Enemy Within (17 page)

“I regret that Bill is right Lucy, we need to be very careful. It is of course good to have the opportunity to meet but we need to keep it general. Mark, how about giving us a rundown on the history of Dalrymple, and maybe I could then do the same for Control Networks.”

“OK,” said Mark, “I fully understand the delicacy of your position.”

The lunch conversation then proceeded on that basis and it turned out to be pleasant enough. When it finally broke up
,
we had all got to some extent
to
know our opposite numbers and we invited them to come and see us at the office when they were next in town.

Alec had a quiet word with Lucy on the way out. “Sorry if that did not quite go the way you wanted Lucy, but I did warn Ron that meaningful discussions would not be possible.”

“That’s OK Alec, thanks for finding the time at what I know is a very busy period for you. I still think that having this meeting was worthwhile.”

“One final thing,” Alec said taking Lucy to one side, “are you aware that Dalrymple and Mendip Finance may, in the murky entrails of their ownership structure, have common ownership?”

“No, I wasn't, that is interesting. Why would they want to invest in you if they already have links to one of your big competitors?

“It can't be that they need us to fund them, I suspect the rumours may be right and they have a product development/technology problem going forward.”

“Well, that gives us something to think about, in the meantime we have at least broken the ice, and next time, if there is a next time, we can get in to more substantive issues.”

“Good luck for Thursday.” She said as she joined the Dalrymple guys in a taxi.

Back at the office I filled Alec in on the events of the last 24 hours. “Now I just hope they will release Adrian and we will hear from him soon.”

There was however no news and Thursday arrived. The brokers advised that the issue had been substantially over subscribed and they were accepting subscriptions for
up to
another 10% of our shares as agreed.

A successful day and champagne was broken out in abundance. All staff joined the party that went on until the early evening.

No news however on Adrian and I tried to call Naismith, but no luck. Lloyd called to ask if I had news and when I said no he was quiet on the other end of the
phone
.

“This is proving difficult,
” he eventually said. “We have no real evidence as to who was involved in his abduction or where he is. Other than the initial response reporting the incident of him being taken from the car, and the recovery of your car from the Feeder, there has been no further public information. I am not sure what we can do at this stage, but let's stay in contact daily.”

“OK.”

CHAPTER 34

The following day at the office I received a call from Nicolas Ridley at the MoD. I was surprised because while he had spoken to Alec prior to our first meeting with his people, I had never spoken to him.

“
Mr
Lever, I wanted to talk privately with you, I wonder if we could meet? I am currently in Bristol for a couple of days staying at the Marriott; perhaps we could meet there?

“Do you have news of my brother?”

“I think we need to talk face to face, perhaps even this evening? About 6pm in the foyer?”

“Alright, I will see you then.”

At the same time Naismith dropped in
to Dawson
’s
office,
to see
his PA,
Anne, whom he secretly fancied.

“Martin Lever has been calling you.”

“Well I don't want to talk to him at the moment, where's the boss?”

“He's gone,” she said.

“Gone! Gone where?”

“Just g
one, and rumoured never to be coming back. The grapevine says he has been posted to East Timor! Seems to have really blotted his copy book this time.”

“Well it couldn't have happened to a more deserving bloke! Fancy a drink after work to celebrate. I have been posted to London to join the big boys with immediate effect so two things to celebrate.

“Yes OK,” she smiled.

I walked in to the Marriott at dead on 6pm. As I did so a tall guy in a leather jacket approached, “
Mr
Lever?”

“Yes.”

“Can you follow me please,
Mr
Ridley is waiting for you.”

We took the lift to the third floor and knocked on one of the bedroom doors. He then unlocked the door and we both entered.

He then turned, “before we go any further
Mr
Lever I have to scan you for recording devices. A routine precaution, I hope you don't mind,” at which point he took a small box from his coat pocket and scanned me front and rear.

He then led the way through a connecting door in to a large suite. As we entered a man in a blue pin stripe suit walked up to us, “
Mr
Lever,” he said proffering a hand. “Please excuse those little theatrics, but I am afraid one has to take precautions these days. My name is Ridley. Thank
you for coming, why don't we take a seat over here in the corner.” We sat down in armchairs arranged in a small group in the corner.

“Can I offer you some tea or coffee, we have both here, or something a little stronger perhaps? Scotch?”

“A mineral water would be fine if you have it.”

He got up and poured himself a cup of tea, and retrieved a mineral water from the fridge beneath the bar for me.

“I think we will be alright now Jack,” he said to the guy who had escorted me upstairs and who then left the room.

“I am pleased we could get the chance to talk.”

“Have you got news of my brother?”

“Maybe, that's what I wanted to talk to you about?

“
Mr
Ridley, who exactly are you?” I said somewhat exasperated, “Alec was under the impression that you are with the Ministry of
Defence
, is that the case?”

“Oh yes I am,” he said, “but I also have some other involvements or responsibilities of a confidential nature.”

“You mean you are with the security services?”

“In a way,” he said, “suffice it to say that while I was not responsible for what happened to you both, I know what happened and who was involved. A very regrettable series of events for which I apologise?”

“Apologise! I was beaten up and threatened and my brother has been kidnapped, how can security services do that in this country?”

“I have said I am sorry and apologised. The people
in this country
that did this have been dealt with, and are n
ot in a position to do it again, and t
he subject of your brothers
snooping has paid the ultimate price.

“You mean the suicide rumours are true?”

“I am sure you have kept up with all of the speculation. I cannot confirm it one way or the other and it is now all history; t
he question is where do we go from here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you feel aggrieved at what has been done to you, but on the other hand your brother is under threat of arrest and prosecution for breaking the law. You yourself may be prosecuted for car theft etc.”

“My car theft was a direct result of the threats from your people, I would enjoy explaining the story in court!”

“Look
Mr
Lever, I don't think any of us want to be getting involved with courts. It would not be in any of our interests.”

“What about my brother, where is he?”

“Well that is where the problem lies. To some extent his whereabouts are not under my control.”

“Where is he?”

“Lets just say he is with 'others'. And the 'others' need to be persuaded to release him.”

“This is preposterous, you mean the Americans or CIA; you cannot get away with this!”

“
Mr
Lever, if asked I shall deny that this conversation ever took place. Let's look at this rationally. You want your brother back unharmed, and I want you to get him back unharmed. As a quid pro quo 'others' do not want the material that your brother stole released.”

“Surely, that is not important now following the Vice Presidents death.”

“Yes, his untimely demise has reduced the seriousness of the issue,
although the circumstances means that emotions are high and 'others'
do not want the embarrassment of having to deal with
the repercussions if your brothers stolen material
did beco
me
public knowledge.
As I see it t
hey not only have your brother at this time, if they were per
suaded to release him they
would
still
have the legal right to demand his extradition to the USA in the future for his crime of hacking in to their systems.”

I sat there quietly waiting for him to follow through.

“If they could be assured that the stolen material would not be released then I am sure they would be prepared to forego any prosecution. I think at a push they could also be persuaded to reimburse you both for any out of pocket expenses.”

“And what if we do not accept?”

“That would not be in my control but I would expect that your brother could be prosecuted in the USA, and it is my belief that they would probably obtain a conviction.”

“We don't have much choice, do we? Has this proposal been put to Adrian?”

“I expect so, but if not then I am sure that if I convey your acceptance it will be.”

“So when will Adrian be freed?”

“There will be some paperwork to prepare before they are prepared to do that. I understand you have retained the services of Bill Withers, an excellent choice if I might say so.”

“What paperwork?”

“They will need to get an agreement in writing. I suggest that they get their lawyers to talk to Bill Withers and get something drafted, would that be OK?”

“Alright, I think we can agree. While we are talking what do you know of Mendip Finance and Dalrymple Technology? Are they connected to all of this?”

“Not directly, I am aware of your allegations about Mendip, but I think their interest is merely on behalf of Dalrymple in making a deal with you and the connection was coincidental. The two matters then merged together when this whole other matter arose.”

He went on,
“I am sure you have done your research on Dalrymple and don't need me to tell you that they probably need you more than you need them. They are highly respected, particularly in the USA, but have some technical issues that if they don't get resolved will mean they lose some large
on-going
contracts. Frankly, I would avoid dealing with Mendip, they have connections with too many people that you would not want to be connected to, but as far as I can see Dalrymple and its management are straight if somewhat aggressive.”

“You have dealt with them?”

He nodded and stood up. “I think we are done here
Mr
Lever
,
I trust this will all work out well.”

He walked me to the door, “can you see yourself out?”

Minutes later I was out on the street, half wondering if I had just imagined the events of the last half hour. I called Bill Withers and arranged to see him the next morning.

CHAPTER 35

At Dave
Wither
’
s office the next morning I explained what had happened. After I had finished he leant back with a sigh and said, “quite a story.”

“Have you dealt with things like this before?”

“Not exactly, but I have dealt with other cases where deals have been done on extradition. We will now have to wait for them to contact me. I suspect that in exchange for his release Adrian will have to sign an admission of guilt.”

“That sounds risky.”

“Well these deals can never be watertight, and of course from their point of view, regardless of what you give to them, they can never be sure that you have not kept a copy
of the material
. So risks on both sides.”

“OK, can you let me know when you hear from them?”

“It might take a few days. In the meantime what about your car theft situation, do you want me to have a word with Chief Superintendent Fleet?”

“Yes please, if you would.”

With that I said goodbye and made for the office where I found Alec and explained what had happened.

“Well it looks as if it is getting sorted out satisfactorily. I can cancel all the security guards, do you agree?”