch appeared in shorts and deck shoes, a long cigar in one hand and a Scotch in the other. He had managed to stay away from Wicklow all week, and Mitch assumed he wanted no part of the babysitting. Or the grandparents. He smiled at Mitch and said, “Jack’s looking for you.”

Holding the green phone, Mitch walked along the pier and called Jack. When he answered it was clear the news was not good. It was almost six-thirty on Friday evening, and they had started their long day together at Citibank’s offices, watching ten million evaporate.

Jack said, “We met for almost five hours, Mitch, and it was without a doubt my worst experience in forty years at Scully. Four of us voted to borrow the money, say to hell with it, save Giovanna, and worry about the future starting next week. The other five would not budge. Not surprisingly, Morlock became their mouthpiece. I have never been so disgusted. I lost some friends today, Mitch.”

Mitch stopped walking and watched the lobster boat disappear. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Retirement’s looking better.”

“How many times did you vote?”

“I don’t know. Several. But the bottom line is the same. I’m not giving names here, Mitch. In fact, this is all confidential. You’re not supposed to know what happened in the executive session.”

“I know, I know. I’m just, you know, stunned.”

“You did your best, Mitch.”

“And there’s no way around the management committee?”

“You know our by-laws. Every partner does. You could force a recall, fire the committee, and so on, elect new members if you could find anyone willing to serve. Believe me, Mitch, with this issue on the table not a single lawyer at Scully would want to serve.”

“So what happens next week if they murder Giovanna and video the whole damned thing for the world to see?”

“The usual. Point fingers, blame everyone else. The terrorists, the Libyans, the Turks, the foreign services. No one will ever know that we had the chance to ransom our way out of this mess. That will not be publicized. And with time I’m sure our colleagues will get over our loss and move on. Lots of eager young lawyers out there, Mitch. Giovanna was just another associate. They can all be replaced.”

“That’s pretty sick.”

“I know. I’m pretty disgusted with this firm.”

“I guess you should call Luca.”

“That’s for you, Mitch. You’re closer to him than anyone else.”

“No, Jack, sorry. You’re the managing partner and it’s your committee. But call Roberto, not Luca.”

“I can’t do it, Mitch. Please.”

Chapter 35

She could tell by the way he walked back to the pool that the conversation had gone badly. Whoever was on the other end had delivered unpleasant news. He flashed a fake grin at Carter when he tried to splash water on him. Hoppy was telling Barry another story about catching salmon on a river in Oregon.

“You okay?” Abby whispered.

“Peachy.” Which, of course, meant things just went south.

“The boys want a boat ride?” Tanner yelled.

To which Maxie jumped in with “Oh yes, we do a boat ride every afternoon as soon as the water settles down.” The twins were climbing out of the pool, reaching for towels.

“Sounds like fun,” Mitch managed to say. Nothing, at that moment, could be fun.

Maxie said, “You guys take them. We’ll watch from the porch.”

Tanner was already on the dock checking the engine. The boys bounded aboard without using the stepladder. Mitch and Abby were more careful. The air was cooler on the water and the boys were wet and freezing. Abby wrapped them in thick towels and they assumed their favorite spots on cushions near the bow while their parents settled into leather deck chairs. Mitch tried to relax with “Not a bad rig here, Tanner. All wood?”

“It’s a classic. Made in Maine by a famous builder named Ralph Stanley. Thirty-six feet long. A beauty. Slow as molasses, though.”

“Who cares?”

Before he shoved off, Tanner said, “A beverage is required on Friday afternoons.”

“White wine, please,” Abby said.

“Double bourbon,” Mitch said. Tanner nodded and disappeared into the cabin.

“Double bourbon?” Abby asked with a frown.

“That was Jack Ruch. The management committee met for five hours today and voted not to borrow the money. As of now, the ransom account is empty. Ten million down the drain, nothing left. Giovanna’s a step closer.”

Her mouth fell open but she didn’t speak. Instead, she looked across the water and saw nothing.

Mitch went on, “Jack is upset, says he lost some friends today.”

“This is terrible.”

“I know.”

“Has he told Luca?”

“Not yet. You wanna call him?”

“I think not. I don’t understand.”

Carter bounced around the cockpit, disappeared into the cabin as if he owned it, and emerged with two small bags of popcorn. He smiled at his parents but did not offer them the snack. Then he was gone.

Mitch said, “These kids are out of control, you know?”

“Totally. I don’t think my parents are exactly cracking the whip.”

“And we do? I feel sorry for their teachers when they go back to school.”

“And when might that be?”