Circles Of Fear

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  Jason had his diary in front of him, fifth of July 95. He was making notes of the people who were attending his first company meeting; Geoff Harrison, Steven Brooks, Watson, Brad and Vic. They sat around the regal antique table in the lounge of his home chatting amongst themselves.

  Jason looked up and raised his voice. “If I could have your attention please! Thank you for all coming on such short notice, but so much has happened in such a short time that we have much to talk about. Steve, Brad, Vic and Watson already work within the organisation and have done for some time. Geoff on the other hand is not with us at present, so while everyone is here I would like to ask him to join us. He was my wife’s lawyer and financial adviser for the entire time she built the Malvanna empire. I have a feeling he could be trusted with our lives; I would like to offer him a position with us.”

  Geoff smiled across the table at him. “I’m deeply honoured by what you’ve said. What is it you would want of me?”

  “Steven will continue to manage Ramrod, Watson will take Brinkly International. We’ll need someone experienced and trustworthy to give advice on investments and deal with legal problems that may arise. You’ll be a member of the board of directors, Steve, Watson, yourself and I for now. What do you think?”

  “I have no hesitation in accepting, I have some unfinished business commitments but they can be taken care of fairly quickly. I’ll draw up a contract that is to your liking, with a letter of appointment. We’d have to agree on a salary.”

  “All board members will be on five percent of gross profit after tax, the other things you mentioned I see as unnecessary. People will leave a long time before we argue about contracts and letters.”

  “Jason, that could be millions,” snapped Geoff.

  “Then if it is millions, we would have financially done well. Is that not the aim of multinational companies?” enquired Jason.

  “Yes, but salaries are usually capped to please shareholders for one thing,” replied Geoff.

  “I didn’t realise we had any shareholders,” said Jason.

  “I don’t really know either,” added Geoff.

  Jason turned to Steven. “Does Ramrod have shareholders?”

  “No you own it.”

  He turned to Watson. “What about Brinkly?”

  “No, you own it all Jason.”

  “Then if we ever have to raise money on the stock market and people don’t like your salaries, they don’t have to buy in.”

  Geoff nodded his head. “That’s some position to be in. Anyone who wasn’t happy with a deal like that would be very hard to please.”

  Brad and Vic felt uncomfortable so Vic intervened. “Me and Brad will go and have a swim while you talk all this over Jason. We can have a good talk after.”

  “Can you just stay while Steve gives us the low down on Ramrod; that affects you guys. Just tell us all basically what’s happening with your end Steve.”

  “Well, since ‘Full On’ got right up there, four other big bands have signed with us. Two of them are American. We seem to be the flavour of the month. Hank has been handling things in the States for us; seems he is very grateful for bringing him to prominence there. We released a two hour video of ‘Full On’s world tour live at the same time as the live CD and it has gone no.1 just about everywhere. That’s the video and the CD, seems that we can do nothing wrong. Last year’s profit margin will be around four hundred million and rising this year. An improvement of some three hundred and ninety-nine percent on ninety-four.”

  Jason scanned their faces as he spoke. “For twenty years I played four or five times a week, just to make enough money to eat and live. Now, people are throwing money at us and I’m not even there. The real amazing thing is, I never set out to do that in the first place. I was real happy just playing and writing songs. Now things have changed a lot. I will be able to play very seldom. While you guys are having a swim, ring Indiana and see if he can be here in a couple of hours; it’s important, you will have to hang around for that too Steve.”

  “I think I’m thinking the same as you,” replied Steve.

  Brad and Vic got up and headed for the heated pool in the enclosed patio. “Jason’s talking Swahili in there Vic, I’ve never seen him carry on like that.”

  “I’ve known him longer than you; he may have been in bands and just played his guitar all his life, but when the chips were down, he really knew how to operate. You mark my words, he’s really going places now he’s in the position he is. You get this feeling that everything is cool when he’s around. People who have been his bands have always followed his lead; that’s because he knew how to lead in the first place.”

  “He certainly helped change my ways, I haven’t had a joint or a line of coke for weeks now and don’t think I ever will. I might come down the gym with you next week and lift a few weights.”

  “I might have a joint and a line of coke next week too,” Vic said with a loud laugh. “Duck man look out for the flying pigs.”

  Brad pushed Vic in the pool, clothes and all. The meeting continued.

  “What can you tell us about Brinkly Watson?” asked Jason.

  “I must express concern about the salaries you have mentioned Jason, they really are outrageous. Your father would never have approved.”

  “Watson, you’ll find that you can no longer rely on or refer to what my father may, or may not have done, or approved of. Things change as of today. I am in charge and I have you to assist me with any decisions that have to be made, money is a tool, that’s why we’re always looking for it. I appreciate your concern. I feel that we must all be at ease with our future. Have you considered that if we make nothing, you earn nothing? Nothing comes of nothing, but with the people I have before me I know that will never happen.”

  “I’m sorry Jason, I was with your father for twenty-five years. Old habits die hard. We have two large factories here in Adelaide and two overseas.”

  Jason interrupted, “I never knew we had manufacturing operations overseas.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know. One is in Manila in the Philippines, the other Taiwan. They all produce kitchenware for world markets. Last year’s profit margin after tax was two hundred and forty million dollars. Most profits over the years went into real estate all over the world, mostly the U.K. and United States. The real estate is a separate operation, I know not much of what goes on within it because it’s handled by his solicitor, David Kelp. David should be at this meeting really. In a meeting with your father and David a few days prior to his death, it was mentioned that profits from rent alone on multi-storey office blocks and large farms came to in excess of one hundred million dollars American.”

  “Where did all this money come from Watson? I knew my father well, but knew nothing of any of this.”

  “Bob just liked to make money, the most he ever spent on himself and your mother was his Rolls Royce and this house. An extremely modest amount in comparison to his fortune. First he made thousands, then millions, now millions of millions. It was as if he was on some kind of a mission but he never knew why. He once told me recently, he still didn’t know why he had done it all, but he was dead sure you would know where to go next. That’s why he was so determined to have you beside him in the company Jason. This was the reason that he acquired Ramrod as we all know, even that has now turned to gold. Speaking of gold Jason, I have had an urgent call from a long time friend of your father’s. He saved your father’s life in New Guinea during the war, one Nigel Fenwick. Your father has looked after him since then, always making sure he was okay. Two years ago, Bob gave Nigel some money to back a gold claim he’d been working on for years. It’s situated somewhere north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. He was very upset to find Bob had passed away. Nigel gave Bob a fifty one percent share in the project for his financial backing for what was described as an even chance of finding something. Seems that he has come up with something and now the share belongs to you, wants' a meeting with you as soon as
possible.”

  “Tell him to fly over and I’ll see him as soon as he arrives.”

  “That’s a little difficult for him as he’s run out of money and can’t afford a ticket; he’s getting on a bit too.”

  Jason acted on impulse. “Charter a plane and fly him here, direct from Kalgoorlie.”

  “We could just get him tickets; that would be more economical.”

  “He’s not coming here, he’s being sent. Big difference Watson. I’m quickly becoming accustomed to this state of affairs, make haste we need him.”

  “As you wish Jason, I’ll do it after the meeting.”

  “Do it now Watson, please.” Watson got up and walked to the corner of the room dialling in his mobile phone as he went.

  Mary the housemaid knocked on the door then entered. “There is a David Kelp at the door to see you Jason.”

  “Show him in please Mary.”

  David entered the room; Jason smiled as he outstretched his hand. They shook hands whilst greeting. Jason introduced Steven and Geoff. “Is that Geoff Harrison, year of sixty-five Sydney University?”

  “Yes of course, I thought the name rang a bell.” Geoff embraced David. “We went through university and graduated together. Haven’t seen each other since,” stated Harrison.

  “Please sit down,” asked Jason.

  Watson rejoined the meeting greeting David. “Nigel will be here tomorrow morning; a plane is leaving the airport now to pick him up. He should be at the house here, nine tomorrow morning. Jason continued to make notes in his diary. Jason felt well at ease with David as they plugged him in as to what had already been discussed at the meeting. David accepted a position on the board, then briefed them.

  “I’ve handled your father’s legal and some financial affairs for some ten years now. I never saw him make a bad financial move in all that time. Anything he touched turned to gold. He stretched his affairs to the extreme limit of the law. Making money was his passion and he did it well. I can’t tell you much of Brinkly International’s manufacturing operations, but as for the real estate investments we have a lot. A policy of continual investment of profits from all areas has seen real estate for the company exceed the one billion dollar mark this year; not all of it is rental property, some is just open land. Five hundred million in the United States, of which four hundred million is high rise in New York and Washington. Four hundred million in the UK, mostly London. One hundred and fifty million in Australia, all in Adelaide and Sydney. A network of real estate management companies operate them for us of which I monitor continuously.”

  “As you’re on the board with us now, I ask you to drop everything else and put our own structure in place to operate the properties.”

  “An excellent idea, management fees cost several million a year, putting that money back into the company coffers will boost profits marginally. I was going to suggest that and have some figures for you here.”

  Jason studied the documents briefly, “You suggest by this we can save twelve million annually; this doesn’t include profits from handling other people’s property. I think you will find a big demand for our services soon. I will have to see you all individually after the combined meeting. We will meet every Wednesday in our offices in the city. Having a meeting mid week gives us two working days to prepare and two working days after the meeting to initiate any decisions we may make. Weekends can be lost time as a lot of services are unavailable. Now there is something I must discuss with you all as I will need your help with it. Yesterday afternoon I had a visit from Adelaide Mayor, Fred Banks. He informed me that the Australian People’s Party of which Banks has been nominated to represent, is keen on my services. He suggested that I should run for the federal seat of Parkin in my own electorate. I have decided that I will be able to help a lot of people if I do that. That’s why it interests me; what do you think Watson?”

  “Banks had talked to your father about it, Bob was thinking about it but had made no decision. I don’t think Bob was that kind of man. You on the other hand seem to be able to influence many people for the better; I would be with you all the way.”

  “What about you Steve?”

  “It comes as a surprise, but now I think about it, you would make a great Prime Minister; the seat of Parkin would certainly open that up for you.

  “Geoff.”

  “One thing a political leader needs is charisma and you have plenty of that. Your honesty and intellect may be something new to the role.”

  “Dave, how will politics affect our operations?”

  “With the structure of the board you’re setting up, with individual management of separate areas of operation, very little. The opposition whoever they may be will always use your financial position to try to discredit you in the eyes of the voting public. If it’s something you really want to do, then that’s for you. I have known you less than an hour and have a tremendous feeling of well being with you. If the people feel the same way, the sky’s the limit for you.”

  “Watson, what can you tell us about Banks?”

  “He’s a terribly domineering man of dubious repute. Your father always felt uneasy when dealing with him. He has a lot of enemies, it’s said he’s not a man to be messed around. Gets his way by any means; he’s not a family man, if you understand what I mean.”

  “That’s the message I got when I met him. I’ll make an appointment to meet the rest of the party soon. They all can’t be like him. He claimed they discussed him approaching me. I feel meeting them will start the ball rolling if that’s the case.”

  Vic put his head inside the door. “Indiana just rolled up here Jason.”

  “Steve and I will be straight out. If you people can have a break while we see the band members, we shouldn’t be long.”

  Jason and Steven joined Vic, Brad and Indiana beside the pool. The removable partitions were in place around the perimeter of the patio area to keep the winter chill at bay. After everyone had settled, Jason got straight to the point. “I’m about to embark on a career that will tie me up with things that are hardly musical. This leaves Brad and Vic out in the cold a bit. It also leaves ‘Full On’ with no guitar player or singer. I suggest you sing and front the band Indiana and we ask Joe Hammer to play guitar.”

  Brad and Vic looked at each other. “What about you?”

  “I won’t have the time. You guys will have to do something with it. We can televise the first show with the new line up. I can play on that, then appear every now and then. Indiana has plenty of good material, I’ll throw one in every now and then. The deal will be the same as it is now, any material produced by the band has all members’ names on it for equal royalties. Except I’m out and you’re in Indiana.”

  Indiana took off his dark glasses. “Is that the deal you guys have been on?” Brad and Vic nodded. “Haven’t you lost a lot of money on that Jason?”

  “No. The band stayed together, if I’d made all the money, I may have lost Vic and Brad, not only good band members but good friends. Steven and Tom are in on it as well. Steven will drop out now as will I, but Tom stays. What do you reckon Steve?”

  “If we want to do something with it without Jason, sounds like a good way to go.”

  Indiana put his dark glasses back on. “I’m in, what about Hammer, anyone asked him yet? I’d give my right arm to hear him play every night, let alone stand next to him.”

  Steven lit a cigarette. “There’s one thing that will get him in. He’ll be stepping into Jason’s shoes. I think he’d like that. He likes a challenge.”

  Jason nodded. That’s exactly why I think he’s the right guy, he likes a challenge. Give him a ring Steve. That will be your mission till next Wednesday’s meeting, get these guys up and running.”

  Jason returned to the lounge and resumed his conversation with the others. “Geoff, try to think of something to do with the money from Malinda’s estate, any chance you could move to Adelaide? Or is all that to much to consider by next Wednesday?”

  �
�My wife’s parents live here, I suppose under the circumstances, I will discuss it with her.”

  “It may be handy to have someone in Sydney, we can all have a think about it. The decision really stands with you, where ever you feel comfortable will be fine.”

  “I should have some idea by next Wednesday.”

  “Dave, if you could do a feasibility on forming our own real estate management. Your figures looked encouraging, check it right out for next Wednesday.”

  “Watson I...”

  Watson interrupted, “Jason, I need to talk with you urgently, regarding our factory operations here in Adelaide. We are having industrial problems.”

  “Is tomorrow too late? Today’s nearly done. ”

  “Yes, tomorrow will be fine. I am to pick up Nigel Fenwick from the airport to bring him here. We can talk then.”

  “Make that the office in town. I better get accustomed to operating out of there. I’ll head down after dropping Tammy off at school. Let’s join the others for a quick chin wag before we break it up. It’s seven pm and some of us have planes to catch.”

  Watson was the last to leave. Vic and Brad stayed. Jason had just put Tammy to bed when the phone rang, it was eight pm. Jason answered it. “Hello, Jason Brinkly’s residence.”

  It was Glenda McDonald his mother in law. “Jason, I’m so glad I have caught you. I’m in town visiting friends and I must see you as soon as I can. Could you spare the time?”

  “Of course mum, where are you?”

  “Suite eighty-five in the Hilton.”

  “I’ll be there in half an hour, what a great surprise. See you then.”

  “Thank you Jason. Bye.”

  “Mary! I have to go to town! Shouldn’t be too long!”

  “Okay! I’m cooking in the kitchen!”

  Jason stuck his head round the patio door. “Guys, I’m going to see someone at the Hilton. Wanna come for a ride?”

  Vic looked round. “Yeah, a ride in the Rolls. Why not.”

  The Rolls cruised elegantly towards the city