Free Enemy Within by William David Page A

the safety of families and possibly staff to consider.”
    “Well, as I said, it does seem a bit far fetched but if it's real get some security staff on board,” he replied. “The Company can employ a firm to provide you both with personal security and that combined with the police presence at your home Alec, should be adequate.”
    “We will discuss it, and consult Frank, and let you know,” said Alec.
    “We will not tolerate any delays. Look, we don't want to play hardball with you boys, you have been a pleasure to work with, but we will if we have to. We backed you and invested forty million nearly four years ago. We never said we were long term investors, we told you we wanted to be out in 5 years, earlier if possible, and if you blow this flo at you will probably blow that five year time scale. From what the brokers are saying we cou ld realise 500 million plus from this float and we want it to go ahead now. I would remind you that in accordance with the terms of the shareholder agreemen t you signed with us, if after five years there is, in our opinion, insufficient progress being made towards an exit strategy, we can step in and take over management and possibly sale of the business. You have almost completed the first fo ur years of those five years. My partners are likely to be pretty unforgiving if we miss this current window.”
    I was about to explode at this, but Alec seeing that I was about to speak quickly interjected and said, “Look Ron, we don't want to fall out with you, and we are all interested in getting some money out of this, so leave us to discuss it, and we will get back to you tomorrow. Is that OK?”
    “Yes, but you hear what I am saying. I am going back up to London tonight so you can call me in the office. I will leave you guys to it, can someone call me a taxi for the station.” Alec followed him out of the office door to ask Penny, his PA, to organise the taxi.
    A few minutes later he came back in and slumped down in his chair. “I thought you were going to explode when he threatened us.”
    “I nearly did,” I said. “We can call his bluff if we want, he would be mad to step in and take over.”
    “I agree he would, but I don't think calling his bluff is right. He might not take over but in a year’s time that contract puts him in a strong position and he could make life difficult. His idea about the security staff was a good one, why don't we call Frank and discuss it.”
    “OK.”
    After a conference call lasting about 15 minutes it was agreed that we would go back to the original float plan, and the Company would employ security personnel. Frank said he would call the broker; they were unhappy with the earlier move and needed to hear some warm comforting words.
    “Frank,” I said, “while we are talking, could you do some really in depth research on Allied Grampian and Plavsic, and does the name of Peter Asimov come up in connection with Plavsic.”
    “I will see what we can do, Martin, it is common knowledge that Allied Grampian does a lot of business with Asimov, but I would imagine that it is all oil related. I will let you know,” and with that he hung up.
    “Are you happy with that decision?” I asked Alec.
    “I'm OK with it if you are. Lisa is off to Manchester tomorrow for at least two weeks, apparently a particularly gruesome murder case. Normally she would come home for the weekends but I will get her to stay up there, maybe even go up myself for a weekend in the Peak District, we have always wanted to do some walking there and I could do with a break from this place.”
    Lisa was a barrister and her having a case away from Bristol was good fortune and took some pressure off. “I thought you were telling me that it was non-stop preparing everything for this float, how can you get away?”
    He made a rude gesture and said, “it is, and I may not be able to get away, we'll see.”
    “So how do we set up this security arrangement? How about calling Fleet, she