Free To Save a Son by Brian Freemantle Page B

proceed.”
    â€œAnd everyone knows how I feel,” said Dukes. “What about Greenberg?”
    â€œWe’ve got a good working board,” said Pascara. “I don’t see the need for any outside involvement.”
    â€œHe’s got casino expertise,” persisted the Texan.
    â€œOf the sort of casinos we’ve already decided we don’t want,” rejected Flamini. “I don’t think we should consider any change from what exists now.”
    â€œI propose Eddie Franks remain as chairman of the new company,” said Pascara. “I don’t like switching bets from winning horses.”
    â€œWould you be prepared to be chairman?” asked Nicky formally.
    â€œYes,” said Franks. “If, at the end of all the inquiries and negotiations, we decide to go on, then I’d be very pleased to act as chairman.”
    The appointment formally occurred three months later, after the Bahamian goverment agreed and the first casino opened. This time Pascara and his son traveled to the island for the official opening, with all the other directors of the new company. The profit return began after six months, doubling the prediction from the earlier financial forecasts. There was an attempt to repay Harry Greenberg’s help and Las Vegas hospitality by inviting him to the Bahamian opening. His suggestion came shortly after the profits began, and was delivered through Dukes: why not set up lines of credit between the Golden Hat and the Bahamas, enabling gamblers at one location to gamble on money—or winnings—deposited at the other? With the standards established and strictly monitored on the islands, Franks did not see the linkup being detrimental to their casino, and accepted Dukes’ argument that the appeal at the Las Vegas end would be limited to the high rollers from the few large-stakes tables at the Golden Hat.
    Franks personally involved himself in the early weeks as he always did, concentrating upon the security installation that had been copied from Las Vegas and using their financial linkup with the Golden Hat to obtain access to their criminal file. He explained the system to the Bahamian authorities and agreed with the island police to add to the list people they considered undesirable.
    He and Tina were able to return to their neglected English home in time for David’s summer holiday. Franks did so with a feeling of relief, looking upon the homecoming as an opportunity to rest. This feeling surprised him, because rest had never been an object before. But it was now. Before, he had always known that there would be something else for him to do; another mountain to climb. But it wasn’t there anymore. He’d established himself internationally. Remembering his thoughts at Nicky’s wedding, Franks realized, further surprised, that for the first time in his life he was truly, properly satisfied.
    At the end of the summer, Nicky and Maria came for an extended stay, using the Thameside estate as a base from which to tour England, and remaining there all the time for the last three weeks.
    There were boat trips on the river and the inevitable tennis and a lot of swimming, and Franks oversaw it all with a feeling of continued contentment. There was a faint but perceptible deference toward him in Nicky’s demeanor and Franks decided, amused at the thought, that he was becoming patriarchal, like Enrico.
    Maria came close to saying it openly. She and Franks were alone by the pool. Tina was in the house supervising an evening meal, and Nicky was there with her, waiting for a call from New York.
    â€œNicky admires you,” said Maria unexpectedly.
    â€œI admire him,” said Franks. “He’s a good corporate lawyer.”
    â€œI didn’t mean like that,” said the woman. “He looks up to you, like an elder brother. Respects you.”
    They were side by side, on loungers. Franks swung off, sitting on one edge and looking