Exponential
Page 68
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“Why can’t I speak with him directly?” Damian asked.
“Because Mr. Danvers feels he can in no way continue to associate with you or your organization,” came the terse reply. Arrgh! Did he hate lawyers! This lawyer was apparently a damage control and legal clean up person sent by Bob Danvers to be sure he was in no way associated with any scandal that might develop as a result of Mike and Annette telling their story. The lawyer continued, “I am authorized to speak in his behalf in any matters necessary.”
“So he thinks he can just cut bait and leave me out on my own, does he?”
“Am I supposed to take that as a threat?” asked the lawyer?
“Take it however the hell you want! What are we going to do now?” he said bitterly.
“Well, the trespassing charges – if we pursue them – are not going to be enough pressure or persuade them to keep quiet. You have to remember they too, are victims here. The only reason they were trying to help Ms. Chandler is because they wanted to put an end to their own troubles.”
“We can simply deny anything they have to say!”
“Actually, we already are. We are publicizing the event as if they were criminals seeking to destroy a corporate enemy. They are not looking all that good right now. And of course we have other means to put more pressure on them.”
“Other means? What, are you going to hold their mothers for ransom?”
“You would be the one to know about such things. You seem more of the expert in using physical means of persuasion,” the lawyer replied sarcastically. “What we have, is information. Remember, we know a considerable amount of secret information about the technology they are developing. We could threaten to divulge that information to pressure them to be silent.”
“What a piece of work you guys are! You’re going to threaten them with information we basically ‘stole’? You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“I think that you are not a good one to be talking to others about moral behavior.”
“What about the girl? We were hoping she’ll show up tonight. If not, then perhaps tomorrow night. If she does, we’ve got her!”
“So kill another innocent victim?”
“The mother was an accident! In fact the police believe the girl to be the prime suspect right now.”
“That won’t hold up for long, there’s too many holes in that theory. Even the police are beginning to see that.”
“Well, then the mother was a simple burglary victim then – I don’t know – that’s your area of expertise!”
“We may still have one hope left, go ahead with the attempt to meet with her tonight and see what events play out. She could still be convinced.”
“I suppose that’s true, but I don’t know if we should risk everything on that hope. What if she can’t be convinced?”