Free To Save a Son by Brian Freemantle

discussion Franks let the other man infer his visit was like so many of the others before it, the sort of personal check they had come to recognize and expect from him. It was only when they were well into the discussion, agreeing how successful the investment had been, that Franks mentioned the possibility of installing a casino.
    â€œYou’d like me to test the water?”
    Franks hesitated at the man’s expression. Surely at this late stage Snarsbrook wasn’t maneuvering for a bribe? Cautiously Franks said, “I’d welcome some indication of how an approach might be received.…” He paused further, and then to give the man the opportunity for a demand if he intended one, said, “Would it be difficult?”
    â€œIt shouldn’t be too much of a problem to gauge a reaction,” said the minister.
    Snarsbrook wasn’t going to ask for any commission, Franks decided. He was relieved. He liked the man, and his opinion would have been diminished if there’d been any sort of approach. “How long?” he said.
    â€œSoon,” promised Snarsbrook. It was a promise he kept, making contact within two days. Following the success and prestige of the existing hotels, the Bahamian government would favorably consider a casino providing it was an improvement over that which already existed.
    â€œThis is an official reaction?” pressed Franks, determined against any misunderstanding.
    â€œAbsolutely,” guaranteed Snarsbrook. “Your company—but more importantly you, personally—have got a very good name here on the island. An established reputation.”
    â€œThat’s very flattering,” said Franks.
    â€œThere’s no reason why it should be,” said Snarsbrook. “What’s been achieved here on the island is a personal thing … personal to you.”
    Franks was warmed by the praise, happy that other people were aware of how things always were for him. “This is a preliminary discussion,” he said.
    â€œI understand that,” reassured Snarsbrook. “If you decide to go ahead, the government will be receptive to any proposals you’d like to make.”
    Franks returned to New York the following day. He summoned a meeting for the upcoming week, which meant Nicky would be back in time to attend, and managed a long weekend in Scarsdale with Tina and Gabriella. They played a lot of tennis, and on Sunday Franks took Gabriella riding, although he was uncomfortable on a horse.
    The casino meeting was a long one. The suntanned Nicky, who briefly seemed vaguely distracted or disinterested, was brought up to date from their initial informal discussion, and then Dukes and Franks reported on the Las Vegas visit. Dukes gave the financial details, and when the Texan finished and invited questions it was Flamini who responded, putting them not to Dukes but to Franks.
    â€œWhat did you think?” asked the Chicago developer.
    â€œFrom the figures we have I don’t think there can be any doubt about the profitability,” said Franks. “It’s huge compared to any other hotel-related operation. But I thought the casinos were appalling. There’s no way what I saw in Las Vegas could merge successfully with what we’ve established; each would destroy the other.”
    â€œThat seems a pretty formidable condemnation,” said the son-escorted Pascara.
    â€œI think before we start discussing the idea we should hear fully what happened in Bermuda and the Bahamas,” said Dukes.
    Franks dismissed Bermuda because of the clear opposition, but concentrated upon the more responsive Bahamas, setting out everything of his discussions with Snarsbrook.
    At the end of the account, Pascara said, “So they’re prepared to have us there?”
    â€œNo,” said Franks, regretting the sigh of condescension as it came. “What’s there now is a much diluted version of Las Vegas. They don’t want