“You made at least one of those names up.”
“I did not.”
“What about Alex Boyer? I have never heard that name before.”
“He was here for two weeks while you were in Maine six months ago.”
“I never met him?”
“You never met him.”
“Why not?”
“He transferred to our San Francisco office.”
“And I’m responsible for that why?”
“You’re not, but youaremissing the point.”
“And that is?”
“For whatever reason, whenever we get a new associate, he or she is soon offered an opportunity they can’t pass up, and they leave.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m still missing the point.”
“The point is the fates are already stacked against Ash staying long term. I’m asking you to not do anything that might hasten his departure.”
Ash chose that moment to rap on the doorjamb and step into the office. “Whose departure?”
“Yours,” Joan said.
“I’m going somewhere?”
“No one’s going anywhere,” Stone said.
“I thought you were going to England today,” Ash said.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, then what did you—”
“It’s not important. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Since youarestill going to England, I wanted to check and see if there’s anything you need me to deal with in your absence.”
“See,” Joan said. “Diligent.”
“Joan, please let Fred know that my bags are upstairs,” Stone said.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
He smiled.
“Fine,” she said. “But don’t forget what I told you.”
Stone and Ash watched her go.
“If this is a bad time, you can email me any instructions you might have,” Ash said.
