I squirmed, “legally I hope?”
“As you know, the ownership structure of Mendip Finance is extremely complex and convoluted, hiding behind various shells and off shore barriers. Ultimately a substantial proportion, if not all of the beneficial ownership, is connected to a guy called Asimov.”
“That's the name the police came up with when following Plavsic but could prove no actual connection.”
“Maybe,” said Adrian, “but what is more interesting perhaps, is that when I delved in to Asimov’s interests, and the tentacles are also long and tenuous, I came up with the name Dalrymple.”
“Yes, our chairman has been doing some research on Mendip and has come up with the same information.”
We both sat there in silence for a few moments.
“This is crazy I said. Are we saying that Dalrymple and Mendip are part of a plot to stop us floating the business? Why? And what has this to do with you. The link of your video hacking seems a great coincidence.”
“My involvement could just be a coincidence,” said Adrian. “Coincidences do happen. Maybe they, whoever 'they' are, think that it gives them more leverage with you.”
“Maybe, but I am not convinced. By the way what have you done with the copy of that video footage? Is it safe, I hope you are not carrying it around?”
“No, of course not. Not only is it safe, if anything happens to me I have arranged for it to go viral on the Internet. I thought that would give me some bargaining power if it is needed.”
“Yes, OK,” I said uncertainly, “but whatever happens make sure it is not published inadvertently. If it did get out you would lose that bargaining power and you never know what might happen then. Perhaps you should also let me know where a copy is in case I need to be able to use it?”
“OK,” said Adrian. “If you think so, I was just trying to avoid getting you in even deeper.”
“Bit late for that,” I said.
Alec stuck his head around the door. “Come on Lisa has the food ready and is chasing to know when we will get there.”
“I thought she was in Manchester?”
“She was, but she had to come back for a day to get a briefing connected to the case she is on.”
“Ok, we are coming.”
We spent the evening with Alec and Lisa. Before dinner I apologised to Lisa and said that I needed to spend a few minutes with Alec on some business so we disappeared in to his study. I had decided to tell him about Adrian’s situation. I did not show him the material that Adrian had downloaded or whom it had identified, I merely described it to him. Telling him the detailed identity of the people in the video would serve no purpose and could only endanger him further.
“So as you see it is very difficult and I am not sure what is the best way forward. Jason disabled their thugs but they will come again until the issue is resolved and there is also a possible link with Dalrymple.”
Alec sat quietly and listened, obviously shocked by what I was telling him, but quiet all the same. Eventually he said. “Look, I need some time to absorb this, but what strikes me straight away is that we are out of our league here, and we need to get some heavyweights on side to help. The only ones I can think of are the Bristol police, Fleet and Lloyd, although I am not sure how much they will really be able to help if it comes to the crunch. I think it is obvious that Adrian needs to be protected, they are obviously searching for him.”
“Let's talk again in the office in the morning, but my gut feeling is that you are right and the three of us should go and see Fleet tomorrow and confess. Ron Cheadle gave me the name of his partner who is a criminal lawyer and also has experience of these issues. I could call him and find out if he would be available to accompany us?”
“Good idea, do that.” Let's go back in and join the rest, I have some steaks to cook!”
Lisa looked daggers at me as we walked back in to the main living room, but Alec bounced over, gave her a peck on the cheek and demanded to know where the steaks were. He was planning to cook them on the barbecue out on the deck.
The tensions soon dissipated, and the rest of the evening was relaxed with no further discussion of business. Alec was cooking marinated filet steak. Two types of marinade, a spicy Indonesian style peanut marinade, and a plain garlic and mustard marinade. Served with salads and a baked potato with a mayonnaise garnish, the steaks were spectacula r, and a glorious Italian red wine to accompany them finished it all off well.
The woman PC was present and Alec made sure to include her and our two security personnel, Jason and Sue, in the evening. I had already discovered that Jason could be pleasant company and Sue proved equally engaging once she relaxed.
At about 11pm I made a move to go and Jason got up as well.
“See you in the office in the morning Alec?”
“Yes, OK,” said Alec.
Giving Lisa a hug and a thank you for the meal, we left for the lift down to the car park to pick up the Range Rover.
Arriving home it was good to see that we had no welcoming party and the house looked undisturbed. I went straight to bed.
During breakfast the next morning, Lloyd called and asked us to come in at 10am to see him and Fleet. “Can we make it a bit later?” I said, “Alec Bell would like to join us and I would also like to bring a lawyer if I can.”
“You think you need a lawyer do you?” said Lloyd, sounding surprised.
“We have a few things to tell you and I think it only best to be prepared, can I call you back?”
“Fine” he said, “but make it quick please.”
I called Ron Cheadle in his office and asked him if he could make the introductions to his partner Dave Withers. We were due to have another session with police today.
“I took the liberty of talking to Dave after we last met so he is partly up to speed. Let me check if he is in.” there was a click on the line as he put me on hold.
Shortly there was a broad Yorkshire voice on the ‘‘‘phone. “ Mr Lever, my name is Dave Withers, Ron has been telling me something about you. What is happening?” I then went on to explain that we were planning to attend a police interview today with Fleet and Lloyd and asked if he could be available to attend. “Well I am in court this morning but the afternoon is free. You are based near the harbour I believe. Why don't I come in to your office so you can brief me before going down to College Green? If you agree, I will call Chief Superintendent Fleet and check that is convenient. I know her quite well.”
“OK,” I said. See you about lunchtime at our office.
Out of courtesy I called Lloyd and explained what was happening. “Dave Withers,” he said, “pulling out the big guns aren't you? I will find out from the Chief Super what she agrees.”
Adrian said he had to go to his girlfriend ’ s and get some clean clothes and that he would come down to my office later in the morning.
In the office, I talked to Alec and explained what I had set up.
“I will have to shuffle a few things round from this afternoon but I will make it. Why don't you organise some sandwiches in for lunch so we can discuss what we do while we eat. I assume Adrian will be there?”
“Yes, he is coming in later this morning, the problem is how much he should admit to, thereby incriminating himself. These days there is a danger he could be extradited to the US!”
“Withers should be able to advise on that. Let's play it by ear.”
I then sat down in front of my computer to start dealing with my email. With everything that was going on I had got seriously behind with my mail, more than 150+ unread. However there would not be anything too urgent, as my PA June wou ld have drawn my attention to it if she couldn't deal with it.
She however did remind me that I was committed to giving a lecture next week to some software students at Bristol Uni. Had I prepared anything? It was customary to provide a hard copy of such talks so I couldn't just wing it. The subject was 'The Planning of Software Development.” With the office door closed, I got down to roughing something out with indications of schematics needed and by the time lunchtime had come I was able to email something to June that she could convert in to PowerPoint with suitable suggested graphics. June was a wiz on
