Stone Barrington flew in for the stockholders’ meeting in his private Citation CJ-3 Plus. Teddy managed to tear himself away from filming to meet him at the Santa Monica airport.
Stone climbed down from the plane in front of the hangar Peter maintained for his own airplane to find Teddy standing out front.
“Who are you supposed to be?” Stone asked.
“You haven’t seen my movies? I’m crushed.”
“I’ve seen your movies, but don’t get a swelled head. They also happen to be Peter’s movies.”
“I believe he does have something to do with them.”
“You’re filming this afternoon?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Well, I appreciate the personal reception, but why are you here?”
Stone turned the plane over to the pilot in charge of the hangar and allowed Teddy to lead him away.
“It’s about the stockholders’ meeting,” Teddy said.
Stone was confused. “What about it?”
“I want to go over a few things before it happens.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to be there.”
“You’re going to attend the stockholders’ meeting?”
“That’s right, in the capacity of Tessa Bacchetti’s adviser.”
“That’s not exactly your scene.”
Teddy grinned. “I know. I’ve been an assassin for the CIA, a hit man for the mob, and a freelance killer. But I’ve never sunk so low as to be a corporate board member.”
“What’s the story?”
“Are you aware someone’s been buying up Centurion stock?”
“Yes, but that’s hardly surprising. It’s a hot commodity.”
“Well, it’s being bought by several holding companies that might well be operating for the same individual. I think someone’s going to attempt a hostile takeover of Centurion Pictures.”
Stone started to protest.
“Yes, I know,” Teddy said. “You control over fifty percent of the stock. But the way I understand it, the girls have fifteen percent between them.”
Stone’s face darkened. “If you’re dragging the kids into this . . . ”
“Not at all,” Teddy said. “You know me better than that. I’m taking precautions in case someone else tries to drag the kids into this. I’ll be at the meeting. I’m going with Tessa Bacchetti just to get in the door. She normally gives Ben her proxy to vote her stock. This time she’ll be there in person with me as her adviser and give me her proxy so they can’t throw me out.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“The more you know, the more you feel you have to act. I owe you big time for the presidential pardon.”
“You’ve more than paid that back.”
“I can never pay that back. I’m happy to help in small ways.”
“If you want to pay me back, tell me what’s happening.”
Teddy smiled. “Nice try, Stone.”