“I will get to him,” Alec said
“Well make it soon,” I said, “it looks hot so don't allow these mundane float issues to get in the way of the important business!” I ducked out of the room before he threw something at me.
“Don't forget we are in London with the brokers tomorrow”, he yelled to my back as I made my way to the lift. My heart sank. Not my kind of thing. A meeting with brokers and major potential investors, the first of a number of presentations Alec and I had to do as part of a pre-float road show in London and Birmingham with a teleconference version to Paris and New York following later. We would be away together for a large part of the next week.
An hour later my security guard turned up. Not what I had expected. Tall, athletic looking, brown haired, mid to late thirties with a slight tan. He had a small scar to the left side of his chin and was wearing a smart grey suit and tie. He would have blended in to the background of most office environments, but not ours. The general wardrobe in our office was jeans and t ee shirt or other casual shirt, particularly amongst the men.
“ Mr Lever, I am from Security Services and my name is Jason Walgrave,” he said as he stepped forward in to my office and we shook hands. He had a strong grip, but not over firm.
“Well Jason, we are informal here and my name is Martin, I don't know how this works but welcome.”
“You tell me how you want it to work.” he said. “Normally I would k eep close to you, in the office, that is outside with your PA, travel with you wherever you go, stay at your place, keeping myself on hand but as inconspicuous as possible so as to keep out of your way.”
“Don't you get any time off?”
“Well the role is meant to be 24 hours until the end of the assignment,” he answered, “but sometimes I will take a few days off and someone else will take over. I want to blend in here so I need to follow your Company dress code.”
“As you can see it is casual, except if we are dealing with clients or the public. As you have probably been told we are off to London tomorrow.”
“Alright, I will get organised,” he said and left the room to sit and read the paper outside the office.
I spent the afternoon with a fellow who had been seconded to us fol lowing our meeting with the MoD, an interesting session. It was clear that he was an extremely competent engineer with a strong back ground in aeronautics. He was a pleasant guy and interesting to talk to, but we danced around each other a little, rather like sparring partners in a boxing ring, neither wanting to give too much away. At the end of the afternoon he got up and said he had to be away. As he did so he commented, “I am going to recommend that we really take what you have seriously, if that is accepted then we will need to get the paper work done so we can talk more openly,” he smiled and left.
I called Bill Williams our finance director and company secretary. “Hi Bill, Martin here. Look we possibly have a high level discussion about to take place with the MoD on the subject of ForceNet. We need to review the legal issues, everything ranging from confidentiality to the situation regarding government rights to restrict sales in the national interest. Can I leave you to get one of your people to look at that and keep Alec in the loop? OK, one more thing. CJP are beginning to get really warm on that contract. I know that you and Alec are snowed under with the float issues but if you or one of your people could catch up with Ken Giles it would be appreciated. I think the team knows what pressure you two are under, and are tending therefore to leave you both alone, but I think it needs your input. Thanks Bill.”
In my in- tray was a draft of the float prospectus for comment, largely a task for Alec and Bill Williams to review in detail, but an opportunity for me to comment in general and approve my own bio description. After scanning it and making a few observations I picked up my laptop and jacket and set out to go home picking up my shadow Jason on the way. In the corridor there were two burly uniformed security guards near the lift. First we went up to the top floor so that I could check out with Alec on the arrangements for the following day. We entered his outer office and sitting opposite his PA Penny and reading a newspaper was an extremely attractive girl in your typical grey office suit.
Hi Penny, has he got anyone with him?”
“No,” she replied, “go on in.” I put my head in through Alec’s door and checked on the arrangements for the morning.
As I was leaving I whispered. “Who's the gorgeous blonde out there waiting for you?”
“That, is my security guard,” he laughed. “I am not sure Lisa will be too happy, but at least she doesn't have to come home with me tonight as the WPC is still there.”
I left with Jason in tow. He grabbed a small bag from his car in the garage and we climbed in to my hire car. The insurance company had apparently called during the day to confirm that my Range Rover was a write-off and that I could choose a new replacement! I couldn't help but smile when I heard. It was a burnt out shell, hardly something that could be repaired.
On the drive home I learnt a little about Jason. He was ex-army SAS and had been with Security Services for three years. He liked the work, which he said paid well, and went up in my estimation when he said he was a keen rugby player! He was not married which presumably accounted for his willingness to cope with the unsociable hours. We stopped and had a beer in the village local where we bumped in to Jerry who had helped me the night I was attacked. I introduced Jason as a friend.
“Are you Ok after the other night?” he asked.
“A bit sore, but otherwise OK. I reported it all to the police so they may be in contact.”
The three of us ended up playing a few rounds of darts before Jason and I l eft. We then dropped in to the C hippy and picked up two cod and chips to take home.
When we got home and in to the house he said, “Martin, I don't want to alarm you but I think we have been followed home this evening. They followed us first in a red Ford and then a green van.”
“I didn't notice anything,” going to the window and gently pulling aside the curtain. “There doesn't appear to be anyone outside,” I said.
“Nevertheless, I am going to call it in” and proceeded to use his mobi le. When he finished he said, ‘the boss thinks we need to increase the cover here, y ou are a bit isolated, one of our security cars will sit outside the house all night.”
With that we got down to eating our fish supper at the kitchen table, and then adjourned to the lounge where I wanted to wa tch a recording of the Scotland — England match that I had recorded from the previous Saturday.
“Please don 't feel obliged to entertain me, ” said Jason.
“That's OK, the guest bedroom is at the top of the stairs on the left so you can make your way to bed whenever you're ready. My brother is using the bedroom on the right but he does not seem to be here at the moment. Alternatively feel free to watch the game with me if you like.” We settled down to the match as I wondered if Adrian was OK.
CHAPTER 17
In the meantime in an exclusive restaurant in the West End of London, Dawson was dining. His companion was a balding grey haired man in his mid fifties with a pau nch that butted up to the table and a quietly spoken American accent. So quiet that menace seemed to exude from him every time he spoke; it made Dawson's spine tingle.
“The trouble is, it looked at first as if our threats had worked and we had persuaded them to stop the float,' said Dawson. “Now I hear that somehow that decision got reversed and t hey are full speed ahead. I hear that there could possibly be a date for the IPO fixed sometime this week; it depends on the markets apparently. In addition they have employed a security firm to provide personal protection for Bell and Lever.
“What about the brother? That is the really important project, we have to get to him.”
“We thought Martin Lever would lead us to him, but from what we are overhearing I don't think he knows where he is at the moment. What do we do now?”
“You have to get hold of the brother!”
“
To complicate things my boss has detected that I have a project going on that he knows nothing about. I have denied it of course but we both know I am lying. Depends on how concerned he is whether he follows it up.”
“Ridley, you mean? He's just a pen pusher. You should be able to handle him. In the meantime we may have to go to the next stage. I will consult with my colleagues across the pond, as you Brits say, and let you know.”
CHAPTER 18
The next morning I was up bright and early and together with my shadow Jason, we set out to catch the 8am train to London. We met Alec and his shadow, Sue, at the station and boarded the train. Penny had organised restaurant car seat reservations and we sat down to a good English breakfast, Alec and I separately so we could talk privately as we prepared for the trip. Amazing how breakfast on the train is still a good meal when everything else on rail has deteriorated. We both went through our presentations and how they meshed together for the best impact with Alec reminding me of the key selling points and the subjects to avoid. Tiresome, but I sat and listened as his antennae are much better than mine on these things, and after all it was his role to lead on this project.
The journey was just over an hour long so by the time we had finished breakfast we were slowing down for the run in to Paddington Station as we drank a second cup of coffee.
In College Green police station Inspector Lloyd was meeting with Chief Superintendent Fleet to review the Lever case.
“We need help from the Met on this one Boss. It's all originating off our turf, the main players are all London based.”
“I agree we need some help,” said Fleet. “Let me make a few calls and get back to you.”
CHAPTER 19
In London, we checked in to the Intercontinental Hotel at the back of Mayfair. We then caught a taxi over to Frank Whittles offices in the City where we were making the presentation. Our minders went off to have a coffee in the cafe in the basement while we went up to the top floor.
On the way up Frank revealed that his research in to Mendip Finance etc. had revealed a connection to one of our competitors, Dalrymple Technology. The connection was tortuous because of the maze of shell companies involved all leading to the Caymans where company records were not very transparent.
“So Mendips ’ approach is really a guise for a takeover by Dalrymple?” I said.
“Maybe, the information is too tenuous to be certain, but it is a distinct possibility. Come on, we can discuss this later, we can't be distracted from what we are doing now.”
The presentation was to a group of just over a dozen key market players and seemed to go well. According to Frank we only had one no show which he said indicated the high level of interest in the forthcoming float. Alec made the main presentation on the Company and it's future direction while I stepped in and did a short piece on product development and the associated technology. After some questions we all adjourned to a separate private dining room where Frank had laid on lunch. We sat at two tables, Alec hosting one, and me, with Frank to chaperone me, on the other. Lunch was pleasant, the wine flowed and with it the volume increased. Some of them turned out to be very knowledgeable on trends in the technology and some quite interesting questions came up.
Afterwards, Alec had to go off with Frank for a meeting with the brokers and underwriters and I was at a loose end. We were scheduled to do two more of these presentations tomorrow before going up to Birmingham, but for the rest of the day I was free. I decided I might go and visit Plavsic. I don't know why I decided to go, curiosity I suppose, but a call established that he was in and would see me, so off I went collecting Jason on the way.
Mendip Finance was based off City Road in Moorgate. Not far from Frank ’ s office so I decided that we would walk; it was a bright sunny afternoon and it would be good to get some fresh air although I soon found out that vehicle exhaust pollution made that impossible.
The building was an impressive tall city tower of about 40 floors, all glass and gleaming in the sun. In the foyer I scanned the list of tenants and found that in amongst the second stream banks, lawyers, accountants etc. Mendip Finance was on the 32nd floor. We stepped out of the lift in to a large reception area with a huge reception desk to one side occupied by an attractive girl who looked as though she did not have much to do. She greeted us pleasantly and asked us to take a seat. The walls were decorated with pictures of large oil installations; some were aerial shots of deep-sea oilrigs, others of large-scale refineries and pipelines. A few minutes later I was ushered through to a large meeting room in the corner of the building with a spectacular view looking out over the City and down the Thames. Plavsic was already there and waiting to greet me.
“Great view.”
“Yes,” Plavsic responded, “particularly on a clear day like today. Can we get you some coffee or tea. ”
“No thanks,” and we sat down at the table.
“Well Mr Lever, what can I do for you? Have you decided to accept our offer after all?” He smiled.
I returned the smile and hesitated. Now I was here I wasn't sure how to begin, although I would really like to find out if they were behind the personal assaults of the last few days.
“No, the decision to say no to your offer was a board decision and frankly, was made partly on the basis that we did not know you and that we were well down the road to an IPO which it was thought will ultimately give shareholders a better return. However I am in London for a couple of days and thought I might look you up. Tell me a bit more about Mendip Finance.”
“I am sure you must have done your own research before considering our offer,” he said.
“Yes, but it is much better to hear it from the horses mouth, so to speak.”
He looked puzzled at that phrase and paused. “OK,” he said eventually, and went on to describe Mendip Finances activities. He pointed to a map on the wall where various coloured pins denoted Mendip activities. Most of them were in Africa and Central Europe and Russia.
“Do you have dealings with governments?” I asked. “I understand that in Russia for instance, the oil industry has a heavy government involvement and shareholding.”
“Yes they do, remember we are not just interested in oil, we have many other interests.”
“Does that include arms and the defence industries?” I asked.
“No, we don't have interests in those areas but some of our associates do.”
“Associates?”
“Shareholders, investors, sister companies.”
“Does that include Dalrymple Technology?”
He ignored the question and said, ' Mr Lever, why are you here? I have already had the police here making suggestions that we have been threatening you. I assure you that our intentions are totally honourable, we are an investment organisation looking for good investments.” he smiled, but his smile had a smarminess about it that made my skin crawl.
“You were right, we did do some research on your organisation, but as you will know it's ownership structure is extremely complicated, as if the real owners did not want to be revealed. Why would a legitimate investment company want to conceal its true ownership in this way?”
A flash of irritation briefly wiped the smile from his f ace revealing an altogether harder individual but it was gone within seconds and the surface smile returned. “International trading across several continents frequently requires complex structures,” he parried. Pausing, “ Mr Lever, it is very pleasant to meet with you again but I have an appointment so if there is nothing else I really must conclude this meeting.” he stood as he said this, offering a hand in farewell, effectively ushering me towards the door.
Outside the office I joined up with Jason and we left the building and caught a taxi back to the hotel.
That evening in the hotel, Frank, Alec, and I met up for a drink before attending a dinner with clients. “What do you make of the Dalrymple link to Mendip Finance?” asked Frank looking at Alec.
“I'm not sure what to make of it. Dalrymple ar
e rumoured to have very close links to the US Government procurement operations particularly the Pentagon, but that is hardly surprising really as they have had some very major contracts with them. What do you think Michael?”
“Well, the story on the 'technical grapevine' is that they have some significant product development problems. It is said they are just not keeping pace with the technology. There appears to have been an exodus of senior technical staff, in fact I am interviewing one of them next week. I have heard that there is a lot of dissatisfaction internally with the technical strategy of the company. However that is all rumour, I daresay you could find people who would not have a good thing to say about us if you tried.” I hesitated, and then went on. “I went and paid Mendip Finance a visit this afternoon.”
“Why?”
“Well, I had nothing to do and I wanted to find out if they are the people who are hassling us. Plavsic was all charm and politeness but it was a futile visit, I couldn't even get him to respond to the Dalrymple link.”
The rest of the stay in London and the following visit to Birmingham proved to be just the routine presentations and dining a nd we ended up back in Bristol two days later.
A good bit of news was that the insurance company had paid out on my Range Rover and a new vehicle was waiting for me in the Company car park.
The first evening back home, Jason and I had just finished a steak and salad meal and I was about to settle down in front of the laptop to catch up with some work when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find two men who claimed to be police officers; one flashed a warrant card identifying him as Inspector Naismith. They had come to discuss my car stealing offence. I showed them in to the lounge, Jason stood up and his presence seemed to catch them off guard.
“ Is this your brother Mr Lever?”
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