Afterwards, those who didn't have to rush off went to dinner at a superb Italian restaurant just around the corner from the office. It was an opportunity for informal discussions and the exchange of ideas with the non-executive directors. At the end of the meal after some people had left Ron Armstrong and his fellow director, a woman called Lucy Pageant cornered Alec and me. Ron was the senior of the two representative directors that Armstrong Investments had on the Control Networks board, but Lucy was extremely bright and as sharp as a tack so one had to be careful what one said to her.
“Alec, Martin, is there any development on the security front? I note that the board papers referred to an increased level of expenditure on security leading up to the float. Is everything else OK? No further threats?” Alec glanced at me and then went on to explain the security that had been taken on board.
“But no more threats etc.” said Lucy.
“No,” I said lying through my teeth, to which Lucy looked questioningly.
“On another matter, Alec you need to talk to Frank tomorrow. I have just been talking to him about a US company called Dalrymple. You probably know them as a major competitor, a Control Networks equivalent in the States. I think that they could be available and might make a really good acquisition for you. The float gives you the weaponry to make the acquisition and the combination would make you a very powerful force.”
“I need an opportunity like that like I need a hole in the head at the moment,” said Alec. “Why are you so keen?”
“Well, I just have a feeling that they might need us and a good deal could be done. They have been going a lot longer than you, and as you would expect they have great penetration in the US market, which would complement Control Networks strong UK and European base. I am also sensing that perhaps their technology is not so advanced and might be aging. They have grown with the aid of quite a few acquisitions and it is possible that the mix of technologies they have acquired is a legacy that is starting to catch up with them. They are the larger Company and their interest is in acquiring you, but I suspect that you are really the stronger.”
“Maybe, once we have the float through we could start looking at it, but not until then.”
“I appreciate that it is not an easy time but you cannot always choose your timing Alec. I don't suggest you do anything about it immediately, but the CEO is over here next week, will you at least have a 'get to know you' lunch so that we can keep it warm as an idea?”
“What was Franks reaction when you mentioned Dalrymple?”
“What do you mean, he just said he would talk to you about it, although…” he paused staring at Alec, “he did seem a little startled, is there anything I should know?”
“No, lets do the lunch,” said Alec reluctantly, “you set it up, but let's make it here in Bristol.”
“Lucy knows the CEO, so I will leave her to set it up and liaise with you. I don't think I will be able to make it down.”
CHAPTER 22
The next morning we were just about to leave the house for the office when Adrian called me on my mobile. Startled, I said, “get off this line immediately and meet me where we used to go fishing I said. Can you do that in 30 minutes?”
“Yes,” said Adrian hesitantly, and I hung up.
Once outside I turned to Jason and said. “Since that session with Naismith yesterday I have become convinced that there is something serious going on so I want to take all precautions including assuming that the house is bugged and that my ‘‘‘phone s are bugged. I am sure we will be followed this morning from the house here to the office. How can I lose the tail, got any ideas?”
“Its not my role to let you go off on your own but I am sure we will be followed. I could take your Range Rover and let them follow me, while you sneak off over the back fence.” Where did you used to go fishing by the way?”
“Over the back fence, at a small stream about a mile away,” I said laughing. With that we parted company.
Twenty minutes later I was looking down in to Combe Dell at the stream where Adrian and I had fished when he was a young kid and I was a teenager. I stood behind the trees staring down. There didn't seem to be any one around and then my old MG sports appeare d in the lane below by the stream and pulling to a stop, Adrian got out.
“Glad to see you have not wrecked it,” I said emerging from the woods.
“What was that about?” said Adrian.
“I think our ‘ phone s etc. might be bugged.” I then went on to tell him about the events of the last few days. “So you see, I am guessing, but I am pretty confident that the real agenda of Naismith and his pals is you.”
“I really have landed you with my problems, haven't I, what do we do now?”
“I'm not really sure. Are you sti ll staying with the girl friend? ”
“Yes, but maybe I shouldn't, I may be putting her at risk.”
“Well I think we need to get away from here. They could be tracking your mobile. Take it apart now and get it offline.”
We then got in to my car and drove off with Adrian at the wheel.
A few miles away Jason had just joined the slip road to the motorway when a red Ford roared past him and screeched to a halt across his bows. The driver’s door and front passenger doors opened and out got two serious looking guys. The one from the passenger side was a huge barrel chested individual with arms like a gorillas hanging to his sides.
“Get out of the car,” yelled the driver, a thin faced balding guy. “Where is Lever?”
“He's not here, ” said Jason as he got out of the car.
“I can see that, smartass,” said the driver. “I said where is he?”
“I don't know. It's true, I don't,” said Jason as the Gorilla advanced towards him. “Keep away from me,” yelled Jason.
The driver laughed and the Gorilla continued to advance. Suddenly the Gorilla lunged out with a right arm punch. Jason dodged it and the Gorilla lost a bit of balance with Jason moving away. The Gorilla advanced again and lunged, but instead of dodging, Jason ducked, got under the arm and grabbing it pulled down hard against the joint. There was a crack and a scream of pain from the Gorilla who collapsed sideways against the car.
Jason then advanced on the driver who was reaching inside his jacket, but Jason got there first and a chop across the side of the neck laid him out. Taking the gun that the driver had been reaching for he turned to the Gorilla, “when he wakes up you had better take your mate home. Keep out of my way!” and with that he pushed the Gorilla away from the car, got in and drove on up the motorway ramp.
CHAPTER 23
Dawson looked up as Naismith walked in to his office. “What have you got for me?”
“Not too good,” said Naismith. “Lever might have met up with his younger brother, and he seems to have disappeared.”
“How can that be?”
Naismith related the events of an hour earlier.
“So who was the guy driving Levers car?”
“It appears that Lever and his mate Bell at Control Networks have engaged a security company to provide protection and this guy was one of them. Fro m what we have learned he is ex- SAS and knows how to handle himself.”
“Well that's pretty obvious from what he did to your men.”
“Lever seems to have switched off his ‘‘‘phone as does his brother, so finding them is proving difficult; however they have to surface at some stage.”
CHAPTER 24
Now what do we do, I thought? Get so me new SIM cards for a start. “Adrian, there is a mobile ‘phone kiosk just down the road from the office, let’s stop there on the way to the office and pick up some new SIM s.”
When we got to the office I made for Alec’s office but could not find him. He was apparently out at a meeting and would not be back until lunchtime. Sitting in my office with Adrian we discussed 'what next'.