"Thank you," she said gratefully.
"The reason why we asked you here today, Dr. Barnaby, is that we have to establish a strategy to address the stock price issue that you have brought to our attention. As you mentioned in the beginning, there is no data or evidence to substantiate a potential connection between your intentions to sell your stock and the articles or rumors that appear after the announcements are made, thus dragging your stock price down."
"Yes, that's correct, I'm afraid," Dr. Barnaby confirmed.
"In such situations the only possible approach is to stage another such event, in the hope of triggering a similar response. We can hope that this time, because we're expecting it and are ready for it, we would be able to figure out who the aggressor is."
"What would you like me to do?" Dr. Barnaby asked.
"We will work together to set up a communication strategy with your executive team. You would be letting them know that, regardless of what happens, for personal reasons, you will have to sell your stock at the end of the next quarter. Then we watch all of them, and see what happens. So far, the preferred method of aggression was through press leaks and rumors. We'll be prepared to counteract. We'll have the best public relations agency working for us, along with a strong legal team on our side to force retractions, send cease-and-desist letters, or apply whatever forms of pressure within our means to contain this. The PR team can issue statements that reinforce the public's confidence in NanoLance."
"I can't help thinking how risky this is," Dr. Barnaby said, rubbing his forehead in concern.
"It is risky," Tom confirmed, undeterred, "but it's something that would have to happen anyway, if you are ever to sell your stock. If we handle this in a controlled manner, when we're ready for it, we reduce your exposure. And we're ready to intercept communication and action meant to undermine the stock price."
"How confident are you that you will be able to identify who is doing this to me?"
"Almost 100 percent," Tom replied.
"Almost? Not entirely?"
"We do run the small risk that, despite our best efforts in monitoring and surveillance, the person responsible for the attacks will use some already established back channel that we don't know about, or that we wouldn't be able to identify in time. But, nevertheless, it would still be helpful to you to have us control such aftermath, and help restore the stock price in time for you to be able to sell at a good value."
Tom finished arguing the issue and stopped, giving Dr. Barnaby time to decide.
Dr. Barnaby turned his attention toward Alex.
"Have you identified any potential issues? Do you have any preliminary findings?"
Alex looked briefly at Tom for support and approval. He nodded slightly, encouraging her to speak.
"I have seen some measure of dysfunction that could be the early indication that we are on the right track to identify the person or persons who are behind this. From my initial findings, I can say that we're looking at a complex root cause, not just a simple one, as in one person pulling all the strings or pushing all the buttons. I would like, however, to continue my work and come to more definitive answers before I start naming names."
"So, you're thinking it could be a conspiracy of sorts?" Dr. Barnaby pressed on.
"Potentially. I need more time to make sure we identify all parties involved, and uncover all the aspects of this dysfunction."
"You're kind to call it a dysfunction," Dr. Barnaby said. "I'm sure you'll find it's more than just dysfunction."
"For now, I'm keeping an open mind, Dr. Barnaby. Please let me assure you that we are making significant progress, and that we'll be able to prepare a comprehensive report soon."
"Young lady, I have every confidence in you. I know you'll be successful. Since we've talked last time, I have been able to fall asleep at night, now that I know you all are looking into this for me. I haven't been getting much sleep since it started, but you've restored that for me, and you'll restore everything else, I am sure. My entire life and my legacy are in your capable hands, and I thank you."
"I will not let you down, sir, I promise," Alex said, blushing.
"Before we adjourn, we have a question and a request for assistance, if I may," Tom interjected.
"Sure, please go ahead."
"We would need your assistance in making sure that no executives or even senior managers are hired or terminated without your knowledge and preapproval. We need to make sure that Alex will continue to keep her job, for as long as she needs, to finish her investigation, and that no key players are removed from the organization before we are done."
"You got it, consider it done."
"As for the question, Dr. Barnaby, are there financial difficulties that the company is facing right now? Maybe cash-flow issues?"
"No, there aren't any. The company is extremely profitable and has had constant growth in the double digits every year since we started. We are doing just fine. Why do you ask?"
"Some of your executives seem quite focused on cost cutting. Aggressive cost-cutting measures are being put into place," Tom clarified.
"That can't be right. Who's doing that? I haven't tasked any of my executives to reduce costs. We have always been a growth-oriented company. They are all supposed to focus on growth and development, through innovation and research. Can you tell me who's doing this?"
"I'm afraid I can't, not at this time. You will find all these details outlined in our report, but until then we have to ensure that the status quo stays unchallenged and no appearance is different. Even a goal realignment memo clarifying the issue of cost cutting could potentially be hazardous to our plans. These are people who have their antennas out there, assessing carefully every single change, no matter how small."
"I see," Dr. Barnaby conceded, "maybe you're right. It's hard for me to wait, you know."
"I understand, sir, and we promise you the wait won't be long."
"So, what's next?"
"We will work with you to announce the sale of your stock and watch what happens."
…39
"How much longer, Daddy?" An impatient six-year-old boy, dressed in cargo shorts and an angler's T-shirt, was banging his feet against the seat in front of him.
"Shh… stop that," his father said, and gently put his hand on the boy's knees, getting him to stop kicking. "We're almost there."
"But why did we take the bus?"
"Well, how many times have you traveled on a tour bus before?"
"Never," the boy answered in a firm voice.
"And how many times have you traveled in Dad's car before?"
"Um…" the boy attempted to count from memory, using his fingers as a guide. "Every day," he concluded, giving up on the actual count.
"See? Now you get to experience something new today," the dad continued, arranging his son's baseball cap. "What else are we going to be experiencing today?"
"Fishing?"
"Yes, Teddy, fishing. We're going to rent a boat, a large one, a pontoon, and we're going to take that boat out to sea and catch us some fish."
"Why didn't Mommy come with us?" The boy was no longer smiling.
"You know how mommies are, they sometimes want to spend time lying in the sun, just sitting there, idle, on the beach. And what happens when that happens?"
"We get bored!"
"Exactly, Ted. Because this lovely day can't go to waste, we'll have some serious fun today, son, that's a promise. All those fish will be in serious trouble."
"How are we going to catch them?"
"Well, we don't have fishing rods, but what else do we have?"
"Dynamite?"