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father who had connections that stretched from the White House to the Middle East and, rumor had it, to the inner circles of America’s underworld Eastern mob. He laughed now and, stepping back, squared off in a boxer’s stance and threw a few blows into K. J.’s midsection.
    “Still tight as a drum,” K. J. said as he permitted the old man to hit him hard in the abdomen.
    “Just out for a breath of fresh air,” Clyde said.
    “More perfume in the air in here than stinky stuff at a skunk’s picnic.”
    “Hey, come on, take a walk with me back toward the antique and estate jewelry pavilion.”
    “Ah . . . look Brigette, I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere, we have some unfinished business.”

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    “One of your wild horses couldn’t drag me away,” she said as the two men left.
    “What’s a matter. You fall on hard times, Winston? Got to sell the family heirlooms?”
    “No. Actually, son, I came down here to talk to you. I knew I’d find you here. Your mother’s worried and so is your dad.”
    “About what, Clyde?” K. J. paused to survey the old man’s face.
    “About what?”
    “Let’s step over here,” Clyde said, pointing to a quiet area near a bank of telephones. “Conflict diamonds. They think you’re trading in diamonds that come from one of them African countries where they’re having civil wars.”
    “What in the world are you talking about, Clyde?”
    “Blood diamonds, boy, that’s what they call ’em. That whole business stinks to high heaven.”
    “What’s that got to do with me?”
    “Terrible things are going on, K. J., folks cutting off the hands of children in Sierra Leone and Angola. You must know the rebels are using money from illegal diamonds to buy weapons.”
    “Tell me, Winston, what is an illegal diamond? Diamonds are perfectly legal. And since when did you start caring—”
    “You know damn well what I mean. They’re trying to pass a bill in Congress banning the import of them diamonds, right now.”
    “Yeah, well, until the bill passes, the diamonds aren’t banned, am I right? And since when did Daddy start caring about Africa and the Third World? I really don’t need a lecture about clean diamonds from him or you. You and I both know there’s plenty of dirt in every business—even the oil business, the one you and Daddy are in.”
    “Your mother and—”
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    would’ve called me if he was really concerned. He sure wouldn’t have sent somebody like you. The Hunters keep family matters in the family. What’s the deal, Clyde? What in hell are you up to?”
    “You don’t have no reason to talk to me like that, boy. It’s pretty simple, let’s just say I’m trying to warn you to get out of the creek before the dam breaks.”
    “Look, old man, your concern is touching, but knowing what I know about your business, I wouldn’t believe you if you had your damn tongue notarized. You haven’t lifted a hand to help anybody, including my daddy, since I’ve known you. Not unless there was something in it for you.”
    “Let’s not get personal, my boy,” Clyde said. “But if you know me so well, then you know that I’ve got as many connections as you and your daddy. You may think you’ve got everything in hand, but there’s some stuff happening now that you ain’t even considered. Whether you know it or not, you could use some help, and I’m the man that can supply it.”
    “Is that a threat, Clyde? You about to drop a dime on me? Or are you just fishing and hoping to buy into something that you don’t know shit about?”
    “You was always a clever boy, K. J. You figure it out. But as an old friend of the family, I’m telling you to watch your back. You’re