He made a note on a sheet of paper. “Go on.”
“Most important of all, I need to make sure that what I tell you doesn’t go anywhere else. No one hears of this. No one else acts on it.”
“These investments, they’re not based on insider knowledge.”
“No. They’re not.”
“Because I am required to alert the authorities if there is even a hint of illegality.”
“I have developed an algorithmic system of tracking stocks,” Colin said.
“The funds in your account …”
“All came from this system.”
“And you are concerned that the, let’s call them opponents, might catch wind of your reentering the market.”
“Exactly.”
“I have known Roland for over twenty years. And never have I heard him speak so highly of a young man.” Mateo nodded thoughtfully. “Very well, I will supply you with my private contact details. You may reach me day or night. And I give you my word, what we do here will go no further.”
Colin took a long breath. He had the sensation of standing on the high-dive platform, his toes gripping the edge. He dove. “So let’s get started.”
He told Arnold and Sandrine the following Sunday afternoon. They grilled steaks on their balcony, Celeste joining them as she had a couple of times before. Just the four of them. Easy in each other’s company, old friends.
When he finished relating his decisions, and the meeting with Mateo, Arnold declared, “I want in.”
Sandrine tched. “I assume there is a request imbedded in that command of yours.”
“It wasn’t a command,” Arnold replied. Smiling now. “More like a poor starving high school teacher down on bended knee.”
Sandrine said, “There are so many things wrong with that statement I don’t even know where to begin.”
Colin said, “I’m not taking money. From anyone.”
Arnold made a face. “There go my hopes of ever buying you that yacht you’ve been wanting.”
“I never asked you for a boat,” Sandrine replied. “Not to mention how I almost got seasick standing on the Wrightsville pier in that storm last year.”
Colin went on, “The risk is too big. The thought of losing other people’s savings gives me nightmares.”
Celeste was the one who said, “I understand.”
“So do I,” Sandrine said. When Arnold did not speak, she elbowed him. Harder. “Tell him.”
“Can I complain a little longer?”
“No.”
Arnold heaved a mock sigh. “Okay, all right. But a guy can dream.”
She nudged him again, only she was smiling now. “You don’t watch out, you’ll be dreaming on the sofa tonight.”
“Another thing,” Colin said. “It’s time I start paying my own way. With the university. And my room and board. Everything. Actually, it’s past time.”
Arnold shook his head. “Not a good idea.”
“Why not? I thought your donor, the CEO, would be delighted.”