Free Catching the Bad Guy (Book Two) (Janet Maple Series) by Marie Astor Page B

gets here.”
    David could feel his apprehension
rising. He sincerely hoped that what Finnegan had to say would not have
anything to do with the Emperial investigation.
    “Well now, that’s much better,” remarked
Finnegan once they were seated in a private dining room. The wood-paneled room
only housed a few tables, all of which were empty at the moment. “I’ve asked
them for some privacy,” Finnegan added, eyeing David meaningfully.
    David took a small sip of his scotch. He
wanted to keep his head clear when talking to Cornelius.
    “Aren’t you going to drink your drink?”
Finnegan asked.
    “I’m just trying to cut down on liquor,
but tonight certainly warrants an exception,” David agreed and took an obedient
swallow.
    “Good. I wouldn’t want to see you
turning into one of those health-obsessed vegans or whatever they call them.”
Finnegan finished the rest of his drink and signaled to the waiter who was
standing by the far side of the room. “Bring us another round of Macallan,
Johnny.”
    Uneasy under the direct stare of
Finnegan’s tiny, glinting eyes, David finished the rest of his drink.
    “So, I trust that those dogs at the
Treasury left you alone?” asked Finnegan.
    “Yes, Cornelius. I’m most grateful for
your influence on the matter.”
    “I’m only glad to be of help. After all,
my future son-in-law can only be a law-abiding citizen,” said Finnegan,
slapping David on the shoulder.
    The side door opened, and the waiter
walked in with their drinks. “Set them down here, Johnny,” said Finnegan. “And
then leave us alone. My daughter will be joining us later in the evening.
Please let us know as soon as she arrives.” The waiter placed the drinks on the
table, bowed and left the room.
    Finnegan sipped at his scotch. “The old
department chief at the Treasury was very much set in his ways—not the kind of
man one could do business with. But the fellow I got there now used to work at
the DA’s office, and he knows how things really work, so I don’t think you’ll
be hearing from them anymore. And now that we have the Treasury under control,
there is another matter that I’d like to discuss with you.”
    David swallowed apprehensively. Would
Finnegan be blunt enough to press him for a proposal date for his daughter?
    “A childhood friend of mine has just
been elected to the board of directors of a very prominent company. Let’s say
this friend of mine were to come into some valuable information”—Finnegan
paused, twirling his thick thumbs—“would there be a way for us to capitalize on
it?”
    A wave of relief washed over David. Now,
there was a topic he was more than happy to discuss. “Certainly, as you know,
information is the ultimate form of currency,” David spoke slowly, eyeing
Finnegan meaningfully. “The regulations around insider information are strict,
but there are a number of structures that could be formed in order to maintain
anonymity.”
    “Like the setup you strung together for
Emperial?” Finnegan’s tiny eyes glinted. “Look, David, I hold the post of New
York State attorney general, and before that I was the Manhattan district
attorney. I know all about rules and regulations and, best of all, I have the
contacts to make sure the regulators keep their noses out of our business.”
Finnegan raised his glass to his lips. “Now you, David, are said to have the
trading expertise to get the thing done.”
    “Yes, sir,” David replied evenly. Did
the old man really have to rub David’s nose into it?
    “Now, Muller, I hope you didn’t take me
the wrong way. I was just busting your chops. I want us to be partners, and I
want us both to make money while doing it. So, how about you open up a new
hedge fund and we get to work?”
    “Certainly, I could do that. What kind
of trading volume are we talking about?”
    “David, do you really think it’s going
to be just us? There are people I need to include to insure that our interests
are protected. You