“Well, besides the wireless microphone that’s built into my cuff links, I’d say I was doing terribly. But since I have that, I’d say I’m pretty happy.”

“You should be so lucky,” Rick said with a forced laugh.

Noticing Rick’s discomfort, Ben pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket and handed it to him. “You may want to wipe your brow. You look terribly unprofessional.”

“You really love it when you think the victory is yours, don’t you? But if you even had the slightest hint of a communicator on you, I’d know about it. I have way too much invested in my business to risk it all on a stupid mistake.” Noticing the slight sweat that now covered Ben’s forehead, Rick handed back the handkerchief. “Cuff-link microphones-who do you think you are? James Bond?”

“Rick, if you’re so well informed, tell me why you need to risk being caught with me.”

“As I said, I’m simply checking up on an old friend. Now tell me, how’s everything at the Court?”

“It’s fine. I’ve written over thirty decisions since the session began. At least twelve of them could’ve made you over a million dollars.” Ben stared at Rick, unflinching. “Don’t insult my intelligence. Tell me what you want and name your price.”

“Oh, you’d love to have it in a neat little package, wouldn’t you?” Rick said. “I know you’re in a tough position. When this year started, you were poised for stardom. But because of this disaster with Eric, you’ve put your entire career at risk. If the press links you to Eric, you’ll be eaten alive. No matter what the D.C. law firms have offered you, if you’re suspected of leaking information, there isn’t a firm in the country that’ll touch you. Which means these next few weeks will be risky ones for you.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’m here to suggest a truce. You know what I need. I’m pretty sure that’s always been clear to you. In return, I’ll make sure you’re handsomely rewarded.”

“You’ll have to forgive me-I’m not up on my criminal speak. How much is ‘handsomely’ these days?”

“Three million dollars,” Rick said curtly. “I assume that’ll be enough to bury all your fears about your financial future.”

“Have you been smoking some of the money you made? Why the hell would I take money from you? Right now, my life is fine. The press is a little suspicious, but otherwise, they’re calm. But if I take the money, I’m definitely screwed. If a clerk shows up with three million bucks, someone’s liable to get a bit suspicious.”

“Ben, you’re screwed either way. You may have no problems with the press at the moment, but as I said, it’s only a matter of time before they link you with Eric. When that happens, I hope you’re prepared. Take the money-at least you’ll be ready for the disaster that will become your life.”

“You’re right-if the press links us, I’m dead. But there’s no guarantee they’ll find out. If my bank account suddenly hits three mil, though, I’m guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows. At that point, I might as well admit guilt.”

“Now you’re getting caught up in semantics. Do you really believe I’d be dumb enough to just show up with a bag of money at your doorstep? Your three million dollars will be put into an account that no one but ourselves will ever be able to find.”

“Of course-the Swiss bank account. How stupid of me.”

“Ben, this isn’t a game. This is real life here. If you want to risk your existence on the unlikely possibility of media incompetence, be my guest. But I know you’re more of a pragmatist than that. Unless you take the money, you risk losing everything. I hope you’ll choose a more secure future.”

“And if I don’t help you, how do I know you won’t blackmail me?”

Rick looked coldly across at his passenger. “You don’t. But blackmail doesn’t solve any of our problems. Revealing your link with these decisions means risking my own indictment as well. As you know, if the truth comes out, the world’s largest magnifying glass will be turned on all of us. While it’s easy to outsmart a single Supreme Court clerk, it’s not as easy to sidestep the SEC and the resources of an unrelenting media.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then I’ll find someone to say yes,” Rick said. “Believe me, it won’t be hard.”

“Is there a particular decision you have in mind?”

“Grinnell v. New York is one. There are others.”

“And when do you want the information?”

“Get it to me at least three weeks before the decision is announced. The earlier the better.”

Ben picked at a hole in the leather seat. “How does it feel to know you’re going to hell?”

“Don’t get on a moral high horse with me,” Rick said. “It’s easy to be honest when you’re on top. Try starting the race from the back of the pack.”

“Cry me a river.”

“I’m serious. If I were you, I’d be less concerned with ethics and more concerned about securing your future. There isn’t much demand for out-of-work legal geniuses.”

“Let me ask you one last question,” Ben said. “How’d you get all the information about me?”

“That would be telling. You know the line-about magicians revealing their tricks.”

“That’s a good one. You’re so original. So what else do we have to talk about?”

“I believe that’s it.”

“You should know one thing,” Ben said. “Ever since they lowered my security clearance, the marshals have been watching me pretty hard.”

“I don’t think your recent drop in security status will affect anything,” Rick said. “In the future, if you need to reach me, you can contact me through our P.O. box.”

“By the way, that P.O. box thing was a pretty good trick. I was impressed.”

“Doesn’t take much,” Rick said sarcastically. Pushing the intercom button on the side of the door, he said to the driver, “As soon as you see a good place, I want to let our guest out.”

“One last thing,” Rick said as the driver pulled to the side of the road. “Please take out your contact lenses.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Take out your contacts. I’d prefer that you didn’t memorize our license plate.”

“These things cost a hundred bucks,” Ben said as he took out his left lens.

“I don’t want to keep them,” Rick said. “I only want them out of your eyes.”

When he saw that Ben was holding both lenses, Rick opened the door and let him out. “Thanks for dinner,” Ben said sarcastically. Rick slammed the door and the limo sped off. Squinting hard, Ben struggled in vain to read the plates. “Asshole.”

“Where the hell is he?” Nathan asked.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Ober said, bent over and staring into the refrigerator. “He and Rick just went for a ride.”

“How can you be so damn calm?” Nathan asked.

“I’m not,” Ober said, selecting a soda. “But what do you want me to do? He’ll be home when he gets home.” As he opened the can, he added, “You don’t think Rick kidnapped him and threw him off a pier, do you?”

“Of course not,” Nathan said, walking into the kitchen. “Rick isn’t some petty criminal. If he wanted to eliminate Ben as a witness, he would’ve put a bullet in his brain a few days after the decision came down. Rick’s after more information.” Nathan washed his hands in the sink. He then shut off the water and paused. “Ober, do you trust Lisa?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m serious,” Nathan said, drying his hands with a dish towel. “Do you trust Lisa?”

“Of course I trust her,” Ober said, sitting at the dining room table. “She makes me crazy, but I definitely trust her. Why? What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that someone had to tip off Rick. You don’t just get lucky and guess our entire plan. Even if he did spot the two of us, how did he know about the microphone? As far as I can figure, either Rick has all of us bugged, or he has an inside person telling him what we’re up to.”

“That’s not true. Maybe he actually realizes that Ben is a worthy opponent. In that case, he could’ve just been trying to be cautious.”