Tate — Boston, MA
Tate walked down the long wide corridor from where he and Wilson Fielder had just finished their luncheon meeting to a room where Robert Swatling, John Malouf, and Carter Emerson sat silently, nursing drinks and picking at a platter of cheeses, seasonal fruits, and mixed nuts. Jules Kamin joined them by phone, having listened to the luncheon dialogue along with the others.
Rolling back the burgundy leather executive chair at the head of the imposing walnut conference table, Tate sat down while the others watched and waited for him to speak. “What do you think, Carter?” Tate asked.
“He’s obviously going to need additional explanation and encouragement. But all things considered, I think we can count on his cooperation,” Carter returned.
“You’re not at all concerned?” Tate probed.
“Of course I’m concerned. Emily’s been kidnapped and you just told him that he can’t trust anyone, including his own mother. What choice does he have but to cooperate?” Carter said, sitting back and taking a sip of his drink.
“I don’t trust him,” Kamin said over the speakerphone.
“Neither do I,” Swatling agreed.
“John?” Tate said, leaning over the table and waiting for Malouf’s response.
“Time will tell,” Malouf said finally.
“Let’s give him a few days. If he doesn’t cooperate, we’ll take further action,” Tate concluded.
The meeting was over. As the others left the room, Tate slipped Swatling a folded note:
Cut surveillance for a few days. I want Wilson to believe we trust him, but end his contact with Emily after tomorrow. Let’s begin in-depth background checks on every single one of Hap Greene’s men, ASAP. Call when you have something interesting.
Swatling read the note and then left the room with Tate. “I’m concerned about Carter,” Swatling whispered as they walked down the corridor.
“He’s proven his loyalty, Bob. That’s why we cancelled the contract on him, remember? I think you’d feel differently if you had been there that night,” Tate said, dismissing Swatling’s comment as elevated anxiety. He recalled that fateful evening in Sun Valley when Carter had saved his life by taking the gun away from Charles. And if that wasn’t enough, Tate mulled, Carter was the one who pulled the trigger. No one would do such a thing for the sake of appearances, no matter what was at stake. Carter had more than proven his loyalty to him and the partnership. If he were going to betray them, he would have already done it. Besides, they all had much more to gain by forgetting about the disclosure and expanding the partnership. If only Charles had come to recognize the utter futility of disclosure.