Page 71 of Nobody's Fool

“Yes. Mr. Belmond wants us to go over a few things before you meet. He felt that I could facilitate by making sure you have proper legal counsel to answer any questions you may have.”

I stare at him. “Uh-huh. In English?”

“Mr. Belmond wants to meet with you.”

“Yeah, I got that part.”

“But before he does, he wants to make sure that you are both”—Arthur looks in the air as though searching for the word—“protected.”

“Wait, how did Belmond even know that I know you?”

Arthur makes the skeptical face that reminds me that this wouldn’t be difficult for a man with Belmond’s means to figure out, and of course he is right.

“Mr. Belmond’s chief counsel is Lenore Spikes.”

“Am I supposed to know the name?”

“It doesn’t matter, but yes. Anyway, Ms. Spikes has drawn up an NDA.” Then he adds, “That stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement.”

“I know what an NDA is, Arthur.”

“This one is both pretty standard and pretty inflexible. You can’t talk about anything that goes on with this meeting. You can’t talk about the Belmonds. You can’t reveal anything about the Belmond family or any interactions you have with them herewith.”

I frown. “Did you just say ‘herewith’?”

“I’m being the total pro.”

“And why would I sign this NDA?”

“Three reasons. One, it is a precondition for the meeting about to occur.”

“That’s not a reason.”

“Two, he has things he may wish to reveal to you. He wants to know you can be discreet.”

I frown again. “Again not really a reason. And three?”

“Three, Mr. Belmond is willing to pay you one hundred thousand dollars to sign it.”

That catches my attention. Arthur tries to keep a straight face.

“A hundred thousand dollars,” I repeat.

“Yes.”

“Just to sign an NDA?”

“Yes.”

Wowza. Belmond clearly wants me to keep my mouth shut. I’m not sure what about. I assume Spain. But does he even know about that? Did his daughter tell him?

“And if I refuse to sign it?”

“You’ll be driven back home immediately by Prince Charming over there. The family will have no further communication with you on any level whatsoever. If you go anywhere near them, their attorney will request a restraining order, and they are well enough connected to get it.”

I try to think it through. “The hundred grand is for real?”

“Very much for real,” Arthur says. “In fact, your attorney insisted that the money be wired to your Bank of America account the moment you sign it—before you meet Belmond.”