Free The Deadliest Option by Annette Meyers Page A

anyone who is referred to us. And there’s nothing you can do about it.” She paused. “I’ll convey your feelings to her.” She crashed the receiver down into the base. “What nerve! He demanded—would you believe— demanded that we stay the hell out of his office.”
    Wetzon smiled. “Well, of course he wants us to keep off the grass and not pick his prize flowers. Did he think he was going to intimidate two poor helpless women?”
    “You bet your ass he did. So it’s a good thing I talked to him first.”
    “You act as if I’m easily intimidated.”
    “And you’re not?”
    “Bullshit. Was that last bit a message for me?”
    “Yes. Sam said after all the years we’ve known each other, he is not surprised by anything I do, but you are a whole different story. He is shocked, get it— shocked , that you would try to steal his brokers and make him look bad to new management.”
    Wetzon laughed. “Business is business.”
    Smith raised her eyes heavenward. “Thank God she’s finally learning.”
    The calls started heating up then. Neither had a chance to talk until just before lunch.
    “It’s too hot for me to sit out there today,” Wetzon said, having gone out to the garden and stood in the oppressive heat and humidity. “I’ll stay in with the air-conditioning, blessings on Con Edison.”
    “Fine. I’ve set up six people next week. Harold or you can do the follow-ups. I hate talking to them. I’m going to leave now and try to get up to Redding early and flake out at the pool. What are your plans for the weekend?”
    “Let’s see. I’m meeting Silvestri—”
    “Great! See what you can find out about Goldie’s murder.”
    “Look, Silvestri wants to know about Luwisher Brothers, the inside dope, and the poop on all the top people there.”
    “Of course he does. Silvestri wants someone else to do his job for him. Just give him a few crumbs—you know, the throwaway stuff. You haven’t told him about our deal, have you?”
    “No. No. Not yet, anyway.”
    “Not ever, if you please. That’s proprietary to our partnership.”
    “Smith, I—”
    “I mean that, Wetzon. There is no discussion. Do you want to drive up and spend the day with us tomorrow? The City is going to be horrendous.”
    “No, I can’t.” She thought for a minute. “Actually, there is something I haven’t told you, and I want you to promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
    “What? Of course I won’t tell. You know you can trust me, sweetie. Cross my heart and hope to die.”
    No, she didn’t know that she could trust her. Smith had done some really appalling things in the past, but this was different. They were on an assignment. She would take a chance and tell her. Seven-thirty in the morning on Wall Street on a Saturday was a little spooky. Someone had to know where she was going, and she’d just as soon not tell Silvestri.
    “Cross your heart and hope to die,” Wetzon repeated. “Okay, if you tell I’ll kill you.”
    “Will you tell me already.”
    “I’m meeting Dr. Ash at his request at seven-thirty tomorrow morning at Luwisher Brothers.”
    “On a Saturday? Whatever for?”
    “He wouldn’t tell me over the phone. He said he has to show me. I think it has something to do with this study he’s writing. He says he knows why Goldie was murdered.”
    “That means he must know who did it. Maybe I should go with you.”
    “Saturday morning, seven-thirty, Smith. No. Besides, he specifically said I was to come alone.”
    “Humpf. Okay. But you have to call me and tell me everything as soon as you leave him.”
    “I will.” Wetzon turned back to her work and reached for the phone.
    “Now I’m going to tell you something that you must absolutely keep secret.”
    Wetzon looked at Smith. “Okay.”
    “Johnny wants us to outplace Ellie Kaplan and her paramour as soon as possible.”

11.
    T HE HEAT WAS blast-furnace intensity, the sun still blazing at four-thirty, with the kind of humidity that left one